Pellet Fan

All Things Considered => General Discussion--Food Related => Topic started by: Canadian John on October 01, 2018, 03:51:44 PM

Title: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: Canadian John on October 01, 2018, 03:51:44 PM

 Is there such a machine?  Our " OLD" blender (GE Processor/Blender) died and we want to replace it with something that won't fall apart in a year or two..There some very costly units available that should prove out. While researching, I found some of those have had bad reviews as well as the mid priced units.. Do you or anyone you know have long term experience with your blender, and if so what make is it? What kind of use does it get?  I can always fall back on, you get what you pay for, if in doubt. Thanks all.
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: Bentley on October 01, 2018, 04:55:04 PM
These are the threads I personally like, especially when I can at least give data.  You may not buy it, but I can give you some hard facts!

Like many small appliances, I went through a bunch from age about 20-50, buying the "cheaper" stuff cuz it seemed like the thing to do.  Now this is not a high end blender buy any means (they start at about $350), but it is not the $29 ones I usually ended up with.  I bough the blender below  (I would have bet my last dollar it was a Waring) at the Las Vegas Restaurant Depot in 2011 for $90, one because I was tired of going through $29 blender and they said this was a low end "bar" type blender.  It has worked well.  About the only thing I use it for is Gatorade Slurpee's...About 10 a month.  So it has not gotten a lot of work, but it was rated fairly well, and it has not skipped a beat in almost 8 years.

No frills, it does not have 12 speeds like most every other one I have bought, but it does chew through ice.  I bet it would destroy milk and ice cream.

Hamilton Beach HBB908 Bar Blender (https://www.therdstore.com/hamilton-beach-hbb908-bar-blender-two-speed-motor-44oz-polycarbonate-container)

(https://i.imgur.com/sNcuwdCh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/R2a4Dg9h.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/5peMPFvh.jpg)
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: bregent on October 01, 2018, 06:35:33 PM
We got a Waring 2-speed commercial many, many years ago that's still going strong - at least it was when we last used it a few years ago. I don't think we've touched it since getting a NutriBullet system from Costco. It's lighter, easier to use and clean, and works just as well if not better. Capacity is a little less but that's about it. Had it only for 4 years but it's still seems like new and we use it almost every day. Probably won't last as long as the old vintage blenders did, but then nothing does.

What types of things do you plan on using for?
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: urnmor on October 01, 2018, 06:59:55 PM
I use the vitamix going on about 4 or 5 years.  It gets a lot of use and has stood upwell
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: ArborAgent on October 01, 2018, 07:39:05 PM
Vitamix is your answer. They're beasts and worth every penny.
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: dclord on October 01, 2018, 10:10:14 PM
We also have a Vitamix. It's at least 10 years old and we use it a lot. I noticed Target now carries them for less than we paid back then.

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Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: Bentley on October 01, 2018, 11:08:22 PM
VitaMix are nice units, pretty much the Rolls-Royce...but they are about $400 aren't they?
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: ArborAgent on October 01, 2018, 11:24:42 PM
VitaMix are nice units, pretty much the Rolls-Royce...but they are about $400 aren't they?

And worth every penny. The only blender I’ve ever used that will pulverize berry seeds.
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: DMAXNAZ on October 02, 2018, 05:31:38 AM
We've had the blentec for a few years now. Been a good unit so far and easy to clean. With a Groupon we picked it up for $200. When the kids started getting into smoothies we went through a few blenders before settling on this one. Others just couldn't get a thicker smoothie done.
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: pmillen on October 02, 2018, 08:50:14 AM
You might consider researching the country of origin before you make your purchase.

It's not easy and in many cases there are no choices (i.e., computers & cell phones), but being selective is important to some people.
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: Canadian John on October 02, 2018, 09:40:10 AM
We got a Waring 2-speed commercial many, many years ago that's still going strong - at least it was when we last used it a few years ago. I don't think we've touched it since getting a NutriBullet system from Costco. It's lighter, easier to use and clean, and works just as well if not better. Capacity is a little less but that's about it. Had it only for 4 years but it's still seems like new and we use it almost every day. Probably won't last as long as the old vintage blenders did, but then nothing does.

What types of things do you plan on using for?
Crepes, blending pie mixes. Just mid to light duty blender use on about weekly basis. When the old blender died, my wife was blending the mixture for 4 pecan pies w/o stopping. that would re classify as H D use to me. If that were the norm I would say we required a commercial class of blender...
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: Canadian John on October 02, 2018, 09:50:34 AM
VitaMix are nice units, pretty much the Rolls-Royce...but they are about $400 aren't they?
That's right. Add a good 30% to that for Canada... Some of their models here are $1,000, plus our 13% sales tax. Their web site lists factory refurbished with a 5 year warranty at a generous discount..I need to do some more research into  this.  The cost could very well outweigh the aggravation.
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: Kristin Meredith on October 02, 2018, 10:18:14 AM
Why not just use an egg beater or Kitchen Aid mixer for those types of things.  Egg beaters are pretty cheap!
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: bregent on October 02, 2018, 01:36:05 PM
VitaMix are nice units, pretty much the Rolls-Royce...but they are about $400 aren't they?
That's right. Add a good 30% to that for Canada... Some of their models here are $1,000, plus our 13% sales tax. Their web site lists factory refurbished with a 5 year warranty at a generous discount..I need to do some more research into  this.  The cost could very well outweigh the aggravation.

Don't know if you have a Costco near you, but here in the Bay Area, I've seen roadshows for BlendTec and I think Vitamix as well. That might be a good way to see and taste one in person if you're thinking about a high end machine.
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: dclord on October 02, 2018, 04:51:36 PM
VitaMix are nice units, pretty much the Rolls-Royce...but they are about $400 aren't they?
We bought a refurbished one directly from Vitamix at a pretty significant discount. I see some for around $250 right now. Ours was indistinguishable from new.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: julweidn on October 02, 2018, 04:58:57 PM
These are the threads I personally like, especially when I can at least give data.  You may not buy it, but I can give you some hard facts!

Like many small appliances, I went through a bunch from age about 20-50, buying the "cheaper" stuff cuz it seemed like the thing to do.  Now this is not a high end blender buy any means (they start at about $350), but it is not the $29 ones I usually ended up with.  I bough the blender below  (I would have bet my last dollar it was a Waring) at the Las Vegas Restaurant Depot in 2011 for $90, one because I was tired of going through $29 blender and they said this was a low end "bar" type blender.  It has worked well.  About the only thing I use it for is Gatorade Slurpee's...About 10 a month.  So it has not gotten a lot of work, but it was rated fairly well, and it has not skipped a beat in almost 8 years.

No frills, it does not have 12 speeds like most every other one I have bought, but it does chew through ice.  I bet it would destroy milk and ice cream.


Gatorade slurpee?!? That sounds fantastic. Do you just use bottled gatorade and ice? Or do you use the powder?



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Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: Bentley on October 03, 2018, 12:11:47 PM
I mix up a batch of the powered, then put a full scoop in the blender with crushed ice, and fill with liquid Gatorade.
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: BigDave83 on October 03, 2018, 12:20:04 PM
Vitamix here also, not sure what model I think I got it from QVC a few years ago. Makes the smoothest,silkest applesauce you could ever want. The GF at the time thought I was crazy for buying a $600.00 blender, but when I used to to make her pumpkin smoothies and milkshakes she didn't care. They are loud though
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: JoeGrilling on October 03, 2018, 12:38:46 PM
Vitamix all the way.  I bought three of them for my wife and two daughters over the years out of Costco.  The three of them could break just about anything and this product has held up quite well.  The two that my daughters own are well over 17 years old.  My older daughters unit required a new upper pitcher unit last year due to being placed in storage without proper cleaning.  The other unit that I bought at the same time for my other daughter is still chugging away fine.  I bought another unit for my wife maybe 10 years ago after my daughters moved out with theirs.  The only problem we've had with it is one of the kids used the plunger without the lid in place and chopped it up.  The nice thing about these older units is that you can still get support and parts.
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: Yellow-03 on October 04, 2018, 03:26:08 PM
And another Vitamix
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: pmillen on October 04, 2018, 07:28:21 PM
Yeah—being different—I have a Ninja.  I don't suppose I work it very hard but it's fine for my use.
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: julweidn on October 04, 2018, 09:18:09 PM
Yeah—being different—I have a Ninja.  I don't suppose I work it very hard but it's fine for my use.

We have owned a ninja for roughly a year and use it daily with no complaints.


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Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: bucky919 on October 05, 2018, 09:20:49 AM
Yeah—being different—I have a Ninja.  I don't suppose I work it very hard but it's fine for my use.

We have owned a ninja for roughly a year and use it daily with no complaints.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wife also uses her Ninja daily for the past 3+ years no issues. I really like the coffee and spice grinder.
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: Ralphie on October 05, 2018, 09:22:46 AM
VitaMix are nice units, pretty much the Rolls-Royce...but they are about $400 aren't they?
We bought a refurbished one directly from Vitamix at a pretty significant discount. I see some for around $250 right now. Ours was indistinguishable from new.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk

Do the refurbished units come with the same warranties, customer service, parts replacement, etc... that you would expect if buying new?  I'm actually not even sure what the warranties/service is like for new units, just figured it would be good for the price. 
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: dclord on October 05, 2018, 10:59:54 AM
VitaMix are nice units, pretty much the Rolls-Royce...but they are about $400 aren't they?
We bought a refurbished one directly from Vitamix at a pretty significant discount. I see some for around $250 right now. Ours was indistinguishable from new.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk

Do the refurbished units come with the same warranties, customer service, parts replacement, etc... that you would expect if buying new?  I'm actually not even sure what the warranties/service is like for new units, just figured it would be good for the price.
Full 5 year warranty on the refurbished units.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: Redapple on October 06, 2018, 06:04:07 PM
part of the Vitamix crowd. We love ours
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: Bar-B-Lew on October 06, 2018, 07:18:05 PM
I think we have Kitchen Aid but it is lucky if it is used once a year.
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: SurfAndTurf on October 08, 2018, 07:11:29 PM
Vitamix here also.
We use it at least 4x weekly, some seasons daily.
It's held up beautifully, no worries.
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: pagesk on November 29, 2018, 05:07:56 PM
VitaMix are nice units, pretty much the Rolls-Royce...but they are about $400 aren't they?
We bought a refurbished one directly from Vitamix at a pretty significant discount. I see some for around $250 right now. Ours was indistinguishable from new.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk

Exactly what I did; free shipping and no sales tax.  For $250 it was a higher end model that retailed in the $400+range.
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: Th3Batman86 on November 29, 2018, 05:24:50 PM
I have a 10 year old vitamix and a 15 year old vitamix. Both are strong as day 1
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: Mrhdvrod on November 29, 2018, 06:25:55 PM
Vitamix here, I’ve made everything from soup (heats it up too) to ice cream, it’s the most used small appliance I own and if it ever breaks it will be replaced with whatever is the newer model vitamix.  Only change I’d make is I wish it were a little quieter.
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: Yellow-03 on November 30, 2018, 12:46:23 PM
We just made ice cream last night in the Vitamix.
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: Trooper on November 30, 2018, 01:15:34 PM
I think we have Kitchen Aid but it is lucky if it is used once a year.

Once again this guy and Bar-B-Lew are on the same wavelength.
Title: Re: Durable and Long Lasting Blender Search
Post by: Gringo on November 30, 2018, 01:54:56 PM
I know they're expensive,  but if you're looking for a long lasting machine, it's gotta be a Vitamix.  They're built like a tank and last for years.  I wouldn't give mine up.