Can this blender make thick, thick frozen smoothies, to the consistency of soft-serve ice cream? I currently use an Osterizer blender to blend frozen fruit with a bit of liquid (milk, juice, etc) to create a thick spoonable drink that I serve 1 or 2 times every day during the hot summer months. I have to shake, pound, and stir the canister constantly to get the chunks to blend thoroughly, top to bottom. Will the Hamilton Beach 56221 Smoothie Smart make my job easier??? So appreciate any answers. Can't find any info about this type of use for blenders, Can this blender make thick, thick frozen smoothies, to the consistency of soft-serve ice cream? I currently use an Osterizer blender to blend frozen fruit with a bit of liquid (milk, juice, etc)... » Read More Can this blender make thick, thick frozen smoothies, to the consistency of soft-serve ice cream? I currently use an Osterizer blender to blend frozen fruit with a bit of liquid (milk, juice, etc) to create a thick spoonable drink that I serve 1 or 2 times every day during the hot summer months. I have to shake, pound, and stir the canister constantly to get the chunks to blend thoroughly, top to bottom. Will the Hamilton Beach 56221 Smoothie Smart make my job easier??? So appreciate any answers. Can't find any info about this type of use for blenders, « Show Less
1955293
Don't know only used once. The second time used it the blender starting smoking from the motor. Returned it to Amazon
1955294
I don't usually make smoothies of that thickness but I believe it could probably could handle it. It never seems to bog down or strain with fairly thick smoothies. You may need something more powerful like a Vitamix.
1955295
For example, I use mine to blend a cucumber, apple, banana, lettuce, pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, whatever I have on hand. I cut up the cucumber or apples very little. It blends everything into a thick consistency. I have never had to shake, pound or stir because I think I put in enough water to avoid that. I fill a couple of glasses and while drinking them throughout the day, I sometimes add more water to water it down a little. I have never experienced a soft-serve ice cream consistency with these ingredients though. But I am very happy with this blender. My only complaint is that the cover is a little hard to pull off, but as time goes by, it is not as difficult when it was brand new. For example, I use mine to blend a cucumber, apple, banana, lettuce, pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, whatever I have on hand. I cut up the cucumber or apples very little. It blends everything into a thick consistency. I have never had to shake, pound or stir because I think I put in enough water to avoid that. I fill a couple of glasses and while drinking them throughout the day, I sometimes add more water to water it down a little. I have never experienced a soft-serve ice cream consistency with these ingredients though. But I am very happy with this blender. My only complaint is... » Read More For example, I use mine to blend a cucumber, apple, banana, lettuce, pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, whatever I have on hand. I cut up the cucumber or apples very little. It blends everything into a thick consistency. I have never had to shake, pound or stir because I think I put in enough water to avoid that. I fill a couple of glasses and while drinking them throughout the day, I sometimes add more water to water it down a little. I have never experienced a soft-serve ice cream consistency with these ingredients though. But I am very happy with this blender. My only complaint is that the cover is a little hard to pull off, but as time goes by, it is not as difficult when it was brand new. « Show Less
1955296
Don't buy this blender. The company stopped making this model and couldn't replace the lid when it broke.
1955297
I would advise you to try a different blender. Perhaps I don't "stack" the blender correctly, but even moderately thick smoothies/shakes get hung up and I end up smacking the side in order to get it to mix. I prefer mine relatively thin (think drinkable yogurt consistency) so it works fine for me; I just don't think it'll handle something that thick. If you're able, check out a VitaMix - those suckers would blend a leather boot into drinkable form.
488901
Yes, I would recommend this for smoothies! I could not believe after 3 days I still had ice water in this thermos. To make the smoothies stay thicker longer, you may just want to put some ice in the thermos for 10-15 minutes to get it cold then remove the ice and put the smoothie in, should stay firm pretty long. These thermos' are great, best I've ever used and highly recommended for hot OR cold ;&gt;) Enjoy your COLD smoothies ;&gt;)
948346
This machine is a small commercial type unit that has a built-in freezer and a rotating stirring paddle. You decide what consistency you want by stopping it at the right texture for you. Experiement with recipes until you get one you really like and then the flavor combinations are up to you, it's basically limited only by your imgination for flavors you can come up with. Cleaning it only takes a few minutes with hot water and a sponge. When we're done mixing a batch, we pack it into containers and freeze it but then it is no longer "soft serve". It does take up some counter space but we use it so often, we've grown accustomed to it being out all the time. This machine is a small commercial type unit that has a built-in freezer and a rotating stirring paddle. You decide what consistency you want by stopping it at the right texture for you. Experiement with recipes until you get one you really like and then the flavor combinations are up to you, it's basically limited only by your imgination for flavors you can come up with. Cleaning it only takes a few minutes with hot water and a sponge. When we're done mixing a batch, we pack it into containers and freeze it but then it is no longer "soft serve". It does take up some counter space... » Read More This machine is a small commercial type unit that has a built-in freezer and a rotating stirring paddle. You decide what consistency you want by stopping it at the right texture for you. Experiement with recipes until you get one you really like and then the flavor combinations are up to you, it's basically limited only by your imgination for flavors you can come up with. Cleaning it only takes a few minutes with hot water and a sponge. When we're done mixing a batch, we pack it into containers and freeze it but then it is no longer "soft serve". It does take up some counter space but we use it so often, we've grown accustomed to it being out all the time. « Show Less
647793
I had an Oster blender that lasted a few years (only 2 because it was dropped and broken) but it made smoothies like a dream. Also, blended up flax seeds/dry rice/oats/etc. to make various flours within a minute. I got a Ninja Professional BL500 and was sorely disappointed as, like the other reviewer said, the smoothies were chunky and gross. Also, with the 6-blade thing its hard to fit anything in it to blend! My husband is currently returning it and I am looking for another lower-than-Blendtec or VitaMix-priced blender. Tempted to try Kitchenaid or Oster this time...hmm...
2119293
adjust to your own preference. start with about 1/2 cup. i usually add some ice chips too. sometimes use skim milk, or almond drink. it mixes up easily. i like mine thicker, and eat it with a tablespoon! quite good in blender with fruit too. hope u like it!
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.
1754768
I have an Oster Programmable blender. I purchased the blade that you mentioned and yes it does a wonderful job blending. My husband and I have a fruit shake every morning, I sometimes forget to remove my frozen berries from the freezer the night before (I don't like my shakes Ice cold). No problem with these blades they cut through anything! (Not sure about the model on my blender I shows L00-Y051-T2).
1531078
Yes! I use the immersion blender attachment for smoothies with frozen fruit. I use a lot of frozen fruit but I often steam for a few min before I use the food processor.
939876
I used the ice from a bag in this. It seemed like the thick, dense, cubes from a tray were too much for it....although it still crushed them. Just made really loud sounds like it was too much for the small motor. Using bagged ice was no problem for this blender and lasted a few years for me with lots of use.
2281879
Absolutely! I've been drinking green smoothies for 4 or 5 years now and using this same blender. I had one this morning with frozen spinach and frozen blueberries and oatmeal in it, among other things. I use smoothie straws, but I've used regular straws, too. I prefer the clear thicker ones if I can't get the smoothie straws. I can't speak for others, but this has been a great blender for me. I've been using it since 2009, I believe. A GE one blew up on me after one day of use. Make sure you put enough liquid in if you use this one. It labors if there isn't enough which took me a few days to figure out. I use about 1.5 cups of pure liquid (combo of water and almond milk) and that usually does the trick. Absolutely! I've been drinking green smoothies for 4 or 5 years now and using this same blender. I had one this morning with frozen spinach and frozen blueberries and oatmeal in it, among other things. I use smoothie straws, but I've used regular straws, too. I prefer the clear thicker ones if I can't get the smoothie straws. I can't speak for others, but this has been a great blender for me. I've been using it since 2009, I believe. A GE one blew up on me after one day of use. Make sure you put enough liquid in if you use this one. It labors if there isn't enough which took me a few days... » Read More Absolutely! I've been drinking green smoothies for 4 or 5 years now and using this same blender. I had one this morning with frozen spinach and frozen blueberries and oatmeal in it, among other things. I use smoothie straws, but I've used regular straws, too. I prefer the clear thicker ones if I can't get the smoothie straws. I can't speak for others, but this has been a great blender for me. I've been using it since 2009, I believe. A GE one blew up on me after one day of use. Make sure you put enough liquid in if you use this one. It labors if there isn't enough which took me a few days to figure out. I use about 1.5 cups of pure liquid (combo of water and almond milk) and that usually does the trick. « Show Less
21278
It blends ice well. HOWEVER, the longer I own this blender the more disapponted I am. If you use the high speed the carafe WILL jump off the base. You have to hold it down. And I have to plug my ears it's so loud. Using the low speed is quieter but it certainly doesn't blend completely unless you are blending only liquids! There will be lumps, even from old bananas. The smoothie button is very effective - spinning one way and then the other to make sure all ingredients mixed well, to include the ice.
165622
I don't think I would ever use a whisk... and I use this thing for a lot of stuff. I make protein drink smoothies, even with ice, although I've heard that crushing ice may shorten the life of the blender. I make salad dressings and puree my husband's soups right in his soup mug. I've mashed potatoes with it, but I like my potatoes pretty stiff and it labored a bit with that job. It's not an all-purpose tool, it's great at what it does, but I still need a mixer. But... probably not a stand blender. I love it cuz I can zoom together my protein drink, whir it around in a mug with a little soapy water in it, run it under the faucet, and it goes back in the drawer. I don't think I would ever use a whisk... and I use this thing for a lot of stuff. I make protein drink smoothies, even with ice, although I've heard that crushing ice may shorten the life of the blender. I make salad dressings and puree my husband's soups right in his soup mug. I've mashed potatoes with it, but I like my potatoes pretty stiff and it labored a bit with that job. It's not an all-purpose tool, it's great at what it does, but I still need a mixer. But... probably not a stand blender. I love it cuz I can zoom together my protein drink, whir it around in a mug with a little... » Read More I don't think I would ever use a whisk... and I use this thing for a lot of stuff. I make protein drink smoothies, even with ice, although I've heard that crushing ice may shorten the life of the blender. I make salad dressings and puree my husband's soups right in his soup mug. I've mashed potatoes with it, but I like my potatoes pretty stiff and it labored a bit with that job. It's not an all-purpose tool, it's great at what it does, but I still need a mixer. But... probably not a stand blender. I love it cuz I can zoom together my protein drink, whir it around in a mug with a little soapy water in it, run it under the faucet, and it goes back in the drawer. « Show Less
447730
Mine crushes ice very well, but the first time I tried to make a smoothie with just powder and ice it didn't do so well. It took a long time to get it smooth and then there were still some tiny chips of ice in the drink. It works great if you have a bit of liquid or fruit in with the ice (like half a cup of something).
354865
When I tried making milk shakes, it did not slice through the ice cream well enough to mix it in...which is why I said a standard blender does a better job. It's unfortunate, since this is much easier to clean.
1858372
I have had the opposite experience of the other folks here. I am a smoothie maker, and have made about 1,500 smoothies with my Oster blender. This 6 blade design not only creates a lot more resistance (makes my blender work harder=wears out motors faster) but it doesn't get all the "chunks." This blade does not circulate the contents as well as the 4-blade design and leaves chunks of soft - not frozen - banana floating around. It has such a hard time blending a pint of frozen fruit I've stopped using it. I prefer the 4-blade design much better. Better blending and there isn't anything the 4-blade can't puree. I have had the opposite experience of the other folks here. I am a smoothie maker, and have made about 1,500 smoothies with my Oster blender. This 6 blade design not only creates a lot more resistance (makes my blender work harder=wears out motors faster) but it doesn't get all the "chunks." This blade does not circulate the contents as well as the 4-blade design and leaves chunks of soft - not frozen - banana floating around. It has such a hard time blending a pint of frozen fruit I've stopped using it. I prefer the 4-blade design much better. Better blending and there isn't... » Read More I have had the opposite experience of the other folks here. I am a smoothie maker, and have made about 1,500 smoothies with my Oster blender. This 6 blade design not only creates a lot more resistance (makes my blender work harder=wears out motors faster) but it doesn't get all the "chunks." This blade does not circulate the contents as well as the 4-blade design and leaves chunks of soft - not frozen - banana floating around. It has such a hard time blending a pint of frozen fruit I've stopped using it. I prefer the 4-blade design much better. Better blending and there isn't anything the 4-blade can't puree. « Show Less
2281878
Absolutely! I've been drinking green smoothies for 4 or 5 years now and using this same blender. I had one this morning with frozen spinach and frozen blueberries and oatmeal in it, among other things. I use smoothie straws, but I've used regular straws, too. I prefer the clear thicker ones if I can't get the smoothie straws. I can't speak for others, but this has been a great blender for me. I've been using it since 2009, I believe. A GE one blew up on me after one day of use. Make sure you put enough liquid in if you use this one. It labors if there isn't enough which took me a few days to figure out. I use about 1.5 cups of pure liquid (combo of water and almond milk) and that usually does the trick.
1194608
It will crush ice and blend ice cream - makes great smoothies. I also bought the slicey attachment and now chop veggies super fast. I have also blended quite a few soups, mashed potatoes, and made salsa. It's my favorite kitchen tool.