I make smoothies every day. It started off just because I love them so much but then I started to make them to go with dinner as a way to replace pop (long story). I took this photo for my banana mango smoothie recipe and you can see even a year ago that my blender is a mess and is missing its handle. My husband has had this blender longer than we have been together so its “real” age is unknown. I just know that it is over 15 years and it is done! Chronic bleeding from the base, refusal to chop up frozen fruit, its days are numbered.
The problem? What to replace it with?! Blenders range from $40-$300, what a huge price point difference. Even the expensive fancy blenders seem to get bad reviews. If I shell out a lot of money, it had better be worth it. So far on my FB page Michelle said her KitchenAid blender motor overheated and the washer stretched. Considering I use mine more than once a day on a regular basis, this worries me! I had also read of the same thing happening to a customer at Canadian Tire. Desba likes her Hamilton Beach one but says the base is narrow.
What am I looking for? I want a durable glass blender with a wide enough base for it to properly blend up frozen fruit for my smoothies. I will pay up to $200 but nothing more. I would prefer not to have the buttons that stick out because they are a cleaning logistics nightmare but I am flexible when it comes to that.
So please, confess to me your blender stories, referrals, nightmares and dreams. I really appreciate any advice I can get. I do not know how much longer I can keep my blender from getting thrown out my window. Your help is appreciated!
I love my magic bullet. Its perfect for smoothies, because you can make it right in the cup you drink from!! I’ve had it a year with no problems at all. 🙂 And best of all its cheap! So even if it doesn’t last 15 years…… youll get your moneys worth.
You may want to consider an immersion blender (with attachments). That is what I use for my smoothies, pestos and soups. I’ve never had good luck with *real* blenders. I can’t afford to drop $200 on one and the lesser quality machines just don’t get the job done. Good luck!
Vita Mix. The only way to go. They are pricier but they have less expensive models. Around $300 or so. BUT they last forever. I hate the magic bullet for smoothies – never fully blends frozen fruits and I have an ancient Osterizer that works awesome but is being replaced with a vita mix. I saw one at a friends house and watched her make a PERFECT blended margarita. I was sold!!
Check kijiji and yard sales for older Osterizer blenders that pre-date Free Trade with the US. So mid 80s at the latest, or any time before then. Those babies were Made in Canada and were built like tanks! And fit all of the same Osterizer attachments up til 3 or 4 years ago when they changed the attachment format.
Kitchen Aid is not a very good name these days BTW. If you want a truly high powered blender go for either Blendtec or Vitamix. Check out the Blendtec will it Blend videos for a real hoot! They both have a 2 horsepower (yes HORSEPOWER) motor and are industructable. Anything else is iffy.
Good discussion here on Blendtec vs Vitamix.
I used to own coffee shops and we used blenders for a lot of things and I have tried them all – including the very expensive commercial varieties. Best bet is to buy something not too expensive and use it until it dies. We had the best luck with Sunbeam. I now use a Kitchen Aid at home and have had good luck with it. Only had to replace one small part in 8 years, but I don’t use it every day.
By the way, how is the knife sharpener?
My blender story: Many years ago my parents met, fell in love, got married, and received a blender as a wedding gift. I won’t say how many years ago that was. The top part was glass, but broke, as was replaced by a plastic one that matched which was found .. somewhere… I inherited this blender a few years ago; also to make smoothies (and iced cappuccinos).
My blender is starting to go. The motor smokes a bit sometimes .. but it is still alive.
I am on the hunt for a new one, but I won’t shell out more than five bucks for one. I am holding out for the big town wide garage sale in birch hills in the spring.
Also looking for a food dehydrator at the same sale but thats another story
Oh Suzie, yes, now I see why you need a new blender. Amazing how long some of them last though. I left a comment and recipe on TFN forum for you. Decisions, decisions!
Hi Suzie!
We have had the same blender since before we were married (’96) and use it quite regularly, not everyday, but pretty close. It’s been great, a Cuisinart Vari-Speed blender (it’s glass). I do second the immersion blender comment too, I use mine a lot and it runs great (it’s Cuisinart too).
Hope that helps.
If you get an immersion make sure it is stainless steel not plastic. I ruined a plastic one – warped it to heck on something really hot.
I love,love,love my Oster chrome Beehive blender. Simple. Got it on Amazon.com. I have had blenders with more watts and my husband managed to burn up 2 in the same month.Both were expensive. So far he has yet to wreck the Oster. Endorsement enough! He breaks everything. I love the square heavy weight glass and the chrome beehive shaped base is so cool.
Hi Guys, Nice information.
Is arbitration a much superior choice compared to lawsuit? Exactly why? In situation — situations and actually extremely tough — it’s far preferable to re create a situation that is child-related than just take it. what to expect when filing for divorce
Cimmerian A. Morgana household attorney at Einhorn, Harris, Ascher, Barbarito & Frost, computer at Denville, NJ, points out regardless of whether if your better half could possess an honorable supply fascination with your organization within case of an divorceattorney https://divorceronline.com/maryland/maryland-divorce-forms-online/