ice cream maker guru

Cuisinart ICE-30 vs ICE-100 – Which Is Best?

Are you thinking of buying an ice cream maker but can’t exactly tell the difference between Cuisinart ICE-30 vs ICE-100? Well, the first thing you’ll note about these machines is that they come from a reputable brand, Cuisinart, which means they’re both quality home ice cream makers that are worth it. These two Cuisinart machines are of different price ranges, but that won’t fully tell you much about how good these ice cream maker actually is. 

So, if you want to know for yourself which is best between Cusinart ICE-30 vs ICE-100, then read our Cuisinart ICE-30 vs ICE-100 comparison review! We’ll give you every last detail about these machines to help you make a clear buying decision. Let’s get started!

Cuisinart ICE-30 vs ICE-100

Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Comparison

Product Name
Cuisinart ICE-30
Cuisinart ICE-100
CUISINART Ice Cream Maker, Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt Machine, 2-Qt. Double-Insulated Freezer Bowl,...
Cuisinart ICE-100 1.5-Quart Ice Cream and Gelato Maker, Fully Automatic with a Commercial Quality...
Overall Score
4.5/5
5/5
Weight
13.5 pounds
27.2 pounds
Capacity
2 quarts
1.5 quarts
Warranty
3 years
3 years
Type
Freezer Bowl
Compressor
Churn Time
45 minutes
45 minutes
Bottom Line / Product Summary
Cuisinart ICE-30 is the perfect addition to any modern kitchen, thanks to its beautiful sleek design.
Cuisinart ICE-100 is a perfect machine for instant ice cream since you don’t have to pre-freeze the bowl.
Product Name
Cuisinart ICE-30
CUISINART Ice Cream Maker, Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt Machine, 2-Qt. Double-Insulated Freezer Bowl,...
Overall Score
4.5/5
Weight
13.5 pounds
Capacity
2 quarts
Warranty
3 years
Type
Freezer Bowl
Churn Time
45 minutes
Bottom Line / Product Summary
Cuisinart ICE-30 is the perfect addition to any modern kitchen, thanks to its beautiful sleek design.
More Info
Product Name
Cuisinart ICE-100
Cuisinart ICE-100 1.5-Quart Ice Cream and Gelato Maker, Fully Automatic with a Commercial Quality...
Overall Score
5/5
Weight
27.2 pounds
Capacity
1.5 quarts
Warranty
3 years
Type
Compressor
Churn Time
45 minutes
Bottom Line / Product Summary
Cuisinart ICE-100 is a perfect machine for instant ice cream since you don’t have to pre-freeze the bowl.
More Info

Cuisinart ICE-30 vs ICE-100 Key Features

Design

The Cuisinart ICE-30 is a compact machine that will not occupy much counter space in your kitchen. It features a lovely and durable stainless steel material that is also scratch-resistant. The sleek design provides a perfect appliance to suit a modern-designed kitchen. It has a large one-gallon-sized capacity which can make up to 20 lbs of ice cream in just an hour.

The ICE-100, on the other hand, features a very similar design with some minor updates in terms of materials and buttons placement. It also comes in a very robust appearance, with the outside featuring a beautiful stainless steel material. It also has an LCD control panel that gives it a minimalist look. It has a transparent lid that gives you a perfect view of everything happening inside while the ice cream maker is working.

Portability

The ICE-30 weighs roughly 13 pounds, while the Cuisinart ICE-100 weighs about 20 pounds. Despite the weight difference, both units are, however, very easy to move around especially because of the attached wheels. The ICE-30 has a rubberized bottom which provides improved grip and stability to the unit, while the ICE-100 is equipped with plastic feet that are adjustable.

Cleaning

Cleaning the ICE-30 is very easy since it comes in detachable parts. You need to wash the freezer bowl lid, and mix up using soapy water by hand since they’re not dishwasher safe.

For the ICE-100, there are also parts that you need to clean with soap and water, while other parts you can comfortably put in the dishwasher. You can wash the bowl and the dashers in the dishwasher, while the remaining parts should just use soapy water. Be sure not to use any abrasive cleaners on any of the machines to not scratch the surface.

Mixing Paddles

The ICE-30 comes with one mixing paddle, which is the standard paddle that’s included with all Kitchen Aid blenders. This is also the same one with most Cuisinart blenders since they’re also manufactured by Kitchen Aid.

The ICE-100, on the other hand, has two individual dasher paddles, which are conveniently stored in the freezer bowl allowing for easy access. One paddle is for mixing ice cream, while the other is for gelato.

Usability

Both these Cuisinart ice cream makers are easy to use. Most of the time, you simply need to add all ingredients into the freezer bowl and let it mix. This allows you to multitask and prepare other things while waiting for them to be ready.

To prevent spillovers, make sure you use a deep enough mixing bowl. Otherwise, adding more mix-ins can potentially cause overflows because not all ingredients can dissolve fully. The rival ICE-100 has even a smaller capacity, but the removable freezer bowl is quite large, so this would not be an issue.

The lid of both models is transparent, allowing you to watch the process without opening it. This will also prevent dust from entering, so you won’t have to clean it right after use.

You should also remember that you need to put the freezing bowl of ICE-30 in the freezer overnight before using it. As for the ICE-100, you don’t need to pre-freeze the bowl. Just pour in your ingredients, and you’ll be good to go.

ICE Cream Capacity

The ICE-30 makes up to 2 quarts of ice-cream capacity in a single-serve. This means that you can make up to 4 servings with it. It’s perfect for the whole family.

The ICE-100 comes with a 1.5 quartz ice cream bowl capacity. It’s slightly smaller than the ICE-30 since it only makes up to 3 servings with its capacity.

ICE Technology

The two Cuisinart ice cream makers are both equipped with the same technology called ICE Technology. This feature allows you to create ice cream anytime you want at zero degrees Fahrenheit (-18°C). The units will instantly cool your ingredients which ultimately leads to a fast and great result of making ice cream.

Cuisinart ICE-30 vs ICE-100 Performance Comparison

Like other ice cream makers from Cuisinart, the two also come with the same mixing paddle. The mixing paddle will automatically churn and mix your ingredients, creating smooth and delicious ice cream in no time.

The ICE-30 vs ICE-100 performance comparison is pretty similar to their design. Both of them only have one button, which serves more than its function. You can press it until you hear a beep sound which indicates that your ice cream is done.

What separates them is their bowls. The Cuisinart ICE-30  comes with a 2-quart bowl where you can store ingredients to be churned later on. The Cuisinart ICE-100 offers 1/2 quarts capacity to save time and effort of refreezing the bowl between batches.

Cuisinart ICE-100 also has another feature that improves its performance; it is called Dynamic freezing technology. It automatically monitors the machine to determine when your ice cream or gelato mixture reaches optimum churning temperature and continues to mix until finished. Unlike other ice cream makers that rely on timers, this one can adjust the mixing time to ensure that you end up with a perfectly textured ice cream every time.

Both machines are extremely easy to use. Pour your ingredients into the bowl, position it in the stand, and press start. Both its powerful motor will do all the work while you chill out in front of your television or take a nap. There are no complicated buttons or settings to fiddle with—just turn the dials to your desired consistency and let the machines do its job.

Their motors are less than loud, but there’s no way to muffle the constant whirring. We recommend using it on nights when you’ve got your headphones on or late at night when everyone else is asleep. The noise won’t hinder sleep, but if you prefer quiet surroundings (and your roommates do, too), you’ll want to make use of it when they’re not around

Cuisinart-ICE-100

Pros and Cons: Cuisinart ICE-30 vs ICE-100

Cuisinart ICE-30

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Easy to use: Cuisinart Ice-30 is very simple to use. There are only two buttons, one for turning it on/off and the other for increasing the texture of your ice cream.
  • Perfect ice cream quality: This ice cream maker is your best bet if you’re craving to make high-quality ice cream.
  • Easy cleanup: Cleaning up after making ice cream is pretty easy. You only need warm soapy water, and you’re good to go.
  • Affordable: The price for this machine is around $80, which is a decent price considering its features.

Cons:

  • Noise: The noise from the machine as it churns ice cream can be quite loud and can be disturbing at times.

Cuisinart ICE-100 Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Incredible performance: Cuisinart ICE-100 has no match when it comes to performance. This machine outperforms even the more expensive machines with ease.
  • Convenient: If you’re planning on making multiple batches of ice cream, Cuisinart ICE-100 can handle that for you without any issues.
  • Easy cleanup: Cleaning up after making ice cream is pretty easy. You only need warm soapy water to clean its parts.
  • Easy to move: Cuisinart ICE-100 is not too big or heavy. So, you can move it around if needed.

Cons:

  • Not completely dishwasher safe: Cleaning Cuisinart ICE-100 can be a little tricky as you can’t put all its components in a dishwasher.
  • Pricey: Compared to ICE-30, the ICE-100 is a bit expensive.

Cuisinart ICE-30 vs ICE-100 Value for Money

With all the features and specs of Cuisinart ICE-30 vs ICE-100, there’s no doubt that they both make the cut when it comes to the value for money. Cuisinart is generally cheaper than the Cuisinart ICE-100 by about half the cost, which makes it a perfect choice for those on a budget. Despite being cheap, the ICE-30 doesn’t disappoint when it comes to performance, making it a great value for money.

In terms of price, the Cuisinart ICE-100 is slightly expensive compared to the Cuisinart ICE-30. However, with its 70-watt motor and stylish design, it’s a perfect choice if you prefer a more refined-looking ice cream maker. 

Besides, it comes with additional features that you might not find in the ICE-100. A good example is a freezing time. You don’t have to pre-freeze its bowl before use as you’ll do with the ICE-30. So, despite the price tag, you’ll definitely get what you’ll pay for.

What to Consider When Buying Ice Cream Maker

Capacity

Before buying an ice cream maker, always consider the number of servings it can churn in a given period. This will help you decide which unit is right for your needs. For instance, if you regularly make large batches of ice cream and like having guests over often, then perhaps looking for an ice cream maker with a capacity of up to 4 quartz will be a good idea.

On the other hand, if you’re only after an ice cream maker for occasional use like making homemade treats for your little ones’ birthdays, then something that makes about 1.5 quarts like that of the Cuisinart ICE-100  will be great.

Brand

While many people overlook bands when buying appliances, the brand is very important when buying your ice cream maker. Brands like Cuisinart, Whynter, Breville ice cream maker, etc., are well trusted manufacturers that have been serving their customers for years now. But make sure to read consumer reviews as it is always better to go with a tried and tested brand that has proven its worth in the market.

Ease of Use

When buying an ice cream maker for home use, you want to make sure it won’t give you a hard time using it. Hence a compact, easy-to-use product is always better. So if you have a family of ice cream-loving kids, then going for an easy-to-operate and clean machine will be just the right choice. A big plus point if your appliance comes with a free cookbook so that children can prepare their own ice cream without any help from adults.

FAQs

Can Cuisinart ICE-100 make sorbet?

Yes. Cuisinart ICE-100 not only makes the best quality ice cream but also sorbet with its unique pre-freezing bowl.

How long does it take for Cuisinart ICE-100 to make ice cream?

It takes 20 minutes with the use of ice, salt, and rock salt for frozen dessert production in most cases. But if you are making French Vanilla Ice Cream, then the processing time will be longer because of the cooking process required.

Is Cuisinart ICE-30 a compressor ice cream maker?

No. Cuisinart ICE-30 is an ice cream maker that needs refrigeration for freezing the bowl before starting to make ice cream.

Cuisinart ICE-30

Our Verdict

Both Cuisinart ICE-30 and ICE-100 are great Cuisinart ice cream makers that produce very delicious homemade ice cream. If you are looking for a countertop machine that has an affordable price but with good features, then Cuisinart ICE-30 is your best choice. Otherwise, if you want more settings, high power, has the ability to make your ice cream without pre-freezing the bowl, and you have enough budget to spend, you should definitely go with Cuisinart ICE-100.

If you previously have no knowledge about these two ice cream makers, we hope that our Cuisinart ICE-30 vs ICE-100 comparison can now help you make an informed choice. You surely won’t regret buying any of these two ice cream machines given the many value that they provide. Between Cuisinart ICE-30 vs ICE-100, choosing should not be a hassle anymore as we guarantee that they’re both great ice cream makers.