Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Earlier this summer I used the ICE-30 at my parents' home. After making about 7 batches of ice cream, I knew I wanted a maker at my own home. Having spent time using the ICE-30, I had a better idea what features I was looking for and ended up with the ICE-70 after considering the ICE-30, ICE-60, and ICE-70. Here are the reasons that led to that decision: Noise: Both the ICE-30 and ICE-70 are loud, but the ICE-70 is less loud. Noticeable, but not substantial. I still don't want to be in the same room while churning, but the ICE-30 was loud enough that I didn't even want to be in an adjacent room. Speed: The ICE-70 is noticeably faster. I've read other reviews that the ICE-70 turns at about 45 or 55 rpm (adjustable on 2 settings) vs. the ICE-30 turns at about 22 RPM. The faster speed supposedly aerates the ice cream better for a better consistency. I think the ice cream I get from my ICE-70 is slightly airier, and from the ICE-30 slightly more dense, but not a difference worth discounting the ICE-30 over. I also tend to find the faster speed makes the ice cream set up quicker. It will take a few batches to become familiar with what is right, but once you see it, it's pretty clear. (Additional note: I had more "soft" batches from the ICE-30, but those were early on, and I don't know if that was because it turns slower, or just because we weren't yet familiar with when the batch was ready yet - in both cases, you still need to transfer the ice cream to a container and store in the freezer to get it to firm up completely). Mixing Paddle: Cuisinart updated the mixing paddle for the ICE-60 and ICE-70. It seems to mix the ice cream slightly differently and is slightly easier to get the ice cream out and to clean. Not a substantial difference. I believe the ICE-70 paddle is available for about $10, and it looks like it would also fit the ICE-30 mixer - but don't quote me on that. I hope to test this at some point. Lid/Spout/Cover: First I'll note that the ICE-30 has a larger fill spout for pouring in your cream and ingredients, but it is also open. The ICE-70 has a slightly smaller fill spout but comes with a cover. We used a plate to cover the spout while mixing in the ICE-30 to keep dust/bugs out because we were using it in the basement (due to the noise!) so I do appreciate the built in spout cover in the ICE-70. Some users have complained the Lid doesn't stay on the ICE-70. Admittedly, the design is probably better and more secure on the ICE-30. With the ICE-70's smaller ingredients spout in the lid, it's tempting to pour the ingredients into the freezer bowl before starting the mixer. This doesn't work well because the cream freezes to the bottom of the bowl and then the mixing paddle doesn't seat properly in the bottom and the lid doesn't sit right and the lid won't lock in and stay secured. I've found that if I start the mixer with an empty bowl and pour in the ingredients through the spout on the ICE-70, the lid stays locked firmly in place. Other differences: Honestly, I chose the ICE-70 over the ICE-60 only because the ICE-70 was stainless steel colored, as are all of my other small appliances. The ICE-70 has an automatic timer, but it really isn't necessary as you need to watch the consistency and check on it every few minutes anyway. You also don't want to forget about it (though I don't know how you could with the noise) and come back to melted ice cream. The ICE-30 has a simple on/off switch. The ICE-60 has what appear to be the same speed settings as the ICE-70, but no automatic timer. All three mixers use the same freezer bowl, though the one marketed for the ICE-70 costs twice as much as the one for the ICE-30. The exterior color might be different. Overall: I think the differences between the ICE-30, ICE-60 and ICE-70 are minimal, but are substantial enough to differentiate them. To me, I think the ICE-70 was worth the price difference for the upgrade, but if the cost is a factor that would discourage you from jumping in to buy one, then I wouldn't discourage anyone from buying the ICE-30 for a more budget friendly option.