What ice cream maker should I buy?

[Vegan Princess]

I love raw ice cream. But I only ever make the ones with a banana base. I thinking about getting an ice cream maker. Does anyone have one they would reccomend? The easier the better. And it doesn't have to be big since it's only me eating it. Thanks! :)

Cindy

[Tropigal]

i have one of those icecream balls....just roll it around & in 15-20 it is done!
my DH & 3 year old & i love it ;)

[spicyfull]

I use the Vita-Mix and the Food Processor. I find these much easier to use. I use any frozen Fruit........

[Petals]

I have a $49.99 Cuisinart that I think makes really creamy, firm textured raw ice creams. I have used it with bases of coconuts and cashews with much success. This is the one I use.http://www.shopping.com/xPC-Cuisinart-ICE-20

[EastCoastie]

Based on the recommendation of one of our employees, I bought my husband the Cuisinart for Christmas. I feel fairly comfortable in saying it is his most used gift. It is very simple to use and makes great ice cream from cashews or almond milk. I highly recommend it!

[Cinnamon]

I have a new Cuisinart ice cream maker but haven't used it yet. I've got to try it soon!

[Vegan Princess]

Cool - I actually stumbled upon the cuisinart on amazon by doing a google search and it got rave reviews on there too. So cuisine art I think it is! Is that the one where you keep the bowl in the freezer? Does it take up a lot of space? My freezer is usually packed. Thanks!

I do use my vitamix and food processor now and am pretty satisified...but I have had ice cream made in an ice cream maker at some raw restaurants and the texture is like real ice cream. A real treat! And I want to try the coconut base...that's what I had at the restaurant this past weekend.

Cindy

[carolg]

Are you using both coconuts and cashews together or are we talking about just using almond milk alone or cashews alone or the milk alone or????? HELP....Thanks to the clueless for the ice cream maker..........Are you making it first in blender and then put it into freezer or ice cream maker?????????
carolg

[Petals]

vegan princess~ yea it's the one with the bowl that goes in the freezer. but it's not really huge ~ about 1 & 1/2 quarts. I have alot of bananas and fruit i there, but it still fits, and you can stack stuff on top of it.

carolg~ With the Cuisinart i have made ice creams with young coconut & cashews as a base and fruit sorbets made with say~ grapes water and agave. I just whip them up in the blender ( they are not thick and ice cream like yet) then pour it in the ice cream maker, and the machine does the rest. It's amazing. Takes about 20 minutes. It's a bit noisy, but no one has ever complained ,and you can still talk or whatever with it running.

It makes very nice textured ice cream, and you can make it as firm or soft as you want.

[Vegan Princess]

Thanks Petals - that's exactly what I want! I can't wait to get it!! How does the ice cream hold up in the freezer if you don't eat it all fresh?

Cindy

[Morningstar]

I have this one

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-10/qid=1173881430/ref=sr_1_10/601-9722786-0552927?ie=UTF8&asin=B000F1LLEI

[carolg]

Petals,
Thanks so much "angel."
carolg

[tvillemom]

I have a little Hamilton Beach that I bought at an outlet store. You put the "bowl" in the freezer for awhile to freeze it first. Anyway, since going raw, I haven't used it because I wasn't sure how. I don't know if I will use any young coconuts (because of the chemical scare, and everytime I do buy one it is bad:mad: ) and I think I have an issue with cashews.....so what would I use, almond milk??? Is there a place to get good RAW recipes. I would love to start making more than just banana icecream, even though I love it, I do get tired of it.
Wendi

[carolg]

Finally am able to copy/paste Elaina Love's recipe. So here it is and will post it in another place here:

"French Vanilla Ice Cream

Here is a home made raw ice cream that freezes well and doesn't need an ice cream maker. The best part is that is scoops out easily like traditional ice creams. Enjoy!!!!

2 cups soaked almonds (1 1/4 cups before soaking for 6-8 hours)
2 cups pure water or your favorite steeped tea
1 1/2 cups cashew or macadamia nuts soaked 2- 3 hours
2 1/4 tsp. psyllium husk powder
1 cup agave nectar or honey
1 vanilla bean, soft center only
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. Himalayan salt crystals

Blend almonds with water or tea. Strain through The Amazing Nut Millk Bag and use only the liquid. Save the pulp for making bread. Blend the milk with the remainder of ingredients until smooth. Pour into a freezable container and freeze overnight or until solid. If the ice cream is too hard when you try to scoop it, let it sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy variations by using different flavored teas, cacao powder, cacao nibs and different extracts. Peach tea is amazing!

Recipe by Elaina Love"

[Petals]

Hi vegan princess, I spaced.... anyway, all the ice creams and sorbets I have made ,that last long enough to be frozen, do get kinda hard stored in the freezer, so I take em out a little before eating to thaw a just a bit and stir!

[Linda1970]

Finally am able to copy/paste Elaina Love's recipe. So here it is and will post it in another place here:

"French Vanilla Ice Cream

Here is a home made raw ice cream that freezes well and doesn't need an ice cream maker. The best part is that is scoops out easily like traditional ice creams. Enjoy!!!!

2 cups soaked almonds (1 1/4 cups before soaking for 6-8 hours)
2 cups pure water or your favorite steeped tea
1 1/2 cups cashew or macadamia nuts soaked 2- 3 hours
2 1/4 tsp. psyllium husk powder
1 cup agave nectar or honey
1 vanilla bean, soft center only
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. Himalayan salt crystals

Blend almonds with water or tea. Strain through The Amazing Nut Millk Bag and use only the liquid. Save the pulp for making bread. Blend the milk with the remainder of ingredients until smooth. Pour into a freezable container and freeze overnight or until solid. If the ice cream is too hard when you try to scoop it, let it sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy variations by using different flavored teas, cacao powder, cacao nibs and different extracts. Peach tea is amazing!

Recipe by Elaina Love"

Carol, thanks for this recipe. I don't have ice cream maker, so this is great. Have you tried it yourself?