5 comments about Oster 6663 Designer 12-Speed Blender with Glass Jar, White.

1. WE ORDERED THIS BLENDER TO REPLACE THE ONE THAT WAS BROKEN AND THE PRICE AND VALUE OF THIS BLENDER WAS GREAT. IT WAS MUCH BETTER THAN THE ONE IT REPLACED AND ENTIRE FAMILY IS PLEASED WITH ITS OPERATION AND PERFORMANCE. WOULD RECOMMEND FOR A NICE HOUSEHOLD BLENDER. SHAVES ICE NICELY ALSO!



2. I received this blender as a wedding gift several years ago. It doesn't blend very smoothly -- to avoid lumps, I have to frequently stop blending, stir the ingredients, and start blending again. It also doesn't blend things quickly. The worst thing about this product, though, is the noise: it is ridiculously loud (the disc sander, power drill, and other power tools in my home are all quieter!). The only reason I gave it two stars instead of one is that it has lasted several years without frying completely (though this may be too generous, as I only use it rarely and the motor smells burnt when operating).



3. My grandmother had the same Oster blender since the 60's and it still works great. I recently bought this and was skeptical when I saw that Oster and Sunbeam or part of the same conglamourate. I stupidly threw the box and reciept out and my blender just went out in a blaze of non-glory. It was frustrating to keep poking at smoothies with a spoon so they would mix but now the whole thing just died after a month or about 5 smoothies. What's worse is I was using crushed ice instead of cubes to cut down on the work the wimpy motor needed to do anyway. Also the buttons were just for decoration I guess because it only had one speed. Save your money.



4. I used this at my mother's house over Christmas and must say that this is not a good blender. There is no noticeable difference in the 12 speeds - only between speeds 1-6 and 7-12 and I had to repeatdly turn off the blender, dig in there with a spoon to stir up the fruit (or ice) and then turn it back on again, then it turn off , dig in there with a spoon to stir up the fruit (or ice) and then turn it back on again... And even then I didn't get a well blender smoothie/milkshake.
   
   I personally own the "Oster 4093-8O Classic Beehive Blender, Chrome" and love it (I have a review there). Its well worth the extra $7.22 - makes SMOOTH drinks on one blending cycle.



5. I bought this blender a couple of years ago, and still use it because its all I've got. I want to upgrade! I use it about once every 2 weeks. It is fine for the most basic uses, but honestly all those buttons are joke - horrible to keep clean, and there is no difference between any of the speeds. And the food doesn't drop down properly, only the stuff at the bottom gets blended. And if there isn't lots of liquid in there, it doesn't blend at all. I would not recommend it to anyone.

1 comments about Nostalgia Electrics HSM250 Slush Ease.

1. So my little girl said she wanted a slushie maker for her birthday and the wife and I spotted this item at a discount store. We spotted the the name "Nostalgia Slush Ease" and figured this would be a nice little gift the entire family would enjoy. We got the product home, followed the directions and found that this product doesn't even work.
   
   You fill the middle canister with Ice and salt, then turn the motor on and the canister starts spinning. After about 5 minutes the cheap plastic gears start clicking. The machine locks up and there's really nothing you can do. You end up with a cold drink and nothing more. Don't waste your money.

No comments about KitchenAid KSB465WH 4-Speed Countertop Blender with 48-Ounce Polycarbonate Jar, White.

5 comments about WindChaser ICM10S IceMan Ultra Ice Maker/Crusher.

1. I had to return this item twice because of damage to the units. Looked to be damaged during shipment.



2. However, after reading the all but 1 positive review, I will not purchase this product. Thank you everyone who took the time to write reviews. Hopefully you will get some satisfaction from the manufacturer after they realize that unhappy buyers will spread the word, halting future sales and review their customer service approach which will assist in your getting the product that you ordered or, your money refunded.
   Good luck and thanks so much for the reviews!



3. We bought this machine two years ago and had no problems for 6 mo when the machine abruptly stopped. We called the company and quickly received a replacement that leaked as soon as we filled the tank for the first time. Again, we spoke to the company who quickly sent out a second replacement asking that we send our original back as soon as the problem was resolved. Regretfully, we have yet to get a working unit. It appears that in shipping the compressor is damaged on some units. The boxes arrive in pristine condition but once the unit is taken out you can see the damage. As with any compressor, the shipping side up matters so no damage occurs. Each machine we received had different damage when we opened the box.
   
   We loved our unit and will gladly give it a great review once the company works out the bugs. We found them to be pleasant and easy to deal with but it is tough to get a working unit.



4. I bought the Ultimate IceMan and have had two machines so far. Neither machine has worked. I have had the same problems I read in the reviews - incredibly slow dispensing of water, horrible noise that sounds like gears grinding, no water coming out. My machines have been returned for a total of 8 months. The most recent machine has been in their shop for two months and I can't get a callback from anyone. They keep promising to call, but never do. EVEN THEIR OWN STAFF ADMIT THE MACHINE DOESN'T WORK! I am out over $500 and I am NOT HAPPY. Wind Chaser - get your stuff together!



5. I would rate this -10 if I could. We bought the IceMan in January 2006 only for it to stop working a few months later. We followed all of the instructions. We did everything the directions said. It still did not work. We contacted Windchaser only to be given excuse after excuse. It has now been 8 months of waiting for a replacement product. According to Windchaser, it will be another 6 weeks. Do not waste your money.

5 comments about VIKING VBLG01SG Professional Blender Countertop Appliance - Stainless Gray.

1. Typical case of a high-end manufacturer trying to make a few bucks by building to second-rate standards on their non-core products. This blender performed far worse than our $32 Oster. It was unable to effectively blend a 50/50 mix of milk and ice cream. And judging from the other reviews here, it wasn't an anomaly, Think about that for a minute before buying into the brand-name hype here. Viking needs to be very careful here. These poor quality (build and performance) machines will certainly color our view toward buying any other product in their once-respected line. I hope to post a video soon showing how poorly this thing works. I'm giving it the 2-star benefit of the doubt -- if we ever need to blend water, I think this might be up to the task.



2. This Viking blender stopped working after one use. I was making a smoothie with 5 ice cubes and no other frozen items. After one use, the motor ceased to work. At first I thought the motor overheated; so I let the machine rest. I tried turning on the machine again, but this time the knob sheared off. I do not recommend this Viking blender to anyone.



3. The connection between the blade assembly and the motor unit is made out of plastic and thus quickly wears out. A new blade assembly, again made out of the same plastic, costs $20 + shipping. If you turn this machine on once a day then you'll be going through at least one blade assembly per year. I should've bought a Waring.



4. The rotary switch obviously got something in it, because it takes all my considerable strength to turn (hold everything tight, lest you toss your blender and contents on the floor). This was a nice concept very poorly executed.



5. I wish I could recommend this made in the USA product but we don't always make long lasting products. This blender does perform great as long as you don't break any of the parts. OK, there really is only one part to break, the blade. I've broken it twice in the two years that I've owned it. Once by accidentally dropping it on my stone tile floor, the other time by just using it. That's right, it's supposed to crush ice easily, but I've never tested it with ice, just frozen fruit in very moderate quantities. The plastic holder for the blade still gave up. I'm going to get something more sturdy this time. The engine started giving off too much burning odor anyway and that just for making smoothies twice a week. Not good.

No comments about KitchenAid 56-oz. Polycarbonate 3-Speed Blender - White.

No comments about Kitchenaid KSB56PSF 56-oz plastic blender jar, silver lid..

5 comments about Michael Graves Blender - 52300.

1. After discovering that I was a margarita fan (to think of all the happy hours I'd wasted!) I decided to invest in a good blender when I moved into my new apartment. Being functionality-minded and budget-driven, I read countless reviews on blenders and settled on this one. I purchased it from a Target store in my area and have been really pleased with it so far. No chunks of ice and it's pretty quick. It is noisy, but it's crushing up ice, so what do you want? I've even stuck the jar in the freezer for a couple hours while I sipped my cocktail slowly, not wanting the rest to melt and re-blended it up in a jiffy. Plus, it's super-easy to clean and re-assemble (if you count clicking it back on a base re-assembling.) All in all, for 40 bucks, I'm pleased as punch...and I'm sure eventually I'll find another use for it other than margaritas :)



2. Like most under-$100 blenders these days, the $40 Michael Graves blender from Target is made in China. It feels lightweight, and the plastic buttons have a flimsy feel to them. Also, they are hard to clean between. (Why, oh why, do 90% of all blenders use this stupid multiple-button speed control system instead of a nice, simple rotary dial?) As Stuart Gathman noted below, this is not the blender to buy if you want a rugged, heavy-duty model, but it's fine for light work and it IS stylish. (If you want something more rugged, for well under $100 you can get a good Oster, KitchenAid or Hamilton Beach model that will outlast this Graves/Target model by years.)



3. I have been through two of this model. The asymmetric jar design is superb for blending. I used this blender to make 300 smoothies - and it did a fantastic job. After number 300, however, it will no longer turn on. Using my handy magnetic AC power probe (no contact required), I found that only one side of the motor coils were getting power. After getting it replaced under warranty (for $6 handling), the replacement again made 300 smoothies over the course of 4 months - it also simply wouldn't turn on anymore. Same problem. I guess the 3 year warranty assumes you make no more than 2 smoothies a week. I will get it replaced under warranty again to keep as a spare, but will try some other brands and models looking for better durability. The $400 Blendtec and Vitamix are not an option because I insist on a glass jar.



4. WOW! At $39.99 this blender is a bargain. It makes margaritas, smoothies and regular stuff to. Breaks the big ice cubes out of your freezer with ease so you don't have to buy the smaller ice cubes from the store. Very simple to clean and re-assemble. I've had this blender for several months now and I have had no problems blending anything that I want. I thought I would have to spend more money to get a quality product but I'm so glad I tried this blender. Plus, I was able to walk in to the Target store and buy it and save money by not having to pay shipping and handling. If you can't find this particluar model, Hamilton Beach has a wave station blender that is pretty much the same thing but I think the pitcher is plastic instead of glass. I wanted the glass pitcher so I chose this model. Happy blending!!



5. This blender is substantial, with a nice, heavy jar, a rubbery lid that seals well and easy to use controls. I make banana smoothies with it almost every day. It's easy to clean.

No comments about Kalorik BL-25161 L Sunny Morning 300-Watt 2-Speed Blender with 24-Ounce Glass Jar, Lime.

3 comments about Waring HPB300BK Mega Mix Commercial Bar Blender, Black.

1. I use my blender about 10 times per week, with frozen fruit and other items. I have had nothing but great results. I am extremely satisfied with this product. I can't imagine that a weaker blender would put up with the abuse I give this one. I think 1 hp motor might actually be the perfect strength, but I know there is a more powerful model and since I haven't used it, I left this one at four stars.



2. Shipping was perfect. The product is easy to use -- works great for soups, sauces and anting else that needs to be pureed.



3. I bought this to replace a Kitchen Aid.
   The Kitchen Aid uses a coupler on top of the motor which spins the blade that's made out of rubber over metal which will break if you make lots of frozen fruit drinks. That's what I had happen.
   The Waring uses the same type of design, but the difference is that you can buy a replacement ($5.95) and put it on yourself with a wrench If it were to ever come apart. The Kitchen Aid has to be serviced, take apart the motor to get to it from the inside etc.
   This Waring Blender is very powerful! It's loud and spins very fast. It blends in a fraction of the time of others. It makes my old Kitchen-Aid seem like a childs toy in comparison.
   
   Note: You don't load the thing up with frozen fruit or else it may just jam and won't spin. Also you're supposed to drop the ice in from the top while it's running.
   
   It's much more obviously commercial through heft, simplicity of design and function and servicability.
   
   It has only 2 speeds. Professional chefs say that's all you need. it has a simple toggle switch, no multiple speed electronic gimmics. Just very functional.
   
   I originally really wanted a glass container. It provided some heft to my old Kitchen-Aid and I thought that it was a sign of higher quality.
   For a commercial application you would prefer the unbreakable quality of the polycarbon plastic as well as the lack of weight. It's light as a feather.
   
   One of the first things I noticed was that the container doesn't lock to the base. I was originally concerned, but in a commercial setting you'd just keep your hand on it since it's not going to take long to blend, and then you just quickly pull it off and pour.
   
   I was also concerned that the blade being permenantly mounted inside the container would be hard to clean. (actually you can take it apart with a deep socket and extension, not for cleaning but blade replacement). My Kitchen Aids came apart for cleaning and I could put it in the dishwasher. I find the cleaning instruction are easy with the Waring, actually simple to clean you should just do it right away once your done mixing. Less time to clean and assemble.
   
   What I see now with comparing this to the kitchen-Aid besides what I've already mentioned, is that the Kitchen-Aid looks simple through it's visual design. It's over designed through what appear to be valuable features which only make it more complicated. You have to do more work from cleaning, assembling and servicing.
   The Waring on the other hand is bare bones functional. It was designed to blend and be easily serviced and quickly cleaned.