I boiled down my research to L-Equip for around $134. It does ice like a snow machine.

michaelp

Here is a link that might be useful: test kitchen reviews

Lately (the last couple of years- but especially the last 6 months or so) .. there has been a number of scientific studies showing that the plastic (polycarbonate) used in the better (more powerful) blenders, and water bottles, are leaching chemicals in the food that cause cancer, diabetes, and other problems as a hormone disruptor."Bisphenol A" ... Even baby bottles are suspect. National Public Radio and others have done feature stories on this in the last few months. In August a group of 38 scientists recently banded together and published a peer-reviewed report in Reproductive Toxicology. This was then challenged by the government scientists- until it was exposed that they were tainted with Chemical Industry folks.

Here is a link that might be useful: Links to studies

That site is full of words like "assume" and light on hard, repeated study. The authors call for we of only those chemicals that" do no harm" (that words). Sounds nice, but I challenge anyone to name any such substance.

These reports have been circulating about plastic for years. I tend to believe it but I don't worry about it beyond not microwaving food in plastic. I'm definitely gonna die someday but I'm not going to micro worry about the myriad things floating about that might cause it to happen early. Let an expensive bottle of purified water sit out for a few days and take a taste of that plastic infused tea. We don't have a chance. But in the meantime, I'm gonna use my blender whenever I feel like it.

michaelp

Not true at all alice, these scientists reviewed 700 different studies before writing their report. These are the best minds in their field of study. gee, just look up some of the Dr.s names and go to their university sites if you want. Just last week a retailer in Canada banned all the plastic water bottles. This is very serious stuff. Ignore it at your own peril. I can't imagine blending food in it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Scroll down the list...

Just a small article taken from the N.Y.Times last week.

The short answer is to go to glass. Many blenders already use it.

Here is a link that might be useful: banned reusable drinking bottles

Blenders Contribute to Global Warming- News at 11.

Add this to the ridicously long list of things that'll kill you -from coffee (oh wait, this months report said it's ok), to Flouride in toothpaste (more death, less cavities).

Face it, getting up will kill you. If you can see your air- it will kill you. That website is selling a book on what will kill you. There is big money in everyday things that will kill you.

This constant fear mongering is killing me.

alexr, it may be true, but in my short 52 years, I can't even remember all the things that were supposed to have killed me by now and I've just grown cynical.

Thanks for the heads up none-the-less...

michaelp

Back to blenders...The BlendTec blender has been on my wishlist for months now. DH says maybe we can order one for Christmas, but I'm still not sure I'm ready to part with the $400 while we're still finishing our house.

I was first drawn to VitaMix, but the BlendTec is cheaper, shorter (so fits under upper cabinets), and you can do dry things (grinding grains) in the same pitcher and using the same blade as you do with wet. The VitaMix required buying a different pitcher and blade to do the dry.

One of the main reasons we want one is for making ice smoothies...A daily occurrence in our household, and for several people at a time. We've been using our KA food processor, which works, but doesn't do large loads without leaking and I'm afraid we're beating it up. I asked my niece, who has managed coffee stores for a major chain. They used to use VitaMix, but switched to BlendTec because BlendTec offered a noise reducing cover. Otherwise, she said they both worked great and lasted forever. Of course those were the commercial ones, but with the models out there for the home, they're pretty close, but have a better warranty than the commercial ones.

There was a thread on these quite awhile back and I don't remember anything negative, except the plastic pitcher issue.

Don't be so quick to write off L'equip. I had a Vitamix and a K tec. Very expensive both of them but in my coffee busines they choked on ice smoothies enough to make me wonder why I spent so much on them. L'Equip RPM is $134 and it does a great job with ice. If you don't like it you're not out 4 times that. When you find a blender that does ice well you then concentrate on proportions of ice and liquid to eliminate the voids (a big problem with ice smoothies).

michaelp

Anyone have an opinion on the Breville Ikon?

For those interested in the BlendTec, check out the youtube video by blindguru called "Pimp my blender". The guy and his sites are a bit controversial, but that particular video compares the noise of a few blenders (VitaMix, Vita Prep 3hp, BlendTec, and a Waring --mx1000xt I think). The BlendTec sounds like an airplane taking off, while you can hear him talking with the VitaMix and a high end Waring running.

We have the Breville Ikon & love it! We had a relatively new KitchenAid that DH didn't like because it has retro styling. I didn't like that the blades aren't removable from the blender container & just had on/pulse/off.

The Breville solves all these issues & is solidly constructed. I especially like the smoothie program: one button sets the machine to run variable speeds & tempo for 1 minute, & has a countdown display. It does a great job with ice.

Thanks for the opinions. Anyone else?
Mostly we will be making smoothies using a lot of frozen fruit.

oups, I thought I posted a response and can't see it ...

chinchette, would you consider a handheld immersion blender? I find those more versitile, easy to clean, cheaper and they don't take up that much space. I have a Braun that works well with frozen fruit. I do all my smoothies with it. Though I have never had the need to try ice cubes.

Never thought of one. Teenage son is the one using it. Will the drink splatter all over?

Michaelmaxp , more on L'quip- how is it on frozen fruit?

Most blenders do pretty well well that one. The key is ice. If it can do that it will make a fine sauce out of the fruit. Go back up to my first mention and follow the link to the review.

michaelp

The handheld blender does not splatter as long as the knife part is totally immersed in the food. If it's half out it will splatter. When making smoothies I use a narrow tall container that is only half filled with ingredients. Usually enough to do 2 smoothies at once. I've never had anything splatter that way.

Thanks Michael and Beatrix. I did read the review, wanted your personal experience; I guess you are conferring with the review.

I think that for my teen immersion type is risky!

I have the Blendtec Total Blender, and all can say is it is great. I deliberated on getting a vita-mix, and other blenders that were cheaper.
This blender does everything great, ice is simply not an issue, whole juice is not an issue, noise for me is not an issue since you are not blending for more than 45 seconds.
PROS:
- Blends anything perfectly
- No fear about it seizing up or overheating
- 64 OZ container so it can blend a lot at once
- Fits under cabinets
- It is not too heavy or bulky
- Containers are easy to get into and clean up very easily
CONS:
- Doesn't blend small amounts (4oz. or less) very well
- Can splash if lid is not on properly, so be careful

That sounds really great. Thanks for the review. I am wondering if the 45 seconds of noise is loud enough to wake me up on the other side of the house when my son makes his drink in the morning.

Have you used it for grains?

chincette, an online store called Canning Pantry has a great deal on the BlendTec Connoisseur (the one that can be installed under counter) at $595 (everywhere else I checked was over $700). The BlendTec Total Blender is $399 at Everything Kitchens, and they are including a 2nd mixing jar and a few extras with that price.