Posted by swistle on 29th June 2011
Categories: House & Home, Kitchen
12 comments
We need a new blender. We are discouraged before we even start, because we’ve never had a blender we were happy with. And because this is a very boring purchase.
Here are the things we use a blender for, because apparently that’s part of the problem—i.e., finding one single blender that does several things well, versus blaming a particular blender because it isn’t good for crushing ice even though it’s the best choice for purees:
1. Hummus
2. Smoothies
3. Icy-slushy coffee drinks
And here are the three candidate blenders (so far):
Ninja Master Prep blender/crusher/chopper (photo from Amazon.com), $70. This is one of the few $100-and-under blenders rated well by Consumer Reports, and it gets good reviews on Amazon.com (4.5 stars average of 40 reviews). Paul is intrigued that the blending seems to come from…above?
Cuisinart 15-piece Smart Power (photo from Amazon.com), $60 (and then there’s a $20 rebate). Well, I admit this looks a LITTLE bit fun. Look at the little cups! I could make an icy coffee thing and take it right out to the car with me, instead of slopping it all over the counter as I try to pour it into a cup like in a cheap TV commercial! This one scores a little lower than the Ninja with Consumer Reports and with Amazon.com reviewers, but both still rate it very well. Paul says “We don’t want to store all those pieces.” I say “Oooooo, fun conTAINers!”
KitchenAid 5-speed blender (photo from Amazon.com), $90. PINK. BUTTERCUP. PEAR. ORANGE. Color choices really help. And I like my KitchenAid mixer.
I’m hoping you can throw support behind (or kick support out from under) one of these candidates, or else give us more candidates to consider. I’d rather spend $100 or less—which knocks pretty much every raved-about blender out of the running.
Swistle, this is a no-brainer. You just got the mixer, and the blender comes in a matching color. The prospect of matching small household appliances overrides just about everything else for me!! Kitchen Aid in pink FTW!!!!
Bitts | June 29th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
And now I want that Ninja system. Ice cream? HeLLO! Even the nut butters sound interesting, although we can’t do that in my house. But if it can make nut butter, it sure as heck could make hummus.
This is the one I want you to buy. So you can write a post about it and tell me if it is as wicked awesome as it sounds.
Misty | June 29th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
I have the kitchenaid. In boring black. But it is awesome! Boyfriend has fancy “restaurant-style” blender which cost twice as much, and mine does just as good a job, with way less PITA regarding cleaning. I don’t make hummus in it, though I am sure it would puree the heck out of chickpeas.
Gwen | June 29th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
my sister has a ninja and swears by it! they go on sale often on woot for dirt cheap!
jen | June 29th, 2011 at 4:52 pm
Me to BF: “Plz to buy me this blender? And matching mixer. kthanx.”
BF: “Isn;t that the same thing we already have?”
Me: “But it is ORANGE!”
He does not understand me!
Alicia C | June 29th, 2011 at 6:16 pm
If you find one that crushes ice consistently, please share. I would love to make frozen drinks, but can’t find a blender that crushes ice well.
Linda | June 29th, 2011 at 6:37 pm
After going through 5 or so mid range blenders, the only one worth buying is a Vita-Mix. Yes, it is pricey, but when it comes down to cost per use, it is pennies in our household. We purchased a refurbished one directly from the manufacture, but you can also buy them on Amazon. I use it everyday to make smoothies, crush ice, whip frozen coffee drinks and all important frozen margaritas. I would trade every other appliance in my kitchen except for my KitchenAid mixer just to have this, it truely is wonderful without a doubt.
Sara | June 29th, 2011 at 10:07 pm
I have the Kitchenaid and it’s awesome. It crushes ice fast and consistently.
divrchk | June 30th, 2011 at 1:43 am
I didn’t even read your whole post, I came straight here to tell you I bought the Ninja (which I can’t say without saying it like I’m doing a karate chop) this past year and LOVE it. I use it all the time and it is great. I actually bought the $39 one at WolMort which came with just the pitcher and small prep option, but it meets all of my needs and is honestly great.
Good luck and happy shopping!!
Melanie | June 30th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
I’m in the market for a new blender too and ALMOST bought the Ninja. But considering the Sharper Image one instead.
Safire | July 1st, 2011 at 3:11 am
I know that this one isn’t on your list, but I have an Oster blender. The 4093 Beehive one if you look it up on Amazon. I have had it for 7 years and it is about the only wedding gift we got that hasn’t broken yet. I love it! It consistently does everything well and I love how durable it is. Also, my mom has an Oster blender that she got in the 1970s that she still uses. So they are definitely durable. Although I should tell you that I use mine ALL the time and my mom almost never uses hers. Still, 7 years of daily use for $60 isn’t too shabby.
Leah | July 2nd, 2011 at 2:40 pm
In case you’re still in the market, the Ninja one is on woot.com today for $39.
Kathi A | July 3rd, 2011 at 1:50 am