Described is a machine for making liquid or semi-liquid food products, including a first container for processing a liquid or semi-liquid base product defining a processing chamber and a stirrer for mixing the product of the first processing container. The machine also includes a plurality of detection devices designed to detect a quantity or an operating parameter of said machine and to generate a signal representative of the quantity or of the operating parameter. The machine includes a processing and control unit configured to receive the representative signals and to derive an operating condition of the machine based on the signals. The machine also includes a user interface connected to the processing and control unit and comprising a single control operable by an operator to selectively perform power on and power off of the machine.