This is another very useful article describing how ice cream maker works. It is somewhat techincal, but I think it will be useful both to ice cream maker users and people who are just going to buy one.\r\n\r\nThis is the beginning:\r\n\r\nHome Icemakers\r\n\r\nThe home icemaker's predecessor was the plastic ice tray. It's fairly obvious how this device works: You pour water into a mold, leave it in the freezer until it turns to a solid and then extract the ice cubes. An icemaker does exactly the same thing, but the process of pouring water and extracting cubes is fully automated. A home icemaker is an ice-cube assembly line. \r\n\r\nMost icemakers use an electric motor, an electrically operated water valve and an electrical heating unit. To provide power to all these elements, you have to hook the icemaker up to the electrical circuit powering your refrigerator. You also have to hook the icemaker up to the plumbing line in your house, to provide fresh water for the ice cubes. The power line and the water-intake tube both run through a hole in the back of the freezer. \r\n\r\nWhen everything is hooked up, the icemaker begins its cycle. The cycle is usually controlled by a simple electrical circuit and a series of switches. In the diagram below, you can see how the icemaker moves through its cycle. \r\n\r\nLook for the pictures and the end of the article at http://home.howstuffworks.com/icemaker1.htm

Great! That's really helpful!

I would like to read the same info about some of the grinders...