Need a new blender, any suggestions??

[Pennylane]

Mine stinks and my dc are obsessed with making smoothies lately! I bought one from Kohls, I think Hamilton Beach, but it did not crush ice very well. Anyone have one they love?

Thanks,

Ann

[Tondi G]

not a blender suggestion but about smoothies. We make a ton of smoothies over at my moms cause she makes her own Kefir. We found rather than trying to blend ice we freeze the fruit (bananas and berries) and it blends much nicer and gives that cold icey feeling without putting ice through your blender!

My mom has one of the Oster classic blenders

http://www.consumersearch.com/blenders

[jse107]

I jsut had to replace ours and got a Kitchen Aid. It is great!!! Plus, the whole thing (not the motor) goes in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. It was Cooks Illustrated's best choice.

Got it at BB&B with the 20% coupon.
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=14120327

[aa2mama]

My mom has one of the Oster classic blenders

http://www.consumersearch.com/blenders

We have one of the Oster classic beehive blenders, and I have been very happy with it. If I am crushing ice, I add one cube at a time and it crushes the ice decently.

[elliput]

I have had a Oster Beehive Blender (http://www.oster.com/Category.aspx?pgid=1029) for close to 15 years and it is a workhorse.

[Meatball Mommie]

We have the "Margaritaville" frozen drink maker...it's basically a blender with a seperate compartment to add the ice in. It crushes the ice (*fabulously*, I might add) and then adds it to the pitcher part. It does make great margaritas ;) but we use it mostly with frozen fruit to make different smoothies for the kids. We love, love, love it and recommend it highly.

[Pennylane]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I will head out to BBB tomorrow and see what they have.

Ann

[Pennylane]

not a blender suggestion but about smoothies. We make a ton of smoothies over at my moms cause she makes her own Kefir. We found rather than trying to blend ice we freeze the fruit (bananas and berries) and it blends much nicer and gives that cold icey feeling without putting ice through your blender!

My mom has one of the Oster classic blenders

http://www.consumersearch.com/blenders

I am going to try that. I actually just saw a coupon for a bag of frozen fruit you used to make a smoothie with, just have to add milk.

Ann

[Mamma2004]

I bought my Cuisinart blender years ago at Costco. I love that there is also a mini-food processor that uses the same base. I don't use it often but when I do, I'm happy to have it.

We have used this blender for smoothies for YEARS. I agree with PP - we may add an ice cube or two at the end but really, we're just blending the frozen fruit (bananas, blueberries, strawberries, etc.) with yogurt and sometimes a touch of milk or juice.

Good luck!

[catsnkid]

Got my oster at bj's. Much better price even with coupons and my husbands employee discount at macy's

[Melaine]

As much as I love my KitchenAid stand mixer, I could never ever recommend the KA blender. Ours broke and I have just heard too many stories since then of the same part (can't remember what it's called, the spinny thing) breaking. For the price, a HUGE disappointment. I picked up an Oster at the thrift store for $8 and have been very pleased, but the KA blender was a waste of $80.

[emily_gracesmama]

my osterizer sucks, we've been smoothie-ing it too and it doesn't even crush the frozen fruit well!

[fauve01]

well, if you've got some extra cash, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Vita Mix blender. I got it at Costco a couple years ago. it crushes ice (and everything really) like nobody's business.

here is a link to reviews at amazon. i can't remember which model i have--the only one costco had!
http://www.amazon.com/Vitamix-1300-Vita-Mix-TurboBlend-4500/dp/B0000YRJT6

Anne

[Melaine]

well, if you've got some extra cash, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Vita Mix blender. I got it at Costco a couple years ago. it crushes ice (and everything really) like nobody's business.

here is a link to reviews at amazon. i can't remember which model i have--the only one costco had!
http://www.amazon.com/Vitamix-1300-Vita-Mix-TurboBlend-4500/dp/B0000YRJT6

Anne

Oh yeah, if money were no object I would go with the Vitamix hands down. It is in a completely different category than all other blenders. I worked at a smoothie shop and I'm pretty sure that's why I get so frustrated with EVERY other blender. My parents have a VM and love it also. I can't justify it for us because we wouldn't use it that much but they are superior machines for sure.