Showing posts with label smoothies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label smoothies. Show all posts

5/20/2012

Breville BBL600XL Ikon 750-Watt 51-Ounce Blender Review

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

(More customer reviews)
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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5/13/2012

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

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

(More customer reviews)
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.

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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:

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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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5/03/2012

BlendTec Mix n' Blend II Mixer/Blender - K-tec Mixer / Blender Combo Review

BlendTec Mix n' Blend II Mixer/Blender - K-tec Mixer / Blender Combo
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I purchased the Mix and Blend machine by K-tec over two years ago. I have had at least five if not six replacement machines. I grind my own wheat and bought the machine originally to mix my wheat dough, but the machines keep breaking. K-tec has been very good about replacing the motor bases, but in the end I had to purchase a more expensive dough maker from another company to solve my problem. Basically, I wasted over $300. Don't buy this machine if you think that you want to mix up wheat dough. It just does not hold up. The vital parts are plastic.

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Blendtec Mix n' Blend II - K-tec Mixer / Blender Combo (Ktec) Features & SpecificationsThe Blendtec Mix n Blend II The Blendtec Mix n' Blend II is the perfect addition to your kitchen.This all new multi-purpose machine is sure to take the time and sweat out of healthy food preparation.The Blendtec Mix n' Blend does it all, mixing, whipping, kneading, and blending.Healthy food preparation has never been easier.The Mix n' Blend is a very simple to use machine with easy to read displays and a compact size to fit nicely on your counter.With this new mixer/blender combo backed by the Blendtec name, you know you are getting a powerful high quality product.This unit is made of quality parts and is virtually indestructible.Made of high impact Lexan plastic this unit will stand the test of time and is equipped with a high powered durable 1000 watt motor with an astonishing 1.8 peak horsepower!Features:Very powerful 1000 watt motor reaching 1.8 peak horsepower5 custom pre-programmed mixer cycles, or 8 pre-programmed blender cyclesSpecial "Auto Knead" function automatically prepares up to 12 pounds of bread doughDishwasher safe items include mixing bowl and attachmentsContains no aluminum parts4 quart mixing bowl with lid64 ounce blender jarAttachments include: dough hooks, kneading arm, cookie whisk and french whiskSpecifications:ModelBlendtec Mix n Blend IIPeak Horsepower1.8 HPWarranty2 Years on Parts - 3 Years on Motor - 1 Year on JarWattage1000 WattsWeight14.4 LbsDimensionsLength:7.75"Width:10.75"Height:15"

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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
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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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4/26/2012

KitchenAid 5-Speed Custom Metallic Blenders Review

KitchenAid 5-Speed Custom Metallic Blenders
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I have owned a lot of blenders and this one is very impressive. I was tempted to give it 4 stars as it is not the best blender I have ever owned. That distinction goes to the Vita-Mix which has a nuclear reactor for a base, sounds like a Harley and cost as much as a microwave but if you need a blender that can crush anything and make flour and HOT soup....well....but back to the KitchenAid.
First it looks great. As a home chef, having a sleek modern looking kitchen is important. Second it is easy to clean... I will never own a push button (i.e. old Oster-type) blender again. Nor one with a multi piece jar. One leak can and has ruined an evening or party, as you run to grab paper towel and dish clothes to control the margarita or soup that is running across your counter and down your cabinets. Then the fun of cleaning your blender nooks begin....grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Now the really impressive part. I have owned a Waring for years. Everyone always raves about it and if you have a thin liquid, it works great. But for crushing ice and making smoothies, it just flat out sucks. So I sought out an ice crushing (margaritas), sealed jar (gravies/soups), lightweight, large capacity (parties), easy touch (easy to clean), piece of art. The KitchenAid is all those things and has a logic built in that controls the blade speed. It knows how well it is crushing the ice and modulates the motor to ensure an even snow like texture that is incredible. The same system is also built into the other modes, measuring resistance to step the motor up, then back it down to ensure smooth results.
This is my first KitchenAid product, but it will not be my last. BRAVO

Click Here to see more reviews about: KitchenAid 5-Speed Custom Metallic Blenders

Equipped with a 0.9 horsepower motor, this convenient blender can handle almost any culinary mixing task. Use it to make garlic hummus, fresh herb vinaigrette, pureed lentil soup, and zesty salsas, as well as a wide range of beverages, from strawberry milk shakes to margaritas with perfectly crushed ice. The blender's Clean Touch control panel offers five speed options, which include Stir, Chop, Mix, Puree, and Liquefy. It also offers Pulse Mode and an automatic Crush Ice setting. The unit's patented one-piece stainless-steel blade and Intelli-Speed electronic motor control work together to ensure fast, consistent blending and thorough results. A 56-ounce shatter-resistant blend-and-serve polycarbonate pitcher comes included, complete with a stay-put lid with an ingredient cup, a comfortable soft-grip handle, and a nondrip pour spout. The pitcher with its stainless-steel blade (no need to disassemble) cleans thoroughly in the dishwasher, and the blender's base, made of solid die-cast metal and heavy-duty polycarbonate, wipes clean with a damp cloth. Available in two metallic finishes, the blender measures 9 by 7-1/3 by 15-1/4 inches and carries a one-year hassle-free replacement warranty.

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Proctor Silex 57171 7-Speed Blender Review

Proctor Silex 57171 7-Speed Blender
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I got this based only on price, you can't get a blender for less than $23 even at your local stores. I received it this past weekend and I put it to the ultimate test: Iced drinks! I put some ice cubicals, without precrushing them, and this little guy performed great! I then added some juice and fruits and enjoyed a wonderful iced beverage. Highly recommended also if you lift weights and need an easy-to-clean blender to mix the unmixable protein shake. All in all a great product and so far so good. I give it an extra point for not using glass (i.e. does not break) and for being extra easy to clean.

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8 speed blender. Ice crushing pulse. Stainless steel blades. Large 48 oz. jar. Easy pour spout. Powerful 350W motor. Nonslip feet. 120V 350W AC. UL listed. Measures approximately 10 by 7-1/2 by 12 inches.

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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.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Oster BVSB07-Z Counterforms 2-In-1 Pre-Programmed Blender, All Metal Drive

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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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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3/20/2012

Breville BBL550XL Ikon 610-Watt Stainless-Steel Blender Review

Breville BBL550XL Ikon 610-Watt Stainless-Steel Blender
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When our 10 year old blender broke, we decided to buy another blender. Our previous blender was somewhat loud and always seem to have a problem with ice and other hard foods.
So many blenders have a problem because they create a pocket of air, therefore you must stop the machine every now and then to force the material back down. Most are loud, and most importantly... most do not have enough power to blend and chop ice.
My wife wanted to buy a professional blender like the smoothie and coffee shops have, however the costs involved quickly dispelled any thought of obtaining one.
I found a few publications/editorials that rated the Breville blenders a "cut above" most other blenders.
Since we love ice cream and shakes, chopping ice is one of the most important features that a blender can have for us. In fact this is the crucial test that really makes a good blender... it's motor and how it tackles this job.
We purchased the Breville blender and received it in the mail. Upon opening the box, I immediately liked the design and well crafted parts. Even the electrical plug had a unique design that made plugging into the wall a little easier (which came with a plug cover). All the parts seem solid and thick. The top cover, had a solid rubber seal with a nice round finger hold to open the cover after you've finished. This part is also VERY NICELY designed and crafted.
It seems to be made like the old 1950-60's blenders and my wife was happy about that too.
I got it out, plugged it in and turned it on to test it.
Some have stated that the Breville are extremely quiet and powerful. It is true that the blender has plenty of power, for I tested it with big ice "chunks" and didn't have much of a problem with the ice. However it really isn't too quiet. Yes, it's has less decibels of sound than your average blender, but it isn't silent either. The motor is fairly powerful, but you can definitely hear it power through those tough ice jobs.
Since the product is fairly new, I cannot vouch for it's reliability and longevity, but it's works very well. It appears to be made well and well crafted. We are happy so far.
I would suggest this product to anyone. I especially suggest it to anyone who chops ice for Margaritas, shakes or a blender that is powerful, nice looking and well made.

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With an 610-watt motor and stylish stainless-steel 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 for when an extra burst of power is needed. In addition, the unit's revolutionary Kinetix blade and bowl system eliminates food traps so ingredients are 100-percent evenly blended. The blender comes equipped with a 1-1/2-liter engineering-grade borosilicate glass jar that 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. Extra-wide ice-crushing blades with one-piece blade removal allow for fast and easy cleaning, and all jar and blade parts are top-shelf dishwasher-safe. Other highlights include illuminated buttons, an inner measuring lid for adding ingredients, a unique ring pull design for simple lid removal, and a control pad designed without crevices for fast, single-wipe cleanup. The blender measures approximately 6-1/2 by 8 by 15-1/2 inches.

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2/29/2012

HP3A Blendtec 3 hp Food Fruit Blender Blend-tec Review

HP3A Blendtec 3 hp Food Fruit Blender Blend-tec
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(More customer reviews)
If you're serious about getting a real blender, it comes down to Blendtec and Vita-Mix. I don't think you can go wrong with either of these "real" blenders. All the others are fine, I guess. I'd been making do with a classic Waring and a cheap new thing that promised to circulate the contents in some kind of wave motion. Whatever. They both made enough noise to drown out a helicopter landing on my roof, and I seriously feared they'd fly apart and I'd die from shrapnel wounds. And they were such a pain to clean that I regretted pulling them out of the cupboard in the first place. I needed something better, and man, did I find it!
I chose the Blendtec for the following reasons:
-it's smaller
-no knobs or crevices to clean or gum up
-square pitcher pours better
-3 HP motor (!)
-excellent design and choice of materials
-Vita-Mix is incredibly ugly -- I wonder if that was on purpose or just some unfortunate accident?
-relatively quiet -- if you want to hear loud, come over and I'll dig out my old blenders and make you a smoothie
-Extremely easy to clean
Yes, I love it and haven't found anything about it I'd change.

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The BlendTec 1500-watt Home Blender with 3 peak horsepower can unlock phytonutrients and antioxidants in fruits and vegetables and make whole foods easier for the body to absorb by bursting the cell walls and unlocking the natural vitamins and minerals inside. With a 3 peak horsepower motor, the HP3A will micronize the seeds, stems and skin of fruits and vegetables, making the nutrition more bio-available for the body.This is made to order. Please allow 2 weeks for product to arrive.

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2/26/2012

Oster Fusion Blender - BRLY07B Review

Oster Fusion Blender - BRLY07B
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I have had a Vita-Max for almost 7 years now. While the Vita-Mix can't be beat power wise it has some very important weaknesses. First it is very expensive. I paid almost $600 for mine. Second, if you use protein poweder in it you have to not only rinse it immediately, you have to blend water in it to clean the protein powder grit out of it so that it doesn't destroy the blade assembly. I have went through three blade assemblies in the last 7 years. This with following their directions for blending water in it after using it. Third, the plastic (polycarbonate) containers crack at the bracing points. I have went through 8 containers in 7 Years.
I bought the Oster Fusion because I wanted a simple blender for blended drinks and the like and I didn't want to have to worry about destroying the blade assembly. I have had the Oster Fusion for nearly 4 months now and I still love it. It is powerful, easy to use, great blender container and wonderful rubber seal lid. I have made not only blended coffee drinks, smoothies, milk shakes, slurpies, but have also made salsa, apple sauce, wheat berry pancakes and more in it and it works wonderfully. I am especially impressed with the blenders ability to chop things like salsa and applesauce in to consistent size peices. Not even my Vita-Mix could do that.
The only reason I am giving it 4 stars and not 5 is because you can't reverse the blender yourself, reversing is only done in the two pre-programmed modes. I would like to have a rocker switch that I could move back and forth to reverse and then forward the blades myself. The preprogrammed cycles work great for me. If you drop in a whole tomato or something that can't get down in to the blades of the semi-funnel shaped blender container then it isn't going to be able to blend it. I am for peices that are 1 to 1-1/2-inches in size and I have never had a problem.
As for blending drinks with ice, the instructions say to put the liquid in first and then the ice or ice like stuff (frozen fruit, etc.) I have no issues with this not working. In fact here are two recipes for you.
Ice-Cream Free Strawberry Milk Shake
2 Cups of Frozen Strawberries, thawed for 30 minutes
1-1/2 cups of Milk
1/2 Cup of Half and Half or Whole Milk
4 Packets of Equal
1 Tablespoon of Lime Juice
Place all of the liquids in to the blender container and then add the frozen berries. You want to thaw the frozen berries for about 30 minutes so that they aren't rock hard but still frozen. Use the pre-programmed Frozen Drinks and Shakes mode. As test to see if the berries are frozen but soft enough I use a meat mallet on them. If they can be smashed without a lot of hard heavy pounding they are ready. The frozen berries provides the freezing component to make the shake. It is also best to use really nice ripe berries. We buy berries each year when they are at their peak, prep and freeze them ourselves.
Salsa
2 whole fresh tomatoes (garden fresh are best, but use the best you can get)
1 Jalapeno, seeded and stem removed
1 Small/Medium Can Whole Green Chilies, Drained
1 Can of Diced Tomatoes with Chilies
3 Tablespoons Lime Juice
1/4 Cup Cilantro
1 Tablespoon Kosher Salt (use 1/2 as much or to taste for table salt)
1/4 Medium Red Onion, cut in to chunks
2 Cloves Garlic
Core the tomatoes and cut them in to 1 to 1-1/2-inch pieces and place them in the blender container. Seed and stem the jalapeno and cut in to 1/4's. Add the can of whole green chilies after you drain them. Use the Food Chop mode and then empty the blender container in to a large bowl. Add the canned tomatoes, cilantro, salt, lime juice, garlic and onion in to the blender container and use the Food Chop mode. Add this to the bowl, mix well and then taste. Adjust salt as needed. You can also add some black pepper if you wish.
As for other reviews, people need to understand that nothing made by man or women is perfect. You will (more often now-a-days then in times past) get a lemon, this is the price we pay for being able to get technology at rock bottom prices. Even at $500 plus the Vita-Mix isn't perfect either. Sometimes I think people either don't follow directions or have very un-real expectations. I love my Oster Fusion and I am not sorry I bought it.

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The ultimate chopping and blending solution, featuring Tripe-Tech Technology. Large 6 cup capacity glass jar with lid. Stainless steel 6-point star blade ideal for chopping food and crushing ice and exclusive all-metal drive system for durability. Reversible motor moves forward and backward to draw food down for better blending results. Precise blending and control with low/high pulse options. Low, medium, and maximum manual settings create a variety of food and drinks. Add liquids during processing with food pusher and cover. Powerful 600W motor. Pre-programmed settings for consistent performance and 1-touch operation. Easy-to-use and easy-to-clean soft touch buttons. Black with brushed stainless steel accents.

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2/16/2012

Waring HPB300 MegaMix Commercial Blender, Brushed Steel Review

Waring HPB300 MegaMix Commercial Blender, Brushed Steel
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I bought this to replace a Kitchen Aid.
The Kitchen Aid uses a coupler on top of the motor which spins the blade that's made out of rubber over metal which will break if you make lots of frozen fruit drinks. That's what I had happen.
The Waring uses the same type of design, but the difference is that you can buy a replacement ($5.95) and put it on yourself with a wrench If it were to ever come apart. The Kitchen Aid has to be serviced, take apart the motor to get to it from the inside etc.
This Waring Blender is very powerful! It's loud and spins very fast. Which makes it blend in a fraction of the time of others. It makes my old Kitchen-Aid seem like a childs toy in comparison.
It's much more obviously commercial through heft, simplicity of design and function and servicability.
It has only 2 speeds. Professional chefs say that's all you need. it has a simple toggle switch, no multiple speed electronic gimmics. Just very functional.
I originally really wanted a glass container. It provided some heft to my old Kitchen-Aid and I thought that it was a sign of higher quality.
For a commercial application you would prefer the unbreakable quality of the polycarbon plastic as well as the lack of weight. It's light as a feather.
I was also concerned that the blade being permenantly mounted inside the container would be hard to clean. (actually you can take it apart with a deep socket and extension, not for cleaning but blade replacement). My Kitchen Aids came apart for cleaning and I could put it in the dishwasher. I find the cleaning instruction are easy with the Waring, actually simple to clean you should just do it right away once your done mixing. Less time to clean and assemble.
What I see now with comparing this to the kitchen-Aid besides what I've already mentioned, is that the Kitchen-Aid looks simple through it's visual design. It's over designed through what appear to be valuable features which only make it more complicated. You have to do more work from cleaning, assembling and servicing.
The Waring on the other hand is bare bones functional. It was designed to blend and be easily serviced and quickly cleaned.

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Whip up your favorite drinks, soups, sauces, desserts and more with the Waring Pro commercial blender. The classic and simple design uses only a two-speed toggle switch for either high or low mixing and blending that can crush ice, mix, chop, whip and puree. The single piece jar is made from unbreakable polycarbonate so you can put hot foods in it without having to worry and features easy to read English and metric graduated measurements. The heavy base kicks out a whopping horsepower from the commercial style motor. Even clean up is easier with the fixed, self-cleaning blade, which means the only separate piece is the lid.

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1/30/2012

Big Boss Juicer, 700W 18,000 RPM Review

Big Boss Juicer, 700W 18,000 RPM
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I am so use to drinking bottled juice, so it is nice to try it fresh. The juicer is easy to set up. The mouth that you insert the fruit is large enough to place anything from the average size apple or smaller in whole. Anything larger will need to be cut to fit. The pulp is dry so you do get all the juice to drink
It is easy to take apart and clean up. There are no really small pieces to loose.
It does cause the counter to vibrate a bit, so you will need to keep an eye on the glass/cup that you are using so that it stays in place. Also, it is a bit noisy.

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The Big Boss Juicer is a high end stainless steel juicer featuring a durable stainless steel design, stainless steel super fine filter and dishwasher safe parts. Make all natural juices, soups, baby food, sauces and more without unhealthy preservatives. The Big Boss Juicer is the ultimate kitchen assistant. The powerful 700 Watt, 2-Speed stainless steel juicer allows whole fruit comsumption due to the large three inch feeder tube. Easy to clean up with dishwasher friendly parts.

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1/25/2012

Oster 4093 Classic Beehive Blender, Chrome Review

Oster 4093 Classic Beehive Blender, Chrome
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I've burned through 3 other brands of blenders -- each time the plastic "spinner" in the motor base (which mates to a plastic spinner in the pitcher's base that turns the blade) broke. Finally we decided to try out the Oster "Classic" because it uses a metal shaft that fits directly into the pitcher's base to turn the blades rather than the plastic disks that all the newer blender designs seem to use. That does the trick. I make a lot of fruit smoothies using frozen fruit -- which can be pretty hard on blenders -- but so far the Oster Classic has been up to the task. I highly recommend it!

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Give your kitchen a modern appliance with retro styling. Enjoy healthy fruit smoothies in the a.m. and less innocent beverages in the p.m. The continuous speed and pulse along with a stainless steel cutting blade will have your ingredients chopped, blended, and purEed in next to no time.

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12/27/2011

Oster BCBG08-C 6-Cup Glass Jar 8-Speed Blender, Brushed Nickel Review

Oster BCBG08-C 6-Cup Glass Jar 8-Speed Blender, Brushed Nickel
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It's sweet! Feels a bit cheap in the controls, plastic buttons but who cares. The jar, sharp blades, lid are all exactly like my parents Osterizer they got for their wedding in the 60's (which is still going strong). I make smoothie-whey protein shakes everyday (juices, yoghurt, apple sauce, whey protein, ice cubes, frozen strawberries-blackberries-blueberries, flax seed) all this stuff fills it to the top and the Oster made short work of it. Ten seconds or less. I think I kept it running longer just because I was used to my Kitchen Aid blender that I ran at multiple speeds plus pulse and still had chunks left over.
Anyway, it's cheap, it's basic, it works better than high dollar blenders. I blend daily, I'm totally happy. 'nuff said.

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Brought to you by the #1 Blender brand. A blender that's anything but basic.Your life isn't basic. Your blender shouldn't be either. With this Oster blender you don't have to sacrifice quality for simplicity. The large capacity, 6-cup glass jar is dishwasher safe and has been Thermal Shock tested so you can pull it out of a steamy dishwasher and safely make a frosty cold beverage right away. The stainless steel "ice crusher" blade does just that so you get smooth frozen drinks every time. And 8 speeds and 450 watts give you the power to perform for every usage occasion from frozen beverages to dips, from sauces to smoothies, from soup to nuts. 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. No matter the occasion, party for 15 or smoothie for two, blending is better with an Oster blender.

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