Any moms out there that cook a lot? I need advice on buying a new blender. I use my food pro a lot but a blender is better for sauces. Especially when using fresh herbs. I don't mind buying "high end" but a cheaper one that really works would be great. Any recommendations?
I love my Vitamix. I use it everyday. You can make smoothies, ice cream and even soup in it (makes the food hot). It is expensive though. But, well worth it.
I've had several that I've been very unhappy with. Some seemed to just make noise and not blend.
I did lots of reaserch comparing the Blendtec with the Vitamix. I finally ended up buying the Blendtec from Costco. It's amazing...but pricey.
Blendtec, hands down! I have tried every brand out there. I currently own the Cuisinart. Once it dies I am getting a Blendtec. The have consumer models of the ones we used when I worked at Bread Co (Panera). You can blend golf balls in them, rake handles, oh and they can blend shakes and all as well.
Wolfgang Puck Commercially Rated 1.6 HP Power Blender
I use the mixer on my bosch machine, its powerful, and I make cream sauces from raw nuts, and it works well to make them smooth.
A vitamix is also a powerful blender if that is what you need, however a bit pricey.
My mom has a glass Cuisinart and I've had success blending nuts in that one, though it takes longer. It would be more of a standard price. I've also learned that if you have about a 1 to 1 ration for liquid to solid, (even if your recipe calls for more liquid), you'll have better luck getting a creamy sauce. Blend for at least 2 minuets, then add the rest of the liquid.
I would not recommend something like the magic bullet if you want a smooth sauce, I have one and it just doesn't cut it. ;)
magic bullet i love mine
I've never heard of Blendtec, but we have the Breville and we LOVE it! It's amazing. It makes ice into "snow", that's actually the the name of the setting...snow! Love it! It was expensive but it was worth it for us. We got it at Williams Sonoma.
I have an Osterizer from the 1970's still works great, although I'm sure today's models are made mostly of cheap plastic.
We have a cuisin art.. it's amazing. We've been through 2 hamilton bach's so I wouldn't go that route.. cuisin art has a lot of range ours was like 90-120 I forget but it pretty much does anything you want.. I remember seeing a nice one for about 45-60 when we were shopping around.
Try going to the library and seeing what Consumer Reports has to say.
My DIL is on her second Vitamix that she swears by, I've got an Oster that works just great for my needs and I'm a smoothie freak, it also has a processor attachment, it was under 70 bucks.
A friend sent me this guide of great kitchen gear she found on SkinnyScoop because I, too, am looking for a new blender and apparently the one listed is a great buy...
The BraunDeluxe Hand Blende:
http://www.skinnyscoop.com/list/larissa/my-kitchen--gadge...
I absolutely love my Ninja blender. My only disappointment is they came out with the industrial strength one after we bought the original. It works just like the commercials show. Great for chopping ice, as well as making sauces. We use it nearly everyday and it works great as a baby food maker too.
