mrb627
Well-known member
Who makes the best blender?
Malcolm
Malcolm
OK, Best Blender?
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mrb627
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CHALLENGE!
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I think you can't beat a good old vintage Osterizer!! I have one of those early 60s 'Cyclomatic' models and I swear this machine could blend anything...
I would be more interested in knowing how these blenders do on raspberries and especially the seeds. I'm especially interested in how the Breville would perform.
a very good point!
That is so true, Louis! The seeds.
I could laugh my a... (all people here know the word) off when reading a speed setting like "liquefy" on those older pushbutton machines. I still do remember those trade fairs where they introduced Warings and Osters to the German market: They would throw in raw and complete eggs (yes, WITH their shell), add some alcohol, sugar, ice cubes and shred everything to a foamy thick mass (to make "Eierlikör", imitating Verpoorten). Then they would serve the stuff to the audience in small paper cups. I always used to ask for the very last drop, only to complain loudly about that sandy / grinding feel to it (This of course was mean against the poor demo people, yet a lot of fun against the companies ;-)))
But seriously, I have never found a single machine that could "liquefy" egg shells or berry seeds (and why should it anyway?)
Likewise, I am not interested in a machine that can shred iPods or broom sticks.
What kind of a lame "proof" is that? Hello "will it blend?" website, my a... A proof for WHAT exactly? To be loud and fulfilling the voyeurism of destructive youtube kids?
And finally: I doubt that a blender with highest speeds (so high it can make my food boil just by the pure frictional heat), I doubt this will be a good contribution to my healthy nutrition.
If I WANTED boiling food from a blender, I would always pick a unit with a heating element (Vorwerk Thermomix, Ronson Cook-and-Stir and all these).
A blender must yield best results on FOOD.
Technically speaking I would go for any machine with high quality components, meaning:
Krups high tech models over Krups "el cheapo" plastic "Charly".
Branded blenders over no-name discounter stuff.
Ball bearings and capped blade nut over brass bushings and riveted blades.
Metal and glass jugs over polystyrene or other plastic jugs.
Lid with seal ring over simple plastic cover.
Safety switches over "keep hands out" instruction booklet.
(And so on.)
Here is my list:
Never:
- all el cheapo stuff and under 40 €
- Will it blend / Blendtec and Vitamix (WAY too loud (deafening), way too many watts, useless plastic jug) - and again: despicable marketing. No way.
Not really:
PKM, TCM and all those cheap brands (imported China stuff). The cheaper Kenwood BL100.
Fairly ok:
- Waring (a bit weak, at least the model I have here)
- Oster (ditto).
Good point: Both have a glass container and are easy to use. Extra accessories!
Bad: riveted blades, bushings.
Good:
Kenwood BL 901 (can be had with glass or steel jug).
Strong motor and nice: A spring loaded blade holder ring, it keeps the blade carrier close to the jug which can help reduce spilling)
Braun MX 32 (the vintage Multimix)
Both machines having "real" blades and good screw nuts and strong motors
Vorwerk TM 3300 and 21, 31.
Ditto, with additional heater.
Best frothing and emulsifying action (have tested it).
Best: yet to be found. ;-/
That is so true, Louis! The seeds.
I could laugh my a... (all people here know the word) off when reading a speed setting like "liquefy" on those older pushbutton machines. I still do remember those trade fairs where they introduced Warings and Osters to the German market: They would throw in raw and complete eggs (yes, WITH their shell), add some alcohol, sugar, ice cubes and shred everything to a foamy thick mass (to make "Eierlikör", imitating Verpoorten). Then they would serve the stuff to the audience in small paper cups. I always used to ask for the very last drop, only to complain loudly about that sandy / grinding feel to it (This of course was mean against the poor demo people, yet a lot of fun against the companies ;-)))
But seriously, I have never found a single machine that could "liquefy" egg shells or berry seeds (and why should it anyway?)
Likewise, I am not interested in a machine that can shred iPods or broom sticks.
What kind of a lame "proof" is that? Hello "will it blend?" website, my a... A proof for WHAT exactly? To be loud and fulfilling the voyeurism of destructive youtube kids?
And finally: I doubt that a blender with highest speeds (so high it can make my food boil just by the pure frictional heat), I doubt this will be a good contribution to my healthy nutrition.
If I WANTED boiling food from a blender, I would always pick a unit with a heating element (Vorwerk Thermomix, Ronson Cook-and-Stir and all these).
A blender must yield best results on FOOD.
Technically speaking I would go for any machine with high quality components, meaning:
Krups high tech models over Krups "el cheapo" plastic "Charly".
Branded blenders over no-name discounter stuff.
Ball bearings and capped blade nut over brass bushings and riveted blades.
Metal and glass jugs over polystyrene or other plastic jugs.
Lid with seal ring over simple plastic cover.
Safety switches over "keep hands out" instruction booklet.
(And so on.)
Here is my list:
Never:
- all el cheapo stuff and under 40 €
- Will it blend / Blendtec and Vitamix (WAY too loud (deafening), way too many watts, useless plastic jug) - and again: despicable marketing. No way.
Not really:
PKM, TCM and all those cheap brands (imported China stuff). The cheaper Kenwood BL100.
Fairly ok:
- Waring (a bit weak, at least the model I have here)
- Oster (ditto).
Good point: Both have a glass container and are easy to use. Extra accessories!
Bad: riveted blades, bushings.
Good:
Kenwood BL 901 (can be had with glass or steel jug).
Strong motor and nice: A spring loaded blade holder ring, it keeps the blade carrier close to the jug which can help reduce spilling)
Braun MX 32 (the vintage Multimix)
Both machines having "real" blades and good screw nuts and strong motors
Vorwerk TM 3300 and 21, 31.
Ditto, with additional heater.
Best frothing and emulsifying action (have tested it).
Best: yet to be found. ;-/
Joe
I have to disagree on several points with you I'm afraid.
1. I have been considering buying a Vitamix because according to several people it's able to really pulverize raspberry seeds. And because I like raspberry smoothies that is important. I think the Vitamix marketing is totally different from the Blendtec. For a very powerful blender I would prefer the Vitamix over the Blendtec because you can control the Vitamix better yourself.
2. I have an Osterizer Cycle blend with 960 Watts motor and a Braun MX32. I prefer the Osterizer over the Braun. Not because it has more power, but because the jar of the Braun is WAY too small. Besides that the Braun on the highest speed makes the liquid go up and down. Making a smoothie in a Braun always ends up in a total mess. The lid is completely dirty. The Osterizer however is a very steady blending machine. Most of the time there is not a drop of liquid on the inside of the lid. Amazing!
Other points:
I had a newer Braun blender with a plastic jar and a new one with a glass jar. The one with the glass jar is the newest model with the blue dial. The older one seemed better than the newer one. The newer one is making odd noises which make me think that there are already problems with the bearings.
I have a Philips blender. Personally I think the blade is too big or designed wrong. It blends only ok, but a smoothie is never really silky smooth. An older Philips blender did that much better.
I have to disagree on several points with you I'm afraid.
1. I have been considering buying a Vitamix because according to several people it's able to really pulverize raspberry seeds. And because I like raspberry smoothies that is important. I think the Vitamix marketing is totally different from the Blendtec. For a very powerful blender I would prefer the Vitamix over the Blendtec because you can control the Vitamix better yourself.
2. I have an Osterizer Cycle blend with 960 Watts motor and a Braun MX32. I prefer the Osterizer over the Braun. Not because it has more power, but because the jar of the Braun is WAY too small. Besides that the Braun on the highest speed makes the liquid go up and down. Making a smoothie in a Braun always ends up in a total mess. The lid is completely dirty. The Osterizer however is a very steady blending machine. Most of the time there is not a drop of liquid on the inside of the lid. Amazing!
Other points:
I had a newer Braun blender with a plastic jar and a new one with a glass jar. The one with the glass jar is the newest model with the blue dial. The older one seemed better than the newer one. The newer one is making odd noises which make me think that there are already problems with the bearings.
I have a Philips blender. Personally I think the blade is too big or designed wrong. It blends only ok, but a smoothie is never really silky smooth. An older Philips blender did that much better.
Whichever one dims all the lights in the house when loaded with ice cubes and flipped to "hi" must be the best!
Louis, I am with you on this one
I agree, a "jumping" liquid volume has always been a major "no go" things for me.
Osterizer with 960 watts? Amazing, the one I had here was 350 W.
I do not know the newer Braun blenders, the latest models I had used myself were all "Multimix" branded machines and the Multicenter.
Unfortunately I am afraid that even the older "good" brands now tend to mingle with less preferable manufacturers (while I have no proof for this):
But again: Yes, a nice swirling steady flow sucking down all ingredients is ALWAYS better than this oscillating chop-chop spill the lid scenario.
I agree, a "jumping" liquid volume has always been a major "no go" things for me.
Osterizer with 960 watts? Amazing, the one I had here was 350 W.
I do not know the newer Braun blenders, the latest models I had used myself were all "Multimix" branded machines and the Multicenter.
Unfortunately I am afraid that even the older "good" brands now tend to mingle with less preferable manufacturers (while I have no proof for this):
But again: Yes, a nice swirling steady flow sucking down all ingredients is ALWAYS better than this oscillating chop-chop spill the lid scenario.
Steca? Rotor?
And what's more, dear friends: Has anyone of you any experience with the Swiss made "Rotor" or the French made "Steca"? I saw it on trade fairs, they look PRETTY serious to me, both having stubstantial materials and a variable speed control. While their extra accessories look more than flimsical to me, yet the basic blender unit has something "horse like" to it, while not being too excessive what comes to energy consumption.
I had seen a "Steca" with an open lid (low speed) and whirling down carrot chops in boiling water with no extra spilling.
Never had one here myself though.
And what's more, dear friends: Has anyone of you any experience with the Swiss made "Rotor" or the French made "Steca"? I saw it on trade fairs, they look PRETTY serious to me, both having stubstantial materials and a variable speed control. While their extra accessories look more than flimsical to me, yet the basic blender unit has something "horse like" to it, while not being too excessive what comes to energy consumption.
I had seen a "Steca" with an open lid (low speed) and whirling down carrot chops in boiling water with no extra spilling.
Never had one here myself though.
Spend Wisely
We have a Vita Mix purchased new in 2007 for $500.00 when Peter's sister was dying from cancer to make healthful drinks. It gets used about 3 times a week for smoothies, never anything else. The vessels has cracked on three of the corners where it fits on the base, has never been abused and never once seen a trip through the dishwasher. The blender smokes and smells hot when using the variable control. While Vita Mix is a formidable machine it is not impervious to daily use and for such an investment you have to know there will be maintenance and repair over the years. I have a Kitchenaid blender and have given 5 for gifts. Watching sales and ebay you can get one for about $70.00. It has some resemblence to the Vita Mix in beaker design and star drive. No one needs a blender to puree metal cans and 16 penny nails. A blender should be quiet, reliable, efficient and dishwasher safe for easy clean up. I designed a concept called Golden Bagel which also features smoothies. You still see a few of the outlets in airports. I know Vita Mix inside and out and all the repair outlets. They are a beast but more like a Humvie, they need repairs. I would not ever spend more than $100.00 for blender because the cost and useable lifetime never amortize to justify a $500.00 machine. In my new incarnation I use a 40 year old Sunbeam and love it to death.
We have a Vita Mix purchased new in 2007 for $500.00 when Peter's sister was dying from cancer to make healthful drinks. It gets used about 3 times a week for smoothies, never anything else. The vessels has cracked on three of the corners where it fits on the base, has never been abused and never once seen a trip through the dishwasher. The blender smokes and smells hot when using the variable control. While Vita Mix is a formidable machine it is not impervious to daily use and for such an investment you have to know there will be maintenance and repair over the years. I have a Kitchenaid blender and have given 5 for gifts. Watching sales and ebay you can get one for about $70.00. It has some resemblence to the Vita Mix in beaker design and star drive. No one needs a blender to puree metal cans and 16 penny nails. A blender should be quiet, reliable, efficient and dishwasher safe for easy clean up. I designed a concept called Golden Bagel which also features smoothies. You still see a few of the outlets in airports. I know Vita Mix inside and out and all the repair outlets. They are a beast but more like a Humvie, they need repairs. I would not ever spend more than $100.00 for blender because the cost and useable lifetime never amortize to justify a $500.00 machine. In my new incarnation I use a 40 year old Sunbeam and love it to death.
I have a KA blender like the one tested in the video. I'm happy with it, and it looks like I made the right choice. It was cheap at Costco a few years ago with a $25 rebate.
I use a 40's vintage Waring Blendor out at the bar, since that was the original of modern day blenders and was intended for mixing drinks, which it does very well.
For a brief time I had a retro beehive style Osterizer that I purchased at Target. It was loud and couldn't get the job done, so was replaced by the much quieter and far more capable KA.
I use a 40's vintage Waring Blendor out at the bar, since that was the original of modern day blenders and was intended for mixing drinks, which it does very well.
For a brief time I had a retro beehive style Osterizer that I purchased at Target. It was loud and couldn't get the job done, so was replaced by the much quieter and far more capable KA.
Race to the Finish
Ballroom dancing and mixed drinks were all the craze of the late 20's and up to the depression. John Oster had been tasked to design an electric drink mixer as mixed and specialty drinks were the rage and electrical appliances were coming in vogue. Band leader Fred Waring, frustrated with delays and excuses designed and worked with engineers to get a blender made. Waring was the first electric blender. Not too long after John Oster designed and presented his beauty with a metal decanter, squarish base and lid activated motor. It was perfect and industrial for the bar but the Waring was all about style with it's deco base and clover leaf design.
Ballroom dancing and mixed drinks were all the craze of the late 20's and up to the depression. John Oster had been tasked to design an electric drink mixer as mixed and specialty drinks were the rage and electrical appliances were coming in vogue. Band leader Fred Waring, frustrated with delays and excuses designed and worked with engineers to get a blender made. Waring was the first electric blender. Not too long after John Oster designed and presented his beauty with a metal decanter, squarish base and lid activated motor. It was perfect and industrial for the bar but the Waring was all about style with it's deco base and clover leaf design.
Blenders---In My "Blender corner" as a visiting freind says-VitaMix and Blendtec are the best.Next would come COMMERCIAL Waring,Oster,And HB machines.forget their household stuff.For Oster look for a VINTAGE Oster machine-one that is marked "Made in Racine Wis" on the base.The Mexican made Osters are JUNK.Have a few.Yes I use a lot of Strawberries in my smoothie drinks-the Blendtecs and VM are the ones that pulverize the seeds and make the drink creamy smooth.Other machines can't do that.Breville,KA are the most USELESS blenders for me-they sit in the back of the cupboard.KA should stick with mixers and their food processors-their food processor is excellent.I do have the VM and Blendtec machines with the sound chambers-they are worth the extra cost if you blend a lot.Makes half the noise.Commercial dealers sell them-and sometimes sound isolated blenders appear on EBAY.VM,Blendtec,Waring, and HB make them.the jar is enclosed in a sound isolating dome.The machine is half as loud.I can agree VM and Blendtecs can sound like a chain saw in the kitchen. The VM "XL" I have can pulverize the strawbewrry seeds too,but the drink isn't quite as "creamy".The 15A motor is belted down in speed.The blades are 4 wing-and over 5" wide.The XL came with the 1.5Gal jar and a half gal jar.The XL machine is surprizingly quiet.When you run it a low speeds its hard to hear it run.lowest speed is 1500RPM,highest is 15,000.
iheartmaytag
Well-known member
If all you are wanting to do is smoothies
Try the Magic Bullet.
Good for quick light uses, noisy, but again quick. Doesn't take up much space on the counter. Will turn half moon ice cubes into snow. About $49 at K-Mart.
For heavier stuff, I use my Oster 16 speed with pulse-a-blend.
Try the Magic Bullet.
Good for quick light uses, noisy, but again quick. Doesn't take up much space on the counter. Will turn half moon ice cubes into snow. About $49 at K-Mart.
For heavier stuff, I use my Oster 16 speed with pulse-a-blend.
mrb627
Well-known member
Kitchenaid
I am leaning towards a Kitchenaid model in black.
Just hard to argue with that video above...
Malcolm
I am leaning towards a Kitchenaid model in black.
Just hard to argue with that video above...
Malcolm
kevin313
Well-known member
Like many of you, I've acquired a number of blenders over the years. Some I brought home because of the great style - the old Warings, Osters and others. All that shiney chrome is hard to resist, isn't it?
Honestly, I never used blenders that much. Other than for mixing drinks, the blender just sat on counter. Then I found an old cook book that was filled with salad dressing recipes. We love salads, and try to always have one with dinner. When I started making homemade salad dressings, I never wanted anything out of a bottle again. (Did you ever look at the ingredients of bottled dressings - yikes!)
Our favorite (not low calorie/fat) dressing is this one:
Sweet Celery Seed Dressing (also GREAT on cole slaw!)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp dry mustard
1 1/2 tsp celery seed
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika (* this is optional - if making for cole slaw, don't add paprika)
1/3 cup vinegar (apple cider or white - your preference)
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup corn oil
Put all ingredients except oil in blender and give a quick mix. With blender at high speed slowly pour in corn oil and mixture will emulsify. Pour dressing in covered container and keep in fridge. Makes + or - a pint.
My daily driver blender is a Hamilton Beach Cookbook Blender - it is an all metal base, is 600 watts, and weighs as much as a Cusinart. It's probably not the most powerful machine in the world, but that old girl makes salad dressing like nobody's business!
Honestly, I never used blenders that much. Other than for mixing drinks, the blender just sat on counter. Then I found an old cook book that was filled with salad dressing recipes. We love salads, and try to always have one with dinner. When I started making homemade salad dressings, I never wanted anything out of a bottle again. (Did you ever look at the ingredients of bottled dressings - yikes!)
Our favorite (not low calorie/fat) dressing is this one:
Sweet Celery Seed Dressing (also GREAT on cole slaw!)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp dry mustard
1 1/2 tsp celery seed
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika (* this is optional - if making for cole slaw, don't add paprika)
1/3 cup vinegar (apple cider or white - your preference)
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup corn oil
Put all ingredients except oil in blender and give a quick mix. With blender at high speed slowly pour in corn oil and mixture will emulsify. Pour dressing in covered container and keep in fridge. Makes + or - a pint.
My daily driver blender is a Hamilton Beach Cookbook Blender - it is an all metal base, is 600 watts, and weighs as much as a Cusinart. It's probably not the most powerful machine in the world, but that old girl makes salad dressing like nobody's business!
mark_wpduet
Well-known member
Funny you brought this up.
I have an Oster Blender that's about three years old. It was a Walmart Cheap 70 dollar blender with a glass jar. I used it ALL the time for three years. I make my morning shake and my green smoothie. It would have trouble with the green smoothies so I would have to push them down toward the bottom to get them to start blending, but once it started blending, it did a great job.........So for my B day I got a new Kitchenaid blender that is really nice and seems well made. It has a bigger glass jar and doesn't seem to have any trouble getting anything started blending.......But oddly enough, it never blends the carrot up well. It will leave bits of un blended carrot no matter HOW long I leave it to blend on high speed. The Oster never did this. I'm kind of surprised.
I have an Oster Blender that's about three years old. It was a Walmart Cheap 70 dollar blender with a glass jar. I used it ALL the time for three years. I make my morning shake and my green smoothie. It would have trouble with the green smoothies so I would have to push them down toward the bottom to get them to start blending, but once it started blending, it did a great job.........So for my B day I got a new Kitchenaid blender that is really nice and seems well made. It has a bigger glass jar and doesn't seem to have any trouble getting anything started blending.......But oddly enough, it never blends the carrot up well. It will leave bits of un blended carrot no matter HOW long I leave it to blend on high speed. The Oster never did this. I'm kind of surprised.
Carrot Slaw
Most commercial blenders have a smoothie program which alternates between low and high. Higher speeds tend to throw particulates up into the vortex and away from the blades. Slower speeds let them fall down to the blades. Once uniformly chopped a higher speed pulervizes them. Many commercial machines have a joy stick which inserts through the lid opening to push chunks into the blades. You may experiment with something like the handle of a rubber scraper testing for depth penetration to push things along without grinding up the handle for a true high fiber smoothie. Peter's new position is so time consuming he's nearly frantic. Liking to eat on the healthy side he began putting salad in a wrap to save time. One day he hit on the plan of making salad smoothies. They're pretty awful but he likes them and takes them down in about three gulps. I prefer the ones with berries added to savory drinks with garlic and spices.
[this post was last edited: 6/16/2011-11:39]
Most commercial blenders have a smoothie program which alternates between low and high. Higher speeds tend to throw particulates up into the vortex and away from the blades. Slower speeds let them fall down to the blades. Once uniformly chopped a higher speed pulervizes them. Many commercial machines have a joy stick which inserts through the lid opening to push chunks into the blades. You may experiment with something like the handle of a rubber scraper testing for depth penetration to push things along without grinding up the handle for a true high fiber smoothie. Peter's new position is so time consuming he's nearly frantic. Liking to eat on the healthy side he began putting salad in a wrap to save time. One day he hit on the plan of making salad smoothies. They're pretty awful but he likes them and takes them down in about three gulps. I prefer the ones with berries added to savory drinks with garlic and spices.
[this post was last edited: 6/16/2011-11:39]
