This is hands - down the best ice cream maker out there.  It's inexpensive and it does exactly what it's supposed to do.  Make Delicious ice-cream quickly.  The key here is to actually follow Cuisinart's directions.  Mix your Milk and Cream (I use Heavy Cream and Half/Half) and use real sugar.  Let it sit in the refrigerator overnight so that it all comes together and the mixture is good and cold.  Then I give it a quick whisk all over again after assembling the ice cream maker, pour it in and let it do it's work.  I set timer for 35 minutes and then put in cookie crumbles or chocolate chips for another 5 minutes.  The whole thing will fit nicely in a rectangular 2 quart container.  I put plastic over it to prevent freezer burn and let it sit for a few hours.  It comes out perfectly.  It tastes so much better than store bought, and you know exactly what's in it.  So happy I made the switch.  I'll never go back to store brand again.