Ice cream maker recommendations?

[Big Daddy Cool]

and I would not use those metal canisters for ice cream. Those are for dry ingredients. Just get some tupperware-type of plastic containers and cover the top of the ice cream with plastic wrap (touching the ice cream).

[RAMd®d]

Does that Mussolini model make gelato?

[Big Daddy Cool]

Yes,

only difference between ice cram and gelato is the ingredients, not the way it's frozen.

[trisho.]

Dang it! I just returned with the metal canisters. Sooo....I should use plastic containers instead? I thought the metal would keep them colder and for longer. Am I mistaken?

[AlphaDog]

I don't know why he said not to use metal, but I wouldn't. Your skin will stick to the sides of the canister when it comes out of the freezer! Although I can kind of understand your line of reasoning, unless the metal canisters are insulated, I don't think there will be a significant difference in the length of time the ice cream will stay cold under the circumstances of the way you're using them. What you need is something in which the ice cream can be placed that provides insulation.

Edit: Well, what I mean is that the containers in which the ice cream is packed should be placed inside of something that provides insulation.

[trisho.]

OMG. I just made the ice cream and it tastes AMAAAAZING. I'm so happy with it and I'm sure my friend's going to love it as well tonight.

And yes, Big Daddy Cool & AlphaDog, you're totally correct about the canisters. My hands stuck to the metal! So then, would you recommend hard acrylic canisters from now on or just the regular Tupperware like you said?

OMG...so good.

[Racer X]

late to the party, but I'd get the Kitchen Aid attachment too. The mixer you have has far more torque then those stand alone jobbies I'll bet.

[AlphaDog]

My daughter in law uses hard containers, although she didn't buy them specifically for ice cream. I really don't see where the type of container makes a big difference, although I did find one site where the person recommended using plastic film to cover the ice cream. I didn't quite understand the point, although the film would definitely keep air from getting to the ice cream if it stayed in a freezer for a while. I know around my house that wouldn't be a concern, because there wouldn't be any leftovers to worry about getting frosty anyway!

RacerX might be right. I know that KitchenAid of yours is much more powerful than any of the standalone ice cream makers, but I don't know how important that is. If the ice cream is actually being churned by the machine before being put in the freezer, then the amount of power would definitely make a difference. I've never watched DIL make the ice cream; I just get out my bowl when it's ready to eat.

[Big Daddy Cool]

If you have a container store, just go pick up some food-safe plastic containers, but any tupperware style will do. Plastic wrap against the ice cream is indeed to keep the air off of it, like pudding– they are similar.

My take on the KA attachment– I don't remember reading such positive reviews on it. The stand alone machines (cuisinart in my experience) are a good start. Get at least one extra bowl and save up for a self-contained machine.