Donvier 837409W 1-Quart Ice Cream Maker
by Donvier
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List Price: Our Price: $44.99 You Save: $15.01 (25%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $36.99 (click here) Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Donvier 837409W 1-Quart Ice Cream Maker
Customer Review: Easy to use, great results
Summary: 5 Stars
When I was growing up, my mom would always use a Donvier ice cream maker to make homemade ice cream. Now that I'm an adult, I wanted to recapture this wonderful memory. I am happy to report that after 20 years, Donvier is still making a durable and solid product. I am making strawberry ice cream as I write this, and it is coming out beautifully. The ice cream maker is a cinch to use, and all the parts wash up easily.
Now we can make any flavor ice cream we want at home, and we can control the ingredients. I can make sure there are no artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners. I can make it richer or lighter, depending on whether I use more cream or more milk. I can make sherbet, sorbet, and ice cream. I can use fresh berries when in season! I can churn several different flavors and keep them on hand in the freezer. It's also fun to make ice cream for dessert when you have guests over - they will be impressed and can take turns cranking the handle.
This particular model only makes 1 quart of ice cream, but for my husband and me that is enough for a couple of nights. If you have a family or if you intend to use the Donvier for regular entertaining, then I would recommend getting a larger model like a 1.5 or 2 quart size. I haven't checked to see if they make those, but I seem to recall that the one we had when I was a kid was larger. Then again, everything seems bigger when you're a kid. :)
All in all a GREAT product. I would buy again and I would certainly buy it for others as a gift.
Customer Review: You'll Never Need a Bulky Electric Ice Cream Maker!
Summary: 5 Stars
When I received my 1st Donvier as a gift 11 years ago, I was very skeptical. I soon became a convert... it's amazingly easy to use, and both of my sons have been helping make ice cream with it since they were each 3 years old. You simply keep the canister in the freezer section, and when you are ready to make ice cream, put it into the case, pop on the blades, lid, and crank, and turn! You do need to turn every couple of minutes, as it clearly states in the instructions, to keep the ingredients from sticking and freezing before it's completely blended, but that's part of the fun: passing the Donvier around the room and each member of the family adding ingredients (chips, nuts, granola, chopped fruit), turning the crank a little, then passing it on. Ready in just minutes! And clean up is easy -- rinse it clean and pop it back in the freezer until next time. I have never had a problem with ingredients freezing before I want them (unlike another reviewer, who I guess didn't read the instructions!), and it doesn't require electricity... which means you don't have to yield precious counter space to fit a large, bulky electric ice cream maker. I mentioned that this is my first... we also bought the larger capacity Donvier, so I have one for when I'm in the mood for a frozen lemonade slush, and one when the whole family wants dessert. A great buy!Customer Review: Great for diabetics and dieters, creative or ethnic cooks
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had this product for years, and given it to many people including international friends who all loved it because it only requires a freezer, no problems with plugs, wires, AC/DC... so even children can use it safely.
It's perfect for special diet requirements because you can make your own no sugar and/or no/low fat desserts. It comes with a recipe booklet for ice cream, sorbet and other easy to make desserts. You can make really exotic flavors that are only limited by your imagination, so it's also good for creative cooks.
The only 2 negatives I can think of for this product are:
1. it's hard to store leftovers. Even if you immediately transfer the food from the freeze-bowl into another container, the texture changes (e.g., melts or crystalizes). If you leave the food in the freeze-bowl, it gets more and more frozen, which is fine, but I made dents in the bowl from scraping the food out. The aluminum bowl stands up excellently -- no scratches, gouges or nicks but if you break it, I don't know whether you can buy just a replacement bowl.
2. You cannot transport it with food in it to say, a party or a picnic, and you cannot make the food ahead of time. You must make the food soon after you take the freeze-bowl out of the freezer. Well, it ensures FRESHLY made food!
Customer Review: I love the Donvier!
Summary: 5 Stars
Well, I do. It is simple to use and requires only the ingredients for the ice cream (no rock salt, etc.). Chill the ice cream base mix first and put the cylinder in a cold freezer. I just leave the cylinder in the chest freezer for storage. I have had mine for 10 years. No problems. Stir upon adding the first set of ingredients, and then get a feel for how frequently thereafter. I find that you cannot overstir. I can give this the necessary stirring whilst preparing other food or doing dishes. I am not at all bothered by the time commitment. The ice cream yield is about 6 good size servings. I will do a half recipe next time. After the initial 20 minutes, the ice cream is soft, so just freeze the whole cylinder, per the instructions, for about 30 minutes. Then, using a wooden utensil, get the ice cream out. I was able to get relatively hard ice cream. Frozen leftovers will indeed be hard. Let them warm on the counter. They are pretty good as well, although nothing beats the fresh ice cream. In addition to interesting ingredients, including quality dark chocolate, I can control the amount of sugar (sometimes using Splenda) and the fat (milk, skim, half and half, cream). It tastes better than any store bought.Customer Review: Best maker on the market--had mine for over 15 years!
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm a shameless ice cream junkie, so I have used and abused this ice cream maker ever since I was in high school--even took it to college with me! The Donvier is so durable and versatile. Ice cream makers are indispensable for anyone serious about ice cream since the tastes is unrivaled, so here's what I love most about the Donvier (compared to other makers I've used):
1) It's silent!
2) Doesn't have to be plugged in--gives you freedom to move it around (and also means you don't have a motor/electronics to worry about burning out)
3) Only requires a stir every couple minutes (you don't have to constantly crank this thing)
4)It's fast. My pint-size Donvier is ready in 15-20 minutes; the quart size is ready in about 20-25 minutes (depends how cold your mixture is to start with).
5) Easy to clean: throw plastic parts in the dishwasher, and just run water over the metal cylinder, wipe it out and throw it back in the freezer.
6) Always ready: I keep mine in the freezer so I can make ice cream on a whim--never have to worry about ice, salt, and the accompanying mess.