New Blenders-suggestions, please!

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maytagbear

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My friend Linn's daughter is moving into her first apartment, and Linn wants to get her a blender as a housewarming gift.

If it wasn't a gift, I'd steer her toward resale instead of new.

Linn does not want to spend a fortune, so VitaMix and BlendTech are out. I like the BlendTech, but only because I think Tom Dickson is kinda cute.

Cooks Illustrated's April 2009 issue liked a "Kalorik 16909." Until quite recently, I have never, ever heard of
"Kalorik."

I'd say get her a KitchenAid, but I don't know, and I think a KA blender is more than Linn wants to spend.

I have a blender, and I like it well enough, I don't use it a lot....it's a Mexican built Oster. Been fine for my purposes, an occasional smoothie or milk shake(frosted, cabinet, frappe) or pureeing soups. Everything else goes into the processor.

What sayest?

Lawrence/Maytagbear
 
Lawrence

Have her go to Sears.com...as much as I hate this place....but I got a Black one from there....heavy duty, with a glass decanter...3 speeds with ice crushing capabilities...and a 500watts of power....usually around $35.00...

I got this during Xmas when my KA killed out, this one handles heavy stuff just a good for a fraction of the price.....I got a package deal for $100.00....Blender, Food processor, Toaster, Coffee Maker, Mixer, and Crock Pot....kept the first 3, gave the others as Xmas gifts

was available in about 4 or 5 colors

worth a shot for the price, check them out!
 
Osterizer

Like you, I'd be looking for new old stock or a nice second-hand blender if it were me. But since it's a gift, stick with Oster. It has an all-metal drive system, rather than the cheap plastic wagon wheel clutch on Hamilton Beach, Waring, and some of the other brands. Osterizers seem to be the best value for your money in terms of features and durability. Look for a model that has a glass jar instead of a plastic one. Glass just looks nicer and helps keep the blender base stable while in use. Plastic jars get a "cloudy" look over time and are likely to absorb odors.
 
My Osterizer cost between $50 and $60 at Target. It was the retro beehive style, 500W with toggle control for high speed or low speed/pulse action. I found it to be waaaaaay too loud in operation. I replaced it with a KA that was $50 at Costco after rebate. The KA is much quieter when operating and has a beefy blade.

If noise won't matter, Oster is probably the way to go. My partner got one with buttons on it for his mom, with glass container, and she likes it. Probably under $40. I like that Oster still uses the same all-metal drive system after all these years and that older containers will still work on new bases. Spare containers show up at thrift stores every so often for Oster, not so for KA.
 
Either go retro

And, given your proclivities she should perfectly understand the value, or go for one of those combination latte-blenders which a few companies are now marketing.
Compact and combine two popular appliances into one machine.
Walmart carries them, as does Target.

The Mexican Oster which shat upon all my darlin's cupboards and has the loudest, worst design of anything ever built, anywhere, anywhen is something I wouldn't even force upon my worst enemy.

Modern blenders are either too cheap or totally inappropriate for a young person, unless they actually have the needs of a professional cook.

Back to bed. I hate drunk neighbors.
 
Here's the one to get... The Oster Fusion blender.. about $60.
My youtube video of it making salsa

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Not quite ready for prime time Terry LOL
It is a good blender though..that salsa in the demo was a bit runny. I should have used less lemon juice and oil I guess. And Roma/Plum tomatoes work good too because they're much firmer and less watery.
 
I'll take Three and the Ginsu Knives.

Peter you did a great job of demonstrating the merits of a quality versatile machine without a lot of noise or expense. Those that know have rated the Oster well even against the likes of Vita Mix, Blend Tec and other more expensive machines. The Kalorik rates well but finding replacement parts will be difficult. Oster is still mainline online, in stores and appliance shops. I have an ancient Sunbeam I like and have had both incarnations of Kitchenaid. The global was quiet but slow and the new bigger Kitchenaid blender is without fault but its louder and expensive. I appreciate the one piece polycarbinate jug that requires no disassembly before the dishwasher.

mixfinder++6-17-2010-23-30-3.jpg
 
A warning about new Mexican Oster blenders-they may have metal drives that you see on the base and jar-but INSIDE the base there may be a plastic coupler from the motor to the base jar drive.I would suggest SPEND THE MONEY and go with Blendtec or VitaMix.They are worth it-I have both.Another alternative-go to a restuarant supply and buy a COMMERCIAL Hamilton Beach or Waring blender-the commercial ones are better quality then the household junk.And--you can buy a BETTER Oster blender at a yard sale or swap shop-look for "Made In USA-Racine Wisconsin".This is a high quality US made machine-and its drive IS ALL METAL-no plastic intermediate shafts.A new jar and blade will fit the old base.also older Waring and most other blenders were better quality than the junk built today.
 
The Oster "Fusion" video clip is interesting-the Oster machine reverses like an older Vitamix-Those can also be found at some yard sales if you are lucky.You reversed those with the big lever switch on the front of the base-if you forward-reverse the older VM at high speed-hold onto it-can jump!The Salsa made in the Fusion looks a little "soupy" compared to the Salsa I usually see-that is made in a processor-you only pulse the processor a few times to chop and mix the ingredients.
 
Oh no Kelly, here we go again. You are always making us hungry!!! But we sure do love you for it. Is that and Angle Food Cake, Recipe, pretty please!!!

Terry
 
I've hadan Oster for the past few years, it is one with the ice crusher feature, as well as an insulated jar, I got it on clearance at Kauffmans for $15 because it was the previous years packaging. It performs well and gets daily use,
 
We considered.....

and went with an Oster. The sample on the counter looked like it should last at least a few years. Marie is pretty good with her belongings.

Thank you for all suggestions.

Lawrence/Maytagbear
 

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