The Cooks' Den » Blenders http://www.thecooksden.com Cooking Tools - Gear for Cooks and Chefs Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:49:11 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Hamilton Beach Milkshake Maker | Retro Blender, Soda Fountain & Malt Mixer http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-milkshake-maker-retro-blender-soda-fountain-malt-mixer/ http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-milkshake-maker-retro-blender-soda-fountain-malt-mixer/#comments Thu, 01 Sep 2011 19:27:36 +0000 Sharon http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=12721 Hamilton Beach Milkshake Maker Hamilton Beach drink mixers have been around ever since 1911, and replica models these days reflect the nostalgic Americana of soda fountains, malt shoppes, and jukeboxes playing doo-wop late into the night. Coming across a classic replica Hamilton Beach Milkshake Maker like this one may seem like the real deal. At first.

And at first glance, this Hamilton Beach mixer does have a lot going for it. It's meant to stand on the kitchen counter or mini-bar as part of a retro-inspired decor. The 28-oz. cup will hold any mixed liquid from shakes and malts to protein-infused smoothies. The blender can also be used to whip puddings or scramble eggs.

Unfortunately, when most buyers receive this Milkshake Maker and use it for the first time, buyer's remorse starts to set in. It's not the Hamilton Beach mixer of years gone by. This model is made from plastic parts and is very lightweight. It can wobble when used, so it's hardly professional grade. But on the plus side, even though the exterior isn't very durable, the motor is still powerful enough to work through thick ice creams.

For the price, this Hamilton Beach Milkshake Maker can be a fun piece of kitchen decor that "really works" as it's put to use from time to time. However, if you're seriously interested in a durable drink maker, the better switch is to look for a handheld immersion blender -- like this highly rated model from KitchenAid complete with beverage beaker, whisk, and chopper.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-milkshake-maker-retro-blender-soda-fountain-malt-mixer/feed/ 1 Oster BCCG08 Blender Review | Ice Crusher w/ Glass Jar, 6 Cup Dishwasher Safe http://www.thecooksden.com/oster-bccg08-blender-review-ice-crusher-w-glass-jar-6-cup-dishwasher-safe/ http://www.thecooksden.com/oster-bccg08-blender-review-ice-crusher-w-glass-jar-6-cup-dishwasher-safe/#comments Thu, 25 Aug 2011 19:12:54 +0000 Sharon http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=12701 Oster BCCG08 Blender Review Although its price is hard to beat, the Oster BCCG08 is a blender I would only recommend as an "occasional use" purchase. You'll probably be able to find it for a steal of a deal -- then again, there's always a reason behind that.

What the BCCG08 does have going for it is a sharp stainless steel ice crushing blade complete with a separate ice crusher setting on the base. Smoothies and frozen drinks are what a blender is often used for, so an ice crusher can be an invaluable feature. Another stand-out to me is the BPA-free glass jar, which is also dishwasher safe. Drinks just taste better out of a glass than in plastic, I've found.

The construction features "all metal drive" and has been tested and approved for thermal shock (i.e. able to withstand both hot and cold extreme temperatures). Speed choices are well varied; the slowest blending option really is slow, not just "kinda fast."

Here's where concerns start to pop up, though. The motor is only 450 watts, which is a safe mid-grade option, but I ideally like to look for blenders that are 500 watts or more. Any less than that, and the blender should only be used occasionally for short bursts of time to extend its life.

Another feature that bugs me is the base. It's narrow, short, and isn't very heavy. Needless to say, the thing wobbles whenever the blender is turned on, and it could be unsafe if left unattended.

Can't beat a cheap price, though. And if you've still got your heart set on a bargain, I recommend taking a peek at the Oster Beehive blender as well -- or, for a mid-priced option, the KitchenAid 5 Speed Blender. That's a blender you could safely use every day without a care in the world, since it's almost a full horsepower strong.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/oster-bccg08-blender-review-ice-crusher-w-glass-jar-6-cup-dishwasher-safe/feed/ 0 Vita-Mix Turbo Blend Blender | Smoothie Maker & Juicer 4500 http://www.thecooksden.com/vita-mix-turbo-blend-blender-smoothie-maker-juicer-4500/ http://www.thecooksden.com/vita-mix-turbo-blend-blender-smoothie-maker-juicer-4500/#comments Thu, 26 Nov 2009 22:41:15 +0000 Alice http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=8609 Vita-Mix Turbo Blend Blender I am definitely into health food without the health food price. If you've walked through that specialty section in your local grocery recently, you know exactly what I mean. You'd think not adding preservatives and sugar was costly from a manufacturing standpoint.

That's why having an option like the Vita-Mix tips the scales in your favor. Blend your own juices, sauces. You can juice whole fruits and vegetables and add the particular items you want for the best flavor, texture, color and nutrient content. Juice the healthier way by keeping the fiber. Grind grains for specialized flours. Make baby food. Delicious cold drinks and hot soups are possible. There is a large community built around the Vita-Mix line, and everyone in it has a favorite recipe or two to share.

The blender offers more than two horsepower for long term function, to fight through ingredients and give a smooth final mixture. The large capacity jar is almost unbreakable. The unit needs no assembly and is easily cleaned after each session. The range of foods you can prepare is practically limitless. While most people who use the blender tend to fall into the healthy eating spectrum, there is no reason you can't use yours to whip up a soothing malt or big batch of chocolate shakes!

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/vita-mix-turbo-blend-blender-smoothie-maker-juicer-4500/feed/ 1 Black Oster Beehive Blender | Ice Crusher Machine for Smoothies, Milkshakes & Cocktail Drinks http://www.thecooksden.com/oster-professional-blender-ice-crusher-black-beehive-bpst02-b/ http://www.thecooksden.com/oster-professional-blender-ice-crusher-black-beehive-bpst02-b/#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:28:34 +0000 Alice http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=8586 Oster Professional Blender & IceThough they call this the Beehive bar blender, this isn't just for making mixed drinks. Anyone who enjoys crushed ice drinks, or crushed ice alone, will be overwhelmed with the production of this unit. It crushes like nobody's business, using super sharp blades and an all-metal drive powered by a one-half horsepower output to finish fast. As in: mere seconds. If it can do that to ice, frozen chunks of fruit don't stand a chance.

The signs of quality are everywhere: the glass jar, rubber feet for stability, the heavy duty cord. The blender does what it does while sitting still on the bar. You don't have to try to hold down a bucking bronco of a machine to get your smoothie fix. You also don't have to baby the thing for ten minutes to get your ingredients mixed.

One simple switch operates the blender, and you have to hold it down to keep it going. That is neither a problem nor a mistake. Your food or drink is ready in practically the time it takes to turn the unit on. You'll want to be right there, because it is done already. This is the most highly rated blender I've found -- for good reason.

Compare this with the KitchenAid 5-speed blender.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/oster-professional-blender-ice-crusher-black-beehive-bpst02-b/feed/ 0 Breville Ikon Blender w/ Ice Crusher | Stainless Steel 750 Watt BBL600XL http://www.thecooksden.com/breville-ikon-blender-w-ice-crusher-stainless-steel-750-watt-bbl600xl/ http://www.thecooksden.com/breville-ikon-blender-w-ice-crusher-stainless-steel-750-watt-bbl600xl/#comments Sun, 04 Oct 2009 13:43:38 +0000 Alice http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=8171 Breville Ikon Blender w/ Ice Crusher If you make smoothies, you want a blender that can handle the ingredients. The more often you make them, the more important it is that the functions perform as the company claims they will. No one wants to stand in the kitchen poking stubborn frozen bits of fruit into the bottom of their blender only to have them fly right back up as soon as the blades are engaged. I hate getting partway into my drink to find a big chunk of ice hidden inside. I know then that by the end, everything will be too watery, and every sip will include that one rogue piece of ice.

Breville seeks to end our frustration by providing a multi-pronged attack on those uncooperative bits. First, they have stainless steel ice crushing blades in the Ikon. They are made extra wide and driven by commercial grade components. Next, the blades are contoured to fit the bottom of the jug, leaving no place for food to become stuck or hide out. Even the ribs of the jug are made to send ingredients back into the blades as they pass. Two different presets allow you to crush ice and mix smoothies. With these weapons at our disposal, there is no way that pesky ingredients shall ever again defeat our drink efforts!

If you're serious about your crushed ice, Waring Pro has a solution.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/breville-ikon-blender-w-ice-crusher-stainless-steel-750-watt-bbl600xl/feed/ 0 Hamilton Beach Deluxe Blender | Black Glass 14 Speed 54245 http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-deluxe-blender-black-glass-14-speed-54245/ http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-deluxe-blender-black-glass-14-speed-54245/#comments Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:19:47 +0000 Dan http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=7989 Hamilton Beach Deluxe Blender This blender from Hamilton Beach packs some major power for the price. Add to that the heavy glass pitcher and the "Wave-action" technology for a solid appliance in the kitchen.

The "Deluxe" Blender -- it must be deluxe due to the 14 speeds -- is available in black now to coordinate with modern kitchen styles. The most notable feature is the motor; 700-watts of power is pretty beefy for a blender and usually reserved for the more costly versions. The question of course is: Does it blend? Hamilton Beach advertises a patent-pending technology called Wave-action, produced by the specially-shaped blades that are meant to draw the ingredients down for more thorough blending and ice crushing. It appears that this does improve the blending experience for some ingredients, although not significantly better than most quality blenders. The unit is svelte and well designed overall. Personally, I find the abundance of buttons overkill, as most blending tasks can be accomplished with two or three speeds. This may give the appearance of versatility, but really just presents more of a cleaning challenge in the event of a spill.

The bottom line is that this seems a quality appliance that does just what it is meant to for your blending needs. The glass pitcher is easy to clean, and the unit should give you your money's worth, especially at the current sale price from online retailers.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-deluxe-blender-black-glass-14-speed-54245/feed/ 0 Hamilton Beach DuraBlend Wave Action Blender Food Processor Combo Set http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-durablend-wave-action-blender-food-processor-combo-set/ http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-durablend-wave-action-blender-food-processor-combo-set/#comments Sun, 06 Sep 2009 22:13:15 +0000 JT Hats http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=4800 Hamilton Beach DuraBlend Wave ActionThis Wave Action 12 Speed Blender/Food Processor from Hamilton Beach has been designed around special features that somewhat limit its all around effectiveness. It can still be a good choice if you like what it does best--milk shakes and smoothies.

The 700 Watt motor is plenty powerful enough to handle the jobs you need done, and the Durablend plastic reservoirs are nearly shatter proof. Twelve speeds give excellent control of processing stages and make the machine very easy to operate. Circulation of the food in the blender depends on the special "wave action" design--you don't get waves unless you are working with liquid. More solid foods tend to settle to the sides of the pitcher and aren't efficiently returned to the blades.

The small three cup food processor attachment will handle dry products such as nutmeats and semi dry products like potatoes, but there's a minimum amount of ingredients that work well. Too little volume is an issue, and the chopper won't agitate the mix well enough to thoroughly turn over the food. Chunks get left behind.

You'll need to pay close attention to assembly, making sure gaskets are properly seated before use, and since this is a "wave action" machine there's no peeking under the lid unless you want a mess on the counter. Turn it off before adding new ingredients.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/hamilton-beach-durablend-wave-action-blender-food-processor-combo-set/feed/ 1 Waring Pro Ice Crusher | Electric Stainless Steel Large Capacity IC70 http://www.thecooksden.com/waring-pro-ice-crusher-electric-stainless-steel-large-capacity-ic70/ http://www.thecooksden.com/waring-pro-ice-crusher-electric-stainless-steel-large-capacity-ic70/#comments Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:09:01 +0000 Alice http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=4909 Waring Pro Ice Crusher I still remember my mom's old hand crank ice crusher. In fact, I think I still have the scars. It only took a few cubes at a time and made enough for maybe two people, if you could stand the cold and the danger that long. It took brute force to smash the cubes and the results were inconsistent at best.

If you host parties or have a family with a large appetite for ice, even if you only use it once or twice a year for the holidays, it will really come in handy. The crushed ice is perfect for mixed drinks, to help chill cold dishes through an extended service, or for the surprising number of people who like to snack by chewing ice, but be aware that the unit doesn't shave ice.

The heavy duty motor crushes up to fifty pounds of ice per hour and dispenses it through a wide mouth funnel attachment. The twelve cup capacity container catches the crushed ice and must be in place for the unit to function. The blades self feed the ice, so there is no need to place a hand or instrument near them. The mechanism is commercially based and has the reputation of being simple and powerful.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/waring-pro-ice-crusher-electric-stainless-steel-large-capacity-ic70/feed/ 1 Vita-Mix 1300 TurboBlend Commercial Blender 4500 http://www.thecooksden.com/vita-mix-1300-turboblend-commercial-blender-4500/ http://www.thecooksden.com/vita-mix-1300-turboblend-commercial-blender-4500/#comments Mon, 20 Jul 2009 07:28:26 +0000 Alice http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=4971 Vita-Mix 1300 TurboBlend CommercialThe Vita-Mix TurboBlend is exceptional because of the commercial quality blade and motor design. The heavy duty motor provides 2+ peak horsepower operated by a two speed control. The motor is thermally protected. This machine actually pulls in ingredients for smooth, uniform blending. The unit comes with a five year warranty.

One of the biggest drawbacks to inferior bladed products is that plastic housing is used to secure the blade assembly, leading to almost unavoidable breakage issues. This isn't a problem with the TurboBlend because of the construction. The blade assembly is all stainless steel enclosed with sealed ball bearings and a metal-to-metal driver.

The best feature to me is the lack of assembly required for daily use. I have a bullet mixer that, although fairly painless to use, requires me to pull apart gaskets and clean a number of small grooves. Less hassle means that the product sees more use. The virtually unbreakable, sixty-four ounce container is made from a polycarbonate material. It is sized to hold large portions and provide room for all your ingredients. This is a ridiculously easy way to add more fruit and vegetables to your diet, plus include the fiber along with the juice-- a far healthier option than juice alone.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/vita-mix-1300-turboblend-commercial-blender-4500/feed/ 0 Margaritaville Bahamas Blender | Frozen Concoction Maker 36 Ounce DM0500 http://www.thecooksden.com/margaritaville-bahamas-blender-frozen-concoction-maker-36-ounce-dm0500/ http://www.thecooksden.com/margaritaville-bahamas-blender-frozen-concoction-maker-36-ounce-dm0500/#comments Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:52:52 +0000 Alice http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=4926 Margaritaville Bahamas Blender The Margaritaville Bahamas model offers manual controls which allow you to choose the consistency of drinks through adjustments of the shave or blend selections. Automatic settings will mix the right proportion of ice with your ingredients. Dual motors shave ice and blend the drinks. The unit comes in tropical colors with a nautical theme and chrome accents. A hidden cord storage is located in the back of the appliance. The set includes a glass blending jar and shot glass.

Operation is simple- fill the hopper with ice, add ingredients to the jar, and choose your setting. The ice reservoir holds enough ice for a pitcher of margaritas. The machine makes up to thirty six ounces of drink per batch. Any melted ice is drained away, preventing your drinks from becoming watered down. A frozen drink recipe guide will get you started. The areas which hold only ice need just a quick rinse; the jar and components can go into the dishwasher.

People absolutely love the Bahamas concoction maker because of the superior way it shaves ice. Consistent, high quality drinks are the result of the ice produced. Delicious, cold, nonalcoholic beverages are also possible using flavored syrups and fizzy drinks. Plain shaved ice can be made for treats for the kids. Why pay inflated prices for bar drinks at a restaurant? Relax at home and let everyone keep cool with their own special recipe.

And for a classic original, see the Margaritaville Premium Frozen Concoction Machine.

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