Selecting a Gelato Maker doesn’t have to be hard because there are 3 gelato machines that stand out from the rest of the pack.
The machines below are specifically designed to make great gelato.
Let’s start with Number Three:
#3 The Cuisinart ICE-100 Ice-Cream & Gelato Maker
For occasional ice-cream or gelato, the Cuisinart ICE-100 is hard to beat with its low price.
Two Paddles (for Ice-cream and Gelato)
Many ice-cream makers say they also can make gelato, but gelato has a different consistency and feel than ice cream. The Cuisinart ICE-100 has two different paddles, one for ice-cream and the other for gelato.
Small Footprint
The Cuisinart is entry level, so broken or worn down plastic parts do become an issue. Power with the plastic parts is also an issue compare to units that are all stainless steel.
The dimensions are 16.00” x 12.00” x 9.00” and the weight is 32lbs.
It’s capacity is 1.5 quarts in about an hour.
Video of the Cuisinart ICE-100 Ice-cream and Gelato Maker
Drawbacks of the Cuisinart ICE-100
The Cuisinart is entry level, so broken or worn down plastic parts do become an issue. Power with the plastic parts is also an issue compare to units that are all stainless steel.
The other drawback is production time. If you’re looking to make ice-cream or gelato for yourself and another person, it’s fine, but for large gatherings, you’ll want something that doesn’t require 40-60 minutes to produce a batch or followup batches, but with an average price of $279 and sporting over 2,623 reviews, it’s a great alternative to the faster and sleeker machines.
Check out the Cusinart ICE-100 on Amazon
#2 Breville BCI600XL Smart Scoop Ice Cream & Gelato Machine
Our number two pick is the exquisitely beautiful and very versatile Breville BCI600XL Smart Scoop Ice Cream and Gelato Maker.
Breville products are amazing. Their designs are sleek, elegant, and their equipment is powerful.
The Smart Scoop makes Ice Cream and Gelato.
Normally, the multi-functions don’t mix well, but with the higher-end devices such as the revile and the Lello (our #1 coming up), the quality is superb, and the ease at which you can select your options really makes a difference.
The Breville has a simple dial that you turn to select your desired dessert as well as the hardness setting of that dessert.
It almost couldn’t be easier.
Catch the Breville Smart Scoop Machine in Action
What makes the Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream and Gelato Machine so impressive?
- With its own compressor, you don’t have to place the ice-cream in your freezer!
- 50 minutes for ice cream
- 1.5 Quart Bowl perfect for making lots of Gelato or Ice Cream
- Child lock so kids can enjoy watching without accidentally changing the settings
- Pre-cool setting to make things even faster
- Keep cool will chill it and churn for up to 3 hours
- Recipe book comes with the Smart Scoop
The Breville Smart Scoop is more pricey, but the ease of use, the digital display, child lock features, make the Breville a shining example of beautiful design. Breville makes great-working and great-looking products. At about $490, it’s not cheap, but it’s definitely a top-notch machine.
To see what over 505 customer reviews are saying about it on Amazon, click the link below:
Check out the Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream and Gelato Maker on Amazon.com
#1 The Lello 4080 Musso Lussino Ice Cream and Gelato Machine
If you’re super serious about making artisan gelato, then look no further than the Italian-made Lello 4080 Musso Lussino Ice Cream and Gelato Machine. Another favorite is the larger Lello Musso Pola 5030.
Lello is the top of the line Ice Cream & Gelato maker.
If you’ve been to Europe and want to recapture the taste of Gelato from there, the Lussino is the machine that comes out on top.
The Lussino is professional grade and made of stainless steel.
Say goodbye to aluminum or plastic mixers and hello to Stainless Steel!
The mixer blade is stainless steel as well. Almost all other ice cream makers have plastic mixers that can break or wear down.
The European design is simple, yet elegant, but it’s the taste that matters, and the stainless steel beauty really does make a difference.
One of our favorite Amazon customer reviews for the Musso Lussino Gelato Maker:
If you’re considering an Italian gelato machine, then the names “Nemox” and “Musso” come to mind. Both companies fabricate machines for home and professional use, and I’ve had several over the years. By far, if you are looking for quality and authentic Italian gelato texture and ice-crystallization, look no further than this machine by Musso. It’s made better than anything by Nemox (which uses plastic and/or silicone parts that wear down over time.) The Lussiano is a beautiful addition your kitchen, makes a fine array of desserts, and will last for years.
See the Lello Ice Cream and Gelato Maker in Action
The Lello doesn’t come cheap, but that’s for a reason: the quality of the parts and the taste and texture of the final product speak for themselves.
Recap: Setting the Lello Lussino apart from the Crowd
- Stainless steel construction (having no aluminum, it really does make a difference in taste)
- Stainless steel mixing blade (will long outlast machines with plastic blades, and will keep turning at higher consistencies)
- Ease of use (two buttons, one dial)
- Large Capacity at 1.5 Quart
- Fast – Done in 30 minutes due to the Self-refrigerating
- Long lasting
- Elegant design and Made in Italy
- Makes Gelato great artisan gelato!
The other beauty is that in addition to Gelato and Ice Cream, you can also make delicious frozen yogurt!
Read more of the reviews and check out the price on Amazon for the Lello Musso, and you’ll see the difference a professional grade Gelato Machine can make.