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Best smoothie blender

• Posted by a hidden member.Log in to view his profile
  QUOTE Aug 18, 2012 7:21 PM GMT

  I've always been crazy about all-natural (no sugar added) strawberry+banana smoothies. I finally decided to buy a smoothie blender and to buy fresh fruits/veggies from the local farmer's market. I figure that I'll be saving money (won't have to buy the $5 smoothies & will save money buying fruits/veggies from the farmer's market).
  
  Now, the question is which blender to buy. My budget is $100-150. I don't have a fancy fridge (so don't have access to crushed ice); I need the blender to crush solid ice-cubes. I need it to be durable (I've read that a lot of the blenders either crack or the motors burn out). Which model is the best?

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  QUOTE Aug 18, 2012 7:26 PM GMT

  the magic bullet for sure

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  QUOTE Aug 18, 2012 8:36 PM GMT

  eightball saidthe magic bullet for sure

  
  Love it. Bought one for work because I loved the one I bought for home so much.
  
  $30 (on sale) for the base model, 2 "beverage" cups and a 3rd blender cup:
  
  
  
  Get it at Canadian Tire or London Drugs.
  

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• MuchMoreThanM... Posts: 19600
  QUOTE Aug 18, 2012 8:42 PM GMT

  Sorry but the Magic Bullet is a piece of weak garbage.
  
  I bought it from Costco a year or so ago and it has no power. It can't handle frozen foods (berries, pineapple chunks, etc.). After one use I returned it and the woman at the counter of Costco said that so many people were returning them. I'm not surprised.
  
  Since your budget is low I suggest waiting and putting away more money to double it. Get a Vitamix. I've had my for nearly nine years. A portion of the carafe became dull in about seven years but because they have a seven year warranty I was sent a replacement part at no charge.
  
  It's a powerhouse and can handle ice with no problem.
  
  I did not find the Magic Bullet to work well with frozen foods or ice.

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  QUOTE Aug 18, 2012 8:57 PM GMT

  ^^^ Not my experience at all, A. I note there's the original, silver one, and the newer "reduced accessory" model (black)....I wonder if they fixed some design flaw in the meantime?
  
  It crushes ice beautifully. I crush frozen berries into something as thick as sorbet, if I want. It grinds coffee well. I actually dehydrate veg and grind them up in there for a soup base. Hell, I even dry out chick peas (after cooking them) and grind the shit out of them into a dust that makes a wicked instant hummus powder.
  
  I bet the vitamix is a killer machine, but at $700....

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  QUOTE Aug 18, 2012 9:00 PM GMT

  um, i've had my magic bullet (the silver one with the pitcher and juicer accessories) for three years now, and it still works great - crushes ice, frozen fruit etc perfectly.
  
  you must have gotten a lemon

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• MuchMoreThanM... Posts: 19600
  QUOTE Aug 18, 2012 9:39 PM GMT

  yourname2000 said
  I bet the vitamix is a killer machine, but at $700....

  
  
  ^ Hym, I'm going to take a guess and say that's Canadian dollars.
  
  I bought mine at Costco during a demo for $358 I think?

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  QUOTE Aug 18, 2012 9:44 PM GMT

  Blendtec. Best Thing in my kitchen.
  
  http://www.amazon.com/Blendtec-TB-621-20-Total-Blender-FourSide/dp/B000GIGZXM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345326196&sr=8-1&keywords=blendtec

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• Trollileo Posts: 20923
  QUOTE Aug 18, 2012 9:44 PM GMT

  Any blender works fine. What you have to do is use the lowest setting (oddly enough.) It slowly grates up the ice and frozen fruit and then mixes it together as the flavor slowly secretes itself into a faux-liquid form.

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• Trollileo Posts: 20923
  QUOTE Aug 18, 2012 9:46 PM GMT

  MuchMoreThanMuscle said

  yourname2000 said
  I bet the vitamix is a killer machine, but at $700....

  
  
  ^ Hym, I'm going to take a guess and say that's Canadian dollars.
  
  I bought mine at Costco during a demo for $358 I think?

  Canadian dollar is sometimes valued higher than the American dollar.

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  QUOTE Aug 18, 2012 9:49 PM GMT

  
  Sams Club $29.
  Awesome, had over a year, drinking a mango smoothy now, from it.
  I like it more than the bullet because of it's size, really does turn cubed ice to snow, toss in the cubes with the frozen mango, pulse 4-5 times add, mango, no fat yogurt, protein powder, pulse 10 seconds; done.
  
  

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  QUOTE Aug 18, 2012 9:54 PM GMT

  Trollileo said

  MuchMoreThanMuscle said

  yourname2000 said
  I bet the vitamix is a killer machine, but at $700....

  
  
  ^ Hym, I'm going to take a guess and say that's Canadian dollars.
  
  I bought mine at Costco during a demo for $358 I think?

  Canadian dollar is sometimes valued higher than the American dollar.

  
  they are practically parity today: 1US = 0.9883CA

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• SF79 Posts: 335
  QUOTE Aug 18, 2012 9:56 PM GMT

  Trollileo said[...] as the flavor slowly secretes itself into a faux-liquid form.

  
  
  Sounds delicious.
  
  I use an inexpensive hand blender like this: http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/cuisinart-csb-33-hand-blender-quick-prep?ID=563962
  
  It is not as powerful as a big machine, but it does just fine with ice cubes from my freezer and frozen berries. It's extremely easy to clean up. Plus, at $25 it's not going to break the bank if it only lasts a year.

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• MuchMoreThanM... Posts: 19600
  QUOTE Aug 18, 2012 9:59 PM GMT

  Caslon20000 said

  Trollileo said

  MuchMoreThanMuscle said

  yourname2000 said
  I bet the vitamix is a killer machine, but at $700....

  
  
  ^ Hym, I'm going to take a guess and say that's Canadian dollars.
  
  I bought mine at Costco during a demo for $358 I think?

  Canadian dollar is sometimes valued higher than the American dollar.

  
  they are practically parity today: 1US = 0.9883CA

  
  
  Well, it ain't $700 bucks!
  
  Got it, bitchuz!?!?!
  
  Here! At $339.55, it's not bad for the high end quality you are getting.
  
  http://www.basequipment.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VIT-748&utm_source=CSE&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=Google&gdftrk=gdfV2543_a_7c641_a_7c6920_a_7cVIT_d_748&gclid=CLXc6IyW8rECFSdgMgod5jAAhw

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• Swoon Posts: 17
  QUOTE Aug 18, 2012 10:14 PM GMT

  I really want a Vitamix, but nothing could replace my Magic Bullet! It takes up very little space and is really easy to clean. I use it to make smoothies daily from frozen fruit and ice cubes without a problem. Plus I grind coffee, nuts, chillies and make hummus and pesto in it.

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  QUOTE Aug 18, 2012 10:21 PM GMT

  taking the Hamilton Beach single serving blender 2 college with me. comes with a sippy cup lid so can blendNgo. use it several times a day, and it's bout 3 y/o. @ $15, can't beat it.
  
  

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  QUOTE Aug 18, 2012 10:29 PM GMT

  MuchMoreThanMuscle saidSorry but the Magic Bullet is a piece of weak garbage.
  
  I bought it from Costco a year or so ago and it has no power. It can't handle frozen foods (berries, pineapple chunks, etc.). After one use I returned it and the woman at the counter of Costco said that so many people were returning them. I'm not surprised.
  
  Since your budget is low I suggest waiting and putting away more money to double it. Get a Vitamix. I've had my for nearly nine years. A portion of the carafe became dull in about seven years but because they have a seven year warranty I was sent a replacement part at no charge.
  
  It's a powerhouse and can handle ice with no problem.
  
  I did not find the Magic Bullet to work well with frozen foods or ice.

  
  
  THIS.
  
  I bought a Vitamix at Costco too and it was the best kitchen appliance I ever invested in. Blends so many things, has a great return policy at Costco and can handle pretty much anything. It is worth the $300 I paid for. Had other blenders before that was crap.

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• vegemike Posts: 142
  QUOTE Aug 18, 2012 11:27 PM GMT

  Vitamix and blend tech.
  
  If that's too much, the ninja is amazing

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• d694485 Posts: 213
  QUOTE Aug 18, 2012 11:38 PM GMT

  I was going to get a Magic Bullet until I started reading some bad reviews about the durability. Also I had a friend who had one and said not to buy one because her's broke.
  
  I bought a Ninja instead Pretty happy with it so far. I am aware they now have a second version with a bunch of add ons, but seem a little excessive in my opinion.

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  QUOTE Aug 18, 2012 11:53 PM GMT

  MuchMoreThanMuscle said

  Caslon20000 said

  Trollileo said

  MuchMoreThanMuscle said

  yourname2000 said
  I bet the vitamix is a killer machine, but at $700....

  
  
  ^ Hym, I'm going to take a guess and say that's Canadian dollars.
  
  I bought mine at Costco during a demo for $358 I think?

  Canadian dollar is sometimes valued higher than the American dollar.

  
  they are practically parity today: 1US = 0.9883CA

  
  
  Well, it ain't $700 bucks!
  
  Got it, bitchuz!?!?!
  
  Here! At $339.55, it's not bad for the high end quality you are getting.
  
  http://www.basequipment.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VIT-748&utm_source=CSE&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=Google&gdftrk=gdfV2543_a_7c641_a_7c6920_a_7cVIT_d_748&gclid=CLXc6IyW8rECFSdgMgod5jAAhw

  
  
  That's a pretty basic model that you've provided a link to, but I'm sure it serves your purposes just fine. The higher end one is being sold at CostCo for $499 right now (reg. $699), which is still hefty, but you get a lifetime warranty when buying thru CostCo as long as you keep the receipt.
  
  You can also buy refurbished ones on vitamix's website for a bargain, and they come with a five-year warranty.
  
  

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• MuchMoreThanM... Posts: 19600
  QUOTE Aug 19, 2012 12:33 AM GMT

  CT_jock said
  That's a pretty basic model that you've provided a link to, but I'm sure it serves your purposes just fine. The higher end one is being sold at CostCo for $499 right now (reg. $699), which is still hefty, but you get a lifetime warranty when buying thru CostCo as long as you keep the receipt.
  
  You can also buy refurbished ones on vitamix's website for a bargain, and they come with a five-year warranty.
  
  

  
  
  The motor is the same so you're not paying more money for a better running motor. Some of them are more money because the base is stainless steel or you get a nicer carafe (or additional one).
  
  I bought the basic model and have been pleased with it.
  
  Oh and as far as Costco's return policy you can take it back and if you lose your receipt they can look up your purchase for you. Try and keep in mind when/how long ago you purchased the item so it makes their search a little easier.
  
  More than likely, without a receipt you'll get a store credit which is better than nothing at all. I'm fine with this since I shop there weekly without fail.
  
  Membership has its privileges.

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• TerraFirma Posts: 1627
  QUOTE Aug 19, 2012 12:38 AM GMT

  Vitamix is worth the money ;-)

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  QUOTE Aug 19, 2012 1:09 AM GMT

  dustin_K_tx said
  Sams Club $29.
  Awesome, had over a year, drinking a mango smoothy now, from it.
  I like it more than the bullet because of it's size, really does turn cubed ice to snow, toss in the cubes with the frozen mango, pulse 4-5 times add, mango, no fat yogurt, protein powder, pulse 10 seconds; done.
  
  

  
  
  Love the Ninja. I have the big 72 oz version. Makes enough to share.

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  QUOTE Aug 19, 2012 1:28 AM GMT

  notadumbjock saidtaking the Hamilton Beach single serving blender 2 college with me. comes with a sippy cup lid so can blendNgo. use it several times a day, and it's bout 3 y/o. @ $15, can't beat it.
  
  

  
  
  OMG i got this one too....at target....I use it 2 times a day and I've had it 2.5 years and its still blending me delishhhhous protein shakes.....my favorite recipe equation is
  
  1 scoop vanilla whey protein +
  handful frozen strawberries +
  handful frozen blackberries +
  1/2 frozen banana +
  2 Tbs flaxseed +
  H2O
  
  = Awesome Tastyness
  
  

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• xysx Posts: 306
  QUOTE Aug 19, 2012 3:08 AM GMT

  Contact Vitamix and get one that they have on special, like ..last year's model with a white base rather than stainless steel. They also have reconditioned ones that they sell complete WITH warranty. I've had my first one for over 5 years and have bought 2 more for different base color or second home use. I use mine every day. Their customer service is well worth the investment. They really do stand behind their product. I've f(^'d up a couple of times with mine; minced up the plunger, ripped off the container or "jiggled" it while on the stand to get rid of extra air bubbles 'cause I was in too much of a hurry, and they replaced the parts Every Time with No charge! (And no, I don't own stock or work for them) Truly best return for your dollar on investment.

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