Anyone use the Wave blender??

[nmb]

Was talking about getting a vitamix or K-tech the other day, to my mother, she has a Wave and says it crushes ice as well as raw fruits & veggies, just like chain-stand smoothies. Anyone have any experience using it for raw diets?? She got hers for $90, it's one w/ a spout, but I've seen them without for $30 something, so much better price than the other two. On the other hand, I have a brand new blender that I just bought for around that price, that isn't working very well; so don't want to waste it again. (works but leaves things lumpy & have to use crushed ice)
I've looked at the Wave, the different shape of it seems like it'd work better for getting everything blended up....

[raweater]

I myself got the Breville BBL600XL, you can see it here with a video:
http://www.brevilleusa.com/products/bbl600xl/index.jsp?sku=bbl600xl&cID=103&pID=21&pvID=21

It's still a bit expensive at about half the price of a VitaMix, and I love mine. It also has pre programmed smoothie and ice crush cycles that pulse automatically for you, and these modes do a good job of getting rid of all the lumps, I then run it on high speed for a few seconds to make it really smooth(the auto pulse modes are low speed only but great for getting larger lumps).

It also has a very unique blade design which is why it gets every lump out, I think I;m happier with this than I'd be with a VitaMix, but I haven't tried one so I can't really tell. The Breville can also blend well with a slower blade speed due to the blade design, which causes less nutritional damage to what you're blending.

[Revvell]

I've just googled the Wave and the only one I've found that dispenses costs about $35.

Have you tried your mother's blender? That's the true test.

I wouldn't give up my V-M. It blends at EVERY speed... starts of really slowly (which is why I like it better than the K-Tec) ~ can go as high as you need.

I also like the 64 oz. container so I can make a huge smoothie to last me a full day ~ or two.

Revvell

[spiralgirl]

nmb,

I bought the Wave 12 speed that was the plastic one that has 700 watts and I brought it home and it leaked right away so I returned it. The guy at the store said the 700 watt is misleading as it starts at that speed for the first 30 seconds and then goes right down again. Then I bought a GE that is 800 watts with a low and high speed since I have a 450 watt GE now that has lasted ages and does the job if I keep it on long enough. I was disappointed with the new GE I bought as I kept it on high for a bit and still had chunks in my shake so am returning it. I plan to get a Vitamix myself one of the new ones when they are available in Canada. For now I'll keep using my GE one.

[raweater]

spiralgirl: I think it's normal that if you run a blender only on high there will be chunks left, the low speeds and pulsing is what gets the large chunks, high speed is to make it smooth, so what I do on my breville is that I start on the auto pulsing slow speed which runs a cycle of blending and pulsing several times (or use the manual pulse button), this gets rid of the large chunks, I then run it for a few seconds more on the highest speed and that gets it smooth.

The Brevilles also have a unique patented blade design that helps prevent chunks being left, but if I run it only on high speed, even for long, there will be chunks left. The high speed just can't get the larger chunks.

[nmb]

Revvell - Thanks, I would try hers, but my mom lives in MI, I'm in AZ. Have asked her to try raw carrots, apples etc, she says it does them fine.

Did not know the bit about needing to use lower speeds first to get the big chunks though, maybe that's my problem as I've been using mostly high speed for everything, or starting mid-range to high. Try the low thing; if I can get more use out of this one much better.
(Of course hoping to eventually get a vitamix; bills first though, right):D

[Revvell]

With a VM, just run it. No need to pulse or anything extra.

Good points for any other blender though. I do that with my fp ~ pulse chop to break it down, then process. Makes sense that it would work for a blender.

[spiralgirl]

raweater,

Thanks, for the tip about the blender. I didn't like the gasket that went on the blender anyway and didn't like that is only had a low and high speed either. I'll try those tips with the blender I use now though.

[walnutty]

I use the Hamilton Beach 12 Speed Michael Graves Design Wave Action Blender. I use it all of the time, even though I also have a Vitamix.

Okay, before you call me crazy for using a $35 blender when I have a Vitamix...let me explain why.

I needed a new blender and didn't want to spend the $300+ on a Vitamix. So, I bought the HB Wave blender. It worked great! I sometimes make three smoothies a day.

I kept hearing how great the Vitamix was on this board, so finally gave in and ordered one. I was not that impressed with the Vitamix. So much food is wasted stuck beneath the blades where I can't get to it. Also, because I have a very small kitchen sink...it is very difficult to clean. I tried once to clean the Vitamix by putting water in it, putting the lid back on it and turning the VM on...the water came up through the lid and sprayed all over me and all over my kitchen. So, needless to say, I use it maybe twice a month to make cashew frosting for my carrot cake or a nut pate, because the Vitamix is absolutely the blender for making nuts smoooooth. BUT since I rarely make those recipes, I would have rather spent the 300+ on organic produce. So, for me, the Vitamix was a huge let down.

For everyday use, I use the HB Wave Action Blender. It is easy to use, easy to clean and I have NO chunks in my smoothies.

If I could do it all over again, I would skip the Vitamix....big time! :(

[Dr. White]

It sounds like you are trying to clean the Vitamix on a high setting which would make the liquid come out of the blender. If you start on low, it will not do that.

[walnutty]

Dr. White,

I usually only use the VM on low (the 4500 only has a low and a high setting). If I use it on high it shakes so badly that it shakes the container right off of the base. It takes three or four hands to use it on high so I have to enlist my son's help when I make anything and he's not around very often. :confused:

[Dr. White]

Maybe it's the difference in models. I have the 5000 which has a speed dial and a hi/low switch. Mine is very controlled on low and can be out of control if I accidentally turn it on when it is switched to high.

[Revvell]

I'm thinking you may be having a problem with your VM. I've had mine over 10 years, have washed it as recommended with a drop of soap and about 1/4 full of water and, with the cover on correctly, no problem. As far as vibration on high, I use it on high all the time. Only when I put something extra thick in it do I get any kind of vibration and never as you describe. For me, if it's THAT thick, I use the fp.

I can see why you don't like it with those examples. Hmmm. O.k, I have the 5200. Maybe there's a difference there. Dunno.



Dr. White,

I usually only use the VM on low (the 4500 only has a low and a high setting). If I use it on high it shakes so badly that it shakes the container right off of the base. It takes three or four hands to use it on high so I have to enlist my son's help when I make anything and he's not around very often. :confused:

[walnutty]

Revell,

You've had a 5200 for 10 years? I thought that was the brand new model.

[GlimR]

I used to have the old stainless VM model with the spigot and the wooden tamper...now I have the 5000, have had it for 4 or 5 years I think. I wouldn't trade mine for anything unless it was to upgrade some years down the line if necessary (new VM). I swear by mine and use it every single day.
Maybe there is a learning curve for some with the VM. It's the best piece of kitchen equipment I own...love it without reservation~

walnutty~
If you have those kinds of problems there is something defective about that particular unit. My sisters both have one as does my 87 year old Mom and neither they nor I have ever had any kind of problems like that. I would call the company and talk to them about it. It does have a 7 year warranty. They should replace it for you.

[nmb]

ok, another question: w/ all this talk of cleaning the vitamix, does the bottom not come off like any other blender???:confused: That would be a definite negative in my book....

walnutty - thanks for your input! I was hoping somebody here would have one they've used extensively; if you're doing 3 smoothies a day that's more than enough, I do 1 most days, occasionally 2; (might make more though if they came out better)... but I have become kinda addicted to chocolate ice cream recently.:D

I do have a good food processor also for nuts etc. So maybe I'll give that wave a shot - after trying lower speeds w/ mine first.

[GlimR]

The bottom does not come off but has never seemed to me to be a problem. If you put a small amount of water and a drop of soap and run for a few seconds it completely cleans the container out and then you just rinse it out.
In my honest opinion there are no down sides to the VM...except the cost. BUT...I think you get what you pay for~
Certainly the wave is cheaper..wishing you the best of luck with it~

[walnutty]

As GlimR stated the bottom does not come off. The larger problem is not the cleaning, as regards to the bottom, but all the food that is "trapped" beneath the blades. I now only use the VM for nut frostings and pates and a good 1/4 cup is always trapped. What a waste!

I have emailed VM customer service about the problems I am having with their product.