Showing posts with label appliances. Show all posts
Showing posts with label appliances. Show all posts

4/23/2012

Cuisinart DLC-7SFP Pro Food Prep Center 14-Cup Food Processor Review

Cuisinart DLC-7SFP Pro Food Prep Center 14-Cup Food Processor
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Although this food processor is great when it works, many of the parts are subject to frequent breaking and are very costly to replace. I have replaced the stem three times in ten years or so. I have replaced the bowl once, and one of the blades has broken twice. The motor has held up fine despite all the parts breaking along the way. I have given up paying premium prices to replace parts. I am looking for an alternative which will offer me as large a bowl as this.

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4/10/2012

Ninja Quad Blade Food & Drink Maker Review

Ninja Quad Blade Food and Drink Maker
Average Reviews:

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The blades on this machine to be EXTREMELY, (and I do mean EXTREMELY) S-H-A-R-P.! Think of the sharpest blade you have ever come across -- a razor-blade, or very, very sharp knife -- and you will have some idea of the EXTREME sharpness of these blades. Yep -- even I knicked myself on these blades, before I realized how very, very, VERY sharp they are. Of course, this exteme sharpness makes for extremely good and powerful cutting action -- but one should be aware of this sharpness before purchasing this item, especially if there are small children in the house, who usually have NO limits at all on their curiousity and mischieveness.
These blades cut VERY well, and do every job advertised! Some blenders do their jobs by having a large wattage or ampere rating -- but the Ninja does it with very, very sharp blades. It is more powerful, in making my prized receipe for thick, heavy salmon moule, than even my beloved Vita Mix 5200, (a great machine....for most things.) Just be sure to "prep" the Ninja first, by pulsing a few times to break up the batter a bit first. Those sharp blades sure know to chop things up, and usually, no water or liquid at all is needed! Amazing!
On the negative side, though, it must be mentioned that both the large set of blades, (which fit into the larger blender-size container), and the small set of blades, (which fit into the mini-container), come in TWO SEPARATE PARTS. So, you get a total of four
blade parts. THE BLADE PARTS MUST BE FITTED TOGETHER FIRST, AND/OR DROPPED SEPARATELY, ON TOP OF EACH OTHER, INTO THE APPROPRIATE CONTAINER. Why EURO-PRO did not put both blade parts together, so the user would have only one blade-part to put into each container, is beyond me. The half-blade parts are obviously smaller, and are easier to lose, in both dishwasher or with hand-washing. There is also a small rubbery-plastic part that fits into bowl part, where the blade is dropped in. It is very small and easy to lose, and if it's lost, it's impossible to put the blades in properly.
The main difference, (the only difference, as far as I can see, anyway), between this item and the Euro-Pro QB900 Ninja Master Prep, also offered here on Amazon, is that the item here will give you two extra mini-blend containers for an extra $10.
Also, the "Master Pod" top part is rather heavy, compared to the rest of the set. After all, the hand-held "Master Pod" is where the motor
is housed! It takes a bit of getting used to, holding this comparatively heavy part, (roughly weighing about a pound-and-a-half), and, though handling this part shouldn't be any trouble at all for normally-abled people, if you're handicapped, and sometimes find it hard to lift anything even as light as a pound and a half, I'd think twice about buying this admittedly nifty little machine. Also, one must always KEEP one's finger pressed down ON the "Master Pod" button, to make the Ninja blender work. Because of the power and sharpness of the blades, oen doesn't really have to keep one's finger on the Master Pod button very long -- but if this is problem, please be aware of it. Unlike traditional blenders, or even the "Magic Bullet" machines, one CANNOT use the "Ninja" Blender unless constantly attending to it and pressing down on the top button...I've also found that preparing a VERY SMALL amount of food is impossible in this machine, because the blades -- unlike those of most other blenders I've used -- do NOT reach all the way to the bottom of the containers-- even the mini-containers. In this, it's just like the Vitamix. What do I mean by a small amount? Well, you can't mix one or two eggs in either of the NINJA containers -- because they will not even reach the bottom blade, which is about an inch from the bottom of the container. For mixing such little amounts, use a conventional, "Osterizer/ Waring" type blender, or the "Magic Bullet" series of blenders. This is an important fact to remember, as so many people live by themselves these days, and sometimes only WANT to mix only one or two eggs, etc.
But the NINJA does the job -- all its jobs -- so very well. Just keep its few short-comings in mind before you decide if this machine is really the one for you. Just like Ninja warriors, it's fast, nimble, works on simple, easy-to-understand, (but VERY powerful!), principles, and looks deceptively simple, sitting there on your counter!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Ninja Quad Blade Food & Drink Maker

Ninja BladeTM technology has unique processing power for uniform cutting and ice-crushing action. The large 48-oz. pitcher is perfect for making several drinks at a time, featuring an easy flip/pour spout and no-slip bottom. Following recipes and prepping food become effortless with the 2-cup processor: minces, dices, chops, blends and purées. No soggy results!The interchangeable motor head allows you to prep appetizers in the processor and quickly switch to activate the party pitcher for drinks, entertaining at its best! Ergonomic operation with one touch pulsing creates an easy to use and safe product. Dishwasher safe parts.

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11/09/2011

KitchenAid Food Processors Review

KitchenAid Food Processors
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I bought this model almost two years ago, as a replacement for a much-loved food processor that had been discontinued. Here's why I don't like this one:
1) One of my main criteria when I was shopping for it was that my new food processor should have a large capacity. This one was advertised as having a large capacity. But the stem in the middle of the bowl is very short, so you can't actually put much food into it, especially if the food is liquidy.
2) They advertise having one of the widest mouthed feed tubes. But what they don't tell you is that the "maximum fill line" on the feed tube is very low. So you really can't pack all *that* much food into the feed tube.
3) The ad said it had an attachment called "juicer." I thought that this meant that I could use it to, say, juice carrots, like the way my local food co-op has a juice bar where you can buy things like carrot-beet-celery juice. But no, actually the "juicer" is an attachment where you push down on an orange over a dome and the juice comes down the sides, through holes, and into the body of the food processor. It's basically like an ordinary "Mexican hat shaped" manual juicer except that you use the food processor to turn the middle (I guess that's how it goes -- I've never used this attachment) and then the bowl collects the juice. When I made my final decision between the last two food processors that I was looking at, I chose this one because it said "juicer." So this was a disappointment and made me feel that I'd been snared by phony ad hype. Interesting... I see they are now saying "citrus press" instead of "juicer" for this attachment. I think that is much more honest.
4) It's not good with small quantities. My old food processor could chop a clove of garlic. My KitchenAid just bounces the clove of garlic around, uncut.
5) Food often will "slalom" between the lower and upper blade without ever getting chopped. I've made hummus, let the machine run for a while, served it, and then found whole garlic cloves in the middle of the hummus, totally uncut. My old food processor never did that.
6) Flimsy spatula.
7) The rim of the lid fits on the *outside* of the bowl. So if you blend anything liquidy, it's pretty much guaranteed to be spread all over the outside of the food processor. And the counter underneath. On my old food processor, the lid fit *inside* the bowl, which was a zillion times better at keeping drips contained, mess-free.
8) When I want to take off the bowl with the blade inside, the blade is always "locked" to the middle stem, which keeps the bowl from coming out unless I reach in and disconnect the blade. This is easy to do, but it's annoying, especially when the blade is covered in food.
9) The pusher that you use to push food through the feed tube has two parts to it. They often unlock from each other while I'm in the middle of using them to push food into the food processor. This seems mildly dangerous.
10) When I bought it, I loved the idea of having multiple bowls, so that I could chop one thing, then switch bowls and chop something else. However, to use a smaller bowl you need to put the smaller bowl inside the larger bowl and then run the food processor with both bowls attached. Unfortunately, the few times I've tried this, food from the smaller bowl has gotten onto the bigger bowl, making it dirty enough that it needed washing too, with no time saved.
The one thing that I *do* especially like about the KitchenAid more than my old food processor is that its base is very well-sealed, so it is easy to wipe spills off it.
You wanted to hear all of that. Right? :-)----------
An update: Soon after I wrote this review, the food processor self-destructed. One of the metal blades ripped off of the shaft while I was using it. And then a piece of the latch broke off the lid in a way that sealed the lid and bowl permanently shut and permanently attached to the base. I was really happy, because it gave me a chance to buy a new food processor. I got a Braun CombiMax and am delighted with it. Here is a link to it: Braun CombiMax K-650 Food Processor, Braun K650 replaces the K600 The CombiMax has a much larger usable capacity than my old KitchenAid did, plus some nifty features that I haven't seen on any other food processor, such as a sealed bowl -- which means that liquid can't run out through the stem, so you can fill it *much* more full than other food processors.

Click Here to see more reviews about: KitchenAid Food Processors

With its powerful 700-watt motor, this convenient food processor quickly and easily slices, dices, chops, and purees, helping to reduce prep time in the kitchen. The unit's durable sealed housing creates a sound barrier for quiet operation, while its ultra-wide mouth feed tube accommodates tomatoes, cucumbers, and potatoes with minimal sectioning or slicing. The food processor features three polycarbonate bowls, including a large 12-cup-capacity work bowl, a 10-cup chef's bowl, and a 4-cup mini bowl with mini blade. A multipurpose stainless-steel blade, dough blade, citrus press, and egg whip are also included, as well as three precision stainless-steel discs: a fine 2-mm slicing disc, a medium 4-mm slicing disc, and a medium 4-mm shredding disc. Other highlights include pulse control, a spatula/cleaning tool, an instruction/recipe guide, and a durable storage case that helps protect and keep the blades, discs, and accessories organized. For added convenience, the control pad and base of the appliance wipe clean easily and the bowls, blades, and discs are dishwasher-safe. Stylish and functional for today's busy kitchen, the food processor measures 10-1/2 by 8-1/4 by 16-1/8 inches and carries a one-year hassle-free replacement warranty.

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11/02/2011

Magic Bullet 7921 Platinum Pro 20-Piece Set, Stainless Steel Review

Magic Bullet 7921 Platinum Pro 20-Piece Set, Stainless Steel
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
.
I M P O R T A N T.....UPDATE: 14TH MARCH, 2011:
Just for fun, I went to the official website of the Magic Bullet Platinum Pro, and wanted to see if they were still selling it in a "2 for 1" deal, the second machine at a reduced price. They still have the vitamins and other extras one can get for the Magic Bullet Platinum Pro.....BUT IMAGINE MY ASTONISHMENT, WHEN I CLICKED ON THE "BUY" BUTTON, TO DISCOVER THE MESSAGE THAT ---- THEY ARE NO LONGER PRDDUCING THE MAGIC BULLET PLATINUM PRO, AND DIRECTING ME TO BUY THE (MUCH MUCH INFERIOUR), REGULAR MAGIC BULLET! Amazing to me, as the Platinum Pro is SO much better than the Original Magic Bullet!
So, if you want a MAGIC BULLET PLATINUM PRO system, I advise you to buy it here on Amazon, (where it was cheaper, last time I looked, than on a well-known, but chancy, auction site).
PLEASE CALL UP HOMELAND HOUSEWARES AND TELL THEM YOU WNAT THE (SUPERIOUR) MAGIC BULLET PLATINUM PRO PRODUCED AGAIN -- EVEN IF THEY HAVE TO STOP MAKING THE (VERY INFERIOUR), REGULAR MAGIC BULLET TO DO SO! (I intend to do this myself, tomorrow, this being a Sunday.....)
.....................................................................................
"P R O S" OF THE PLATINUM PRO:
It's a bit bigger than the regular Magic Bullet -- but it will
still fit onto even the smallest counter-top. The "Party Mug" containers are indeed larger, (20 oounces) than those within the regular Magic Bullet system (16 ounces)...and actually hold as much as the "large container" of the regular Magic Bullet). The "large container" of the Magic Bullet Platinum Pro holds a whopping 26 ounces!
(The "small container" of the "Platinum Pro" holds 16 ounces, the "small container" of the regular Magic Bullet holds 10 ounces.) All the containers included with the Magic Bullet Platinum Pro have wider "mouths" than the previous model, and this makes it easier to pour food in. The wider width also makes the containers easier to hand-wash if you want to hand-wash.....although all containers in the Platinum Pro, (as in the regular Magic Bullet) are machine washable too.
(One trick I have learnt from watching commercials for other, far more expenisve blenders: ANY blender container can easily be washed by simply wiping it out, putting in a few drops of dishwashing detergent and some WARMISH water, and then letting the machine spin the container clean!)
This machine is POWERFUL! Those extra 100 watts really do help! When I wtried to make tuna salad in my regular Magic Bullet, the mixture stuck. When I used the same receipe in the Magic Bullet Platinum Pro, I got a professional looking, semi-smooth pate!
"C O N S" of the Platinum Pro:
My major complaint about the Magic Bullet Platinum Pro is that the "mouths" of the containers are actually a bit TOO wide! At almost 3 1/2 inches in diameter, they would be difficult for someone with arthritis or other physical impairment to screw and unscrew tightly. (And if you don't screw the container on tightly, leaks will often occur.)
So, I use only the "Party Mugs", which have handles, and so make screwing and unscrewing easier. I don't dare use the "large cup" or "small cup" for the Magic Bullet Platinum Pro, as these containers do NOT have handles, and would often be impossible, (or nearly so), for me to screw and unscrew. Of course, a screw-unscrewing aid is useful -- but it's not included here and must be bought separately.
I have not used the blender attachment yet....but, as it has a handle, I expect no trouble with it. I do get to wondering, however, why the "Magic Bullet Platinum Pro" DOESN'T have a "Juicer" attachment, as does the regular Magic Bullet. My own regular Magic Bullet blender broke before I could use the juicer attachment, (more on why this happened, below)....and my sister, who had a regular Magic Bullet before I bought one, says she had no luck with the juicer attachment. Still, it would be very nice if the Magic Bullet Platinum Pro came with a juicer attachment.
My regular Magic Bullet base broke. This happened unexpectedly, when the integrated center section, (that attaches to the blade assemblies), suddenly shattered into four pieces! Astonished and saddened, I wondered why this had happened.....and after some thought, discovered the reason.
IT IS IMPORTANT WHEN USING A L L 'PERSONAL BLENDERS' THAT THE USER
W A I T.. FOR A FEW MOMENTS, AFTER THE BLENDER HAS STOPPED WORKING, TO REMOVE THE CONTAINER. That way, the "spinning" of the integrated center section (which attaches to the blade assemblies) stops spinning....and the two sections can easily be separated. Otherwise, the four parts of the integrated central section are "pushed apart" ever so slightly, every time one removes the container.....until the fly off altogether.
Also, this blender -- although having 100 watts more power -- (and more than adequate...as was the original Magic Bullet blender....to make smoothies, milkshakes, etc.) -- still will not whip milk, (even whole milk) into whipped topping, still is not powerful enough to whip potatoes, and -- in the instruction booklet -- still are listed the "tapping" and "shaking" techniques for getting stuck food out. (The "liquifying" technique I have devised -- which is also listed in my review of "The Magic Bullet"....that of adding either water, milk, juice, or another liquid compatible with the mixture, to thin it out so that the machine can handle it without getting food stuck -- works well for the Magic Bullet Platinum Pro, too. But SHOULD they be, with this "Platinum Pro" model? (They aren't with the larger, conventional blenders and food processers.) Though small, and handy, and replete with many containers, the Magic Bullet Platinum Pro still has "only" 350 watts....and not the 500 watts found on many full-size blenders. Still, the containers are far easier to clean than the huge, 48 or more ounce glass containers found on "full-size" machines. And you get 6 of them -- rather than the one conainer given with most larger machines. So this is a trade-off...
So, my suggestion for any future "Magic Bullet Platininum Pro II" machine, (IF it is ever made), would be narrower circumferences on the containers, (and/or handles on the two "bullet cups"), and -- in the words of the TV Show "Home Improvement".....MORE POWER, (Please!) But I sure like having 4 containers (with handles!) given with the machine!
The receipe book given with the Magic Bullet Platinum Pro is full of
scrumptious ideas, and the paper is slick and luxurious. I do wish, however, that there were pictures of each recipie....the only photos are those on the cover, and I have yet to discover, (even with the extensive Table of Contents), which recipie is for the tempting round fish-cake looking treats, shown on the front cover of the receipe booklet.
So....although this machine is more powerful than the original Magic Bullet, there is still much room for improvement. I hope that the next edition of the Magic Bullet Platinum Pro will include the suggestions I have stated here.
Bon Appetite!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Magic Bullet 7921 Platinum Pro 20-Piece Set, Stainless Steel

Introducing the New Magic Bullet 20 piece set Platinum Pro Stainless Steel.The Deluxe set -The personal Versatile Countertop Magician that works like Magic. Does any Job in 10 Seconds or Less With No Mess and No Fuss. Includes: 1 High Torque Power Base. 2 Stainless Steel Blades: Cross & Flat. 1 Blender Attachement Which does not include in the Standard Magic Bullet. 1 tall & 1 Short Cups.2 Stay Fresh re-Sealable Lids. 2 Shaker/Steamer Tops 4 Party Mugs With 4 Colored Lip rings and 101 Fabulous 10 Second recipe Book. 40% Bigger than the Standard Magic Bullet, 40% More Powerful than the Standard Magic Bullet, 350 Watt Motor that can Grind and Chop anything. Great for Multiuses: Chopping, Mixing, Blending, Whipping, Grinding, and many More..

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10/30/2011

Magic Bullet Deluxe 22 Piece Set Review

Magic Bullet Deluxe 22 Piece Set
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I love using the Magic Bullet for the reasons listed on this site - mainly convenience of use and cleanup. Here is the catch, however. My first Magic Bullet lasted about 6 months with daily usage. I thought that the short lifespan was a fluke, so I bought another Magic Bullet. The second one lasted about two months with daily usage. Daily usage was making smoothies and grinding cheese, ice, nuts - nothing unusual, according to the sales pitch.
Believe it or not, I'm looking to buy a third Magic Bullet because of the convenience (it literally cleans up in seconds vs. a blender because the blade is easier to get at), but now I know that I'm only going to have it for a short time.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Magic Bullet Deluxe 22 Piece Set

The Magic Bullet Hi-Speed Blender/Mixer System- 22 Piece Set.This versatile machine will do virtually any job in the kitchen in 10 seconds or less, yet it takes up no more space on your counter than a coffee mug. It's so easy you'll use it every single day of the week!! The Magic Bullet replaces a food processor, blender, electric juicer and coffee grinder.It stays handy on your countertop for instant meals and snacks. There are no buttons to push. Just load the ingredients into the short cup, the tall cup or one of the four mugs. Twist on the cross or flat blade, place the bullet on the power base, and press down - in seconds, you will have chopped onions, minced garlic, grated cheese, spaghetti sauce, salsa, soup, chicken salad, smoothies, shakes and more. To heat or chill, simply place the Magic Bullet cup or mug in the microwave, refrigerator or freezer.3-SECONDS: Mince Garlic, Chop Onions, Grate Cheese;5-SECONDS: Make Salsa, Guacamole, Chicken Salad ;7-SECONDS: Whip Up Milk Shakes & Smoothies and in 10-SECONDS: Mix & Cook Sauces, Soups, OmelettesMake Smoothies and Protein Shakes -in seconds!Make Instant Snacks and Sandwich SpreadsMake Fancy Frozen Coffee Drinks!Make Complete Meals - Made and COOKED in the Magic Bullet.Make Perfect Frozen Cocktails - Right in the Party Mugs!Your Magic Bullet 22 Piece Set Includes - 1 High-Torque Power Base 2 Stainless Steel Blades: 1 - Cross Blade and 1 - Flat Blade, 1 Tall Cup ,1 Short Cup, 2 Shaker-Steamer Tops, 2 Stay-Fresh Re-sealable Lids, 5 Party Mugs, 5 Colored Lip Rings, 3 Piece Large Pitcher/Blender The Magic Bullet 100 page "10 Second Recipe" Recipe Book

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10/21/2011

Magic Bullet MBR-1701 17-Piece Express Mixing Set Review

Magic Bullet MBR-1701 17-Piece Express Mixing Set
Average Reviews:

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I received my Magic Bullet set as a gift, after coveting it for quite some time(love that informercial!). After owning it and using it, I still love it, but I did have to adjust my expectations a bit.
It works wonderfully for soft foods. It is great for making dips, sauces, marinades, salad dressings, tapenades... It is great for blending soft foods, for making emulsions, whipping cream... I have made great hummus in my Magic Bullet, as well as chicken salad. You get the idea.
It also makes an EXCELLENT coffee grinder!
What it does not do is work like a normal food processor, in that it cannot process harder foods. Raw vegetables are a no. Also, forget crushing ice! Those mugs that come with the set are a cute idea, but they are useless. You cannot make a frozen drink with the Magic Bullet because all it does is throw the ice around in circles.
So, If you want a real food processor, do not buy this one. If you want a light-weight and small processor that is great for soft foods and liquids (and grinding coffee beans), then you can't go wrong with the Magic Bullet!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Magic Bullet MBR-1701 17-Piece Express Mixing Set

Whether setting up house for the first time or looking to add versatility to an already busy kitchen, this 17-piece high-speed mixing system provides exceptional convenience. The set includes a power base and two stainless-steel cutting blades, one cross and one flat; two blender cups (tall and short); four mugs with colored lip rings; two stay-fresh lids; and two shaker/steamer tops. The unit takes up about the same amount of space on the counter as a coffee mug, yet it replaces a food processor, blender, and coffee grinder. Use it to chop, mix, whip, blend, and more--perfect for making party dips and mixed drinks or food-prepping the main course and whipping up dessert. Simply add ingredients into one of the cups or mugs, twist on one of the blades, place on the power base, and press down for results in 10 seconds or less. Even more, the microwave- and freezer-safe cups and mugs feature durable see-through construction, which makes it easy to keep an eye on the mixing process and to identify contents at a glance when stored in the refrigerator. Dishwasher-safe parts make cleanup a snap, and a recipe book comes included. The high-speed blender measures approximately 4 by 4 by 10 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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9/22/2011

Cuisinart BFP-703CH SmartPower Duet Blender/Food Processor, Chrome Review

Cuisinart BFP-703CH SmartPower Duet Blender/Food Processor, Chrome
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I have been shopping for a new blender to replace my 1985 Osterizer, which has been leaving big chunks of ice in frozen drinks. I saw a really interesting consumer-oriented cooking show on the local PBS station one Saturday afternoon - they taste test their recipes on the public and test kitchen equipment. They had a test segment on blenders and claimed the fiftydollar Osterizer unit was the best, had the strongest motor and did a better job than even the hundredplusdollar blenders. I went out and bought one (actually, I got the Oster version of the Duet, with the blender and a food processor attachment). I quickly returned the Oster unit because 1) It could not a crush ice in frozen drinks and was actually worse than my 17 year old, worn out blender - it's pretty hard to suck a 3/4" ice rock up a straw; 2) Did not circulate thick liquids well unless stirred with a spoon through the hole in the top cover; 3) It was loud as heck; and 4) the food processor attachment was nearly useless because it was very small, only had a chopping blade and had no feeder - you unlatch the processor, empty out the one cup or so of chopped food, put more food inside, re-latch the processor lid and put back on the blender base.
After reading some of the reviews here, I was pretty much set on the similarly priced (one c-note) Kitchen Aid so I went to my local department store to look around and a bright and bubbly teenage sales clerk came up and asked me if I needed help. I almost said no (I can read the box myself) but instead decided not to exercise age discrimination and asked if she had any recommendations for blenders. Surprisingly, she said "Yes, I tested a bunch of them for a Christmas present for my dad a few months ago and the Cuisinart was definitely the best. It does the best job of crushing ice, is easy to clean up and my dad loves his!" Given that it came with a small food processor attachment for the same price as the Kitchen Aid and I had a 30 day return policy if I didn't like it, I decided to give it a shot. Here's my observations:
1) It blends great. It has as much power as you would ever need and frozen drinks come out smooth and frosty, they way they should. No more small icebergs clogging up the straws. You can dump a tray full of ice cubes into the blender, hit the "Ice Crusher" button, and it will give you a pitcher of finely crushed ice in about 30 seconds. Thick liquids still circulate well in the wide pitcher body.
2) It's quiet. I would say this blender puts out only about half the volume of noise that my old Oster unit or the newer one I returned did. Maybe there is a quieter unit on the market, but for the other reviewers complaining about the noise, I have to ask what they expect when blending ice cubes. No doubt, it makes more noise turning ice cubes into a liquid form than, say, a pot on the stove, but it is easily quiet enough to make a smoothie or margarita after midnight in an apartment without waking the neighbors.
3) The food processor works great. Sure it is smaller, at a 3-4 cup capacity, than the big 11 cup processors, but otherwise, it works exactly like its bigger brothers that made Cuisinart famous for the past several decades. I think the reviewer complaining about the processor must have had a few too many dacquiris or margaritas from his/her machine when he/she criticized this accessory. The feeding tube is a complete necessity for chopping more than a cup of food or using the grating and slicing blades (which work extremely well). So what if it sticks out a few inches? I used the processor to make hash browns for eight people for Easter brunch, and it did a great job of chopping the onions and shredding the potatoes; I did have to empty the moderately sized processor container twice while shredding the potatoes, but it only took about two minutes to turn eight medium-large potatoes into uniformly shredded hash browns.
4) It's easy to clean. The base unit just wipes clean, with no protruding buttons or difficult channels to clean out. The pitcher is also easy to rinse clean.
A big caveat: the reliability. I did not read the reviews here about the easily breakable plastic motor locking ring on the blender base until after my 30 day return period ended. So far, so good (I'm giving it a ***** rating based on my own experiences and am not going to let other reviewers' experiences change my score) but I really hope, knock-on-wood-fingers-crossed, that Cuisinart cured that defect by the time it got around to manufacturing my unit. It does have a heavy, very steady base and feels like a well made unit.
I hope I get many years of happy use out of my Duet, but will report back if I suffer the same problem that others have experienced.
EDIT 3/07:
Eventually, my Duet's blender unit failed, perhaps somewhat differently than others have reported. After about six years of frequent use, the black plastic gear ring on the bottom of the blender container that meshes with the drive unit in the base locked up on me and would not turn on the bottom of the blender, meaning the blade inside the blender to which it is attached would not turn. I contacted Cuisinart and bought a new one for around $10 or $12 shipped, took the old one off, installed the new one and in a few minutes had it running again good as new. I still really like the unit and think it is terrific. Spending a dozen dollars on a simple replacement part for an item we use so frequently is not unreasonable and I'm not lowering my score as a result of that temporary problem. In 2007 there are now a lot more higher end blenders available than there were when I bought this Cuisinart in 2001 and I'm sure some of them have even stronger motors and are slightly more quiet. However, this is still a very good unit and the hundred bucks I spent on it was money very well spent. Nowadays, I've seen this blender-food processor combo available for as low as half what I paid on sale and as low as fortybucks refurbished, so I doubt that there's anything on the market that is even close to being as good of a value.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cuisinart BFP-703CH SmartPower Duet Blender/Food Processor, Chrome

It's like two appliances in one! All the power and versatility you expect from a Cuisinart food processor, combined with a seven speed glass jar blender. You'll be completely equipped to make an Orange Creamsicle Shake or Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake with Raspberry Sauce. The economy of design demonstrated by the SmartPower Duet is impressive, and sure to be especially appreciated by those with limited storage.

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9/15/2011

Magic Bullet Express 17-Piece High-Speed Blender Mixing System Review

Magic Bullet Express 17-Piece High-Speed Blender Mixing System
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For the most part, anything that is advertised on those infomercials over-promises or fails to deliver. I ordered a Magic Bullet anyway because it seemed to be just the sort of kitchen appliance that I needed...small, safe and useful. I crossed my fingers and ordered one. When the package arrived, it was packed nicely in a large case containing all the parts and accessories as advertised; mixing cups, drinking/mixing mugs, small blender attachment, juicer attachment, shaker cups, two receipe books, an instruction manual, blades and motor base. Basically, the Magic Bullet is a small compact blender that is turned on it's head. Instead of putting items from the top and blending/chopping them, you put the contents in a holding cup and twist on the cap/blade. This whole unit is then placed upside down on the base and you turn it on. After the contents are processed, you take the unit off the base and twist off the blade/cap. A great and ingenious idea. But the big question is, does it work as advertised? The surprising answer is yes.
I've had this unit for about a month and a half now and am thoroughly surprised at how nice it works. I have made smoothies that not only rival the local juice bars, but the product tastes better and is a snap to make. I have also made personal servings of soup and vegatable smoothies. Making a tuna-egg-mayo spread was blended very nicely and the whole family ate it up in a couple of days. To get this unit to work as it was intended has to do with reading the manual. It states very clearly that there are certain ways to load your mixing cup. In cases where things do not get blended or are stuck at the top of the cup, the instructions tell you to take the blending cup off and to tap it a few times to get all the contents to the bottom. There is no problem in overheating *if you read the manual*. About 90% of the jobs can be done in about 10 seconds or less by using the pulse method. If you continuously blend/chop and leave it on like a regular blender, it will overheat and possibly break the unit. Nothing needs to be processed for more than 30 seconds so this is a moot point. Clean-up is one of the best features of this appliance. Just run the mixing cups and blades under water with a little soap, and you are done. This unit is so easy to use that our family uses it on a daily basis.
As far as the cost is concerned, it may seem a little on the steep end, but the Magic Bullet pays for itself in no time at all. It has many useful features which allow you to use it as a coffee grinder, a chopper, a blender, a smoothie maker, a sandwich spread maker, soup mixer, etc. I have never used a small kitchen appliance as much as I have used the Magic Bullet. The big blender made by -------, which has been sitting on the shelf for many years is now officially retired.
A few minutes of your time in reading the manual will help you dodge any bullets in using the Magic Bullet.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Magic Bullet Express 17-Piece High-Speed Blender Mixing System

Taking up no more space on the counter than a coffee mug, this convenient mixing system replaces a food processor, blender, and coffee grinder. Keep it handy on the countertop for instant meals and snacks. The 17-piece set includes a high-torque power base with a stainless-steel cross blade and flat blade, a tall and a short bullet cup, four party mugs with colored lip rings, a shaker top and a steamer top, two stay-fresh re-sealable lids, plus a 100-page Magic Bullet "10 Second Recipe" book. Simple to operate, just load the ingredients into the short cup, the tall cup, or one of the four mugs. Twist on the cross or flat blade, place the bullet on the power base, and press down. The high-speed blender can do virtually any job in the kitchen in 10 seconds or less. To heat or chill, place the Magic Bullet cup or mug in the microwave, refrigerator, or freezer. All parts except for the power base clean up easily by hand or in the dishwasher. The blender measures approximately 4 by 4 by 10 inches and caries a one-year limited warranty.

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9/09/2011

The Bullet Express System (W/ Bonus Juicer Express) Review

The Bullet Express System (W/ Bonus Juicer Express)
Average Reviews:

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I bought this because I love my Magic Bullet, however, this is definitely not the same quality. The juicer was ok, but the shredder shot my cabbage across the counter, til I found a really big bowl (it's a 2 man job in the infomercial). The third time I used the Bullet, I tried making some dough. The motor overheated after about a minute, then smoke poured out of the machine. I scraped out the dough and used my KitchenAid to finish the job (easily I might add). Fortunately the motor worked again after it cooled down. Check other sites you'll find this and other worse issues to be common problems - including poor customer service. Save your money. This product is not as advertised.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Bullet Express System (W/ Bonus Juicer Express)

The Bullet Express System (W/ Bonus Juicer Express) Make any full family meal ready to HEAT or EAT in just 8 minutes! Slice, shred, mix, blend, chop, mince, crush and juice all in one machine! One machine does it all! The Meal Maker Express attachment is used for slicing and shredding a variety of vegetables, fruits, meats and cheeses in just seconds. The Meal Mixer Express attachment is used for a variety of functions including mixing, blending, chopping, mincing, ice crushing, etc. at bullet speeds. The Juicer Express Attachment can be used for juicing all types of fruits and vegetables. Juice whole fruits and vegetables in seconds. You can even juice full wedges of watermelon, rind and all, with it's powerful 400 Watt motor! The Motor Base is the common mechanism that powers the other components. The Safety Clamps on the Motor Base hold the other components safely in place during operation. Express system includes: 1 x Motor base The Meal Maker Express attachment is used for slicing and shredding a variety of vegetables, fruits, meats and cheeses in just seconds. Includes the following attachments for Meal Maker- slicer/shredder food pusher, slicer/shredder cover, slicer/shredder bowl, slicer/shreder gear body, 3 x slicer/shredder discs for cutting. The Meal Mixer Express attachment is used for a variety of functions including mixing, blending, chopping, mincing, ice crushing etc at bullet speeds. Includes the following attachments for Meal Mixer- slicer/shredder food pusher, meal mixer cover, meal mixer bowl, chopper/mixer blade, flat blade, blade remover Bonus Juicer Express included Includes attachments for Juicer Express- juicer cover, juicer filter, juicer pulp container, juicer feed tube pusher, juicer bowl with detachable spout, juicer cleaning brush Cookbook Bonus 101 Recipe Cookbook (additional cookbook) Bullet Express user manual

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8/21/2011

Magic Bullet 25 piece Deluxe Set - New Bullet Extras Review

Magic Bullet 25 piece Deluxe Set - New Bullet Extras
Average Reviews:

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Of course it doesn't work exactly like the informercial. It can't really defy the laws of physics (or cooking), but it's great at what it does do (chop and blend small amounts of things), and it's super easy to clean (my favorite part, a blender that isn't a huge hassle clean!). I also like that it isn't at all bulky like a full size blender. I can just leave the base out on the counter, and all the parts and accessories fit into one drawer. I've had mine for only a few days and I've been using it several times a day already for smoothies, coffee drinks and egg dishes.
A couple of warnings, though...
To get the most out of this product you need to read the manual (seriously, I don't normally read the manuals for products I buy, but this one is extremely useful). A lot of the concerns that I've seen in the reviews I've read are adressed there, and there's lots of tips about little things you can do to get the bullet to work better (which blade to use for different foods, how to get the big chunks of things that resist blending to blend, how to clean and care for the bullet so that it's a lot less likely to break, etc.).
However, a few of the recipes in the manual just don't work. So if something sounds like it wouldn't work, it won't. You can't make nacho cheese sauce out of cheddar cheese and jalepenos with no liquid. That just makes a big clump of cheese. The only thing I can think of is that they meant Velveta (and I think that must be what they were using on the infomercial). Omlets that have everything blended into the eggs are also not a good idea...they just don't cook properly (however, the same recipe makes a good breakfast scramble). So yeah, you've got to use some common sense when you try out some of the recipes that come with this thing, because obviously whoever wrote these recipes either didn't know what they were doing or left some stuff out...
But all in all, I love this thing, and I think I'll be using it a lot.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Magic Bullet 25 piece Deluxe Set - New Bullet Extras

Introducing the 25-piece Magic Bullet® Deluxe set-the personal, versatile countertop magician that works like magic. With the Magic Bullet you can chop, mix, blend, whip, grind and more--all in 10 seconds or less-for the fastest, tastiest meals ever! Everything from chopped onions and grated cheese to pasta sauces and snacks. 25-piece Includes: 1 Tall cup 1 Short cup 3-pc Small Pitcher/Blender 1 High-torque power base 2 Stainless steel flat blades (Cross Blade & Flat Blade) 2 Stay fresh re-sealable lids 2 Shaker/steamer tops 2 Bullet-On-The-GoTM 22 oz Mugs 2 Flip Top Lids 3 Party mugs 5 colored lip rings Recipe book

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