Jed19

I'll like to venture into the world of making liquid meals, shakes, fruit drinks etc.

Could somebody recommend a blender they are using that is not ultra expensive?

Thanks.

TCR Rider

I have a NutriBullet. Simple and easy to use and clean. I make protein shakes and also meal replacements. Handles veggies, fruit seeds and nuts without a problem.

https://nutribullet.com/?gclid=CjwKE...hVjxoCQsTw_wcB

LGHT

I can’t recommend the ninja. It has a huge motor with tons of power and I love the design, but it’s a fail as everything is made of very thin plastic. Several parts broke after less than a year as a result. I’ve had good luck with the small bullet units, but I’m not crushing ice or using it for anything major. Just liquid and my powders is all I use it for.

TCR Rider

That has not been my experience. I have replaced the blade at 6 month intervals (9.99) as recommended. Otherwise I'm still using the original parts about a year and a half later.

erig007

I have a Blentec and it is very sturdy: have used it 2753 times and counting. Not a single problem with it.

Midrange: I would recommend the Oster Versa or the Breville BBL605XL but if you can invest go for Vitamix or Blendtec.
You can see why here

Jed19

Wow! Shocked at the prices.

What can I buy that will work very well for $100 or close?

tjkoko

The NutriBullet powered at 600W at Wallys would fit your bill (EDIT) and wallet. I've used mine for over 16 months with no problems, making smoothies without ice.

The most expensive unit you could get and is way out of your price range would be the Vita Mix.

TCR Rider

That's why I went with the NutriBullet

nemeseri

My wife bought the KitchenAid 5 speed diamond blender 5 month ago. She loves it and it's in daily use since then. It's $91 from amazon and it's beautiful. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00CGS...5DL&ref=plSrch

erig007

When you go down in price, you get blenders that have engines that may or may not last as long, leak, are noisy, blend a limited amount of things and most importantly that take way more time to blend. The longer it takes to blend the more heat transfer to the food you get due to friction. Vitamins are sensitive to heat. So you will lose more vitamins. Adding ice can help though but water can make smoothies taste not as good. Reducing the amount of food you blend at once is another way to circumvent the problem.
(Presses are the best at keeping vitamins. Manual presses can be pretty cheap).


At this price range, the kitchenaid 5 speed diamond or this oster blender.
https://www.amazon.com/Oster-BVCB07-Z...=oster+beehive

Here is a list of good blenders in your price range
The Best Blender For Smoothies in 2015 (for under $200)

RoadTire 

Yep, go with one made by this company. The problem I have with regular, narrow-necked blenders is cavitation of thick liquids and high speeds - thick malts, thick smoothies, large chunks of hard ice cream flying around and not getting mushed up nicely. The ones that work seem to have wide bases around the blades. The NutriBullet blades also have a pair of small blades sticking straight up.

The NutraNinja at jsut $119 would be a great purchase (that's what I'm aiming for). My daughter just purchased this monster: Nutri NinjaŽ Duo Blender with Auto iQ? - BedBathandBeyond.com

What a beast. Needs suction cups to keep from spinning as it has so much torque. Use hearing protection. Good for late night outside parties when you want to keep the neighbors awake. Dig the column of blades. This does not destroy seeds like other brands though, so if you want mushed up strawberry seeds, this won't do that.

Everything else turns to liquid in a heartbeat.

Darth Lefty 

Siri smoke! Don't breathe this

Will It Blend? | Presented by Blendtec

erig007

Blendtec vs Vitamix. The test itself is badly made (not using the bigger jar for the blendtec for instance) but the video is so funny

RoadTire 

There was a demo by a young lady at Cosco last month. While she was setting up a new batch I was chatting with her and pulled my cell phone as an offering ... but was declined.... not editable I guess. My daughter laughingly reprimanded me to behave myself.

fietsbob

The Daiquiri Whacker Gas Powered Portable Blender

there was a Blender attachment kit for Extracycles , driven by the rear wheel
which the center stand put off the ground .

Garfield Cat

Search: Beehive Blender. This is the simplest and least cost. Its by Oster and has been around for years. Only two speeds. Enough wattage but cannot compare with the expensive units.

The expensive units allow you to put everything in the jar and spin away. With the Beehive, I prepare the fruits and vegetables but cutting to a reasonable size. Then I systematically begin the mixing by putting in the easy fruit like oranges and juice first. As I watch that liquefy, I put in the other ingredients a portion at a time, allowing it to liquefy. The last thing I use is crushed ice from my refrigerator ice machine.

I buy medjool dates from Costco. That would require special attention. They need to be liquefied first.

erig007

The counterforms gets way more positive reviews than the beehive and both are at the same price
Amazon.com: Oster BVCB07-Z Counterforms 6-Cup Glass Jar 7-Speed Blender, Brushed Stainless/Black: Electric Countertop Blenders: Kitchen & Dining

https://www.amazon.com/Oster-4093-008...ts=p_4%3AOster

Dave Cutter

I was recently reviewing the triggers for gout (I've had foot problems in the past). Fortunately... a new pair of cycling shoes seems to have been a solution to my soreness.

But I was surprised to see that fruit juice is a [gout] trigger. I am no expert... and that stupid piece could be way off base. But experimental diets... may have real risks.

erig007

The nutri ninja is not as good as it seems. When you go into detail you start noticing the weaknesses.
(my favorite part is at the end of the video where the football player john edelman that officially endorse the nutri ninja auto IQ as the blender that he supposedly use himself is seen in another video in a kitchen using a blendtec)


another video here between the ninja ultima and the vitamix 750
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI0PEviX0qg

Needles

Search commercial blenders on EBay. I got one for maybe $70 that was a leftover model. ($450 w/o discount) It only has "On/Off" & "High/Low" but it will blend ice cubes, nuts, beets, as well as anything else I've put into it. Stainless bottom and heavy duty pitcher, with a heavy rubber top. I'm at work, but I'll check on the brand in the morning.

wolfchild

I've been using Oster Beehive for over 2 years and I like it a lot, it's cheap and very durable. Never had problems with it...Smoothies are ok 1-2 times per day but don't rely on them for all your daily caloric intake. Majority of your daily food and calories should come from solid foods and not liquids.

TCR Rider

Majority of your daily food and calories should come from solid foods and not liquids.

So what's the differenceif you blend solid food into a liquid? I blend kale, avocados, berries, apples, nuts and seeds, among other things in the bullet with some protein powder and almond milk. Has the same nutrients and fiber as solid food so it's the same thing as eating it in solid form except it's easier to digest.

Needles

Mine's a SERO sj-9506 bar blender.

erig007

That's pretty much the point. I don't believe anyone was thinking otherwise, if you put a carrot in a blender it's still a carrot.

Clyde1820

Nutrient content is only one aspect of the benefit of a food.

Impact on metabolism is another, important, aspect. If a given food is tougher to extract its nutrients and energy, but one chooses to make that extraction easier on the body, the body expends less energy (burns less calories) doing so. Additionally, the speed of uptake can be impacted when the fiber is broken down as opposed to remaining intact. Perhaps not as important as overall caloric, vitamin/mineral intake, but still an important factor. Particularly for folks who have somewhat impaired metabolisms or who are noticing spikes and dips in energy related to how the body's handling the uptake. Makes a difference.

I, too, create blends as meal replacements. I use some veggies, occasional seeds, frozen fruits, and whey or egg protein, along with a good, high-protein soy or almond "milk". But I try to remember that making it easier on the body has its downsides, while I'm enjoying the blend.