This is a great ice cream maker. Our favorite is espresso gelato. We always make a double batch, put them in the refrigerator to cool, then make each batch about an hour apart so the machine can warm back up before making the second batch. It is very easy to use, but I do find that I have to clean it and blow out any water from the bottom of the mixing bowl to prevent it from freezing and getting stuck when making the second batch (easy to do, just blow a few times and wipe off the water that comes out). The texture of the ice cream/gelato is like soft serve when it finishes, and it only takes about 25 minutes for the machine to freeze a batch. From there, we put directly into a container and store in the freezer over night, and it is perfect.