Americana EIM-1400R 1.5 Quart Electric Ice Cream Maker - Automatic Homemade Ice Cream Machine with Freezer Bowl, No Salt Needed - Make Creamy Ice Cream, Gelato, Frozen Yogurt & Sorbet - Includes Recipe Book & Ingredient Chute - Perfect for Parties, Family Gatherings & Summer Treats

I confess I tried to buy a different machine by a very well-known kitchen appliance maker. In fact, I tried *two times* and had overlooked this little beauty because I was swayed by that well-known brand. The first maker from that well-known brand came in with the inside of the cylinder so badly dented into a pentagon shape instead of the circular inside one should expect, I shipped it back. After all, if you can't get the lid on because it's badly dented, what would you do with it otherwise? The second one arrived, and this time, it wasn't dented on the inside of the cylinder with a pentagon. This one had a triangular shape inside--and the same problem existed: I was unable to get the lid on. I shipped it back.On my third try, I went for this little red beauty--Maxi-Matic. I have to say it's downright cute, but cute will never be enough to sell something, or convince me it would be useful. This time I was pleasantly surprised!The first batch of ice cream didn't impress me too much though. Ice crystals formed, leaving the ice cream a bit of a flatter taste than the rich, creamy ice cream I was looking for. A little bit of a switch in thinking and some scouting of the other recipes online instead of in the maker's recipes solved the problem. Rich and creamy? Add a couple of eggs and voila! Rich and creamy! There's one other thing I do before making the ice cream in the machine: I beat the eggs and sugar until it's a lovely thick mix and then add the whipping cream and milk, beating the whole thing well. Then I put the bowl in the freezer for about 3 hours, and *then* use the cylinder from the freezer and put it together, pouring in the mixture to allow that to be finished in the machine. It takes me a few extra minutes plus the time in the freezer to make a marvelous ice cream that's rich and *minus* the chemicals in storei-bought ice cream. For me? It's worth the reasonable price and my health. I'm delighted with the machine.As for "easy to clean"? The *cylinder* is a breeze to clean. So is the paddle. The lid housing the motor? If you make too much ice cream in the machine and that excess gets between the lid and the motor, that's a different story. For the life of me I can't figure out to separate the two for cleaning that area! That's the only reason the "easy to clean" has 4 stars instead of 5. Still, this is a delightful machine!