Has anyone purchased the Waring Commercial Bar Blender recently? I burned through one quickly before realizing that it is not up to the task of crushing ice, so once I kept it for salad dressing and sauces only, it has served me a long time. I just checked the Williams-Sonoma site as that is where I purchased the first two many years ago, and discovered that the 75th Anniversary edition is $300 and doesn’t look anything like my 60th Anniversary edition. (Carafe is plastic & a dial offers speed options).
Amazon offers what looks like my current blender, so my question is: has anyone purchased what I think of as the traditional Waring bar blender, 390 watts? Amazon reviews are not great so I am checking here to see if anyone has recent experience.
I have a Vitamix for smoothies but prefer a glass carafe and smaller profile for drizzling oil into salad dressings and marinades.
I have the Waring 60th anniversary one, and it’s been going for years. I had a crisis of sorts, I tore up the small clear thing that goes in the middle of the lid, because I put milkshake makings in and turned it on without realizing it was in the blender. Others than that operator error, it’s been going strong for a long time. I guess we got it about 15 years ago, at Williams Sonoma. I think even then it was $150. I would not buy one with a plastic pitcher if I could help it.
Thanks @1214mom – Yes, I am looking to avoid the plastic carafe. It doesn’t bother me on the Vitamix since I only use that for smoothies, but I want a glass carafe to be able to clean out the oils.
My 60th anniversary edition has run for years, but the noise from the motor was very disconcerting today, so I think it is time for a new version. I feel that mechanical devices just aren’t made as well as they used to be, even 15 years ago. Thanks for your input.
I used to have an OLD Waring one speed blender…I’ll bet it was made in the 1950’s back when Waring owned Waring. It could pulvarize anything. I have a newer and I don’t like it one bit.
@thumper1 – I had the 50th & 60th anniversary editions and both worked well. Do you know what model your current Waring is? I don’t actually need ice-crushing ability but also don’t want the motor to burn out, as I have read on some Amazon reviews.
@riverbirch – I will try that. I never knew that W-S had that policy. I feel like Costco is the only retailer where ‘no questions asked’ is the standard operating procedure.
Costco, Bed and Bath and Wiliams and Sonoma have been known for their great return policies. I just went online to check on Williams and Sonoma and it may have changed but I did read that it varies from store to store. I bought a Breville oven there last year and the clerk mentioned their no questions asked return policy to me while I was checking out. Can’t hurt to ask, and if you are in a bigger market to try a couple different stores if any say no. Good luck…when you spend top dollar on an item you expect it to last!
Thanks again @riverbirch – to be honest though, since I have the 60th anniversary edition and they are now selling the 75th, I think I have gotten my money’s worth! I was just concerned that the current model sold by W-S doesn’t look like my last two models AND it has a plastic carafe, something I want to avoid when using with oils. Amazon sells one that looks like my old one, but the reviews are very mixed. Granted, Amazon reviews are often mixed, and I am probably overthinking this minor purchase…
I didn’t know that about BB&B either. I avoid that place as even with 20% off, prices seem higher than elsewhere.
It was nice while it lasted but those days are over so don’t bother to try it. Too many people were willing to abuse that policy; you wouldn’t believe the nerve people have in returning things they purchased many years ago and thoroughly abused.