The Hamilton Beach BlendMaster Ultra: You Couldn't Ask For More!
Written: May 07 '05
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Pros: Lightweight Jar, Ten Speeds, Very Inexpensive, Built-In "Feet"
Cons: For The Average User. Not Built For Heavy-Duty Applications.
The Bottom Line: If you're looking for an inexpensive yet dependable blender, this is it.
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| ClaireKS's Full Review: Hamilton Beach 50159 BlendMaster Ultra 10-Speed Bl... |
I never realized how handy and indispensable my decades-old blender was until it died. I never really thought about all the things I actually used it for. But after a few weeks without it, I cried Uncle, and went out looking for a replacement.
I had a few things in mind when I started my search. I knew from experience that blenders with glass jars can be a pain in the neck. My old glass jar became horribly etched from the dishwasher detergent, and it was heavy and awkward to hold. They can also crack. So I decided to find a unit with a plastic jar. I also wanted a blender that had an ice crushing option, so that I could make various drinks and slushes. The one thing I didn’t want however, was a huge price tag. I use my blender quite a bit, but I’m not a professional chef or a bartender! So I didn’t need one of those 300-dollar fancy-dancy heavy chrome machines that could chop up half a buffalo or make mulch out of small trees.
After looking around a bit, I finally settled on the Hamilton Beach BlendMaster Ultra. It had everything I needed, and quite a bit more. And guess what...it only cost 20 dollars. So here’s what I got for my 20-dollar bill, and how well it has been performing these past few months:
What Does It Look Like?
Pretty sleek, actually. The entire unit is made of white plastic, except of course for the clear plastic jar. The jar has a very pretty white bottom flange (they call it a “safety base”) that fits perfectly into the motor base so that it looks as if it’s all one solid unit. The plastic jar holds 56 ounces, and is marked on one side with graduated lines for ounces and cups, and on the other side with milliliters and liters. The bottom motor base doesn’t have those annoying little detachable rubber “feet” that always come out and get lost; instead, the “feet” are permanently built in, which I really like.
What Parts Does It Have?
The blender comes fully assembled with:
•The Motor Base
•A Plastic Jar
•A Lid
•A Filler Cap
•A Jar Gasket
•Cutting Blades
What Are The Features?
There are 10 speeds to this particular model, although there are actually only five speed buttons plus the “Hi” and “Lo” power buttons, and an off button. You push either the Hi or the Lo button first, and then one of the other five, in order to choose one of the ten speeds. Each of the five speed buttons has a top row of wording and a bottom row of wording. The top row speeds are; Grate, Ice Breaker, Beat, Blend, and Liquefy, and the bottom row speeds are; Stir, Aerate, Puree, Crumb, and Chop. The “Hi” button actuates the top row of settings, and the ”Lo” button starts the settings listed on the bottom row. The “Pulse” functions are Grate, Ice Breaker, Stir, and Aerate. These are buttons that you hold down for as long as you wish. They do not remain pushed in. That allows you to run the blender at short bursts. There are times when you only need to run the blades for a very short time; perhaps a second or two. That’s when you would use one of the Pulse buttons. It comes in very handy when you want to do something like make bread crumbs from hard bread (see also the “Crumb” setting, below), or cookie crumbs from whole cookies to put on top of a dessert. You can also use Pulse to do a quick chop of veggies, or grate solid baking chocolate into shreds.
The top lid of the machine comes with a handy Filler Cup that is marked on one side with a one-ounce line, and a two-ounce line, and on the other side is a single marker for 50 milliliters. You can use the cap to measure shots of liquor for mixed drinks, or for other liquids needed in recipes.
Here’s a bit more info and usage ideas, on the settings:
•Ice Breaker. To chop up ice, simply push the “Hi” button and then the “Ice Breaker” button and hold it down until you’re finished. (It’s not one of those buttons that remains pushed in until you hit the off button.) Always keep in mind that any blender needs a little liquid in the jar while crushing ice! You can seriously damage the blades, otherwise.
•Grate. This setting is started by pushing the “Hi” button first, and then holding the Grate button down for as long as you wish. You can use it to grate hard cheeses or to make very fine sugar.
•Stir. This is a very low setting, and is actuated by pressing the “Lo” button, first, and continuously holding down the Stir button. It’s a great setting for making pancake or waffle batter.
•Aerate. This is also a low setting, using the “Lo” button first and holding down the Aerate button for as long as you wish. You can use this setting to introduce air bubbles into liquids, such as heavy cream, in order to make it lighter and spoonable. (The “Blend” setting can also be used for whipping heavy cream, although neither will actually make a true puffy “whipped” cream.)
•Beat. The Beat function is actuated by pushing the “Hi” button first. The Beat button remains down until you press the off button to stop it. All of the remaining speeds are the same, in that respect. You push the button down, and then hit the “off” button to stop the blending. I’ve found that the Beat setting is great for making things such as pancake batter.
•Blend. This setting is a bit faster than Beat. It’s the perfect setting for blending frozen fruit juice with a can of water, or mixing whole tomatoes with tomato paste for my spaghetti sauce. Here again, you press the “Hi” button, first.
•Liquefy. Other than making things into a liquid, this is the perfect setting for difficult things to chop, such as nuts or coffee beans. It’s the fastest speed, and is also started by pressing the “Hi” button first.
•Puree. This is great for making baby food from whole, fresh foods rather than buying it in a jar! (With the Puree, Crumb, and Chop functions, push the “Lo” button, first.)
•Crumb. Here you can make those bread crumbs finer, if you don’t like how they come out with one of the Pulse functions.
•Chop. One of the lower settings, you can chop up onions or any other veggie or fruit.
How About The Warranty?
This unit comes with a 3-year warranty, which I found to be pretty decent, considering that many other blenders come with only a one-year warranty.
And Cleaning?
Cleaning the jar isn’t difficult at all, mostly because it’s so light! You cannot put the plastic jar into the dishwasher, but it’s so simple to clean out that I don’t mind. Just make sure to take the gasket and blades off of the jar before cleaning, since liquid can get caught between the gasket and the blade assembly.
The User’s Guide comes with some nice recipes and ideas, and is very well written and straightforward, which really helps.
I’ve used every one of the settings, and they have all performed very well. I haven’t had a bit of trouble with the unit, and I’m awfully glad I found it. For 20 dollars, what else could you possibly ask for?
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 20.00
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Epinions.com ID:
ClaireKS
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Member: Claire (Nickname: LadyWolf)
Location: Northern Virginia
Reviews written: 62
Trusted by: 80 members
About Me:
Avid nature conservationist and friend to all living things.
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