Showing posts with label smoothie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label smoothie. Show all posts

5/29/2012

VitaMix Vita-Prep 1002 Blender with 64-Ounce Carafe Review

VitaMix Vita-Prep 1002 Blender with 64-Ounce Carafe
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
A wonderful machine that does everything except cook. It has opened a new storehouse of cooking for me.

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The Professional Chef's Power ToolTMVita-Prep® produces silky smooth purèes, grinding whole spices and grains, chopping vegetables and more. Vita-Prep outlasts other blenders 3 to 1, and for many well-known chefs, the Vita-Prep has become essential in the back-of-the-house commercial kitchens.The Vita-Prep just got Juiced!The new Vita-Prep 3 has more power to handle the thickest, toughest ingredients! Grind meats for pâte or chop tough vegetables for authentic Mexican salsa without overheating! Use the variable speed for perfect purèes, savory soups and delicious frozen treats. The Vita-Prep 3 is a must in kitchens where volume and quality are key ingredients to a successful back-of-the-house. More power, larger cooling fan, Vita-Mix quality...a great recipe has been perfected!

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5/23/2012

Kalorik BL-16911 500-Watt 2-Speed Countertop Blender with 50-Ounce Glass Jar, Metallic Red Spray Review

Kalorik BL-16911 500-Watt 2-Speed Countertop Blender with 50-Ounce Glass Jar, Metallic Red Spray
Average Reviews:

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There are plenty of other good options out there for blenders at this price point. The only reason I bought this one was because it was recommended by Cook's Illustrated some time ago. But from the beginning, it was a really loud blender, and didn't cut through chunks of frozen fruit and ice smoothly like they said it would. We still endured it, until last week I tried to grind some rice for my infant son's cereal. Now, you might say, "Well. Of course it's not supposed to grind rice" but actually most blenders do this task just fine. Our previous blender, a flimsy little Oster w/a plastic jar, had no problem with the two minute grind. But the Kalorik started to smell within a minute or so, and when I looked at the rice, it had flecks of grease in it - the grease had pushed up from beneath the motor through the blade attachment and was all over the base of the blade. Gross, and even though it still runs, I am afraid to use it anymore for any of our drinks or blending task. Bummer. It really does look nice, but that's about all it is, plus a wasted $50.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Kalorik BL-16911 500-Watt 2-Speed Countertop Blender with 50-Ounce Glass Jar, Metallic Red Spray

Equipped with a powerful 500-watt motor, this professional-grade countertop blender works great for parties or everyday use in the kitchen. The appliance provides six stainless-steel blades, two of which are serrated, for chopping, crushing, and blending. So whether it's liquefying frozen fruit, whipping up creamy smoothies, or making pureed soups, the blender can handle the toughest blending chores, even crushing ice. In addition, its simple control dial makes it easy to choose from four settings that include, low, high, pulse, and off. The blender also comes with a large 50-ounce glass jar, which offers a generous handle, a drip-free spout, and a tight-fitting plastic cover with a removable filter cap for adding ingredients during operation. Other highlights include a brushed stainless-steel base, a safety lock, non-slip feet, and an embossed Kalorik logo. The jar washes up quickly by hand, and the base can be wiped clean as needed. The blender measures 7-1/4 by 7-1/4 by 15-1/2 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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5/20/2012

Breville BBL600XL Ikon 750-Watt 51-Ounce Blender Review

Breville BBL600XL Ikon 750-Watt 51-Ounce Blender
Average Reviews:

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After owning two inferior blenders, I wanted one for our family that was powerful, sturdy, relatively quiet, easy to clean and good-looking. This blender is simply the best blender we have ever owned.
First, it is very powerful. You should have no problem using it for everything blenders are usually used for, including crushing ice, which it does amazingly well. It has a separate smoothie button that is fantastic: it varies the speed during the blending process and helps you create perfect smoothies, with no effort on your part. The blender shuts off automatically after using the smoothie or other preset functions, and has a digital display that counts down and tells you how long it will take to finish blending.
Perhaps most importantly, the curved blades and concave container are designed in such a way as to reduce or eliminate the amount of food that gets stuck in the bottom of the blender. In fact, after using it a few times, I was pleasantly surprised to find NO unblended pieces of food at the bottom of the blender. Everything was blended.
Regarding noise, this is by far the quietest blender I have ever encountered. With such a powerful motor, I'm not sure how they did it. I am a professional composer and have very sensitive ears, and the relative low volume of this blender is something I definitely appreciate. Don't get me wrong: it's a blender, so it still makes noise, but it is definitely NOT as loud as inferior blenders priced less than $100.
The base and container are quite heavy and will stay put when you are blending. It giggles a little when blending on a high setting (there are sturdy rubber feet that help to reduce noise), but it won't move on your counter. The container is made of thick glass, and you can wash the whole base in the dishwasher (the glass part in the bottom rack, the other parts in the top rack). The container lid has a sturdy ring that makes it very easy to pull off the tight-fitting lid. Don't let the pics fool you: that little ring is thicker than it looks.
Some blenders have plastic containers and some have glass, like this one. The advantage of plastic is really just the (usually) cheaper cost and lighter weight. The disadvantage is that plastic containers may crack (as ours did) and leak plastic molecules into your food over time as the container ages. Most plastics are carcinogenic, so I like to avoid plastic containers if at all possible, since this one is glass, and very thick, it is relatively safe. The markings on the side of the container are easy to read, so it's not difficult to use it as a measuring container when adding food, particularly liquids.
The blade housing is also very sturdy and much larger than on a typical cheap blender. It fits on so tightly that you need a turning handle (supplied) to unscrew the base. If I had only ONE complaint, this would be it. I don't like the idea of having to use anything other than my hands to disassemble the blender. But since I'll take a tight-fitting assembly over one that might leak any day, this really isn't a complaint at all.
BTW: for the technically inclined, this blender is assembled with screws, so if you wanted to disassemble the base, you could do it very easily. This thing is solid as a rock.
Regarding cleaning, the buttons are slightly raised under a one-piece pad that is extremely easy to clean. If any food does spill, which is unlikely, all you need to do is wipe it up with a soft rag or paper towel. One side note: you will need to thoroughly wash the blender once you get it out of the box. It still has the factory manufacturing smell, but that clears up with a good wash or two in the dishwasher.
Lastly, this is a fine-looking appliance. It's much sleeker than others made my KitchenAid and so on, and is industrial-quality, without looking like it belongs in a restaurant kitchen.
All in all, I am extremely happy with this blender and enthusiastically give it five stars.
***UPDATE***
We had this blender for 2 1/ 2 years, using it maybe 3-4 times a week on average, and the motor finally gave out. To be more accurate, the power light blinked on, but the blade assembly would not run. We didn't do anything abnormal with it, and mostly used it for smoothies. Then one day, it just would not work.
Like others mention here, it will leak if you do not screw the bottom part on very tight. In fact, you have to be quite strong to screw it on tight enough so that it will not leak. Ironically, leaks rarely happened over the button area, but definitely happened above the blade if the bottom was even a tiny bit loose. I also found it annoying that the only way to remove the base if it was screw on as tightly as it needed to be was to use the lever that comes with the blender. Shouldn't blenders come apart without having a separate gadget to worry about?
As for my comments that it can be taken apart, I'll have to retract that. I attempted to take it apart to replace a fuse, the part of the blender that apparently gave out, but it's basically impossible--not very easy to take apart at all.
All in all, we really enjoyed our Breville blender while it worked, but we think that for this price, it should last five years or longer under normal use. We will not purchase this model again and will look at other brands like Vitamix.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Breville BBL600XL Ikon 750-Watt 51-Ounce Blender

With its 750-watt motor and die-cast aluminum base, this powerful blender provides an array of convenient features. Its control pad offers five speed settings, which include mix, chop, blend, liquefy, and puree, as well as a pulse function and two preset programs for ice crushing and smoothies. The blender's 54-ounce engineering-grade borosilicate glass jar resists scratching, chipping, and fogginess for optimal clarity, while dual-tone baked enamel measurements in both metric and empirical volumes ensure sharp viewing and accurate measuring. The jar provides 1/4-turn blade removal for thorough and effortless cleaning of the jar and Hemisphere bowl/blade system. In addition, all jar and blade parts are top-shelf dishwasher-safe, and the bowl/blade system easily locks into place and seals for leak-free performance. Other highlights include a control pad designed without crevices for fast cleaning, a backlit easy-to-read digital timer, and a Breville assist cord. The blender measures 6-1/2 by 8 by 15-1/2 inches.

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5/18/2012

Margaritaville DM900 Battery-Powered Frozen-Concoction Maker Review

Margaritaville DM900 Battery-Powered Frozen-Concoction Maker
Average Reviews:

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I bought this machine to make non-alcoholic versions of daiquiris and margaritias and discovred that this is one heck of a slush maker as well! The consistency of the drinks that this machine makes is like a frozen coke consistency and the machine works very quickly and easily. The machine is also very easy to clean after use. I am able to get three full batches of drinks from one batch of ice from my refrigerator's automatic ice maker. The automatic feature shaves ice and blends perfectly. This is the third "smoothie" type machine that I have had and the only one that works like it is supposed to. The battery charges well and so far I have made 15 batches of drinks without a recharge.
This will definitely be nice on hot summer nights on the deck!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Margaritaville DM900 Battery-Powered Frozen-Concoction Maker

Enjoy restaurant-quality frozen concoctions from the comfort of home and beyond thanks to this easy-to-use drink-making machine. The unit provides the same reliable performance as the plug-in models, but with the freedom of cordless operation--take it to the beach, out on the boat, to a tailgating party, or to a picnic in the park. Equipped with an 18-volt Ni-Cd battery pack, the appliance delivers enough power to blend up to 80 drinks on a single charge. Simply fill the top reservoir with ice, pour the ingredients into the blending jar, and hit the "start" button. Far more than just an ordinary blender, the unit features pre-programmed settings that automatically shave ice and completely blend up to 36 ounces at a time. Whether it's margaritas, mudslides, daiquiris, or fruit smoothies, the machine mixes ingredients to slushy perfection--no missed chunks of ice or watered-down disappointments. Other highlights include front-access controls, powerful DC shaving and blending motors, durable construction with a premium graphite finish, a stable base, and a see-through blending jar with a generous handle. The battery-operated frozen-concoction maker measures approximately 15 by 10 by 21 inches. From the Manufacturer Features

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5/13/2012

Blendtec The Professional's Choice 1560-Watt Total Blender Review

Blendtec The Professional's Choice 1560-Watt Total Blender
Average Reviews:

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This is a powerful blender, and is comparable to the VitaMix. I love the square design of the container, because it is easy to clean - way easier to clean than the VitaMix, and the blade at the bottom is not sharp, so I don't nick myself when cleaning the bottom of the blender. It is also much easier to scrape the blended goodness out of the bottom of the blender. But I don't like the lid design. The lid is flat and sits flush against the top of the blender. It gets splattered from the force of the blended ingredients. Makes a mess when you open it. This is a real problem when blending in between adding ingredients. Also, the plunger sometimes IS needed - even with a BlendTec, although Blendtec says it is not needed because of the variable speeds on its blender settings. There are times when I wish I had the plunger to just push things down while the blender is on. Instead, I have to take the lid off, which is dripping all over with blended goo, thus making a mess, so I can stir the ingredients because there is no plunger to push the food down into the blades like the VitaMix.
I have owned a Vitamix for 15 years, and it has proven to be a workhorse. The Blendtec seems to be just as strong, and I welcome it to my kitchen. It seems to do an even better job of grinding grains than the Vitamix. No "dry" container is needed. You just use the same container for both wet and dry ingredients. You don't really need a grain mill if you have the Blendtec, as it really does a very good job of blending grains and dry beans very quickly. It also makes nut butters almost instantly.
Overall, the Blendtec is extremely powerful, and meets my needs for what I use it for - I do daily green smoothies. I just wish it had a different lid, and a plunger.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Blendtec The Professional's Choice 1560-Watt Total Blender

Replace up to nine other kitchen appliances with this easy-to-use countertop machine--no need for a separate grain mill, juicer, bread machine, ice-cream maker, smoothie maker, blender, milkshake maker, coffee grinder, or ice crusher. With its powerful, commercial-quality, 1560-watt motor, the multi-purpose blender can handle almost any kitchen task. The all-in-one appliance works great for making fruit smoothies, freshly squeezed juice, homemade ice cream, milkshakes, cappuccinos, margaritas, soups, sauces, bread dough, dressings, salsas, and more. It can even turn ice into snow and comes with an ice-crushing guarantee. Furthermore, the countertop blender's exclusive trademarked Smart-Touch Tec-nology takes the guesswork out of blending and food processing. Simply press a button from the digital touchpad and the unit's preprogrammed cycle automatically speeds up and slows down to draw ingredients into the two-prong stainless-steel blade, which spins up to 29,000 rpm, thoroughly blending ingredients so recipes turn out perfect every time. The appliance provides a digital display to show the current status, and it shuts off automatically once the cycle has completed. Cycle options include "ice cream, frozen yogurt", "ice crush, milkshake", "soups, syrups, fondues", "sauces, dips, dressings, batters", "whole juice", and "smoothie". The control panel also provides a pulse function and up and down arrows for manually adjusting the speed. Another highlight includes the unit's square blending jar, which holds up to 32 ounces and features a large easy-grip handle, measurement markings in ounces up the side, and a secure-fitting lid. A user guide and delicious recipe ideas come included. The blender measures 12 by 10 by 20 inches and carries a three-year limited warranty.

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5/10/2012

Oster BVCB07-Z 6-Cup Glass Jar 7-Speed Blender, Stainless Steel Review

Oster BVCB07-Z 6-Cup Glass Jar 7-Speed Blender, Stainless Steel
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I make frozen fruit smoothies every day and I needed a blender that could handle that sort of heavy duty use. I bought one of these at Costco after seriously considering both the Blendtec and The VitaMix machines. I am so glad I bought this one. It has proven to be a great blender. Every morning I toss in frozen strawberries, bananas, pineapple, blueberries, oranges, and other types of fruit. To that I add protein powder and milk, secure the top and use the automatic (this lovely machine shuts itself off) setting to make a pitcher of really great, icey cold, somewhat frozen smoothies. Some days the mixture is so thick that we have to eat the it with spoons! Once in awhile I have to stop the blender and stir the contents because a piece of frozen fruit gets stuck. But that is a rare occurrence (the reversing blades are great at keeping things moving and blending).
So why do I give this blender 4 stars instead of five? It is noisy. In my opinion it is very noisy. I can and do live with the noise because it performs so well. Well enough in fact that, I purchased a second one in case Oster decides to stop making this model.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Oster BVCB07-Z 6-Cup Glass Jar 7-Speed Blender, Stainless Steel

Brought to you by the #1 Blender brand. Beautiful form and incredible function. Forwards and backwards.Frozen fruit? Bring it on. Ice cubes? It's got them down. The perfect pina colada? Consider it done. It looks pretty sharp on your counter top, too. The Oster Reverse Motor Blender is a true precision machine. The powerful 600-watt, reversing motor alternates the blades forward and backward, drawing food and ice down for consistently smooth blending, which means no more trying to scrape food from the blender with a spatula. A super sharp, 6-point star blade evenly chops food and creates a shaved ice blend in a matter of seconds. The lid is clear and features a 2-ounce measuring cup. Pre-programmed settings - including time and function - provide one touch operation, so you can let the blender do the thinking.Seven speeds and high and low pulse options give you amazingly precise control at the touch of a button.And Low, Medium and High manual settings provide even more options for blending a variety of food and beverages from frozen drinks to dips, sauces to smoothies, soup to nuts. The 6-cup, dishwasher-safe, glass pitcher makes blending better and pouring easier. The glass has been Thermal Shock tested so you can pull it out of a steamy dishwasher and safely make a frosty cold beverage right away. And like most Oster Blenders, it is made in North America and backed by the superior quality of All Metal Drive. Because the two pieces that connect are metal (instead of plastic), you get a more durable and longer-lasting blender that will function flawlessly, party after party, year after year. The competition just can't compare. The Oster Reverse Motor Blender. Skilled. Versatile. Stylish. Any way you slice it.

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5/09/2012

Blendtec Home The Professional's Choice 1560-Watt Total Blender Review

Blendtec Home The Professional's Choice 1560-Watt Total Blender
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This is an awesome blender. It blends stuff like you've never seen before and I am really pleased with it. But holy cow is it LOUD!! The cat hates me. I got a pair of earmuffs from the shooting supply place to wear while using it. Maybe overkill, but I think that using it twice a day without them would result in hearing damage eventually. I wish they sold an enclosure for this one like they do for the commercial ones....I'd definitely buy one.
I bought this because I had a juicer and liked it. But I felt that tossing all that pulp and fiber had to be making me miss out on a lot of health benefits. And just trying to spoon some of it back into the juice doesn't work, it's gross. This blender blends whole fruits and vegetables wonderfully, I can still get the fiber and in a drinkable form.
After I bought this, I read a webpage where they talked about blending an avocado WITH the pit, and I tried it. It works, I ended up with an amazingly smooth mousse-like creamy pudding. Not something I'd do every day, but it was very interesting. I have been making kale banana blueberry smoothies for breakfast and it blends everything into one homogenous shake. No bits of leaves, chunks of stuff, etc. I'm enjoying it. I just wish it wasn't so loud.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Blendtec Home The Professional's Choice 1560-Watt Total Blender

Replace up to nine other kitchen appliances with this easy-to-use countertop blender--no need for a separate grain mill, juicer, bread machine, ice-cream maker, smoothie maker, blender, milkshake maker, coffee grinder, or ice crusher. With its powerful commercial-quality, 1,500-watt 3-horsepower direct-drive motor, the blender can handle almost any kitchen task. The all-in-one appliance makes smoothies, fresh juice, ice cream, milkshakes, cappuccinos, margaritas, soups, sauces, breads, dressings, salsas, and more. It can even turn ice to snow and comes with an ice-crushing guarantee.
In addition, the countertop blender\'s exclusive trademarked Smart-Touch tec-nology takes the guesswork out of blending and food processing. Simply press a button from the digital touchpad and the unit's preprogrammed cycle automatically speeds up and slows down to draw ingredients into the two-prong stainless-steel blade, which spins at up to 29,000 rpm, thoroughly blending ingredients so recipes turn out perfect every time. The appliance shuts itself off automatically once the cycle has completed. Another highlight includes the unit's square, polycarbonate blending jar, which holds a generous 64 ounces and features a large handle, measurement markings, and a secure-fitting lid. A user guide and recipe book with more than 100 recipes comes included. The blender measures 12 by 10 by 20 inches and carries a three-year warranty on the motor base, a one-year warranty on the jar, and a lifetime warranty on the coupling and blade. From the Manufacturer Exclusive Smart-Touch Tec-nology Raises the Blending Bar Features and Specifications

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5/08/2012

Bella Cucina Rocket Blender - 10029 Review

Bella Cucina Rocket Blender - 10029
Average Reviews:

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I have been looking for a blender/food processor/blending system that could hold up to the ingredients I put in my smoothies, and this one works like a charm, even when my ingredients include big chunks of nectarines or walnut halves. All of my smoothies have come out smooth, not chunky, and this is even replacing my Cuisinart mini-prep as go-to kitchen appliance of choice.
Other things I love about this blender:
- There's a locking mechanism that allows you to set it to blend and walk away.
- With the multiple blending cups, I never have to worry about having a clean one handy. I wash the blades by hand, but put the cups and lids in the top rack of the dishwasher.
- A screw-on cap is included, so I can take my smoothies with me if I don't have time to drink it at home.
Finally, my smoothie recipe (which I now consume every morning):
- 1 peach or nectarine, in big chunks
- handful of fresh blueberries, if available (otherwise, frozen)
- handful of fresh raspberries
- 1/3 c. lowfat cottage cheese
- 1/3 c. plain lowfat yogurt
- 5-10 walnut halves
Blend.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Bella Cucina Rocket Blender - 10029

Especially convenient for a single-person kitchen, this versatile appliance comes in handy for making everything from a fruit smoothie in the morning to a batch of salsa when friends come over for poker night. The blender features two stainless-steel blades - one flat and one cross, which effectively blend, chop, grind, mix, and whip up favorite ingredients in seconds. Simply push the button to set the blades spinning.Accessories Include:1 high power base with stainless steel1 stainless steel cross blade1 stainless steel flat blade1 short blending cup1 tall blending cup2 shaker tops2 resealable lids4 drinking cups4 comfort lip rings

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4/28/2012

Vitamix 1710 Professional Series 500 Variable-Speed Countertop Blender with 2+ HP Motor and 64-Ounce Jar Review

Vitamix 1710 Professional Series 500 Variable-Speed Countertop Blender with 2+ HP Motor and 64-Ounce Jar
Average Reviews:

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Never thought we would spend this kind of money for a mixer/blender! But we did and love it!! Use it everyday for smoothies, salad dressings, frozen desserts etc etc. It is a workhorse and works as advertised. Saves a lot of time. We grate parmesan cheese and its perfect every time. Margaritas, fresh peanut butter..I could go on and on or maybe I have. Haha. Anyway, if in your budget, buy it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Vitamix 1710 Professional Series 500 Variable-Speed Countertop Blender with 2+ HP Motor and 64-Ounce Jar

With its commercial-grade 2-plus peak horsepower motor, this versatile countertop appliance works great for blending, pureeing, chopping, mixing, and more. The blender features a laser-cut stainless-steel blade that can crush through ice in seconds, a patented tamper for processing thick mixtures, and variable speed control for processing at just the right speed for the task at hand. Its user-friendly controls also include a convenient "pulse" option and three pre-programmed settings for Smoothies, Hot Soups, and Frozen Desserts for consistent, foolproof results every time. In addition, the blender's oversized 64-ounce BPA-free jar creates a powerful vortex that forces ingredients up from the blade and back down through the center to ensure thorough blending. Other highlights include a generous jar handle, a spill-proof vented lid with a removable insert, a fingerprint-resistant brushed stainless-steel finish, and nonslip feet for stability during operation. Make everything from delicious homemade dips, pureed soups, creamy sauces, and appetizers to dressings, desserts, beverages, fruit smoothies, and more--the options are endless. A recipe book with 100 gourmet recipes and an instructional "Getting Started" cooking-class video come included. The blender measures 8-4/5 by 7-1/5 by 20 inches.

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4/27/2012

KitchenAid KSB465WH 4-Speed Countertop Blender with 48-Ounce Polycarbonate Jar, White Review

KitchenAid KSB465WH 4-Speed Countertop Blender with 48-Ounce Polycarbonate Jar, White
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
So, after 30 years, we needed a new blender. Hmmm. My wife and I hadn't a clue where to start nor what was out there. On my first two internet searches all I found were the two extremes: small fractional Hp motors or the ridiculously priced $400 to $500 unit.
And yes, of course we want to crush ice - who doesn't? I have enough engineering background to know that a 0.2 to 0.5 Hp motor is NOT going to crush ice. Finally, we found the KitchenAid models! Some were 0.9 Hp, which is more like it. The pitcher (I call it) was a larger diameter and a little squat - perfect design for better blending, not to mention storage.
We decided that two speeds just wasn't enough, 3 speeds would be borderline and we certainly didn't want anything ridiculous like 10 or 15 speeds. (That's what they do when the motor is underpowered to do the job.) We settled on the KitchenAid KSB465Wh 4-speed with 48 ounce jar and 0.9 Hp motor. The weight wasn't given but the appearance gave you the idea that the base was good and heavy - a prerequisite.
We've used it several times starting about a month ago - it's perfect. It's even better than the one that lasted 30 yrs. The pitcher is dishwasher safe, it has something they call "intelli-speed" which adjusts the horsepower as needed to deliver constant speed. This is something where most blenders fall short, you put something heavy in it and the motors just slows down. The base is good and heavy - hurray, no more tipping over. The ad doesn't mention this but you do NOT dissasemble the pitcher for cleaning! Another big plus.
By the way those $40 to $60 blenders don't work and don't last. This one is priced around $72 and you get what you pay for. A very solid unit with a decent motor and good features. And yes, it does a marvelous job grinding ice - a whole tray at a time. And, if you let it go for about 10 seconds you have ice "powder" - it's better than our ice shaver for snow cones.
Blending is far superior to our old blender. It digests even the tough stuff easily. We haven't yet really needed to use it but it has pulsed speeds for those really tough materials. I'd recommend THIS blender to anyone who doesn't need to grind nails.

Click Here to see more reviews about: KitchenAid KSB465WH 4-Speed Countertop Blender with 48-Ounce Polycarbonate Jar, White

Equipped with a powerful motor, this countertop blender works great for everything from pureed soup, salsa, and hummus to protein shakes, smoothies, or margaritas with friends on a Friday night. Choose from four speed settings, plus chop-ice mode and pulse at any speed for an extra burst of power. The unit's Intelli-Speed electronic sensor automatically adjusts the power to maintain a consistent speed even with thicker mixtures, while its solid die-cast metal base with a steel-reinforced coupler and sharp one-piece stainless-steel blade ensures stability and quiet operation. The blender's lightweight 48-ounce polycarbonate pitcher offers a generous handle, measurement markings up the side, a drip-free pour spout, and a secure-fitting lid. In addition, the pitcher's shatter-, stain-, and scratch-resistant design ensures long-lasting performance, and its shape directs ingredients into the blade for fast, thorough blending. Other highlights include a compact footprint for reduced space on the countertop, a seamless Clean Touch control pad that wipes clean, and dishwasher-safe parts that make cleanup a snap. Available in a variety of fashionable colors, the blender measures approximately 8-3/4 by 5-4/5 by 14-2/5 inches and carries a one-year warranty.

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Oster 6684 12-Speed Blender, Black Review

Oster 6684 12-Speed Blender, Black
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
First, let me respond to a few poor reviews that made me a little concerned about purchasing this blender. One reviewer said "The little plastic "plug" in the lid fell through into the blender as I was using it". He may have gotten a defective one, but the one that I got would have no realistic way for the plastic "plug" to fall through the hole in the lid. It is very well made and would have to be forced VERY HARD for it to even have a chance of making it through - regardless of the angle at which you put the plug. Another reviewer said "the one I received had a jar that did not sit comfortably on base." Again, if that happened I hate it for that guy. The jar I got sat on the base quite well. Another reviewer said, "You CANNOT get your goods back out of this thing without making a mess." The blender I got is very easy to pour from.
Now let me tell you how awesome this thing is. I had a Hamilton Beach blender for a few years that did okay. It would make smoothies and shakes, but would take quite a while and would ALWAYS leave chunks of ice that did not get blended. Even if I left it on for a full minute it would not get the job done. When I used this new Oster 6684 for the first time I made a shake the way that I normally do with some fruit, milk, and ice. After about 10 seconds I could not find a single chuck of ice in the entire shake. In two years with my old blender there were always chunks of ice - always. I could not be any happier with the Oster. Hope this is helpful.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Oster 6684 12-Speed Blender, Black

Oster Blender, 12 Speed

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4/25/2012

Oster BVSB07-Z Counterforms 2-In-1 Pre-Programmed Blender, All Metal Drive Review

Oster BVSB07-Z Counterforms 2-In-1 Pre-Programmed Blender, All Metal Drive
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I've only had this blender for about 5 days but I am very impressed. I like how it has an all-metal drive. The main reason we bought the blender was to make smoothies, malts and mixed drinks. We have made the later two so far and I'm extremely impressed with how it pulverizes the ice. I also like how there is a frozen drink setting that does everything including reversing the blades. We bought the additional milkshake blade and I am extremely impressed with that as well. I don't know about durability since I just got it but it seems to be really well made. It is fairly loud when blending ice. I expected this though so I wouldn't consider that a downside. I would recommend this to anyone. By far the best blender I have had.

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Make consistent chunky salsa amd smooth frozen drinks perfect every time with the Oster BVSB07-Z Blender Pre-Programmed Blender. Its pre-programmed settings offer consistent blending every time with easy one-touch operation. You can add ingredients while blending and chopping through the feeder shoot.
Features include back lit blue button controls which are easy to use and clean and large 60 ounce capacity glass jar. The blender offers precise blending and control with low and high pulse options. Low, Medium and High manual settings hep to create a variety of food and drinks. The powerful 600 watt motor is ideal for crushing ice and the all-metal drive system provides extra durability. Installed 6 Point Star Blade ideal for any type of food processing. It also features a reversible motor that moves forward and backward, which draws food down for better blending results. Oster Fusion Triple-Tech Technology - Sleek counterworthy design with exclusive Luminart finish leaves virtually no fingerprints.

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4/23/2012

Sensio 10029 Bella Cucina Rocket Blender Review

Sensio 10029 Bella Cucina Rocket Blender
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I got this item for Christmas this year, and at first I was disappointed, because I had really wanted a Magic Bullet. Now, I realize I was wrong. I love the rocket blender. I use it at least once a day, sometimes more, for smoothies and blended drinks. I am unable to comment on how it does on regular foods because I haven't tried to make anything else, but just as a single-serve easy-clean smoothie maker it's already worth the money. I have heard of people complaining in reviews about the magic bullet not being able to crush ice, but I use whole ice cubes in every drink and my rocket blender crushes every piece and blends it well. I also think it's better for the design factor, it is much better looking than a magic bullet to leave out on my counter, of course it's a little bigger than a coffee cup, but no one should believe everything they hear in infomercials anyway. Even the plastic drink cups look nicer than those "party mugs" they show on the magic bullet commercial. The best reason I would choose this over a magic bullet? It's half the price.

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Especially convenient for a single-person kitchen, this versatile appliance comes in handy for making everything from a fruit smoothie in the morning to a batch of salsa when friends come over for poker night. The blender features two stainless-steel blades--one flat and one cross, which effectively blend, chop, grind, mix, and whip up favorite ingredients in seconds. Simply push the button to set the blades spinning. Accessories include one tall cup, one short cup, four party cups, four comfort lip rings, two resealable lids, and two shaker lids. With a small footprint that takes up very little space on the counter, the blender measures 4-5/7 by 4-5/7 by 10 inches high with the short cup or 12-1/5 inches high with the tall cup, and it carries a one-year limited parts-and-labor warranty.

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4/18/2012

Hamilton Beach 50242N WaveMaker 10-Speed Blender, Black Review

Hamilton Beach 50242N WaveMaker 10-Speed Blender, Black
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The glass container really sets this blender apart. It doesn't stain, it's easier to clean then plastic and just plain looks classier. Also, I've always had trouble with frozen drink mixes (the bottom blends, but the top part never moves down to the bottom). I always thought I didn't do it right. I never have that problem with this blender -- cheers to a well blended margarita!

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Quality and style combined into one essential kitchen appliance. Hamilton Beach blenders are built to last and backed up with a 3-year limited warranty. The patent-pending Wave~Action System ensures smooth drinks every time, and each blender is designed with convenience and easy cleanup in mind.Highlights: Wave-Action system continuously forces mixture down into the blades for smooth results. 450 Watts peak power. Large 40 -Ounce jar.Stainless steel Ice Sabre blades.No ice chunks - this is the result of the new wave action system that blends everything in the jar and not just the lower portion of the jar contents.

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4/09/2012

Hamilton Beach 51101 Single-Serve Blender Review

Hamilton Beach 51101 Single-Serve Blender
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The other day I impulsivley went and bought a Hamilton Beach Juicer. When I got it home I hemmed and hawed, wondering if I should use it or not. Did I really want it? I started looking around the internet and realized what I really wanted was something to make smoothies or other fruit concoctions. I researched a few things like the Magic Bullet and Ultimate Chopper but both had mixed reviews. I was tempted to buy the Tribest blender because it had some good reviews here at Amazon but I could only find it online and it's listed at $60 - much more than what I really wanted to spend.
Instead, I went to my local Walmart and to see what they had. I saw the Hamilton Beach Personal Blender and it was priced for only $13.67 so I was interested. It's just me, so I don't need a huge and heavy unit taking up what little counter space I have. I also figured since that if I bought it at Walmart and that if I didn't like it I could easily return it.
I brought it home, looked over the manual and attempted my first smoothie. I threw in milk, strawberries, frozen raspberries and hit the button. I needed to blend it some more because of the raspberries being frozen. Live and learn, I should have done those first. I put in some ice and blended it some more. It came out wonderful!
The jar itself can be used as a serving glass. I probably will only use it in that manner at home. It has no handle so I'd be afraid I'd drop it when I was out. Then the blender would be worthless because the blade is in the jar.
* Jar twists and locks into place on the base
* Comes with a travel lid to take your drink on the go
* Cord wraps around the base
* Not intended for all food - manual says not to process hard foods such as cheese, crackers or meat. A maximum of 12 tablespoons can be ground at a time. Do not try to mash potatoes, mix stiff dough, whip egg whites, grind raw meat or extract juice from fruit or veggies.
* Container cover has filler cap that can be removed to insert small objects when blending
* Can not use big chunks of ice. You need to break them down. I have an ice tray where the shape is a small circle (half ball) and it was fine. Perhaps this is what you can use those holiday themed ice trays for. Some of those sizes which I have seem I think would work in this.
* NOT dishwasher safe - but easy clean up - rinse, put water and soap in jar, blend for a minute, empty, rinse again and you're done.
* No complicated speeds or choices - one push button
* I can't find it on the box or in the manual but according to Amazon, the motor has 175 watts of power
I just went and made another smoothie! Banana, Vanilla soy milk, little bit of chocolate syrup and instant coffee. Yummy!
This one site has TONS of recipes that you can use with this blender. You just have to play with the recipes because a lot of them are meant to be multiple servings.
http://fooddownunder.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=smoothie
While this might not do what a full size blender can, this is a great blender for smoothies, drinks, shakes and to grind coffee. I love that it's small, the cord wraps around the base and I can use this thing at night and not wake up the neighbors!
I just came back from the grocery store and picked up some more fruit... what else can I make???

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No need to lug out the heavy-duty blender for those morning smoothies, protein shakes, or other blended beverages. When you're trying to get out the door in a hurry, this convenient blender offers one-person portions, simple one-touch blending, and durable stainless-steel blades for fast results. Best of all, its 14-ounce blending jar doubles as a travel cup, so you can sip from the same container you blend in, which means less to clean in the end. The portable travel cup includes measuring marks up the side, and it fits most car cup holders for safe, secure transport. A travel lid to drink from and a recipe book are included. Great for at home or on the go, the 175-watt single-serve blender measures 3-3/4 by 3-3/4 by 12-1/2 inches.

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3/30/2012

Blendtec Total Blenders Review

Blendtec Total Blenders
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The Blendtec is a professional product, made to work, and it does. The power is great; the blades are very strong and take chopping ice everyday as does the motor. We are constantly making smoothies. The cycles programmed in can do a lot of "smoothing without thinking."
It's true, the documentation that comes with it is sparse, but if you feel it's necessary, find a book on blending, on Amazon. You cant judge a professional tool by a recipe book, they expect you to know how to use a blender.
I used to go through blenders in about three months, even the very high priced Braun went in less than 6 months (it cost a grand). My first Blendtec is now 2 years old, and all I had to replace is the jar. I now have a second, and won't buy another brand blender anymore.


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The Total Blender is designed to do it all. From smoothies, fresh juice, ice cream, milkshakes, cappuccinos, margaritas, to soups, sauces, dressings, salsas and more! Have you seen the unique square jar somewhere before? Its the same jar used in the best coffee shops, smoothie bars, gyms, and restaurants around the world. For years blending professionals have turned to Blendtec for the best in taste and texture. Now with The Total Blender you can enjoy that same great taste and texture in your home.The Total Blender prepares food fast, smooth, and with impeccable taste. Tired of your blender not being able to crush ice? The Total Blender has so much power it turns ice to snow (1500-watts). We¿re so confident that The Total Blender actually comes with an ice-crushing guarantee.Only smooth refreshing drinks from now on! The Total Blender has a 3-year warranty, and will be the last blender you¿ll ever buy. From the home gourmet chef to the on-the-go gym junkie, The Total Blender is FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE.Blentec is the manufacturer of high quality blenders, mixers, and dispensing equipment for commercial use.Blendtec has introduced many innovations that include: the most powerful blender, state of the art electronic, programmable blend cycles and many others.With an increasing demand for high performance kitchen appliances blendtec created its Fine Living Products line.This line is dedicated for the home use and includes the same commercial power, performance, and design, with emphasis on home use and product appearance.

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Miallegro 7080 Ice Crushing Blender - 500 Watts, Stainless Steel Base & 50-Ounce Glass Jar Review

Miallegro 7080 Ice Crushing Blender - 500 Watts, Stainless Steel Base and 50-Ounce Glass Jar
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I just threw a party last weekend at my new apartment - I got this blender cuz it was big and looked nice (and I thought it might inspire some creative margaritas!)
The blender worked great and since our friends kept talking about how good it looked, I figured I'd give it a good review. The blender jar is huge (I think it's 1.5 liters) - it's perfect for parties. It also has some rubber feet to keep it from shaking and bouncing around. We made a ton of frozen drinks and it handled ice cubes without any problems. I'm using it for my daily smoothies too.


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Recognized not only for its BEAUTY but also its POWER, Miallegro's 7080 Blender packs a mighty 500 W motor to easily crush ice at any of its three speeds. Feel the power at your fingertips: a tap on the additional turbo feature will even give an extra boost of power when needed. Just in case you want to double or triple your favorite recipe, the 7080 provides a generous liter and a half (over 50 oz or 6 cups) of capacity. The double-lock security system lets you blend worry-free. Cleaning is a snap with its dishwasher-safe glass jar, removable base and easy-to-clean blades. One look at its elegant stainless steel finish, and you'll agree MIALLEGRO'S BLENDER SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.

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