My father was a "professional" ice cream maker in Iowa before he came west and I grew up with the hand-cranked version of this machine; eventually my family bought the electric version, which I now have 30 years later.  I use this for summer parties, and just to make my own ice cream when I want an unusual flavor or add-ins.  its noisy -- but quick, and I typically put it outside on the deck for the time it needs to run.  I've given the hand-cranked version of this as thank-you gifts to friends with cabins and sailboats.  In my book -- this is the gold standard of ice cream makers.