Ooops, I have a 3 digit blender - the Vitamix. Just got it this summer at a Costco roadshow as our old $40 blender just couldn't do what we needed it to. It couldn't crush ice, couldn't pulverise vegetables, smoothies were lumpy not smooth yada yada. I've used the Vitamix daily since I got it. Today I made a strawberry/pineapple/spinach/ice smoothie, ground rice into flour and mixed a sald dressing. I usually make at least one smoothie a day - sometimes 2 or three. Obviously I am biased so I looked as Cooks Illustrated's reviews of blenders last reviewed in July 2006. Products They tested: (listed alphabetically) * Braun PowerMax Jug Blender * Cuisinart Smartpower Premiere * Emerilware * Jenn-Air Attrezzi * KitchenAid Pro Line ChefÂs Blender * L'Equip R.P.M. * Vita-Mix 5000 * Waring 2-Speed MegaMix Specialty * Waring Pro PBB For copyright reasons I can't reprint the report here (you have to be a subscriber) but here's the short version: Their Conclusion? Until a markedly better blender comes along, they'll stick with their Best Buy model for the usual blender tasksÂand rely on a food processor for everything else. The winner was the L'Equip R.P.M. with a MSRP of $134.99 but I don't think it's available any more. Also CI is biased AGAINST high priced items. It did rate the Vitamix as best smoothie maker though and that was the older model.

I also have the original Braun that came out in the early to mid 80's. It still works well though it is sometimes hard to clean under the blade surround. I like it because it's not too big. OTOH a year or so ago I saw KA ones clearing out at WalMart extremely cheap so I bought two. One for me and one for SIL. I didn't like it, it was like wielding a baseball bat and it had a speed dial on top which I didn't think was necessary. The only good point was you could remove the stem to wash separately. SIL likes hers and I gave mine to my sister. The little Braun is much more practical and easier to use. Sometimes simpler is better.

I used mine just last night with the mini processor bowl for chopping 1 cup of walnuts. I didn't want to drag out the big machine. I could not believe how well it worked. Bzz, Bzz, all chopped. If you have only the stick, I think it would scatter the crumbs unless you could keep them contained in a deep and very narrow bowl or mug. Even then you would spend most of the time corraling the escapees and putting them back under the head.

I don't have one. I am only guessing: 1. It looks like a direct driven machine therefore it has no gears. 2. It looks like it has a universal AC motor, and not an induction motor. If so, the carbon brushes may need to be replaced. 3. If it is not doing anything, check the switch and the wiring that's entering the blender. dcarch