Buying a Blender

A quick tip on what NOT to buy. I have a cheap ($20) Black and Decker "Crush Master" blender that just doesn't get the job done without lots of stirring by hand. We primarily use it for smoothies and find that chunks of fruit constantly get stuck underneath the blades, especially the raised blade.

To it's credit it does crush ice very well!

I'm glad you posted - can't wait to see what others recommend so we can get a decent blender, too!

Good luck!

I have a Black and Decker and I would say it is quite durable and strong. It is stainless.

I am not a smoothie lover or blender user but my 14 yr old LOVES smoothies and she makes them all the time. This one has been going strong for about 3 yrs now.

All of my other appliances are Kitchen Aid and I love them. I have the toaster oven mixer, dishwasher and fridge.

Good luck

we just got a new blender - our old one, after over 8 years, was not getting the job done.
my husband went to target and picked up the osterizer for about 50-60 bucks and it's wonderful!! we are a smoothy making family year round, so i'm very picky when it comes to texture and quick blending. there is only one speed, plus the pulser. so easy and so powerful. my smoothies are so much better than they used to be.

I've always had good luck with Hamilton Beach appliances. In fact I just bought a new blender a few months ago on Amazon.com I'm very happy with it, I think I spent about $35

I have a lot of Kitchenaid appliances that are great. The blender however is not.

Hi A.,

Through many years of marriage I've had several blenders; many were what I'd call trendy bar blenders that looked great on the counter. Recently I started making more smoothies so I searched for the least expensive multi-function blender I could find and bought it. I've been so happy with it; it was under $30 and is a Hamilton Beach. I sold the others in a garage sale--haven't missed them! I agree with the earlier post that Kitchen Aid appliances are very nice--yet their blender worked very poorly for me. Good luck!