Need suggestions for NEW blender under $100

[Boo Radley]

I need some suggestions for a blender that can blend a green smoothie smooth (no chunks or pieces of greens left). Need a blender which is less than $100.00 brand new, has a warranty, has a pitcher which is at least 48 ounces.

It won't be used to blend anything frozen, not even bananas. This will be used for green smoothies only. Green smoothies, with lots of whole green leaves (kale, spinach, collards, wild forage such as dandelion, etc.). Nothing frozen, or even very cold (hurts my teeth).

I prefer feedback from people who have actual experience with the mentioned equipment, but if you have a friend or relative who makes smooth green smoothies in their blender, and it is under $100.00 brand new, please share.

Thanks.

[Ambug]

I just bought a Jack LaLanne Healthmaster 100 blender, 1400 watt, for $119 at ultimate-weight-products.com. Also free shipping and tax. It really works well for green smoothies. It's not under $100, but it's close. It's the only one I use for making green smoothies, soups and desserts. I couldn't afford a BlendTec just yet, which was my first choice, but I will get one later on.

[Boo Radley]

Wow, babe. I'm sorry, but considering the commonest complaints I have read about the healthmaster 100, you probably just got screwed.

The motor has a 100 year warranty, but there is only a 60-90 day warranty on everything else. What I have read folks saying is that the pitcher tears up in a month or so. Rusts, or just comes apart due to poor construction.

Plus, I have also read bad things about their customer service, and also that it is perhaps impossible at this time to order a replacement pitcher.

There is at least one person on this forum who bought one, and shared her (negative) experience with it.

Hopefully you will have better luck with yours.

[Zaphirah]

I bought a Kitchenaid on sale for about $80. I think it works well enough. it blends smoothies well, and it grinds seeds like flax and sesames into a corse powder.

[Vivafree2]

I use Cuisinart ( with glass jar) it cost 79CAN $ on sale - i use it almost everyday since april 2005 - great for smoothies - not as powerful as Vitamax but good enough for me. I need to replace blades as they are getting a little dull but still blend well!!!

[Raene]

I'm not at home right now so I couldn't tell ya, but it's the blender that's featured on the cover of Jennifer Cornbleet's raw book. It's around $40 and I love it. I used it for green smoothies for about 6 months before finally purchasing a Blendtec. Got it at Target.
Oh yeah, forgot to mention that it's glass, which I much prefer. Sad that the Blendtec is not...

[Boo Radley]

Hi Raene. Thanks. I would love to know what the make and model of your blender is. I just looked at the cover of that book (online) and can't discern from the picture what brand it is. :(

[Rawzula]

The blender on the front of Jennifer's book looks like a Braun blender, but I'm not too sure.

[Bananna]

On the cover is a black and decker. Inside her book she has a page that recommends a bunch of kitchen equipment websites including www.surlatable.com, www.target.com mentioning Oster blenders and www.tribest.com for personal blenders among other stuff...hope that helps.

but does say these are all starter blenders and says vitamix is the way to eventually go.

[DawnW]

I know you said new and warranty, but I just wanted to throw my .02 cents in......I wasn't ready to get a Vitamix (cost) and many websites I looked at said that the L'Equip is a good 2nd choice. It retails for $150 but I did get one used from a dealer on ebay (he often sells the ones he uses for his shows I guess because several of us on another site have bought from him on ebay.) Anyway, used, it sold for $50 plus about $10 shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/LEquip-228-R-P-M-Blender/dp/B00025DYK6


It is a good little workhorse, not as good as a Vitamix, but I think that it is a very good 2nd choice.

Dawn

[RawHeaven]

This oster beehive blender kicks butt, makes awesome smoothies, nut milks, s soups and it has a glass jar. Hey it's not a Vitamix, but it works. I got it for $30 bucks brand new on craigslist last year. It retails for $60-80. You can also probably get it on Ebay for cheap.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=259177-63607-4127&lpage=none

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g203/crystalsbones/blender.jpg

[Ambug]

Wow, babe. I'm sorry, but considering the commonest complaints I have read about the healthmaster 100, you probably just got screwed.

The motor has a 100 year warranty, but there is only a 60-90 day warranty on everything else. What I have read folks saying is that the pitcher tears up in a month or so. Rusts, or just comes apart due to poor construction.

Plus, I have also read bad things about their customer service, and also that it is perhaps impossible at this time to order a replacement pitcher.

There is at least one person on this forum who bought one, and shared her (negative) experience with it.

Hopefully you will have better luck with yours.

I bought mine from a different site than the one that manufactures it. For now, it works, and I am happy with it. For what I do with it, just blending soups and smoothies for the most part, it's ok.
My husband is a frugal sort and he is the one that decided on this one, even though I wanted a Blendtec. When this breaks down, that's what we will be getting.
From what i read about the burned out appliance on this site, it was the juicer. I also have one of those, and it's been going strong for a year now, so no worries.

[Boo Radley]

Hi Ambug.

No, not the juicer. It was defnitely the healthmaster 100 blender I read about. I read tons of reviews about it, because I really wanted it. And even though there are several more positive reviews than negative reviews about it, many of the negative reviews are about the same thing: defective pitcher.

I do hope that you will keep everyone posted about the performance of your healthmaster, though. I'll probably be going with Heaven's beehive for now, but if I read enough reliable and positive reviews of the healthmaster from people who use it daily for green smoothies in a fewm months, I will probably get it. (Hating the idea of shelling out Vitamix bucks.)

Good luck, and please keep us posted. :)

[Raene]

Yeah, it's a Black and Decker. Not sure of the model but it comes in three colors--black, red, and blue (the buttons, not the whole machine). I have the blue and love it. :) $40...can't beat that.

[buffalogal]

I've had my Healthmaster for over a year and use it almost every day. I'm very satisfied with it. One thing I do, though, is I lay the pitcher on its side after I wash it - that way no water can accumulate in the mechanism and get rusty. Maybe this will help others.

[tvillemom]

I bought an Oster FUSION about 6 months ago when my other blender broke. I spent about $60 on it and love it! It has a "food grinder" button...which I use when first grinding....then I can put it on high to puree it (if its a cream that is) I feel like my Oster has ALOT of power, a glass jar...and for $60 bucks, if it lasts a couple of years, I can then decide if I have the money to buy a VM.

good luck on your decision. A great blender is a must in the raw kitchen, probably my MOST USED appliance!!:D

[tvillemom]

OH yeah, I bought my Oster Fusion at Walmart. They also had the beehive one there, but the fusion had more power!!!!

[Boo Radley]

Thanks to you all for your replies. It's down to the Fusion and the Beehive now, but leaning towards fusion. I'm so relieved to know that I won't need to get a billion dollar blender to make palatable green smoothies with whole greens in a full size pitcher.

Peace.

[sfdreams]

Mine is not new (it's actually over 20yrs old) but I have had no problem with it other than needing a new rubber gasket. It's an Oster with a glass jar. I do green smoothies at least once a day, and almost always throw a few nuts in there. (Started because I was diabetic when I began and wanted to balance the fruit--now I just like the thickness) My Oster rocks! It seems to be really well made. I wouldn't like it if it had a plastic pitcher, though, and I'm not sure if they still make it with the pyrex glass.

[sfdreams]

Oops! Missed the previous replies when I posted!! (Didn't notice the second page-LOL!) So glad that they are still selling Osters with glass! Whenever this one dies....(and that may be awhile!)...and if I don't have the $$ for Vitamix or other high-end blender, it's good to know!

[Boo Radley]

Hi sfdreams. Thanks for your input.
:)

[Ambug]

I've had my Healthmaster for over a year and use it almost every day. I'm very satisfied with it. One thing I do, though, is I lay the pitcher on its side after I wash it - that way no water can accumulate in the mechanism and get rusty. Maybe this will help others.

Buffalogal, I put my pitcher upside down on paper towels after I wash it, and leave it that way until it's completely dry. It's nice to see that you like yours too. :) I'm having great fun with mine. :D