We purchased this unit after our less expensive Rival ice cream maker died during the third use.  I wasn's thrilled about having to buy another Rival product, but this ice cream maker is so far above others we've used that I can recommend it to anyone who has the $$ to buy it. All metal parts, including the motor, are of heavy steel.  The dashed is metal with removable wooden slats for easy clean up.  It seems to be a bit quieter than most models and turns out a generous six quarts of ice cream.  Now instead of eating the whole batch in a day, a batch will last a couple of days.  The motor speed turns the cylinder faster than most of the models that seem to grind on and on.  This gives a smoother, well-mixed ice cream.  We'll use it year-round, setting it in the kitchen sink while it runs to catch the overflow of ice/salt mixture.