Walking into my kitchen on a scorching Saturday afternoon, I had one thing on my mind: salted caramel gelato. But as any home cook knows, the “ice cream craving” usually hits long after you’ve forgotten to put the freezer bowl in the back of the freezer. This brings us to the ultimate crossroads of frozen dessert technology. I’ve spent the last few weeks churning batch after batch in the Cuisinart ICE-70 and the Cuisinart ICE-100, and the experience highlighted a massive divide in how we approach homemade treats.
The ICE-70 represents the pinnacle of the “canister” style—sleek, fast, and high-capacity, but requiring a bit of a fortune teller’s foresight. On the other side, the ICE-100 is a heavy-duty powerhouse with a commercial-grade compressor that says, “I want ice cream now, and I want a second batch in an hour.” After cleaning enough paddles to last a lifetime, I’ve found that while both carry the Cuisinart name, they cater to two very different styles of entertaining.
The Key Difference: Cuisinart ICE-70 vs ICE-100 Cooling Technology
The most significant key difference between the Cuisinart ICE-70 and 100 is the cooling mechanism. The Cuisinart ICE-70 uses a double-insulated freezer bowl that you must freeze for 16 to 24 hours before use. Once you start churning, the bowl begins to warm up, meaning you generally have one shot at a perfect batch. In contrast, the Cuisinart ICE-100 features a built-in compressor—essentially a mini-refrigerator. This means no pre-freezing is required; the machine creates its own cold, allowing you to make back-to-back batches of different flavors all day long without any downtime.
- SUPERIOR FUNCTION: This Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine makes delicious frozen treats in as little as 20 minutes.
- CAPACITY: Create 2 quarts of your favorite ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato, or sorbet with this ice cream machine.
- FROZEN FAVORITES: The fully automatic Cuisinart 1.5-Quart Ice Cream Maker with high-powered compressor makes lusciously rich ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, and...
- CAPACITY: The Cuisinart ice cream maker makes 1.5 quarts of your favorite ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato, or sorbet. The commercial-quality compressor means the...
Comparison Table: ICE-70 vs. ICE-100 Ice Cream Maker
| Feature | Cuisinart ICE-70 | Cuisinart ICE-100 |
| Cooling Method | Pre-freeze Canister (24 hrs) | Built-in Compressor (Instant) |
| Capacity | 2 Quarts | 1.5 Quarts |
| Paddles Included | 1 Universal Paddle | 2 (Ice Cream & Gelato) |
| Churn Time | 20–25 Minutes | 40–50 Minutes |
| Special Features | 3 Speed Settings, LCD Timer | Keep Cool Mode, Touchpad |
| Material | Brushed Chrome / Plastic | Stainless Steel / Steel |
| Weight | ~13 lbs | ~32 lbs |
| Check Latest Price & Deals | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Detailed Comparative Review: My Experience
Design and Countertop Footprint
The moment I unboxed the Cuisinart ICE-100, I realized I needed to clear some serious real estate. It’s a “beast” of a machine, weighing in at over 30 pounds. It looks like something you’d find in a small Italian cafe—all stainless steel and heavy-duty components. It isn’t a machine you want to be lifting in and out of a high cabinet every day.
The Cuisinart ICE-70, however, is much more “countertop friendly.” It’s taller but much narrower and significantly lighter. The brushed chrome finish gives it a premium look that matches modern appliances, but the real space-hog isn’t the machine—it’s the 2-quart bowl that has to live in your freezer. If you have a side-by-side freezer, that bowl is going to take up a lot of room where your frozen veggies used to be.
- SUPERIOR FUNCTION: This Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine makes delicious frozen treats in as little as 20 minutes.
- CAPACITY: Create 2 quarts of your favorite ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato, or sorbet with this ice cream machine.
Ease of Use: The “Spontaneous” Factor
I’m a fairly organized cook, but even I fail the “freeze the bowl 24 hours in advance” test about 50% of the time. Using the ICE-70 requires a level of planning that can be frustrating. If your bowl isn’t “rock solid” (I’m talking no liquid sloshing sound when you shake it), your ice cream will end up as a sad, cold soup.
The ICE-100 is the definition of convenience. I decided I wanted strawberry sorbet at 3:00 PM, and by 4:00 PM, I was eating it. There is a “Keep Cool” feature on the 100 that I found incredibly helpful; if the timer finishes and you’re busy in the other room, the compressor keeps running for another 10 minutes to prevent your hard work from melting.
- FROZEN FAVORITES: The fully automatic Cuisinart 1.5-Quart Ice Cream Maker with high-powered compressor makes lusciously rich ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, and...
- CAPACITY: The Cuisinart ice cream maker makes 1.5 quarts of your favorite ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato, or sorbet. The commercial-quality compressor means the...
Churning Functions and Texture
One thing that surprised me was the Cuisinart ICE-70’s speed. Because the bowl starts at a sub-zero temperature, it freezes the mixture incredibly fast—usually in about 20 minutes. This speed actually helps create smaller ice crystals, resulting in a very smooth texture. It also has three distinct speed settings (Ice Cream, Gelato, Sorbet) which adjust the “air” or overrun in the mix.
The Cuisinart ICE-100 takes longer (usually 40+ minutes) because it has to pull the heat out of the base as it works. However, it comes with two specialized paddles. The Gelato paddle is designed to incorporate less air, creating that dense, fudgy texture that characterizes authentic Italian gelato. In my taste tests, the ICE-100 won on density and richness, while the ICE-70 won on sheer fluffiness and speed.
- SUPERIOR FUNCTION: This Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine makes delicious frozen treats in as little as 20 minutes.
- CAPACITY: Create 2 quarts of your favorite ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato, or sorbet with this ice cream machine.
The Noise Factor
Let’s be honest: neither of these is a quiet machine. The ICE-70 has a high-pitched whirring sound that can be heard from the next room. It’s a bit like having a small leaf blower in your kitchen for 20 minutes. The ICE-100 has a lower, deeper hum because of the compressor. It’s more of a “heavy appliance” sound. Neither is a dealbreaker, but don’t expect to have a quiet conversation right next to them while they’re working.
Cuisinart ICE-70 Ice Cream Maker
- SUPERIOR FUNCTION: This Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine makes delicious frozen treats in as little as 20 minutes.
- CAPACITY: Create 2 quarts of your favorite ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato, or sorbet with this ice cream machine.
Pros:
- Bigger Batches: 2-quart capacity is perfect for families or parties.
- Faster Churning: Ready in about 20 minutes once you start.
- Affordable: High-end performance for a fraction of the price of a compressor model.
- Speed Presets: Different speeds for different types of frozen desserts.
Cons:
- Requires Planning: You must freeze the bowl for at least 16–24 hours.
- One Batch Limit: You can’t make a second flavor immediately without a second bowl.
- Freezer Space: The large bowl takes up significant freezer real estate.
Cuisinart ICE-100 Ice Cream Maker
- FROZEN FAVORITES: The fully automatic Cuisinart 1.5-Quart Ice Cream Maker with high-powered compressor makes lusciously rich ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, and...
- CAPACITY: The Cuisinart ice cream maker makes 1.5 quarts of your favorite ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato, or sorbet. The commercial-quality compressor means the...
Pros:
- Zero Prep Time: No pre-freezing required; start whenever you want.
- Endless Batches: Make vanilla, then chocolate, then strawberry all in one afternoon.
- Professional Texture: Two dedicated paddles for ice cream vs. gelato.
- Keep Cool Feature: Automatically stays cold after the timer ends.
Cons:
- Heavy and Bulky: It’s a permanent countertop resident due to its weight.
- Higher Price: A significant investment for the casual ice cream eater.
- Smaller Capacity:5 quarts vs. the 2 quarts of the ICE-70.
The Verdict: My Recommendation
After a summer of testing, my choice comes down to how “serious” you are about the hobby.
I recommend the Cuisinart ICE-70 if you are an occasional baker who wants high-quality results without spending a fortune. If you have the freezer space to keep the bowl permanently chilled, the “planning” downside disappears. It’s the best value-for-money machine on the market for making large batches of smooth, creamy ice cream.
I recommend the Cuisinart ICE-100 if you are a true ice cream enthusiast or someone who loves hosting dinner parties. The ability to decide on a flavor and have it ready an hour later is a luxury that is hard to give up once you’ve experienced it. Plus, if you are a fan of dense, authentic gelato, the specialized paddle in the ICE-100 is far superior to the universal paddle in the ICE-70.
For my kitchen, the ICE-100 is the winner. The spontaneous nature of being able to churn a batch whenever the mood strikes makes it an appliance I actually use, rather than one that gathers dust in a cabinet.
- SUPERIOR FUNCTION: This Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine makes delicious frozen treats in as little as 20 minutes.
- CAPACITY: Create 2 quarts of your favorite ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato, or sorbet with this ice cream machine.
- FROZEN FAVORITES: The fully automatic Cuisinart 1.5-Quart Ice Cream Maker with high-powered compressor makes lusciously rich ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, and...
- CAPACITY: The Cuisinart ice cream maker makes 1.5 quarts of your favorite ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato, or sorbet. The commercial-quality compressor means the...
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I buy a second bowl for the ICE-70?
A: Yes! Many people buy an extra bowl so they can make two flavors in a row. Just remember that both bowls will need to live in your freezer for 24 hours.
Q: Why does the ICE-100 have a smaller capacity?
A: Compressor models need space for the refrigeration lines and the motor. To keep the machine at a “reasonable” (though still large) size, Cuisinart capped the capacity at 1.5 quarts.
Q: Is the ICE-100 dishwasher safe?
A: The paddles and lid are generally top-rack dishwasher safe, but I always recommend hand-washing the aluminum bowl. The harsh chemicals in dishwasher pods can dull the finish and affect the heat transfer over time.
Q: Can I make dairy-free ice cream in these?
A: Absolutely. Both machines handle almond milk, coconut milk, and oat milk bases perfectly. Just keep in mind that dairy-free bases often freeze harder, so you might want to pull them out 5 minutes early.
