Summary: After throwing away several less expensive, cheaply made ice cream freezers, I was elated to receive this freezer for father's day. From the very first batch, it has consistently produced the best ice cream we have ever made. It is easy to operate, easy to assemble, easy to clean, and in addition to it's good looks, the pine bucket does a superb job of insulating the super-cold brine, so your ice lasts longer. while freezing, you can feel the outside of the pine tub, and it is cool, but not cold. It really keeps the cold close to the cream. I am able to fully harden or \"ripen\" our ice cream before eating it..right inside the White Mountain freezer using the enclosed instructions. Our old freezers always left the cream somewhat \"slushy\". It is everything an ice cream freezer should be! WE LOVE IT!!