Blender recommendations (commercials, shake, cookware, cheap)

[eggalegga]

Originally Posted by OpenD

Long time bartender and chef and kitchen appliance demonstrator here.

For high end blenders, I recommend Blendtec over Vitamix. Blendtec out performs and vastly outlasts the Vitamix.

For mid priced blenders ($100) I recommend Breville over Kitchenaid. Breville has better engineering and KA has had quality problems the last few years.

For inexpensive countertop blenders ($20-30) Hamilton Beach has a particularly good one with a heavy die cast metal base, oversize jar, and speed dial on the front. WalMart carries it.

For Ninja/Bullet type jar blenders, several of the vitamin store chains now sell one for $20-30 that is nearly identical to the $100 packages being sold on late night infomercials.

Interesting factoid: The Waring Blender was invented by bandleader Fred Waring for use in bars, to make icy cocktails.

I bought an Oster Beehive blender ($60) for my sister for Christmas. I couldn't find anything "reliable" in the $40-80 range. Almost every blender I looked at online had some issue/problem. This one seemed to be reliable but noisy, so I chose it.

Thanks for the interesting factoid. I didn't know that....and I have my mom's 35+ year old Waring blender in my cupboard.

[JGC97]

Originally Posted by eggalegga

I bought an Oster Beehive blender ($60) for my sister for Christmas. I couldn't find anything "reliable" in the $40-80 range. Almost every blender I looked at online had some issue/problem. This one seemed to be reliable but noisy, so I chose it.

Thanks for the interesting factoid. I didn't know that....and I have my mom's 35+ year old Waring blender in my cupboard.

This is the one I have and it still works. Talk about vintage!

[OpenD]

Let me add some clarification around the biggest point of confusion about blenders...

Blenders are NOT the same as food processors. They are designed for two different jobs. Although there is a little bit of crossover, blenders are primarily designed to work with liquids, food processors are primarily designed for dry foods. If you want to chop a few onions, drop them dry into a food processor. If you want to liquify an onion, place it with a little water in a blender.

[Felix C]

Originally Posted by Felix C

My wife bought me a Ninja Pulse for Christmas. Special at Bed,Bath & Beyond. For protein shakes and smoothies.

Absolutely love it. It is the model selected as best smoothie maker by one of the budget best buy web sites.

Ninja® Kitchen System Pulse - Bed Bath & Beyond

If you go to BBB, sign in first for the 20% off coupon.

Wished to state tha our Ninja Pulse is going strong with smoothies 3x per day minimum. Frozen fruit smoothies as well so it has been cutting through fairly strong material.

[McBain II]

...with one caveat. It MUST be American made, preferably union made.

It doesn't have to be anything special, as it will be used mainly for things like protein shakes and smoothies.

And, go!

[jambo101]

Vitamix and Kitchenaid are also made in the USA

http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/applia...mallappliances

Blendtec (Orem, UT): high-powered blenders that make smoothies, ice cream, bread, fresh juice...apparently just about anything! Designed and assembled in U.S. with domestic and a small proportion of imported parts.

Some more options worth researching.
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden...85/subcat.html

[gguerra]

The Blendtec is awesome. It is expensive. If you want to see just how awesome it is check this out.

The Blender vs. Sledgehammer Showdown | National Geographic Channel

[5-all]

Waring blenders are made in USA and are very good quality. I have their immersion blender and bar blender. The immersion blender is so easy to clean that I use it when I'm only making one or two drink and for hot foods that I don't want to have to pour into the big blender. Great products. Got them on Amazon.

Waring Products for Kitchens, Labs, and Hospitality

[Dogmama50]

I love my Vitamix but if that's more than you want to pay I would go with Waring, good quality and a good price.

[elizabethaikens]

I recommend Blendtec and Waring but its expensive but for long last quality.