Ice cream makers have long been one of those bits of kitchen tech you bought, then dispatched to the back of a cupboard, wedged between the pasta maker and the sandwich toaster. Now, however, with the rise of global warming and the many excellent benefits it brings to the climate, they are becoming essential but you still want the best ice cream maker and not a cheapo, crappy one.
The rise in popularity of frozen yogurt has also given them a boost, since any ice cream maker can also freeze yogurt, as well as making gelato (slightly less firm ice cream, really) and sorbet (iced-up fruit juice/purée).
You can eat ice cream at any time but when summer is finally here, it'll really be time to tuck in.