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Whynter Automatic Ice Cream & Yogurt Maker, 2.1 Qt vs Cuisinart ICE-21 1.5-Quart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Whynter Automatic Ice Cream & Yogurt Maker, 2.1 Qt ranks higher (#2 vs #3 of 8) and scores better on speed & batch size. Cuisinart ICE-21 1.5-Quart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker wins on durability.
The biggest complaint about the Whynter Automatic Ice Cream & Yogurt Maker, 2.1 Qt is ice cream sticks to the paddle; for the Cuisinart ICE-21 1.5-Quart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker it's bowl must be frozen for about a day. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Whynter Automatic Ice Cream & Yogurt Maker, 2.1 Qt | Cuisinart ICE-21 1.5-Quart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in ice cream makers | #2 | #3 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $ |
| Type | Compressor | Freezer bowl |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 10% | 5% |
| Overall score | 3.8 | 3.8 |
| Texture | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Speed & batch size | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Ease of use & prep | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Cleaning & noise | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Durability | 3.5 | 4.0 |
Price tiers: $ under $100 · $$ $100–300 · $$$ over $300. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Whynter Automatic Ice Cream & Yogurt Maker, 2.1 Qt
- Ice cream sticks to the paddle
Food & Wine had to scrape a lot of ice cream and sorbet off the paddle. Serious Eats saw base freeze on the bottom of the bowl in its first test (it mixed in when scraped).
Source: Food & Wine, Serious Eats - Small mix-in window
The flip-up window is only a few inches wide, so pouring in caramel and peanuts took care to avoid spills (Serious Eats).
Source: Serious Eats - Large, heavy, and pricier than canister models
About 24 pounds and takes significant counter or cabinet space (Food & Wine). Amazon owners are split on value, and about 14 of 48 reliability mentions are negative.
Cuisinart ICE-21 1.5-Quart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker
- Bowl must be frozen for about a day
Wirecutter says the bowl needs 16 to 24 hours to freeze fully, or you get half-melted-milkshake results; Serious Eats says at least a day. Food & Wine notes canister machines can't make batches back-to-back because the bowl warms up.
- Loud
Noise is the one negative aspect in Amazon's review summary: about 1,049 of 1,616 noise mentions are negative (this review pool is shared with the ICE-30 listing).
- Small batch, hard-frozen results, some broken parts
Wirecutter warns a full 1.5-quart recipe plus mix-ins can overflow, and a long-term tester wished it made more. Low-star Walmart reviews say a full recipe didn't fit, ice cream froze rock-hard after going into the freezer, a plastic gear broke after a few uses, and the bowl was scratched after one use.
Source: Wirecutter, Walmart reviews (lowest rated)
Who should pick which
Pick the Whynter Automatic Ice Cream & Yogurt Maker, 2.1 Qt if
Frequent ice cream makers who want no pre-freezing
2-quart batches
Also making homemade yogurt
Skip it if: Counter or cabinet space is tight; You add lots of sauces and mix-ins mid-churn; You only make ice cream a few times a year
Pick the Cuisinart ICE-21 1.5-Quart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker if
First ice cream maker on a budget
Fast churning (about 20 minutes)
Occasional use with freezer space for the bowl
Skip it if: You want to make ice cream on a whim; You need big or back-to-back batches; Noise bothers you
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