Customer Reviews

Back to Basics BPE3BRAUS Blender Express Plus 11-Piece Mixing System

5 star:		(55)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

It's funny, the different experiences people have with the same products. Now, this review is for the Blender Express, not the "Plus." The only difference is the attachments. My wife picked up a couple of these at Wally World after Christmas (2005). They were in a clearance cart for [...] each. I figured that they were probably pretty cheap and I'd have a backup after I burned the first one up. Well, a little over a year later, I'm still using the first one. I use it 3-4 times a week for smoothies and frozen coffee drinks. I have to say that I really abuse the little guy. My coffee drinks call for half of the mug to be filled with crushed ice.

It will make these drinks with a minimum of "crunchy" ice particles and they are quite enjoyable. I never expected it to last this long because, truthfully, from day one, I have been able to notice the "burned wire" odor coming from the unit as I continuosly overload the mug. Yet, it is still chugging along. Even at the full price, a year of this type of useage certainly makes it a good value. And, cleanup is extremely easy and the "make it and run" mug is really handy. Of course, for larger quantities, I fall back on the larger blender. If I ever do wear out both of these units, I would not hesitate to purchase another.

UPDATE: 7/10/2009

Just wanted to add this note. Two and a half years after the above review (makes the unit three-odd years old), we're still using it!!! It still makes the smoothest frozen drinks. I guess we really got lucky with this one. I can't even remember where we put the second one! :)

I have been using the Back to Basics Blender for about a month now. Previously, I own the Magic Bullet as well as the Shake and Taken blender.

Magic Bullet did not last after 2 months. The gear got stripped out. Shake and Take is still working but the container is long and hard to clean.

I really like the 24oz container of the Back to Bacics Blender. It is easy to clean. This is really THE BEST ONE on the market right now and the price is quite inexpensive.

I purchased this Blender Express from an Amazon vendor, it went completely dead after a single use, and the vendor was as non-responsive as the product. I called the Back to Basics company (in Utah, I believe), and they said return it and we'll send you a new one. It arrived promptly and has been doing the job (smoothies with ice cubes) for about a month now. So 3 stars after an initial 0 star experience with the first one.

Because of the problem with the first one and my impatience for a quick fix, I ordered the small Hamilton Beach personal blender, priced between fifteen and twenty bucks. It's a nifty item--quick, easy to set up, more convenient, practical, dependable, and far less messy than the Blender Express. Hard to believe, because it looks cheap, flimsy and lightweight.

Aside from concerns about durability, the Blender Express suffers from a design problem. You've got to screw the container in upsidedown, which means: 1. Powder or anything sticking to the bottom of the container is now on the top of the container and won't be blended; 2. When you're finished with the blending, you have to unscrew it from the base, turn it right-side-up, and replace the base+blade with the screw-on cover for drinking purposes, which invariably results in some overflow and spillage due to the expansion of contents. Wipe it off, but there's still stuff dripping from the container, guaranteed to make a mess on you and your car.

Get yourself the elegantly simple, efficient, quick and clean Hamilton Beach personal blender. Heck, if it fails in a year, it's still worth the fifteen or twenty bucks.

I love this thing. I make a smoothie every morning for my husband and it only takes me about 5 minutes to put it together, from start to finish. It does not say that that the cups are dishwasher safe but I put mine in the top rack and I have not broken it yet! It blends surprisingly well and I have never had a problem with it leaving any chunks of fruit or ice. This works better for me than any other standard blender I have used.

On the recommendation of a friend, I purchased this after I was disappointed with my Magic Bullet blender. This one is SO much better! It's a little workhorse! I use it almost every single day at work to make my smoothies, and it's held up perfectly. I even keep it in the public lounge where other teachers use it as well, and it hasn't slowed down in the slightest. It's incredibly convenient, plenty powerful, and perfectly sized. A+!!

Love this little blender. Mix in container add a rim and drink. Blades are permanently attached, so no leakage. A great little smoothie, breakfast drink mixer.

I bought this back in Jan 07, i use it every day and some times 2x a day. chops ice and frozen berries to puree. I love it. I had the magic bullet first. I like this better because the cups are larger and there is a "to go" lid that is nice for the car. great price for what you get!

I like this blender, use it up to three times a day to make

smoothies. Would recommend this product to others.

It gives off some sort of burning oil smell when it's running. It can sit there and not chop up anything without constantly helping it along. And when you go to take the lid off, the base of it gets screwed on so tight while it's running, it's nearly impossible to get it off.

I bought mine 3 years ago and it's worked fine since. About a year after purchase I ended up buying the extra 2 mug set. Now I guess I just have to buy the 12 & 18 oz cups and chopping blade, you can do that at the website. I don't mind, this appliance is the best personal blender I've used.