I've been using this machine to make multiple batches of ice cream every day, and it works wonderfully. The removable bowl is essential for quick clean-up, and allows you to swap in another bowl and dasher to quickly start a second batch. (Assuming, of course, that you've gone out and purchased these optional components) The wonderfulness of the ice cream it makes is entirely determined by the ingredients you put in, but the ice cream maker is fully capable of freezing the ice cream to a smooth and creamy consistency.

The only reason I didn't give this maker 5 stars is that, if the bowl overflows (which it may, as ice cream expands as it freezes) there are lots of holes and nooks that the ice cream can get into that are impossible to clean it out of. If you tend to fill the bowl full, be prepared for your ice cream maker to end up smelling a bit cheesey. It's not a big deal, but a little better design of the plastic housing would have eliminated this problem.

The plastic dasher also takes a bit of effort to clean; milkfat tends to stick to it. It may still be greasy coming out of the washer.

I am a caterer. I bought an earlier model which I have used constantly. It is expensive, it uses up a lot of counter space and since it is heavy, you need to be able to dedicate a space just for it. It is easy to use, makes fabulous ice cream, reliable and fast. Once you get used to homemade ice cream it's very hard to go back to commercial stuff. Also makes great sorbets. This would make a great gift to someone who has lots of counter space, loves kitchen toys and ice cream. It also makes a great present to oneself. For any caterer who does small dinners I would say it definitely allows you to expand your offerings and despite its hefty fee can be a real money maker.

Just received a Magnum for Christmas and couldn't wait to try it out. It's ready to go with no assembly required, and extremely easy to use. The 'maiden' batch of ice cream I made was wonderful-smooth, creamy, and significantly better than anything you can buy. I would recommend that anyone getting this machine also have a loud kitchen timer, since it has none and several reviewers have warned about the danger of stripping the gears if the ice cream goes rock-hard.

The machine is heavy, so be careful when moving it around. My only complaints are minor: at these prices, couldn't the makers have put in metal gears and built in a timer? However, with a little attention, this shouldn't be a major headache.

If you're serious about making frozen desserts, you'll love this machine for the convenience (no prefreezing bowls)and the superior quality of fresh, preservative-free ice cream and sorbets in any flavor you can dream up, when you want it. i also appreciate the beater and bowl being diswasher-friendly.

I recently bought the Simac Gelataio 4050 Magnum and have made several batches of ice cream, gelato and sorbets. It is an excellent machine that works as advertised (mostly), but there are a few things I think you should know. The most important is that it doesn't turn off automatically when the ice cream is done. I called the technical dept. of the company that distributes it, and was told that it shuts off automatically only to keep from burning up! By that time, the plastic gears are all stripped. You MUST monitor your batch and turn it off if the blades stop turning. If not, your gears are stripped. In the batches I've made, however, the blades kept moving the whole mass of frozen ice cream around and around! I then shut it off with no problem. Another thing is the noise. It is not quiet. You will not want to be next to it for 30 minutes. I put it in another room, and start checking it after 25 minutes. Having said all this, the ice creams, sorbets and gelatos are fabulous! I am very happy with the machine overall.

This machine may seem a little pricey at first, But it is one of the luxury items that quickly turns into a necessity after purchased! Our machine gets used 2 to 3 time a week. And you know exactly what goes into your ice creams and sorbets. For quick fix munchies we have found that the international flavored coffee creamers mixed with a cup of heavy whipping cream and a cup of milk work wonderful together. If broken candy pieces are added at the middle of mixing it just gets better! Everybody deserves a splurge now and then, and the Simac ice cream maker is just the ticket! Defiantly worth every penny!