I got the KitchenAid - Ice Cream Maker Attachment a few weeks ago and I have been loving it.  After reading the reviews, I knew that I would need to be careful and treat the attachment with care.  I have been hand washing in warm water and not stacking any other items onto the bowl.  Regarding the actual ice cream making process: you do need space to fit the bowl into a freezer and should have 24hours to ensure that it has reached an ideal temperature.  Once the bowl is ready, making ice cream couldn't be easier.  The ice cream is wonderful and has a great texture.  One item to note is that if you are looking for making multiple batches of ice cream this is probably not your best option.  Overall I really love this attachment.