As the mercury rises and the Australian summer kicks into full swing, our thoughts often turn to ways to keep cool and indulge in some seasonal pleasures. The beach, a shiny new pair of thongs, and the familiar jingle of the ice cream truck are all staples of the season. But what about when you want to bring some of that sweet, frozen delight into your own home? Enter the Kmart soft serve ice cream machine, a gadget that promises to churn out creamy treats without having to chase down Mr. Whippy. But is it the answer to our summer dessert dreams, or just another kitchen gadget destined to gather dust?



The Kmart soft serve ice cream machine, priced at $49, has certainly stirred up a debate among shoppers. The allure of homemade soft serve is strong, but does the reality match the fantasy? One Kmart enthusiast took to social media to seek opinions on the machine, sparking a flurry of responses from fellow customers.


The consensus? It might be best to keep your coins for the ice cream van. 'Don't do it!' cautioned one commenter, who lamented the machine's lengthy process, disappointing results, and the noise it made. Another shopper echoed the sentiment, sharing a tale of five failed attempts, a messy kitchen, and unfulfilled dessert cravings.



One customer detailed their fruitless efforts: 'We used milk, cream, sugar, milk powder, vanilla essence. Bowl in the freezer, made the mixture. Popped it in the freezer for 3 hours. Turned machine on and poured in the tiny hole. Let run for nearly 2 hours and never got any thicker. Very noisy. Don't waste your money.'

However, not all experiences were negative. A TikTok creator found a silver lining by using the machine to make a 'delicious' smoothie bowl. If you're a fan of Acai bowls, this could be a redeeming feature of the soft serve maker.

But perhaps the most sage advice came from a Kmart shopper who offered a simpler solution to the dessert dilemma: 'Go to the shop... buy a tub of ice cream… eat it.' They humorously outlined the all-too-familiar cycle of gadget addiction, from the initial excitement to the eventual realization that the effort outweighs the reward, ending with the gadget being sold for a fraction of the price on Marketplace.



For those still tempted by the idea of homemade ice cream but wary of the soft serve machine's pitfalls, Kmart offers a $15 mini ice cream maker. Influencer Amelia Liddy Sudbury praised the product, claiming it to be 'the best product Kmart has come out with in the past year!' She demonstrated how to whip up chocolate ice cream in just 15 minutes, with Kmart providing recipes to go with the item.

So, dear members of the Seniors Discount Club, before you rush out to add another gadget to your collection, consider the mixed reviews and weigh up the convenience versus the cost and effort. Sometimes, the simplest pleasures – like a store-bought tub of your favorite ice cream – are the sweetest. And remember, the joy of summer isn't just in the treats we eat but in the memories we make with family and friends.
Have you had any experiences with home ice cream makers or other kitchen gadgets that promised more than they delivered? Share your stories in the comments below – we'd love to hear about your culinary adventures or misadventures!