Tasty by Cuisinart ICM100TRD Ice Cream Machine: Full Review

The Cuisinart ICM-100TRD ice cream maker is an electric countertop appliance designed to make delicious homemade ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, sherbet, and sorbet right in your own kitchen. This fully automatic ice cream maker features a sleek stainless steel housing and a 1.5 quart capacity freezer bowl to churn out up to 1.5 quarts of your favorite frozen desserts. The ICM-100TRD offers easy operation with an LCD display and touchpad controls. The integrated countdown timer indicates when your frozen treat is ready. This unit is compact and lightweight for convenient countertop storage. With the ICM-100TRD ice cream maker, you can create custom ice cream masterpieces in just 20-40 minutes.

Design

The Cuisinart ICM-100TR is a compact and lightweight 1.5 quart ice cream maker with a sleek modern design. It has a brushed stainless steel housing that looks great in any kitchen and is easy to wipe clean.

Despite its small footprint, measuring only 8 x 8 x 11 inches, it can make up to 1.5 quarts of ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet or gelato at a time. Weighing in at just under 12 pounds, the ICM-100TR is light enough to easily move around and tuck away in storage when not in use.

The unit has a clear lid so you can watch the mixing process as your dessert is made. The mixing arm lifts up for easy removal of the inner bowl. An ingredient spout on the side allows you to add mix-ins once the freezing process has begun.

Overall, the Cuisinart ICM-100TR ice cream maker has an attractive and compact design perfect for small kitchens and occasional frozen dessert making. Its size belies its 1.5 quart capacity while still remaining lightweight and easy to store.

Capacity

The Cuisinart ICM-100TRD Ice Cream Maker has a 1.5 quart capacity which allows you to make up to 2 pints of ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet or sorbet in a single batch. This is enough to serve 3-4 people at a time. The machine can make about 1 liter of ice cream mixture per freeze cycle. While the 1.5 quart capacity may not be enough for large gatherings or big families, it's a good size for smaller households or making ice cream for 2-4 people at a time. The bowl needs to be frozen overnight before each use, so the 1.5 quart capacity allows you to make a batch, store it in the freezer, and prepare the bowl for the next use. For larger families, you may need to make ice cream in multiple batches or opt for a machine with a larger capacity. Overall, the 1.5 quart capacity offers flexibility for small batch ice cream making for households and small gatherings.

Ease of Use

The Cuisinart ICM-100TRD ice cream maker is designed for easy, hassle-free use. Making ice cream is simple and straightforward with just a few steps:

1. Add ingredients to the freezer bowl and turn on the mixer. The double insulated freezer bowl will keep mixtures cold as they churn.

2. Set the timer and let it mix hands-free for 20-40 minutes depending on your desired consistency. The mixer will stop on its own when finished.

3. Scrape ice cream into a container and enjoy! The bowl requires no messy pre-freezing or salt and ice packs. Just leave in the freezer between uses.

The process is uncomplicated enough that kids can help make their own frozen treats. Users praise how simple it is to achieve creamy ice cream with this machine compared to old-fashioned hand mixers. The automatic shutoff and countdown timer eliminate any guesswork. Most report getting fluffy, frozen desserts in 30 minutes or less with minimal intervention needed.

Overall, the Cuisinart ice cream maker offers effortless, no-fuss ice cream making for beginners and experts alike. The straightforward operation and automatic features make homemade frozen yogurt and gelato accessible for anyone.

Noise Level

When operated, the Cuisinart ICM-100TRD Ice Cream maker produces very little noise. The ice cream maker has an efficient compressor and a low decibel motor designed for quiet operation. Users report the appliance generates a soft hum while churning, comparable to a small desktop fan on low speed. This allows the machine to run in the background without disrupting conversation or requiring users to raise their voice. The quiet operation makes it suitable for kitchens and other living areas. Some owners even feel comfortable using it at night without worrying about keeping others awake. Overall, the Cuisinart ice cream maker's noise level during churning will not be disruptive or annoying in home settings.

Cleaning

Cleaning the Cuisinart ICM-100TRD ice cream maker is relatively straightforward. The freezer bowl, paddle, and lid are all removable and dishwasher safe. The LED display control panel can simply be wiped clean as needed.

To clean the freezer bowl, remove it from the ice cream maker and wash it with warm soapy water, being sure to avoid submerging the bowl in water to prevent damage to internal components. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely before returning to the freezer. Insert the dasher into the freezer bowl and lock it in place prior to freezing for at least 24 hours.

The plastic dasher/paddle and clear lid can be washed on the top rack of the dishwasher or hand washed with warm soapy water and dried thoroughly. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or bristle brushes which could scratch the surface.

Overall, the Cuisinart ice cream maker has been designed for simple cleaning and maintenance. Users report the components are easy to wash and keep clean. Just be sure to fully dry all parts before reassembling to prevent mildew growth.

Special Features

The Cuisinart ICM-100TRD has some unique features that help it stand out from other ice cream makers. One special feature is the touchpad control panel, which makes operating the machine very intuitive. You simply touch the button for the function you want, like mixing or freezing, and the machine does the rest.

Another great feature is the double insulated freezer bowl. It has a cooling capacity that is more powerful and efficient than other ice cream machines in this price range. This allows you to make a fresh batch of ice cream in as little as 20 minutes without needing pre-freezing. The bowl is also designed to prevent temperature fluctuations during the freezing process, which results in creamier ice cream.

Some additional highlights are the ingredient spout for easily adding mix-ins, the transparent lid to watch the freezing process, and the included recipe book with 50 recipes to get you started. Overall, the thoughtful design and special features of the Cuisinart ICM-100TRD help it churn out delicious homemade ice cream with minimal effort.

Accessories

The Cuisinart ICM-100TRD Ice Cream Maker comes with everything you need to get started making delicious homemade ice cream, gelato, sorbet, and frozen yogurt right out of the box. It includes a large double-insulated freezer bowl to chill mixtures while churning for fast results.

The package contains one freezer bowl, which holds up to 1.5 quarts. The bowl has a double-insulated wall to keep the bowl cold for maximum chilling. There is also a plastic paddle for even mixing and churning.

To serve creations, Cuisinart provides a 1-quart mixing/freezing chamber. This plastic container can be used to mix ingredients, freeze mixtures in the freezer bowl, and store leftovers. The clear sides make it easy to see the consistency while churning.

For measuring and mixing, the accessories include a 50-recipe ice cream book and a 3-ounce scoop/spoon. Everything can be stored in the same box for convenient storage when not in use. With the included accessories, the Cuisinart ice cream maker has everything required for making frozen desserts.

Warranty

The Cuisinart ICM-100TRD ice cream maker comes with a limited 3-year warranty. This provides peace of mind that the product is backed for 3 years against defects in materials and workmanship. The warranty is not transferable and only applies to purchases made from authorized retailers. It does not cover damage from misuse, abuse, or neglect.

To obtain service under warranty, customers need to contact Cuisinart’s Consumer Service Center. The representative will troubleshoot issues and if needed, provide instructions for returning the unit with proof of purchase and return shipping paid by the consumer. Cuisinart will repair or replace the product if it’s deemed defective. Overall, the 3-year warranty provides assurance on parts and craftsmanship for a reasonable amount of time. Just be sure to register the product and keep your receipt to take advantage of this coverage.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Makes up to 2 quarts of ice cream in less than 30 minutes
• Easy to control with a touchpad for selecting preset ice cream styles and an LCD display
• Compact size and tall spout fits easily in most freezers
• Quiet motor operation while churning
• Removable bowl and spatula for quick cleaning
• Includes recipes for different ice cream flavors

Cons:

• Bowl has to be pre-chilled before making each batch
• Opening at top of bowl is small making it tricky to add mix-ins
• Bowls, spatula, and lid are not dishwasher safe
• Only makes ice cream, not gelato or sorbet
• Quality not as high as more expensive models
• Short 1-year warranty