Durability and Function
Written: Mar 01 '09 (Updated Mar 01 '09)
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Pros: Durable, strong, easy to clean.
Cons: None.
The Bottom Line: Other than a good knife, it is the just about the best kitchen gadget I have ever owned!
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| hularider's Full Review: Oster 869 18 10-Speed Blender |
I bought my "Osterizer" in 1981 when I was pregnant with my daughter. I wanted to be able to make her baby food myself. Now, 28 years later, I am still using it.
I would say that the only thing that would kill the motor on one of these things is extreme abuse.
I am still using the original 40 ounce plastic jar, and have picked up a couple more from people who destroyed their blenders. I think one person put the base in the dishwasher, and the other kept running it when the blade was jammed.
The jar holds 40 ounces, and is marked off with molded-in lines in ounces and cups. The lid is two-part. A soft plastic outer lid seals to the jar, and a clear hard plastic lid fits in with a twist-lock. The sealing outer part keeps stuff from sloshing out when you start or pulse, and the removable center allows you to add ingredients: Ice cubes, vegetables, cocoa powder, or whatever while the blender is running. The lid seals well, but is still easy to remove.
The bottom of the jar is three-part: A hard plastic casing which houses the gear for the blades, the blade assembly, and a rubber gasket. It is easy to assemble and disassemble for cleaning.
I still am using the original gaskets. To keep them in good shape, keep them clean and only wash them in tepid water with mild dish soap. After 28 years, they are as good as new, sealing tightly enough that I can make a drink and set it in the fridge for later. The original lid remains pliable and still seals well. The inner cap, the clear hard part that is removable for dropping in carrots, tomatoes, ice cubes, or what have you, is still in good shape. I did lose the inner cap of one of the spare jars when my son accidentally dropped it in the blender and ground it up.
A tip to make cleaning the blades even easier: As soon as you are done using the blender, squirt a bit of dish soap in the jar and add a couple cups of tepid water. Pulse it a few times and dump it out. Now disassemble to wash, and it will be so easy! Use tepid water, mild detergent, and a soft sponge or cloth, nothing scratchy.
After 28 years of heavy use, the steel blades remain sharp and can still puree vegetables, make baby food, crush ice, or blend a drink. I can whup up a mighty tasty mayonnaise with them, as well!
The all-metal drive system in this blender is its heart, and just keeps beating away. I have been given other blenders, and their plastic drives have given out in a couple of years. At large parties, cheap plastic blenders have died after crushing ice for just a few drinks, while my Oster is still going strong.
The ten speeds give you nice options. Starting at the lowest speed, you have plenty of power to grind up ice cubes, carrots, and anything else that is hard. A trick to make your motor last: Put a little water in the jar, get the blades going on the lowest speed, and then drop the items in through the center opening of the lid.
The highest speed will give you nice frothy drinks. I like to start by putting in a cup of the liquid and then crushing the ice on low. Then I bring up the speed and adding the other ingredients.
The pulse feature is pretty neat, as you can "buzz" things to get the blend just right.
My blender came with a great recipe book that had lots of tasty things and also cleaning tips.
This was one of the first kitchen appliances I bought as a young wife and mother. It has outlasted one husband, several cars, several motorcycles, and all my other kitchen appliances. Quite possibly, it is the best kitchen appliance I have ever owned.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 20
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Epinions.com ID:
hularider
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Member: Leilehua Yuen
Location: Hilo, Hawaii, USA
Reviews written: 70
Trusted by: 8 members
About Me:
HulaRider is an author, artist, and educator who specializes in Hawaiian culture and arts.
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