My wife want's to get a smoothie blender but after reading reviews on the Back To Basic "Smoothie Elite" I am asking for recommendations.

The Smoothie Elite reviews point out that they are difficult to clean, use plastic gears which fail prematurely, gaskets that leak and the unit must be running for it to flow through the spout.

Another approach I am considering is to buy a Kitchenaid mixer to make smoothies. I have had very good luck with Kitchenaid products but would like to know if anyone has any experiences making smoothies with mixers

We are currently using a cheap mixer to make smoothies and it doesn't do too well chopping ice.

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Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles

We use a Krups blender that works well. I think the secret is to put the ice, if you use ice, in last because when it gets crushed it gets colder for a second and freezes everything at the bottom of the blender. Same with ice cream or anything cold - put in last.

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dtf
1994 E320 Wagon (Died @ 308,669 miles)
1995 E300 Diesel (228,000)
1999 E300 Turbodiesel ( died @ 255,000)
2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 AC 4X4 (115,000 miles) rusted frame - sold to chop shop
2011 Audi A4 Avant (165,000 miles) Seized engine - donated to Salvation Army
BMW 330 xi 6 speed manual (175,034 miles)
2014 E350 4Matic Wagon 128,000 miles
2018 Dodge Ram 21,000 miles

The problem I always have with ice is that it floats to the top so the blades never quite get to it.

How about smoothie recipes?

Yeah, smoothie recipes are a good idea, even those that contain vodka and the like...summer is coming ya' know.

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dtf
1994 E320 Wagon (Died @ 308,669 miles)
1995 E300 Diesel (228,000)
1999 E300 Turbodiesel ( died @ 255,000)
2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 AC 4X4 (115,000 miles) rusted frame - sold to chop shop
2011 Audi A4 Avant (165,000 miles) Seized engine - donated to Salvation Army
BMW 330 xi 6 speed manual (175,034 miles)
2014 E350 4Matic Wagon 128,000 miles
2018 Dodge Ram 21,000 miles

I took a look at blenders at Costco yesterday.

The Back to Basic blenders confirmed what I had read in reviews - they are made of cheap plastic and do not look like they would last very long.

The Oster blender base is made of cheap plastic, the one on display even had a chunck of it missing.

Unfortunately the Kitchenaid units were not on hand but I noticed on Costco's website they have a $20 mail-in-rebate.

My question for those of you who use blenders to make smoothies, do you require a multi speed blender or do you just use the highest speed?

Smoothie receipes: Great idea please post your favorites (with and without booze).

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Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles

I have a Kitchen Aid blender that I use for that purpose and it works great.

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Ali Al-Chalabi

2001 CLK55
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel
2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy
Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record

Do you have the three or five speed model? At what speed do you use for smoothies?

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Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles

I have the 5 speed model. I start it off at medium speed to break up the ice and then work it up to high speed to puree everything. Oce you get the hang of using the blender, you can make things as thick as the consistency of a milk shake in it.

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Ali Al-Chalabi

2001 CLK55
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel
2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy
Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record

Thanks Ali.

I just order the 5-speed professional kitchenaid blender. I ordered it off of Kitchenaid's web site in their refurbished section. It cost me $70 and shipping is free.

Smoothie receipes anyone?

__________________
Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles