Lello 4070 Gelato Junior
by Lello
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List Price: Our Price: $217.83 You Save: $82.17 (27%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $165.95 (click here) Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Lello 4070 Gelato Junior
Customer Review: Buy a Different Brand
Summary: 1 Stars
The first time I used this machine it worked okay - not fabulous, not even good, just okay. The ice cream was still soft after almost an hour's churning, but it did finish fairly well after being frozen in the freezer. The second time I used the machine, I experienced the problem that other people have mentioned: the blade stops turning after five minutes, and to get it going again, I have to stop and start the machine. It now takes almost two hours of constant babysitting before the ice cream is firm enough to finish in the freezer. I used it a few more times to see if this problem was just a fluke. It isn't. Not once has it produced an ice cream any firmer than soft-serve, no matter how long it takes. For that kind of money, I'd expect a much better product, and based on the reviews, this brand produces enough bad machines that your likelihood of getting one is probably higher than you would like. Do you really want to take the chance of having to go through all the trouble of sending it back to Amazon? Buy a different brand. You can't be taking more of chance than you would be with this piece of junk.Customer Review: Caveat emptor: product name is misleading
Summary: 4 Stars
In the interest of full disclosure, I will tell you up front that I did not actually use this machine. I ordered Lello Gelato because 1) when I searched for "gelato machine" or "gelato maker," it was one of the search results and 2) because people had reviewed it well, overall. I have an ice cream maker and was specifically looking for a machine that makes gelato.
When UPS delivered the Lello Gelato, I eagerly opened the box and removed the instruction/recipe book along with the unit itself. The machine appears to be well made and simple enough to use; I have little doubt it probably makes good ice cream and sorbets. BUT when I opened the booklet, I saw recipes for sorbets, recipes for ice cream, recipes for frozen drinks... and not one recipe for gelato. Not one. My heart sank. I had not gotten a gelato maker at all, despite the machine's name.
Some reviewers have commented that "gelato" is the Italian word for ice cream. That may be true, and gelato may well be ice cream, but ice cream is *not* gelato. There is a reason the two products have different names and are typically sold at different shops. Beyond the slightly different ingredients or ingredient ratios in a typical gelato, it is also different because it is denser; less air is introduced into the ingredients during the churn. A gelato recipe made in an ice cream maker turn out as ice cream. Not as true gelato.
Luckily, Amazon was exceptionally gracious and I was able to return the unit before I even used it. I did not just want another ice-cream maker. I am perfectly happy with the one I have. I wanted a gelato maker, and I have subsequently ordered one from Amazon and am eagerly awaiting it. I'm sure some readers will grouse because I assigned a star rating, but one must be assigned, so I chose four stars 1) because that is the overall average rating others have given it and will not change that average, and 2) because the product name is misleading. A machine called "Gelato" should make gelato. My review is not a reflection on how well the machine makes ice cream, which many reviewers say is very well indeed. It is really a warning to others who might be tempted to make the same mistake I did, so they can save themselves the hassle. Buy the Lello Gelato if you want a reasonably priced ice-cream maker with its own freezing unit, but don't buy it if you want to make true gelato.
Customer Review: Churn motor stop working, no customer service, no warranty
Summary: 1 Stars
Churn motor broke down after less that 10 uses (after 30 days)
Now I can't return, can't repair, can't replace it.
It really sucks
Customer Review: DESSERTS ON A DIET
Summary: 5 Stars
If you love to eat and serve frozen desserts but happen to be lactose intolerant (only lactose-free milk for you), can't process caffeine (only decaf coffee, tea, and chocolate will do), you're hypoglycemic (can't handle much sugar), or you're on a low fat diet, then the Lello 4070 Gelato Junior is your new best friend. With this home version of a commercial machine, you can create killer ice creams, delicious frozen yoghurts, sorbets, sherbets, and gelati which suit your dietary needs. But nobody else will suspect: they'll be too busy asking for seconds.
My recent favorites are an orange/carrot sorbet with orange zest and a dash of Triple Sec liqueur; vanilla ice cream with real vanilla bean; which later morphs into a creamy coffee gelato. Yes, you can defrost, add to, and refreeze your creations. All of mine have low sugar, low fat, no caffeine, and no lactose.
The Gelato Junior is bigger than I thought, too big for my counter top, but I've found it a spot in a lower cupboard where it never has to move, I don't have to lift it (30 lbs), and it can go on churning out unique desserts. The freezing bucket, though, has a sharp edge which can cut you, so beware. Oddly, the handbook which comes with the Gelato gives no recipes for gelato. So I bought a book called - you guessed it - "Gelato!"
My husband, neighbors, and I are having summer fun with this machine and crooning over the icy treats it makes. An unexpected advantage is that it uses very little electricity: less than two light-bulbs worth. We live in Hawaii, in a mountain rain forest, off the grid, so we're counting not only calories but watts.
Lynne Farr, author of OFF THE GRID WITHOUT A PADDLE Off The Grid Without A Paddle
Customer Review: Decent Ice-cream Machine
Summary: 4 Stars
I have made about 30 or 40 batches of ice cream with this machine so far. The machine itself is fairly easy to use and clean. One of the main things in ice-cream making is ice formation. The faster the machine cools the less icy and more creamy your ice-cream gets. This machine does a decent job at freezing the ice-cream. In it's price range it's very good. However, if you want very smooth creamy ice-cream then get a more expensive model. I will when I win the lotto.
I still love this machine.