I have always wanted some sort of automatic ice cream maker. I came across a review at apartment therapy about my dream machine, a Cuisinart ICE-50BC (the big one on the left). The verdict was it was a keeper. It has a built in compressor so there is no need to freeze a bowl or anything. The bad news is that they are quite expensive, like $300. Now I love ice cream, but not quite that much. They had the right idea though buying it used at a deep discount. For the more thrifty there is always the Cuisinart ICE-20 shown on the right. You will need to put the bowl in the freezer for 24 hours before you can make a batch, but the cost is a lot less at $50. If you just have to have the big guy, keep an eye out for factory Remanufactured Cuisinart ICE-50BC Supreme Ice Cream Maker occasionally available on Amazon for $119. I might just like ice cream that much.