Latest Gadget Additon To My Kitchen

[launderess]

My old Waring hand mixer is slowly dying (speed control is wonky) and wanted something to do light mixing. So nabbed one of these and to my surprise so far so good. Used it when making waffle batter this weekend and it worked a treat.

 

[wayupnorth]

I got one of those as a Christmas gift and to be honest, mine was not of a good quality. Parts and pieces broke off, wouldnt hold a charge long and I just went back to my old Sunbeam hand mixer that still works like a champ and does what you want just fine.

 

[launderess]

Yes, Read Up About Those Issues Before Making The Purchase

However there are two versions of these gadgets. One is the vintage unit made when Black&Decker was an American company shown above, the other is a newer version made in China.

Many purchasing the new unit today want one to replace the similar vintage unit and are very unhappy with how things have changed. As you've pointed out they are basically rubbish.

Thing to remember about all rechargeable NIMH batteries is that the thing needs not only to be used often, but the battery must be totally exhausted and recharged as well. This helps to allow long battery life with full power. The owner's manual that came with my unit explains this.

Once purchased a NIB First Alert rechargeable flashlight set and was that thrilled. Well until arrival and unpacking. After plugging the units in for several days neither would work. Telephoned the First Alert company and was told "no", they no longer produce these units nor the batteries required,and the problem was that having sat so long "new" and uncharged the things were dead and cannot be revived. Oh well.

 

[lordkenmore]

"Thing to remember about all rechargeable NIMH batteries is that the thing needs not only to be used often, but the battery must be totally exhausted and recharged as well."

I'm not an expert on rechargeable batteries, but my understanding is that it was NiCad batteries that needed to be discharged as fully as possible, not NIMH. There was some memory effect with NiCad where--if not discharged--they'd "remember" the charge point, and that would become the new zero. I think some rechargers would actually drain NiCads before recharging to eliminate this problem.

NIMH supposedly fixed this--or so they said when they started heavily marketing the technology....

 

[launderess]

Yes, Correct. Got It Backwards

Thanks for the correction.

Have a nice Bosch portable drill that came with two NiCad batteries that hasn't been used much over the past year or so. When I did take it out a few months ago to get some work done around the house, and neither battery will hold a charge. Guess it's time to start looking

 

[mattl]

Have had one of those for many, many years.  Always does the job.  I replaced the batteries in mine about 10 years ago, they are just rechargeable C cells, and need to do it again.  the only issue is I used to be able to get the batteries at Radio Shack, but no more.  I guess I'm just too lazy to order them online, as I do with many, many other purchases.

 

OK, you motivated me, found some on ebay for $3.87 delivered- unfortunately from China - but the price was right.  Looked like all of the batteries were shipped from Hong Kong or it's near environs. Should show up by August...

[this post was last edited: 7/3/2012-02:23]

 

[whirlcool]

We had one of those back in 1986. It lasted about about three years before it wouldn't charge anymore. It did a good job while it was working.

 

[launderess]

Well The Single Beater Function Is Obviously Limited

But really wanted a fast and portable way to whip certain things especially egg whites. True one could haul out any of one's stand mixers but often would rather do a few egg whites in a clean glass or copper bowl and be done with the process.

My vintage Braun and Bosch mixers only have plastic type bowls so they aren't the first choice for whipping egg whites. Now the Kenwood does have a metal bowl so that's me for you.

 

[vintagekitchen]

My aunt had one of these years ago, and used it all the time it for quick things, like a few egg whites or pancake batter, but said it was no good for anything but light work, as the single beater wasn't good for true mixing of cake batter and the like.

Speaking of copper bowls, they really do make egg whites whip better. No need for cream of tartar, thanks to the chemical reaction with the copper. I still miss the set I sold in a foolish moment years ago.

 

[jakeseacrest]

I love this line of Black and Decker appliances. In the late 80s/early 90s we had this mixer, the cordless can opener, and a stick blender mounted on the wall in my parent's kitchen.

 

[davey7]

I think we got my mom one of these years ago, I forgot what happened to it. Knowing her she didn't use it and donated it.