Breville has done it again.
We're blown away by the Smart Scoop Ice Cream and Gelato Maker.
It has one killer feature that other ice cream and gelato machines miss.
Breville makes superb equipment, and their machines always look great.
But what really sets the Breville BCI600XL Smart Scoop apart is how well it handles different kinds of frozen desserts.
Most machines that make both ice cream and gelato don't do a great job at either. They're caught in the middle.
Gelato is quite different (and oh so delicious) compared to ice cream.
The Big Difference and Advantage in the Breville Smart Scoop
The Smart Scoop has 12 hardness settings, and picking one is as easy as turning the dial.
The settings run from soft to firm, with presets for:
- Sorbet
- Frozen Yogurt
- Gelato
- Ice Cream
Here's the clever part: the machine senses how firm your mix is getting and stops when it reaches the setting you picked. You don't have to guess when it's done.
Check out how it works in the video demo below:
This feature alone places the Smart Scoop above the competition.
It's easy to select the setting you want, and thanks to the handy display, you can see the precise setting for the dessert you're making.
It takes the guesswork out of making gelato. Once you find the setting you like, you can pick it every time, and boom, you're done.
Smart Scoop, an Elegant Design
Breville really put time into the design of their gelato maker. The look speaks for itself.
The Smart Scoop really stands out.
The Breville tops the class with its solid dial and buttons, beautiful finish, and gorgeous display.
It makes great gelato, and it looks great doing it. You can tell Breville sweated the details.
What about the jingles/songs?
The Smart Scoop plays a sound to let you know when your dessert is ready.
You can choose from:
- jingles
- chime
- mute
If you have kids, they'll go crazy over the jingles, but if you prefer the chime, it's easy to make the switch.
Why the Smart Scoop Ice Cream and Gelato Machine impresses:
- Its own compressor means there's no bowl to pre-freeze
- Ice cream in about 40 to 50 minutes, depending on the recipe
- 1.5-quart bowl, enough for about 12 half-cup servings
- Child lock so kids can enjoy watching without accidentally changing the settings
- Pre-cool setting to make things even faster
- Keep Cool mode holds your finished dessert at the right texture for up to 3 hours
- Recipe book comes with the Smart Scoop
One thing to note is that because it has its own compressor, you need to let it sit before first use (about 12 hours) to let the refrigerant settle.
The control panel/display puts the Breville head and shoulders above the competition.
With its sleek design (like other Breville Products), the Smart Scoop is a smart addition to any kitchen.
The video below has a few more tips for using the Smart Scoop:
Ways to Get the Most Out of the Smart Scoop
The presets are what make the Smart Scoop so easy to live with. A few ideas for putting them to work:
- Dinner parties. Churn dessert before guests arrive and let Keep Cool hold it. When it's time for dessert, it's ready to scoop: not melted and not rock hard.
- Summer fruit sorbet. Puree ripe peaches, berries or watermelon with a little sugar and lemon, then use the sorbet setting. It stops at a softer texture than ice cream, which is just right for sorbet.
- Frozen yogurt. Greek yogurt, honey and vanilla make a quick base with no cooking. Top it with fresh fruit and granola.
- Mix-ins at the right moment. The Smart Scoop lets you know when it's time to add chocolate chips, cookie pieces or swirls, so they stay chunky instead of getting ground up.
- Dessert night with the kids. Let them pick the flavor and the jingle. The child lock keeps curious fingers from changing the settings mid-batch.
- Save time with Pre-cool. Start the pre-cool while you mix your base. By the time you pour it in, the bowl is already cold.
If you like your ice cream firm enough to scoop into neat balls, move it to the freezer for an hour or two after churning. Straight from the machine, it's closer to soft serve, which is perfect for milkshakes or a scoop on warm pie.
What customers are saying about the Breville Ice Cream and Gelato Maker:
The Breville Smart Scoop has over 700 ratings on Amazon with an average of 4.2 out of 5 stars.
"I was surprised how quiet this machine is in use."
"Buying an frozen dessert maker was a tough choice. Did I really need the $1200 Italian version. I knew if would make great gelato but would a cheaper one do just as well? I took a chance on the Breville and couldn't be happier."
"...There were some negative reviews, which is always scary. In this case I think the negative reviews must have been due to some receiving a defective machine, some ulterior motive, not reading the directions, or not really understanding what this kind of machine can do. It does take 40 minutes or so and the dessert is not frozen solid - if it was the paddle wouldn't be able to turn. The directions are clear that if you want a dessert that is frozen hard, you need to put it in the freezer for a couple of hours."
The best deal on the Breville Smart Scoop
Check today's price and the latest owner reviews for the Breville Smart Scoop on Amazon:
