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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Recommend me a blender.

30 replies

RubyGoat · 14/09/2021 22:49

I had a Nutri Ninja which has served me faithfully for several years but finally packed up. I want something a bit better - bigger, more powerful, etc. I mostly make smoothies, but a small coffee/spice mill would be great. If it could cope with nut butter that would be fantastic. Not interested in a heating element, if I want soup I'll cook it the normal way. Ice cream would be fab though. Don't want a Vitamix - I was considering them, but, poor UK support & availability of extras, the jug is too large, & it's rather pricey considering it's not quite what I want.

Budget ideally £250 ish but could stretch to £400 if it sang & danced & did the washing up. I'd rather buy a good one that's going to last, I don't like buying cheap & replacing every couple of years. I'll be using it quite a bit.

OP posts:
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Rosebud21 · 09/12/2023 08:52

@LegoCaltrops could I ask which blender you bought, what you use it for, & if you'd recommend it? Your link above has expired.🙏

Original poster
RubyGoat · 20/09/2021 10:10

I got this one in the end, thanks for all the recommendations. I love it!

OP posts:
Rawmum30 · 16/09/2021 02:04

Sorry op, it’s called an Optimum!
I just looked it up to see if it’s still available, and it is.

Rawmum30 · 16/09/2021 02:01

A few years ago I did a lot of research on the pros and cons of a Vitamix…I so wanted one, but not at the price tag it came with.
I found a blender that actually compared better than Vitamix, it’s callled Optimax.
I purchased it and haven’t looked back. Also easy to clean if you do as pp suggested by a drop of washing up liquid and water and turn it on!
It may seem too big for your needs, but I found that it’s a bit like choosing a smaller freezer, only to discover that you actually need a bigger one.
Hope you find the right one for you.

phishy · 16/09/2021 01:46

All the best with your Magimix! I was given a James Martin Wahl Glass blender with glass spice grinder attachment 7 years ago and it’s still going well. Was around £30-£40. Obviously not available any more but looks like Wahl still use James for marketing on newer blenders.

QuercusRose · 16/09/2021 00:34

@HidingFromDD

Btw, the ‘self clean’ function is squirt washing up liquid and warm water then blend for 30 secs so you can do it with all of them 😁
Yeah, basically - it's great, I love it! Grin
Couldhavebeenme3 · 15/09/2021 15:42

Bamix. I've had mine over 20 years, use it most days. I think it comes with a beaker thingy but as its a stick blender you can use it in anything - own measuring jugs, mixing bowls, even in a warm pan to blend soup. I just bought the slicesy processor attachment, worth every penny!!

RavingAnnie · 15/09/2021 15:22

I have a vitamix and it's brilliant. There's just me and DH and I don't find it too big. I also use for smoothies etc as you described but have the option of bigger quantities if needed. It gets anything ultra smooth. It's amazing.

They are available in the U.K. I bought mine from John Lewis and they still sell them.

They are super expensive though but come with a long guarantee and their customer services is excellent.

My first jug started leaking and it was replaced without any argument or fuss at all from the states very quickly.

MarioPants · 15/09/2021 15:17

@GTAlogic

We had a Kenwood Chef and the motor burned out and filled the kitchen with smoke. We were only making soup!
Yikes!
GTAlogic · 15/09/2021 14:09

We had a Kenwood Chef and the motor burned out and filled the kitchen with smoke. We were only making soup!

5zeds · 15/09/2021 09:51

Sounds like a stick blender would be more useful

MarioPants · 15/09/2021 09:50

The food processor on my kenwood chef copes with nuts without any issues.

MarioPants · 15/09/2021 09:46

I have a kenwood chef and love it. It comes with a blender and food processor jugs that both fit on the same base so I can do things like smoothies, soups, etc in the blender and other bits in the food processor. The food processor comes with a number of different blades so I can make a coleslaw really quickly with the grating blade or make curry paste with the normal blade. It's not cheap but had lasted us years and gets a good amount of use.

HidingFromDD · 15/09/2021 09:38

Btw, the ‘self clean’ function is squirt washing up liquid and warm water then blend for 30 secs so you can do it with all of them 😁

HidingFromDD · 15/09/2021 09:37

I upgraded from ninja to the vitamix and the difference is v noticeable. Loved the ninja but the vitamix gets everything smoother. I’m fine with the large jug but appreciate that might not work for you (haven’t tried the small ones) but the other one that may be worth looking at is the blendtec. Blendtec/vitamix is usually personal preference but it may be worth looking at

Original poster
RubyGoat · 15/09/2021 09:31

@QuercusRose

If it helps, my magimix also has a self clean function, so it does the washing up for you
Haha if it can wash itself up that would be excellent! I am leaning towards a Magimix now I think. The long motor guarantee & the promise that they're relatively quiet (for a blender) is very attractive. And the sensible price. Thanks for all the recommendations.
OP posts:
QuercusRose · 15/09/2021 08:30

If it helps, my magimix also has a self clean function, so it does the washing up for you

GTAlogic · 15/09/2021 08:25

We were given a Silvercrest one several years ago. I think it was from Lidl and didn't cost much but it works a treat.

PooWillyNameChange · 15/09/2021 07:57

I have a magimix and would recommend. It's been a workhorse for us for about 6-7 years now. I bought it because I didn't want another plastic jug cracking (it's glass). It is great and will blend cashews into a sauce (we are dairy free) though I must confess I've not tried it to grind harder nuts like walnuts/almonds etc as we tend to use our food processor for that.

Original poster
RubyGoat · 15/09/2021 07:51

The Aspire is discontinued & out of stock everywhere. The S30 is as well - shame as they look like they might have been suitable. The newer ones - as far as I can see - are too large & expensive. And there isn't a medium sized jug available. I've read reviews on the blending cup for the Ascent & they aren't good, & I really can't justify over £500 for the machine & a spice mill.

OP posts:
FrogFairy · 14/09/2021 23:54

I did a quick search and there seems to be 1.4l wet container and a 0.9 dry container here. Not sure about compatibility though as mine is an old Aspire model and they have newer ones with more bell and whistles now.

www.juicers.co.uk/search.php?search_query_adv=Vitamix+container

Original poster
RubyGoat · 14/09/2021 23:45

@FrogFairy from what I've read they aren't available in the UK though? Or aren't compatible with UK rated machines. IDK but there was some issue around blending jug size, lack of options in the UK versus the USA.

I think I might go for Magimix. The jug is large, but still smaller than the Vitamix, & there are smaller smoothie cups available for a sensible price. And the spice mill is a sensible price too. And the warranty length on the motor... wow!

OP posts:
FrogFairy · 14/09/2021 23:26

Vitamix make containers in several different sizes. I think the smallest is 900ml.

Original poster
RubyGoat · 14/09/2021 23:14

I'm just concerned about a Vitamix, that the jug would be impractical for me because it's so large. 2l is enormous considering I'll mostly be making smoothies, small-ish pans of soup, small amounts of ice cream, & probably dressings & curry pastes if I can get the little spice mill attachment.

OP posts:
hufffflufff · 14/09/2021 23:13

Oh just reread your OP - I wouldn't necessarily recommend for nut butter - too big!