Lakeland Mini Digital Ice Cream Maker 0.5L – Homemade Ice Cream In 25 Minutes Plus Sorbet & Yoghurt

It's compact so fits in freezer easily, have to leave in there to freeze before making ice cream, so going to store in there when not using for when fancy some. I put it in a plastic bag so could get out without hands sticking to it as per instruction, think this might help with keeping it insulated when taking out of freezer as well. Motor gets quite warm when using but wasn't a problem. Need to make the ' custard' for ice cream and let chill for 1 to 2 hours before putting in ice cream maker so plan ahead. It makes 2 small tubs, type get in cinema with 300ml, capacity is 350ml. Another review said thickens quicker if use less so I did it with 300ml for 25 mins. As a novice I didn't know what it was supposed to look like when ready, and says not to switch off before ready, isnt an indicator just has on off switch. Recipes are for 125ml so wasn't sure about timings, I made 3x quantity and let run for 25 mins, using 300ml. Possibly ready in less says 15 to 20. Handy little machine. My mum had bigger lakeland version which makes more of a standard tub and I'd say is better if making for a couple or family or wanting to make a batch for more than one meal if time conscious. Great to have fresh ice cream, no nasties in it. My mum made blackberry and blackcurrant icecreams both delicious. I used light brown sugar instead of white, for vanilla worked fine gave it almost caramel flavour and vanilla essence as paste expensive. It's a little messy when taking apart again to clean as have to pull the paddle out, to separate the motor part from the lid. For the price very happy, does what it says. For me 2 small tubs perfect, as bit of a treat doesn't take up much room in my full freezer, lid/motor fits into my baking drawer.

Perfect size and makes the best amount. Does need lots of ingredients but the recipe book helps.

Very disappointed with this. The first time I used it, I made sure the paddles were turning before I added the liquid. and it appeared to be working, ok, but when I went to take it out, after about 20 minutes, there was still quite a lot of the mixture frozen to the side of the bowl, although what I actually got out of it was ice-cream texture. I wasn't sure if that happened when I poured the stuff in ( as the holes are quite narrow to put the stuff in) or whether it froze while I was trying to get it out of the bowl - which was difficult to do while holding the bowl in a towel. The instructions do say not to use metal utensils to clear the bowl, so I only used a plastic spatula. The instructions also say you should make sure you use liquid which has been chilled in the fridge before making up the ingredients, which I didn't do the first time, so second time of use I made sure that I did that too. The result was even worse. I was extra careful to pour the mixture in so that it avoided the sides while pouring it in, but nevertheless as the paddles went round, you could ( with difficulty) see the mixture freezing to the sides of the bowl. After 2-3 minutes the paddles stopped turning and the machine jerked, and the lid popped off ( and yes, I am sure I had 'locked' the lid before starting any of it up). The paddles couldn't turn any more because of the build up of frozen stuff on the sides of the bowl (and they feel very flimsy and easily breakable) So that attempt failed entirely. Not only that but there are now thin cracks in the 'lugs' which lock the lid on which are now cracked, presumably when the machine jerked when the paddles stuck on the stuff frozen to the side of the bowl and the lid popped off. The cracks are very thin and the lugs are still fully attached, but the cracks are there, so I guess that is now going to happen every time. Have obviously used it, so doubt I can send it back, but I wouldn't recommend this to anyone

Tried making ice cream in this so far no success debating whether to return it or keep it will try one more time. The performance is good it just over heats a lot. It is easy to clean and value for money it’s good as it gets.

Appearance: This machine is quite small and probably holds no more than 400ml of ice cream. I like the appearance of the machine and looks nice. However, the machine doesn't have a timer and only has an on/off switch. Ease of use: This machine is very easy to assemble and use. You need to leave the bowl in the freezer for at least 8 hours. This works very well if you put the bowl in a freezer bag with a small amount of water to help the basin remain frozen for longer. Therefore, you cannot use it straight away and must wait before testing it. Ease of cleaning: This machine is easy to clean. However, you cannot submerge the top part of the machine in water. Noise level: This machine is not extremely loud, but it does produce some noise. Recipes: There are recipes on the box and inside the instructions manual. However, I have not tried to make them because most of the recipes contain raw egg which seems unnecessary and sounds unpalatable, especially as you can make ice cream, frozen yoghurt or sorbet without it and the frozen desserts sets well without it.

It's basic, but does what it says on the tin, so well worth the cost if you only want to make a couple of servings (about 12oz) at a time. You need to follow the instructions to get good results; freeze the bowl for at least 12 hours; chill your custard base mix for 1-2 hours in the fridge, along with your added flavouring ingredients; assemble the ice cream maker and turn it on before pouring in the base and flavourings and don't add more than 350ml as it does expand as it freezes. It takes around 25-30mins to get a soft scoop texture, but firms up more if you put it in a container in the freezer. I've made both strawberry and blackberry ice creams (the picture shows my blackerry ice cream) so far, and will be trying blackberry and lemon sorbets next.

I was a bit worried about this ice cream maker due to some of the reviews but it worked! Very easy to use and very convenient size and portions.

Works really well, i brought as an option when my son was CMPA and needed to use dairy & soy free milk, no shop brought option available. Ive used this with oat and dairy now and its wonderful