Elite Gourmet EIM520M Ice Cream Machine: Full Review

The Elite Gourmet EIM520M is an electric automatic ice cream maker from Americana Collection that allows you to make fresh homemade ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt or sorbet right at home. It features a 1.5 quart capacity stainless steel frozen bowl with double wall insulation to keep the mixture cold while churning. The machine has a sleek and compact white plastic housing with a transparent lid, and comes with a manual dasher paddle for mixing ingredients. Key specs include 150 watts of power, auto shutoff and a 50 minute timer. Overall, the EIM520M provides a convenient way to create delicious frozen desserts with minimal effort required.

Design

The Elite Gourmet Ice Cream Machine has an attractive retro design reminiscent of 1950s kitchen appliances. It comes in a speckled mint green color with chrome accents that give it a charming vintage look.

The body is made of heavy-duty die cast aluminum with a non-slip rubber feet to keep it stable. The bucket uses BPA-free plastic with a transparent window so you can monitor the freezing process. The included paddle is chrome-plated cast aluminum.

Overall, the retro styling and pleasing color scheme help this ice cream maker stand out from typical white appliances. It looks great on kitchen counters and adds decorative flair. The durable aluminum and chrome materials also give it a sturdy, quality feel.

The Cuisinart ICE-21RP1 is a compact and efficient ice cream machine designed for home use. It features a double-insulated freezer bowl that eliminates the need for ice and makes up to 1.5 quarts of ice cream or sorbet in as little as 20 minutes. The design is simple and user-friendly, with just one button for operation. The paddle is designed to mix ingredients thoroughly while incorporating just the right amount of air for perfect texture. This model also comes in various colors to match different kitchen décors.

Capacity

This ice cream maker can make up to 1.5 quarts of frozen dessert at a time, or enough to serve about 6 people. The double insulated freezer bowl holds up to 2 quarts of ice cream mix at once before freezing, so you can make a generous amount of ice cream for family or guests.

With a large 1.5 quart capacity, you'll be able to make plenty of ice cream, gelato, sorbet, frozen yogurt, or other frozen treats in one batch. No need to make multiple batches if you're hosting a larger gathering. The Elite Gourmet model offers one of the biggest capacities for home ice cream makers in this price range.

The CUISINART ICE30BCP1 is another excellent option for homemade ice cream enthusiasts. It features a heavy-duty motor and a large capacity of 2 quarts, which is perfect for making ice cream, sorbet, and frozen yogurt. The machine is easy to operate and clean, making it user-friendly for both beginners and experienced users. Its durable construction ensures longevity, while the sleek design complements any kitchen décor. If you’re looking for a reliable and efficient ice cream maker, the CUISINART ICE30BCP1 is a great choice.

Ease of Use

The Elite Gourmet EIM520M ice cream maker is designed to be very easy to use. Making ice cream is a simple 3-step process:

1. Prepare your ice cream mixture. The machine comes with recipes, but you can use any ice cream recipe you like.

2. Pour the mixture into the frozen freezer bowl. Be sure the bowl has been in the freezer for at least 24 hours.

3. Turn on the machine. The paddle will start churning and instantly begin turning the mixture into soft serve ice cream within 20-30 minutes.

The process is very straightforward and does not require any special skills. The machine essentially does all the hard work for you. Just choose your recipe, freeze the bowl, add your mixture, and turn it on. Even first-time users report getting great results without any trouble. The instructions are clear and simple to follow.

Making consecutive batches is also easy. Once a batch is done, you can remove the ice cream, replace the bowl back in the freezer for re-freezing, and pour in your next mixture. So you can continuously churn out batch after batch with minimal effort.

Overall, the Elite Gourmet machine makes it possible for anyone to make creamy, decadent ice cream at home with no fuss. Both beginners and experts will find it extremely easy and enjoyable to use.

Noise Level

When it comes to ice cream makers, you don't want a machine that's excessively loud. The noise can be distracting and make it difficult to carry on a conversation. The good news is that the Elite Gourmet Ice Cream Machine operates at a reasonable noise level.

While you can hear the motor running when it's churning a batch, it's far from deafening. The noise is comparable to a typical stand mixer. You'll be aware the machine is on, but it won't drown out all other sounds. The volume is unlikely to disturb others even if they're nearby.

Some competing ice cream machines have motors that are irritatingly loud. This can make the process less enjoyable. The Elite Gourmet machine strikes a good balance - it's loud enough to reassure you it's working properly, but not so noisy that it's a nuisance. You can talk, listen to music, or watch TV without straining to hear over the appliance.

Overall, the noise level is acceptable for an ice cream maker in this price range. It allows you to use the machine without creating an irritating din in your kitchen. While not silent, the motor noise is reasonable.

Cleaning

Cleaning the Elite Gourmet ice cream maker is very easy. The removable aluminum freezer bowl, dasher, and plastic mix paddle can be hand washed with warm soapy water. The freezer bowl should not be put in the dishwasher. To make cleaning even simpler, you can fill the freezer bowl with warm water and a drop of dish soap, put the dasher back in, and run the unit for a couple minutes. This allows the ice cream residue to soften so it can be wiped away with a soft cloth. The plastic components on the exterior can be wiped clean with a damp cloth if needed. Overall, the cleanup required after using this ice cream machine is minimal and takes just a few minutes. The parts are easy to hand wash and the removable freezer bowl means you don't have to maneuver around a bulky ice cream maker to clean your kitchen.

Accessories

The Ice Cream Machine Elite Gourmet comes with two cooking paddles - one for ice cream and one for gelato/sorbet. It also includes a cleaning brush to make cleaning the freezing cylinder easier.

The paddles are made of plastic but seem pretty sturdy and do a good job of mixing and aerating the ice cream mixture as it freezes. The gelato/sorbet paddle has thinner fins which incorporate less air into the mixture resulting in a denser, creamier end product.

The included cleaning brush has stiff plastic bristles arranged in a spiral which allows you to easily scrub every surface inside the freezing cylinder. This is useful for removing any ice cream residue after each use.

The only accessory that would make the machine even better is an insulating freezer bowl cover. This would help maintain the freezing temperature between batches. Otherwise, the included accessories provide what you need to get started making ice cream and sorbet at home.

Warranty

The Elite Gourmet ice cream maker comes with a 1 year limited warranty. This covers defects in materials and workmanship for 1 year from the date of purchase.

The warranty is fairly standard for ice cream machines in this price range. It provides peace of mind that you're covered if anything goes wrong with the machine during the first year. However, some higher end models do offer longer 2 or 3 year warranties.

The warranty is limited, so it does not cover any damage from misuse, accidents or normal wear and tear. You'll need to read the full warranty details to know exactly what is and isn't covered.

Overall the 1 year limited warranty provides basic protection against early defects. Just be sure to register your warranty with Elite Gourmet and follow the instructions to receive service if needed. For longer coverage, consider looking at more expensive models. But for a budget friendly machine, the Elite warranty is decent.

Pros

• Large capacity - This ice cream maker has a large 2-quart capacity, allowing you to make a good amount of ice cream in one batch. You can make enough to feed a family or have plenty of leftovers.

• Easy to use - The machine is designed to be very user-friendly. It has an easy on/off switch and requires no pre-freezing of a bowl. Just add ingredients and turn it on.

• Quiet operation - It operates quietly so you won't disturb others in your household when making ice cream. The motor hums along smoothly.

• Built-in timer - There is a built-in 60-minute timer that automatically stops the machine when the time is up. This prevents over-churning your ice cream.

Cons

While the Elite Gourmet Ice Cream Machine has many benefits, it does have some drawbacks to consider:

• Small capacity - The 1.5 quart capacity may be too small for large families or frequent use. You'll likely need to make ice cream in multiple batches.

• Messy cleanup - There are many nooks and crannies that can get messy during use. The bowl, dasher, and lid all require hand washing.

• Noise level - The machine can get quite loud when churning ice cream. The motor and compressor together generate a high volume that may disrupt conversation.

• Limited recipes - Without pre-cooling or temperature controls, options are mostly limited to classic ice creams. More delicate recipes may not turn out right.

• Durability concerns - Some reviews mention issues with leaking or breakdowns after minimal use. The longevity seems questionable.