Everything You Need to Know About the DeLonghi GM6000
Gelato Maker... and why I rate it the best!

The first time I had gelato was in Rome and I've never forgotten it! If you've had real gelato, then you know what I mean.

Interest in the art of making homemade gelato has grown over the past few years, as evidenced by the rise of gelatarias from New York City to small town supermarkets now stocking their freezer shelves with pints of this Italian ice cream.

The Italians Know Best

DeLonghi, an iconic Italian company specializing in Italian kitchen appliances and products, created a gelato maker, called the GM6000 bringing wonderful tasting gelato into the everyday average home.

In this review I will give you the information you need to make the right purchase to have great tasting gelato in your own home.

There is a difference between Gelato and Ice Cream... and the machines too!

In this review, I mention a few things to think about when looking for a gelato maker. I personally recommend the DeLonghi GM6000 which you can find on Amazon, with lots of customer reviews.

I'm a firm believer that if you want to make homemade gelato, you need to use an actual gelato maker designed for making gelato - not ice cream (and of course don't forget a few gelato recipe books to help you along).

If you want to make just regular ice cream, there are plenty of typical ice cream makers on the market (some cheap and some not so cheap).

Gelato is also viewed as a healthy alternative to ice cream due to it's lower calorie content. This is because gelato is generally made with whole milk or even 2% milk rather than cream. Gelato also has a greater density and therefore consumers tend to eat less quantity.

So for those who are watching their waistlines, take heart, gelato may soon become your new midnight snack!

What to Look for When Buying a Gelato Maker?

Buying a gelato maker is fairly straight forward - when you know what you need to look for. I've broken down this article into a few sections that explain the basics of gelato and the DeLonghi Gelato Maker. They are:

Gelato vs. Ice cream - the Air Factor

One area where gelato is different is the fact that it does not mix in air during the blending process, unlike it's American counterpart which can include up to 50% air. Gelato is between 20 and 30%.

By incorporating less air, the ice cream texture is denser and creamier and also create a more intense flavor. Alternatively, more air creates the more American airier and lighter consistency.

Due to this "air" factor, this is why an gelato maker is different than an ice cream maker. In order to prevent as much air as possible from getting into the ice cream, the machine must have an air tight lid.

The GM6000 Gelato Maker has exactly that (in fact it won't even run if the lid is opened). I'll explain more about that later on below.

If you want the real gelato consistency, you need an actual gelato maker. Yes, ice cream makers can say they can create gelato - but remember... gelato is different and therefore so must the machine be different.

 

Air Tight Lid - Why is it Important?

As mentioned above, the amount of air blended into the ice cream mixture is a critical difference between real gelato and American ice cream.

This gelato maker by DeLonghi uses a transparent hermetic closure lid which creates an air tight seal thus keeping air out during the mixing process.

The machine is designed so that it cannot operate without this lid locked in place.

Not only does this prevent additional air from blending into the mixture, thus changing the consistency, but it also keeps the temperature of the ingredients consistent during the blending process.

Since gelato must be made at freezing temperatures, allowing it to be exposed to warmer air would alter the outcome and this machine prevents that from happening.

Refrigerating Compressor

This is an important feature for any gelato maker, and in fact some ice cream machines are beginning to catch on as well. Having a machine with an internal refrigerating compressor allows the user to avoid pre-freezing any bowls in their freezer to achieve a certain temperature.

Often times, this pre-freezing step will require the user to pre-freeze a bowl for a minimum of 8 hours prior to making a batch of ice cream! So much for spur of the moment gelato or ice cream!

Since the GM6000 has its own refrigerating compressor, the machine can operate at below freezing temperatures, allowing the user to create batch after batch of gelato, without the need of pre-freezing any bowl.

From the time you mix the ingredients and start the machine, you can have your first batch ready to eat in approximately 40 to 45 minutes. The only time you need your freezer is to store it when you are done!

Keep in mind, mixing for too long can cause the ingredients to become too stiff and hard, so make sure to follow the recipe's instructions and set the timer!

Size and Design

DeLonghi did an excellent job in their design of this machine, making it a convenient and aesthetically appealing appliance suitable for any kitchen.

Size is an important factor when purchasing any kitchen appliance, because it is important to make sure that the item fits where you plan on using it, and that it can be easily stored when not in use.

The DeLonghi Gelato Maker measures 12 1/2 inches wide, 16 3/4 inches deep and only 9.44 inches tall, and weighs 28lbs. It should have no problem fitting under any kitchen cabinet.

In addition to the size, the machine is made of stainless steel and has a sleek modern design as shown in the image.

Another benefit to the design, is that the mixing bowl is located in the front of the machine rather than the top.

By locating the opening in the front of the machine, it becomes easier for adding ingredients, looking through the transparent lid, or for removing the mixing bowl for serving.

It should be stated that each batch produces 1.2 to 1.5 liters of gelato.

Included Parts

The machine is simple in design and does not use alot of parts. The GM 6000 comes with:

Removable stainless steel bowl

This gelato maker uses a stainless steel bowl, and for a reason too. Since the bowl and ingredients in the bowl must be brought down to freezing temperatures, stainless steel is a good material to use in order to ensure that the contents are kept at the colder temperatures during the entire mixing process. Plastic will not accomplish this.

Plastic mixing blades & Spatula

The machine comes with plastic mixing blades. The blades are made of plastic to prevent the bowl from being scratched during the mixing process.

The Spatula is also plastic and is used to scrape the mixture out of the bowl without any damage or scratches.

Transparent Lid

The lid is not permanently attached and can be fully removed which makes for nice for easy cleaning and it won't get in the way when you need to add in extra ingredients at the end of the cycle such as nuts, candies, chocolate chips, etc.

The transparency of the lid is a nice feature because you can conveniently observe the mixture while it is blending. I say this not just because kids get a kick out of it , but because it gives you an idea of how things are progressing without needing to open the lid which as mentioned above will allow unwanted air to get mixed in.

DeLonghi recipe book with 50 recipes

Okay, so this isn't a part of the machine but it sure helps to have a starting point if you are new to making gelato. I recommend however, spending just a few dollars over and getting one or two more additional gelato recipe books for those who want to experiment with various flavors.

They usually come with great tips and advice since sometimes different flavors or ingredients are not prepared the same across the board.

For example, it is recommended to add in items like bits of nuts or fruit at the end of the cycle, not the beginning. There are so many great ideas that will help make the gelato experience more fulfilling and allow you to get the most out of your machine.

Instruction manual

Last but not least is the instruction manual. I really recommend taking the time to read through it as it explains how to properly use the machine. The manual is not large or overly detailed that you would need an interpreter.

The instructions are straight forward, but it is important to understand how to use the machine properly and avoid using it incorrectly which could cause damage to the parts or make your gelato not turn out correctly. Make sure to keep it on hand for others who might want to use it as well... trust me they will!

Is it Dishwasher Safe?

Fortunately you're in luck - all the parts (bowl, blades and lid) can all be run through the dishwasher for easy cleaning. However, DeLonghi does advise to place the parts on the top rack when cleaning.

 

What About the Warranty?

The DeLonghi warranty is for 1 year from the date of purchase on your receipt. The full warranty description is in the manual and gives you contact information, including a toll free hot line for standard inquiries or questions you might have. This warranty is the same for all DeLonghi products.

Are there any Complaints?

Although the majority of comments are positive reviews, there are just a handful of critical critiques online. One of the reviewers complained about the use of the plastic blades/paddles, noting that it would get stuck.

This however can occur when the gelato is too hard, as mentioned in the manual. Some people recommend purchasing additional replacement blades in the beginning to keep on hand for backup.

The GM6000 manual gives helpful troubleshooting tips, and also offers a customer service phone number to answer any questions.

Where to Buy the GM6000 Gelato Maker?

The best price I've seen is online at Amazon, who consistently sells this item and comes with FREE shipping. You can also read what others have to say about it in their customer review section... maybe you'll be writing one too!

Enjoy Your Gelato and Salute!

Sincerely,