My 2-3 year old Cuisinart (aka $$$) blender has pretty much died. I can still puree soups, but it can't handle a smoothie. I don't really have the start-up capital for a Vitamix or K-Tec. I'm not really trusting the $100-150 range right now, especially since I have a 20 year old Osterizer for paper making that still kicking. So I have two choices:
Tribest Personal Blender Pros: Can blend at work, easy to clean Cons: Will 200 watt motor cut it?, single-purpose
Oster Beehive Blender Pros: 500 watt motor, multi-tasking, can purchase single serving blend cup Cons: bulky, blend at home only - warmish smoothie, more parts to wash
Both are about $50. Any advice?
-- midwest neurotica @ starxlr8.com {comfort foods, cottage living & sweet old fashioned goodness}
Posts: 757 | Location: College Park, MD | Registered: March 17, 2004
About 7 years ago my dh and I inherited his grandparents Osterizer Beehive blender. It worked better than any other blender I had ever owned as far as smoothies and frozen drinks. It was 45 years old at that time! When I got my Bosch Universal (which comes with a blender) I gave the blender to my sil and she is still using it on a regular basis. So, I'd recommend the Osterizer!
Blessings,
Lori
Re-committing myself to a healthy lifestyle that will include regular (and increasing) exercise, and following the baby steps rule on food. 6/17/08
Posts: 3148 | Location: California | Registered: March 11, 2004
Originally posted by Emailjen: In Dec Consumer Reports (04) rated some blenders and the Top one was the Braun PowerMax MX2050. This is the one I bought, I have had no troubles with it. it costed me about $50 and it rated above the Vita-Mix and many others.Jennifer
I have to say, though, that we have a Vitamix and nothing pulverizes whole, frozen fruit like it. If you are not going for the sorbet or ice cream consistency, I agree that the MX2050 is the way to go. P.S. This is the one I was refering to in my previous post. Consumer Reports gave it an excellent rating.
P.P.S. Vitamix sells refurbished models at a significant reduction. We have had ours for almost 10 years and completely abuse it with frozen big fruit chunks and very little liquid--can't break the thing. 1/800-VITAMIX (I swear I don't work for them, I just can't believe what the machine can do.)
The amazon description doesn't give the wattage of the motor of the one you currently have (just says it's two speeds). Do you know the wattage on your stick blender? I do know that I have used frozen strawberries in my smoothies and had no trouble blending them but, most of the time I have made smoothies, they have been for future consumption (after being frozen in single-serving containers) not for immediate consumption. As a result, they didn't need to be cold while I was making them, which is why I don't use ice and have only rarely used frozen fruit.
Posts: 7298 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Fer, Dh was just telling me about Consumer Reports "best buy"-- said that it was around 50 bucks and great accorning to all the testing. I will get the model/make for you later tonight.
Originally posted by SheriaVa: I think I already recommended this to you in IM recently and I don't think you were enthused, but here would be my choice:
Sheri,
You are right, it doesn't particularly excite me, since I do have a hand blender already and I know it can't really handle smoothies. It won't touch my frozen strawberries and it can't get the blueberries small enough.
Hello, Before you spend $$$$ on a Blender do your research! I was in the same boat back in Dec, I have a very practical husband, and he did not see the point in spending alot of money on a new blender. In Dec Consumer Reports (04) rated some blenders and the Top one was the Braun PowerMax MX2050. This is the one I bought, I have had no troubles with it. it costed me about $50 and it rated above the Vita-Mix and many others. When you do your resarch, online you will find alot of bad news about this blender, my husband did some more research for me and we found out that all of the bad news was when it first came out, and the company had done a revise of the machine. Please save your money and buy this blender, I do not think you can find a better blender for the money. I am a strong belever in Consumer Reports and I trust their research and testing. The artical is on page 9 "Most of the pricey blenders come frome companies synonymous with high-end kitchen gear, such as kitchenAid, Bosch and Viking.... But the Braun still made the best strawberry smooothies and was one of the best at making pina colada drinks and pureeing vegetable soup. The Braun is also among the more convenient blenders, with an easy-to-clean glass container and a sensible number of speeds (5)" Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I hope it helps
Originally posted by Fer: My 2-3 year old Cuisinart (aka $$$) blender has pretty much died. I can still puree soups, but it can't handle a smoothie. I don't really have the start-up capital for a Vitamix or K-Tec. I'm not really trusting the $100-150 range right now, especially since I have a 20 year old Osterizer for paper making that still kicking. So I have two choices:
Tribest Personal Blender Pros: Can blend at work, easy to clean Cons: Will 200 watt motor cut it?, single-purpose
Oster Beehive Blender Pros: 500 watt motor, multi-tasking, can purchase single serving blend cup Cons: bulky, blend at home only - warmish smoothie, more parts to wash
Both are about $50. Any advice?
I don't have either of the products you are considering but I think 200 watts is too low especially if you'll be throwing lots of fruits in (and using it regularly).
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
This is the middle range--there is one cheaper and one more expensive. I have one and have made many smoothies with it. Granted, I don't generally make smoothies with ice cubes so I don't have a great deal of experience with that.
Posts: 7298 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
