I am thinking about buying a new blender. I read a bunch of evaluations at Amazon.com and came away with one main impression--blenders, in general, don't get really high ratings from people. I'm wondering about a few things:

1. Do blenders in general just not perform well? Or do most folks expect too much as far as what they should do?

2. I have an OLD (it's avocado colored, what does that tell you?) blender that still works, but has only one speed left (sort of a medium speed, I'd estimate). I notice a lot of new blenders have only 1-2 speeds. Should I just keep using the old one?


3. If you think I should buy a new one, which ones do you use/like? Do I really have to spend $100+ to get a decent one?

4. Features: Is pulse important? Do you care if it crushes ice? What other features do you think are worth looking for?

Thanks in advance for all advice!

Aderyn

Aderyn,

Here's my advice on blenders:
I have an Osterizer Classic blender; it has a lot of power and comes with food processor attachments, so it does the job of two gadgets. It will crush ice, and has a milkshake blade. It costs around $80.00. I love it, and use it alot.
Now, if all you want to do is blend stuff, and you plan to make things like soups and sauces, I recommend a wand blender. All you do is stick it into whatever you want to blend, and it does the job. Cleanup is just washing with a little soapy water and a sponge. And, you don't have to transfer any hot liquids; you can blend right in the pot it cooked in. Very neat.
You can get one of these for around $20-$30. It will not crush ice, but will do anything else you need. The one I have is made by Cuisinart.
IMHO, the various speeds on some blenders really don't do that much; two settings really take care of most jobs. My two just have on-off, and I never have a problem.

HTH,
Trina

Cooking is at once child's play and adult joy.
And cooking done with care is an act of love.
- Craig Claiborne

If you want the CADILLAC of blenders, try a VitaMix! You can buy them on eBay for decent enough prices, although still in excess of $100 usually.

I bought one that makes short work of so many chores - and I use it frequently. DH thought I was nuts to want to spend so much on "just a blender" but truly, a VM is more like a blender on steroids!

It's also a snap to clean - a couple of drops of soap, a little hot water, turn it on and off twice, rinse and drain - no parts to lose either, the container and blade are all one part and the top another and that's it!

Sorry if I sound like an infomercial - I've just gotten really enamored of this little beauty in the year or so since I bought it!

Char

Don't squat with yer spurs on!

I have a Vita Mix. I have heard Hamilton Beach has a pretty good one. It has the standard blending container and a "mix and go" container you can make a shake and take with you. I do not own one myself, as my VitaMix works fine.

Some people say you get a better blend if the space at the botton of the container, near the blades is wider, then the food doesn't get caught there. I know most of the HB are wider, as are some other brands.

Ilse

380/304.6(WW)/230.5(current)/154
5'7"
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible"
Walt Disney

I got an Oster blender for a wedding gift 15 years ago. I broke the container, so had to shop for a new one. I considered all the expensive brands, but then realized that my Oster (about $30 to $40 model), had worked well for 15 years, and I really didn't use it daily, so I opted for a similar model, but this time with a durable plastic container.
I say if you don't use it every day, maybe 1 or 2 times a week, a moderately priced model is sufficient. It all depends on how much you plan to use your blender.
My mother has a heavy duty Oster with a stainless steel container that she bought at the county fair. She's had it for many years, and loves it. At the time she probably paid about $80, which would probably run about $150 now.
Again, it all depends on how much you plan to use your blender. Oster has always been a reliable brand in our family. If something is reliable, our family tends to keep buying them. Ex: Electrolux vacs, Whirlpool appliances.

Teri

Ditto what Teri said. I have a $30 Oster & it suits what I use it for. I use it a couple time a week for smoothies or to puree something for soup. It has lots of speeds which all seem the same to me. I don't crush ice, I usually freeze the fruit for my smoothie.

Betty
265/203/155
Started 7/15/02

I'm considering a new blender, too. My 20+ year old one, an Osterizer, is sturdy but it doesn't blend ice well any more.

I've held off because the bar blenders, that are supposed to do such a great job with ice, are so expensive.

I wish we could test drive appliances before we buy them!

If you want some more consumer opinions, here's my link to Eopinions: Blenders on Eopinions

~~~Teelbee

174 (Mar. 2002, highest weight), 164 (Jan. 2003, begin LC)
164/135/137-134
remember, amateurs built the Ark, professionals built the Titanic

[This message was edited by Teelbee on 09-27-03 at 01:25 PM.]

I am too considering buying a new blender. Mine is very small and not much power. You all have given great advice! Thanks!

Kim

I checked out Consumers Reports today and their #1 was a Braun model 20something. I saw several of them on eBay, but with shipping all were about what CR said they go for new. FYI to everyone else who's looking, too

Aderyn

Many of my acquaintences and friends have a great regard for Consumer's Reports. I used to follow CU advice religiously.

But, over the years, I found I was buying a lot of mediocre products and appliances. Over the years, I just lost my respect for the organization. I don't know if their test procedures are faulty, if their data collection and evaluation processes are inadequate, or if they are less impartial than we are led to believe. But, I don't feel CU advise is any better than the advice you get from the average barber.

~~~Teelbee

174 (Mar. 2002, highest weight), 164 (Jan. 2003, begin LC)
164/135/137-134
remember, amateurs built the Ark, professionals built the Titanic