<p>Son (junior year) is now serious about cooking and wants a practical chopper/blender. Any suggestions from you wise ones out there. Hand blender? Mini-cuisinart? I have a combo Cusinart blender/processor that I have mixed feelings about (and suppose I could just give him)–but it seems like a mid-life machine and I’m curious what other folks experiences (or their kids’) have been with college kitchen utilitarian (eg also easy to clean) applicances that are good for smoothies, soups, chopping,etc. and Happy Holidays to all…</p>
<p>I bought my daughter a used Waring blender. That was six years ago. It’s still good as new.</p>
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<p>That’s exactly what I was going to come here to post.</p>
<p>The fewer buttons, the better, I say… When it comes to pressing a button on a blender, I don’t really know the difference between “puree” and “liquify”. I personally know the difference between what a puree should look like and what a liquification should look like, but I really don’t think that a thirty-dollar blender has the sophistication to tell the difference. When I look at blenders, I look for “on,” “off,” “pulse,” and a motor rugged enough to finely chop whole steak knives into plastic-and-metal dust piles for the next thirty years. The Waring blender fits the bill.</p>
<p>I have that Cuisinart blender/food processor combo - use the blender much more - the food processor is just small. Otherwise I like it.</p>
<p>I always want the food processor that Rachael Ray always uses on 30 minute meals. I think it’s cool looking!</p>
<p>My mother still has the Waring blender she bought to make baby food for my 53 year old sister! My Waring is about 25 years old and as good as new.</p>
<p>The one and only thing I’ve ever bought after watching a 30 minute infomercial is a Magic Bullet. The thing is great – seriously! S uses it to make breakfast smoothies, I use it to make salad dressing, etc. I didn’t buy the large size blender container, and don’t need the plastic mugs that came with it, but it’s small, unobtrusive, and does what I need it to. There are times when I need the full power of my food processor, but for the other times it’s fine.</p>
<p>What would he use it for, mostly?
I have a braun immersion blender that I use a lot for pureeing soups right in the pot, and it came with a small attachment bowl for chopping vegetables or herbs. </p>
<p>I also have a magic bullet, which I love! It does everything, but in small amounts. It’s excellent for chopping herbs, onions, and garlic, and it makes great smoothies and salad dressings. It tales up almost no space. Check it out.</p>
<p>Of course, nothing takes the place of my full-size Cuisinart processor for slicing, chopping, blending, bread baking, etc. But it’s BIG.</p>
<p>Hey CCB- we cross-posted. The Magic Bullet infomercial is kind of cheesy, but wow- I use it every day. I forgot- it’s good for grating hard cheese, too.</p>
<p>You guys made me look up the Magic Bullet :)</p>
<p>Well, if you decide to get one, do not pay more than $50 for it. You can get one at Bed, Bath & Beyond with the 20% coupon.</p>
<p>A hand blender will work for most purposes and easier to clean. $5 at goodwill, salvation army, mission stores. From nuts to slushies but straight ice cubes is a challenge-be sure to wear protective gear, earplugs, eye goggles, iceproof vest, hardhat and closed-toed shoes.</p>
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<p>I have one and my D absolutely loves it (told me that she is taking it when she leaves in the fall)… She uses both parts: the blender and the foodprocessor for everything from making smoothies to mixing up face masks (yes, it is easy to use/clean).</p>
<p>We also have a braun immersion mixer that comes with a whisk and mini chopper attachments. She likes it, but she loves the food processor/blender. (they cost around $79 bucks, got it at the bed bath and beyond, used the 20% coupon and a $5 off coupon so it ended up being a pretty decent deal).</p>
<p>Dear All: Thanks for the advice. I ended up with the Magic Bullet when the immersion blender was out of stock and the Bullet was on sale! It has been a huge hit (being used daily for cooking experiments in my kitchen) and I think many of its features are ideal for the 20-something male kitchen stage. (Doesn’t take up much space and is really easy to clean; also has container to use for storing and microwave use) I’ll do the Waring beehive blender or the combo processor when we get to the wedding or more permanent kitchen phase. Happy 2009 to all…</p>
<p>Good luck with it. Now I feel responsible…</p>
<p>Wow. How easily you take up responsibility. I have some other things I’d be happy to share if you need more…but seriously, thanks. It was fun to find just the right thing and I would have missed it without your advice…</p>
<p>Gotta say, the Magic Bullet is the best. We bought one for our DS while at college. He has become the smoothie king with it. We liked it so much, we bought one for ourselves. Love the Magic Bulllet!!</p>
<p>Yup, yup, yup – gotta love that Magic Bullet!</p>