<p>Onward, I have had my Cusinart I mentioned above for several years. Don’t Know how much you want to spend or how much they will use it, but I find it very versatile for a decent price. I use it once or twice a week and I like having both blender and food processor options. The blender is regular size I believe, the food processor is not mini but not as big as a full sized one - holds 2 cans of chickpeas to make hummus. :)</p>
<p>I have a Breville blender and love it. I bought it because I was looking around at BB & B and looked at the underside of all the blenders. Only the Vitamix and the Breville had sizable metal “cogs” that fit together when you connect the body to the base. I wouldn’t buy any blender that had plastic parts there, and most of them do these days. The connecting parts are usually small too, but they are more than 1/2" across in the Breville that I bought. </p>
<p>I liked the Breville better than the Vitamix because it was less money, had a glass bowl, and wasn’t so tall (the Vitamix wouldn’t fit on my counter under the upper cabinets). Still, I think the Vitamix is more powerful although it’s frustrating trying to find out what power these things are in hard numbers, rather than the soft adjectives that the manufacturers like to throw around. </p>
<p>I’ve had mine for few years and it has easily done anything I’ve set out to do. My favorite is frozen watermelon daiquiris. Freeze chunks of watermelon and blend with lime juice, lime zest, rum, and sweetener of your choice. Thick and frosty! Sadly, I think the newer Brevilles aren’t made as well since the ones I saw recently were all plastic.</p>
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<p>Breville looked like it had some great reviews. Not all the Vitamix models are too tall, though. I have one of their newer models and it slides easily under upper cabinets.</p>
<p>I bought two Sunbeam blenders at Target on clearance for $5 each a couple of years ago. Nothing fancy, but they work for me. One machine I use regularly to make smoothies…I’m sure it can handle garbanzo beans too. The second machine is still in unopened box as backup.</p>
<p>[Sunbeam</a> Blender Star - Blue : Target](<a href=“http://www.target.com/p/sunbeam-blender-star-blue/-/A-13508565#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=sunbeam+blender]Sunbeam”>http://www.target.com/p/sunbeam-blender-star-blue/-/A-13508565#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=sunbeam+blender)</p>
<p>I wouldn’t use a blender that wasn’t a Blendtec/Vitamix for hummus. I think with most other blenders, you’d have to add too much liquid and have a chickpea smoothie instead.</p>
<p>I have a Bella Rocket that is similar to a bullet (blends a large cup of smoothie or whatever at a time). It is less expensive (under $30 normally, and Macy’s often has sales where they are $19.99). I have had mine for four years and use it every single day. So far so good. I bought another one on sale a while ago and stuck it in the closet, figuring that for the price point the one I have might not last too long. But the original is still going strong.</p>
<p>I’m going to try this weekend to make hummus with my cheap blender. I can’t remember ever eating hummus before, but I like garbanzo beans in soup and salads. I enjoy garbanzo beans alone in a salad bowl with a little Italian salad dressing, or topped with onions and vinegar and oil dressing.</p>
<p>Hummus can be made without a food processor/blender the old school way too with a mortar and pestle.</p>
<p>I noticed (somebody smack me please!!!) Macy’s is having a big sale on blenders… disclaimer: I am not a huge Macy’s fan, please comparison shop before deciding their “30% off” is actually better than another store’s regular everyday low price, but just thought I would mention it.</p>
<p>Wait a minute…I don’t need no stinkin’ fancy food processor to eat garbanzo beans…I’ve still got my teeth to process them!</p>