How To Choose A Blender: Why Cuisinart Blenders Top The List

What Should You Look For In A Blender?
Against my better judgment, I tried to "settle" for a lesser-named Blender from the local department store. I picked up a Hamilton Beach Stay or Go Blender ($29 at Kmart). But the results were dismal, so I returned it.

At which point I'm thinking:

"C'mon, Blenders are Blenders, right?... Well if not, then what should I be looking for that sets one Blender apart from the rest?"

Here's what my research told me...

• a glass pitcher (plastic retains smells and scratches easily)
• a large pitcher (that holds at least 40 ounces)
• a tight-fitting lid (so liquids won't go spewing across the room)
• a weighted base that securely locks in place (so the pitcher can't work itself loose from the base during operation)
• removable stainless-steel blades (for easy cleaning)
• a pulse mode (for optimal control)
• at least 350 watts of power (though more does not necessarily mean better)

Then, somewhere along the line, I read about others who were using Food Processors to do their blending tasks, as well. (Mostly mothers pureeing adult foods for babies or making homemade baby food.) These folks seemed to enjoy the all-in-one convenience of their Food Processors.

Food Processors vs Blenders
Truthfully, I've always been confused about the differences between the two machines.

So I changed my focus a bit, and thought:

"Maybe it's not a BLENDER I need after all!... A FOOD PROCESSOR will do everything I need and more."

Wrong!

Further research reveals that Blenders are best when working with liquids and Food Processors are best when working with solids. Period. While the Food Processor can, in fact, handle most blending tasks, it should only be relied upon to provide quality ice crunching and liquifying IN A PINCH.

The biggest reason for this seems to be the fact that there is no seal between the bowl and the base, so the moment you press the ON button, liquids start seeping out the bottom. "Leaking" was, by far, the most common disappointment with using a Food Processor as a Blender. That, and the fact that the lids rarely lock on tight, resulting in liquids flying about the room on several occasions!

Thus, I have concluded that Blenders do "blendering" things best and Food Processors do "processering" things best, and the two shall not be confused ever again in my mind.

--- > Do you need a Blender or a Food Processor?

Okay, So WHICH Cuisinart?...
At first, I was torn between the stand-alone Cuisinart SmartPower 18-Speed Blender with a slightly more powerful motor (600 watts at my local store... even though the ads state 500 watts!) and larger glass jar (50oz even though the ads state 48 oz.) -vs- the combo Cuisinart SmartPower Duet Blender & Food Processor (which, together, could do everything I could ever need... and more).

But when I compared them side-by-side in the store, I decided to go with the combo Cuisinart SmartPower Blender & Food Processor duo.

Primarily, because I felt that I was getting the Food Processor for FREE. But also because I had read good reviews about it. (Plus, I had done all this research about all the great things you can do with Blenders AND all the great things you can do with Food Processors, so now I could justify the reaons that I needed one of each!)

How The Cuisinart Blender Itself Performs
Since I had read that "more wattage isn't necessarily better", I felt comfortable with the 500 watts (only in my store? not what the online ads state for this model) we'd be getting with the duo (which was STILL more than I'd had with either of my Blenders before).

Surprisingly, the size of the glass jar (40 oz.) didn't bother me like I thought it SHOULD... because we usually only make one smoothie at a time anyway -- since we both enjoy different "concoctions". Truthfully, after using the Blender a few times, the size of the jar doesn't seem small at all... you could make two tall smoothies in there at once, and I'm actually glad that I don't have the larger version taking up more space on my countertop.

I put the Blender through its paces with the toughest challenge first: ICE! Lo and behold, it crunched it up like no other Blender I have ever used. While I'd certainly rather have a Vita-mix -- the mac daddy of all ice crunchers (at a pricetag of $400 mind you!) -- but I am thrilled to have this powerful Cuisinart turning cubes into slushy beverages for me.

Other Blenders I Have Tried

• Oster - $34.99 (it was a gift)
  
• Hamilton Beach - $29.99 (came with a free "to go" smoothie cup)
  

Other Blenders That Came Highly Recommended

• Oster 12-Speed Blender w/Glass Jar & Food Processor - $49 (reliable motor & Food Processor attachment)
  
• Westinghouse IntelliBLEND - $59 (cool features like pre-programmed recipes)
  
• Cuisinart SmartPower PREMIER Duet Blender/Food Processor - $129 (what I got, but a step up in wattage and design)
  
• Vita-Mix 5000 - $399 (the MASTER ice-cruncher... and more!)
  

The Blender I Chose To Buy: More Reviews

---> Cuisinart SmartPower Duet Blender/Food Processor -- $79 (less 20% coupon at Bed, Bath & Beyond = $63)

I don't know how or why, but the Cuisinart Blender/Food Processor combo I have happens to have more wattage (500) than the Cuisinart combos shown online (350 watts).

What others say about the Cuisinart SmartPower Duet Blender/Food Processor...

• Epinions
  
• Amazon.com
  

...And you thought this was going to be the end!

Two Bonus Tips Regarding Food Processors & Blenders

1. For Blenders: Purchase the optional "stir stick"! I found them readily available at places like Kmart and Target and cost about $10. Seems pricey, but it rests perfectly on top of the Blender lid and makes it a cinch to keep everything mixing properly inside the pitcher.

2. For Food Processors: Make sure the blades are LOW! You see, a food processor will always leave small chunks of unchopped items, so the lower to the bottom of the bowl that the blades are, the more gets chopped.
   

UPDATE 9/10/05:
Despite the fact that the box from my Cuisinart with a "powerful 500-watt motor" states:

"Handles tough jobs like crushing ice, and delicate jobs like mincing parsley or chives."

and...

"Crushing Ice: Add up to 10 large ice cubes to blender jar."

...I've learned that you're better off if you use ice chips or crushed ice, rather than whole ice cubes (even the thin, long kind from your refrigerator's ice dispenser) in a blender.

After stripping the screw that keeps the rotating blades in place at the bottom of the jar in two NEW Cuisinart blenders during the "ice crushing process", I've decided the ice CUBES were to blame, and I will ALWAYS use ice chips instead from now on.

For the record, the Cuisinart owner's manual says this:

"The motor is strong enough to handle all blending tasks, including crushing ice without liquid."

and...

"One speed is just for crushing ice, though ice can be crushed perfectly at any of the settings."

Since I always add a dab of liquid (either orange juice or water, when making smoothies), I think it was the whole ice cubes that were wreaking havoc on this otherwise AMAZING blender!

So, even after blasting through two (2) different Cuisinart SmartPower Duet Blenders in just over 30 days, I'm now on my 3rd Cuisinart, and I still love this brand. That's just how good it is.

And thankfully, Bed, Bath & Beyond has an amazing return policy -- there's no timeframe in which you have to return/exchange items. I LOVE BB&B!!!