38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The. Perfect. Blender/Smoothie-Maker, November 12, 2006
This review is from: Back to Basics 2-in-1 Blender Solution 5000 with Smoothie Server (Kitchen)
I actually bought this as the 3-in-1 package (with the food processor optional bowl), but I'll stick to my review of these two portions here.
The blender is the best I've ever seen. My ex- had a Vitamix, which I covetted. Amazingly, it scored lower in Consumer Reports' comparison than some blenders with less motor power in blending smoothly! Their conclusion was that the *shape* of the bowl was as important as the absolute power of the motor.
With that in mind, I shopped around for the "best" blender, in store after store, for quite a while. I really liked the "pusher" that Vitamix provided through the top hole of their lid, and decided that was an essential feature. High power was still a plus, but no longer the ultimate criterion. And the bowl shape had to promote even mixing - but all I knew there from the CR report was that deep fins on the inside helped, and a round bowl wasn't always best (a triangular bowl performed highly, but square ones were sometimes good & sometimes bad designs).
Enter the Back To Basics 3-in-1.
I was leary. It seemed to have everything. But it was so cheap! Would the bowl prove to be a bad design? Was it cheaply made? Would the motor burn out quickly? Am I a worrier by nature? OK, that one is a given.
I decided to buy it. I didn't even realize until I got it home that it had the food processor attachment! Since I already have a food processor (an old Black & Decker), that wouldn't have been an attraction anyway. I would have been happy paying that much ($50) for just the blender, if it was the shiznizz, the real deal.
6 months later, I love Love LOVE my blender. Early on, I pushed it *hard*, to see if I could break it during the return period of the store. Nope. I got the motor too hot, and smelt smoke, but to be fair, I was really punishing it. Watching carefully over the next few days, I expected it to finish frying its wiring. Nope: it was just fine.
Now I treat it normally. I don't baby it, but I don't do foolish things, and work hard batches of food in pulses, giving the motor a chance to cool. It takes whatever I give it.
The blender blends everything, top to bottom, smoothly & quickly & evenly.
The smoothie dispenser is great, and I can't believe I ever lived without it. I use it for lots more than smoothies; the dispenser is a wonderful idea!
Buy this package deal.
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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Results, November 6, 2006
This review is from: Back to Basics 2-in-1 Blender Solution 5000 with Smoothie Server (Kitchen)
We have had it for 3 months and it is standing up well and making good smoothies. Crushes the ice well, no chunks, def. a good value.
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
thrilled and chilled!, February 20, 2007
This review is from: Back to Basics 2-in-1 Blender Solution 5000 with Smoothie Server (Kitchen)
I thoroughly reviewed smoothie makers of all makes before I made this purchase based on positive reviews, and have not been disappointed in the least. The blender works wonderfully, blending the smoothie to perfection, including nicely chopping the full sized ice cubes I used, not leaving any large chunks what-so-ever! The dispensing spout is awesome and works better than I thought it would. I fully expected it to barely dribble out as a smoothie is fairly thick, and thought I would end up just pouring it out of the carafe...boy was I wrong!! Turn the blender on low, and be prepared for the smoothie to flow from the spout with AMAZING speed, so have your glass ready before you engage the spout!!
I received the smoothie maker faster than I expected. I was a little disappointed however when I unpacked the contents of the box and the spout was missing. However, I got ahold of the merchant and they were happy to rectify this with absolutely no hassle, and immediately sent out the spout at no extra cost to me.
I'm extremely satisfied with my purchase and enjoying the smoothies even now in the cold weather, but I'm very much looking forward to some delicious smoothies to "chill us out" during the summer heat waves!!
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