Why exactly is this better than a high-end blender? I'm not using their mixes, just making my own frozen drinks from liquor + mixers
899286
It crushes the ice much better than a blender and the drinks are just like you would get from Fat Tuesday's.
899287
You certainly don't need Margaritaville mixes. You could make all the drinks from scratch with fruit and juice or use other brands of mixes. The key difference between this machine and high end blenders is that the Margaritaville Fiji machine shaves the ice for the drink instead of just breaking it up in the blender. It give you a far smoother consistency. No large and small chunks of ice and never have to worry about not being able to drink through a straw because of a large ice chunk. Definitely worth the money.
899288
It makes the ice crush to such a great consistency and adds it into the mix at stages as to not get it overly watery.You have the option of adding more crushed ice at the end as well. However, you do need to have great storage in your home to use. I can not use on all of my counters as some areas the cabinets sit too low - so it does limit the space you can use it vs. a regular blender. Another benefit for me is I am able to take it with me in the carrying case( additional cost) on vacation and leave my other blender at home.
1069892
I used it for blending soup and marinara sauce before I got an immersion blender. An immersion blender is much better for that - I can control the level of smoothness and it's less cleanup. I think the blender is best for drinks.
1988024
I May be the wrong person to ask. The serving size can be what you want it to be. All the machine does is crush whatever you put into it to make a bowl of of mush. I wasn't pleased with the machine, you need to add vanilla every time you use it. If you want "frozen" desert mixed you need to either mix them prior or keep putting them back through the machine. I find my blender does a better job than this. I wish I could return it. Sorry for the bad review, but if I read this statement I would have never bought it. Everyone is different though. I hope this helps.
425875
Of course! It's a very powerful blender. I've blended many batches using frozen ice cream in the base.
2091059
You fill your glass with ice, pour the mix over the top then poor that into a blender and blend. I have a personal blender so I just do it all in that.
1314259
Yes, I love mine. I make fruit smoothies with mine, using fresh or frozen fruit with a little Greek yogurt. I usually let the frozen fruit thaw a bit first. Great little "blender" and I also love the grey ring around the cups that protect your fingers from the cold when drinking the smoothies. Can't go wrong with this unit, especially for the price.
1367776
Here's a nice comparison for those thinking about getting this or a Vitamix. I found it useful.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI0PEviX0qg
1849555
Mine couldn't even blend ice cream and milk for a shake, much less crush ice. I ended up buying a Faberware10-speed blender with preprogrammed settings and it's awesome! I've never been able to make such smooth smoothies at home before. No ice chips.
274153
The Blendtec is very good, it will blend out all the ingredients and doesnt leave any lumps,chunks or pulp. If you are looking for a juice like consistency then smoothies wouldn't be for you, the smoothie will be very thick and all the fibre strands from the fruits and vegetables are still in your drink. With the blendtec you wouldnt be able to see the fibre strands as it does an amazing job blending everything.
1700028
Many people use the Bamix for making fruit smoothies (that may or may not include ice). I have never heard a single complaint. We primarily use it for making soups and in that the Bamix is unrivaled.
647797
I just got the ninja 700. it has the power to crush the ice very fast but it does NOT make the smoothie smooth. I believe it's the blade design that it does not promote enough circulation inside the blender. Lot of chunky ice in there even a relatively long blend. Absolutely not recommended for smoothies. My cheapy bullet blender make smoother smoothie.
1323508
It would be good for general blending (protein powders, fruits, etc.) just will not blend anything like kale that is fibrous. I didn't check out ice either. For the price you can do better. It used to be the BEST blender when I was young, oh well.
2150442
I returned mine quickly. It is a glorified blender. The sugar allows it to stay "slushy" longer...
2281575
I have both. The Vitamix is gathering dust. Sure it can make soup... like 1 recipe (all the other ones require prep work like steam something first, who wants that). SO for the 99% of the job, making smoothies, this is 90% as powerful and will crush ice and frozen foods just like a Vitamix. The only downside is size. We almost always use the 1 Collossal cup and we fill it up way past the limit line. But it wont' make as much as a Vitamix if you plan on making smoothies for 4 people. BUT the upside is the speed of cleaning. It actually might be faster and easier to just make 2 smoothies vs cleaning the vitamix. So go get it, if you haven't already. And don't get the 600, get the 900.
1284694
Whoops, sorry, I didn't read the website closely enough, this is what it said:"All parts are obsolete - No substitutions are available." So sorry. Maybe bestto just invest in a good blender. :P
1654418
I love the ninja. I had the MagicBullet before and it was a disappointment. The ninja holds more and does a much, much better job on ice cubes. I use it mostly for smoothies but the big bowl (40 oz) is nice, too. I made gazpacho in it last summer and it was perfect. One of these days, I'll get around to making some of the other stuff in the recipe book.
2036091
I don't think it's easier to clean than a regular blender. Wouldn't you just want a stick blender, or do you need to crush ice? This machine is pretty good for making smoothies.