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I purchased the Rival 5-Speed Blender (MSRP $12.99) nearly a year ago and used it for about a month before its untimely demise after I put it in the dishwasher. I chose it because it was the cheapest blender available and I did not plan to use it often. The simple white base and lid, paired with a clear plastic cup, seemed to be ideal choice for our kitchen, which had a few other white appliances. I also liked that the blender's cup is a bit rounder than others, making it squat rather than tall, which is the style of most blender cups.
I used the blender for making smoothies and milkshakes. It did its job pretty well for being so inexpensive, though it did sometimes leave a few small chunks of frozen fruit or ice floating in the mixture. I never tried to use the blender to make anything other than smoothies and milkshakes, but its settings suggest that it can be used for a variety of applications. There are buttons in the front for each of its functions: Chop, Mix, Grate, Blend, and Liquefy. There is also an Off button, which provides a pulse function when pressed. The instruction manual for the product suggests that it can be used to chop nuts, garlic, herbs and onions; mix pancake batter, smoothies and milkshakes; grate veggies and cheese; puree fruits and veggies (as for baby food); and liquefy to create icy drinks. I didn't have an opportunity to use all of those functions, so I cannot say how well it performs in each situation.
This blender is fairly easy to clean. With a minimal number of small parts to separate and wash, it requires less washing than some blenders. Handwashing is essential, though--do not consider purchasing this product if you are looking for a blender that can be washed in a dishwasher.
This product's life was cut short when I placed it in the dishwasher on a normal setting. While the blender's instruction booklet explicitly states, "jar (container) may be placed in dishwasher WITHOUT lid, collar and cutting blade assembly," the jar was completely misshapen when I removed it, rendering it useless. I had had handwashed the smaller accoutrements, but decided to put the cup in the dishwasher to get it extra clean. Since the lid no longer fit the oddly-shaped container, blending would have been impossible. I searched for a replacement cup online, but was unable to find one.
The blender works well considering its super low price. If you are looking for a blender with basic functions and are willing to handwash (in spite of what the instructions say), this is a product to consider, particularly if you do not plan to use it often.
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