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..................NOTE ON AVAILABLITY OF THIS ITEM............
FOR SOME REASON, THE AVAILABILTY OF THIS ITEM SEEMS TO BE IN DOUBT. I BELIEVE I REVIEWED IT AS "THE MAGIC BULLET" SOME WEEKS AGO. BUT TODAY, (APRIL 16, 2007), I HAPPENED TO LOOK AT THE ITEM "MAGIC BULLET', (WITHOUT THE 'THE"), AND IT APPEARS TO BE AVAILABLE! MY SUGGESTION: LOOK UNDER BOTH TITLES....AND SEE IF IT IS ABVAILABL UNDER EITHER ONE. (I NOTED THERE WERE SOME 100-plus REVIEWS UNDER "MAGIC BULLET".....BUT IF YOU LIKE MY REVIEW, HERE, (as "THE Magic Bullet"), please don't forget VOTE POSITIVELY FOR MY REVIEW....AND PERHAPS TELL YOUR FRIEND TO READ IT, AND SEE IF THEY LIKE IT AS WELL! THANKS! : ) (AND THANKS DOUBLY TO THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN MY REVIEW A POSITIVE FEEDBACK!! : ) : )
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I HAD SEEN THE 'MAGIC BULLET' COMMERCIAL ON T.V. FOR MANY YEARS, BEFORE I DECIDED TO FINALLY BUY ONE. WHAT MADE ME FINALLY EXPEND THE $120, (INCLUDING shipping and handling), for the 2-for-1 deal was the fact that no less a publication than THE READERS' DIGEST, in it's new, annual consumer review of products touted by infomercials, said this was a GREAT item! This RD review, combined with the many, many re-runs of the commercial, (quite pleasant to watch, really, compared to many other infomercials....except, of course, if your name happens to be "Hazel"!) --finally wore down any sales reistance I may have had. The kitchen where the product is demonstrated is light, airy, very cheerful, and BIG! The actors portraying the party-guests, (or is that rooming-house residents????) are all quite good, and the Magic Bullet itself seemed more than adequate to any task....as presented on TV, anyway. Besides....I really NEEDED a new blender.
What I got was the 21 piece set....(including the blender and juicer attachments.) Actually, TWO 21 piece sets....one of which ended up at my neice's home. Excitedly, I opened my package, and began to read the instructions, and to use it....
WHAT I FOUND OUT: If you NEVER want to have to buy bread crumbs, ever again, this is certainly your machine! It will turn any bread, cereal, cracker, or similar hard-baked item, into powder in just a few seconds! Or, if you want to have less-fine crumbs, do it for a second or so. This machine gives the option of using a "pulse" system, wherein you have to apply pressure to the overturned container, every second or so, or a "hands-free" system, wherein you turn to container to the right or left, lock it, and let the machine run....for no more than 60 seconds, (so you are consistently warned in the accompanying booklet)....or the motor will overheat. A small inconvenience, I feel -- just use the second sweep-hand of any watch or clock, or use a timer, to make sure the machine doesn't overheat.
This machine comes with BOTH a "whipping blade" and a "grinding blade". (You can also purchase additional ones, which come bundled together with additional large containers.) This is quite a bargain....as the far more expensive "VITA-MIX" comes only with a "wet" or whipping blade. If you want an additional "dry", (or grinding) blade -- attached to an additional container...you are required an additional fee for buying this "deluxe" model. The "VITA MIX", (another manufacturer's blender), also has only one -- or two containers. It costs $360, (for a used, regular model).....and is, so the reviewers say, very noisy. (I haven't bought this more deluxe machine, but am curious about it.) Of course, the "VITA MIX" has a "way-more-powerful" motor, and purportedly can do a great deal more. But -- for one or two people, who cannot (yet!) afford the "VITA MIX" or other similar blenders -- the "MAGIC BULLET" is a very good starter-blender.
The 'MAGIC BULLET' is also very good at making drinks of all kinds. I especially like the large, 20 ounce container, (which holds a lot of liquid!), and even the slightly smaller 16 ounce "party-mugs". Both of these are great for those who like a LARGE cup of tea or coffee, the way I do. This machine comes with one 20 ounce container, (no handle), 4 16-ounce "party-mugs", (which DO have handles), and one small "bullet cup", (10 ounces), for when extra-powerful blending is needed. And you have the option to purchase additional large, small, and party-mug containers. All of which is great -- especially for those who hate dish-washing, and don't have a dishwasher, (like me!)
On the minus side, this machine is NOT POWERFUL ENOUGH. In fact, in the instruction booklet, it mentions that, if your mixture of food, (like tuna salad), is stuck, you should TAKE THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY OFF THE BASE, TURN IT OVER, AND SHAKE IT! For myself, I have tried a different
approach...use a little extra water, or lemon juice, or milk, (depending what you're trying to blend), to make the consistency lose enough for the blender to blend it!
AN IMPORTANT CAVEAT: My sister bought one of these years ago, and broke it. How? By stopping the machine by taking the plug out of the wall, but leaving a container in the "locked" position on top of the machine. Then, when she wanted to use it again later, she plugged the machine back into the wall -- without unscrewing the container out of the "locked"
position. The resulting electric surge proved too big for the little machine, and the motor stopped working. So, remember to "unlock" as well as "unplug", whenever you take the plug for this machine out of the wall!
For the money, this seems an adequate little machine. Just don't expect it to do "tough" jobs like whipping potatoes, etc. (Even in the TV ad, it mentions to use ONLY cream, if you want whipped cream. Because the machine really isn't as powerful as it could (should?) be. However....(another trick of my own), you can always use POWDERED MILK to make whipped cream....adding a little more at a time, till you reach the desired consistency. Also add sugar or sugar substitute. Only -- don't over-load the machine here, either.)
I have suggested to the manufacturer that they make a "deluxe" model....with a more powerful motor, and perhaps incorporating a GLASS container or two, (glass always being so much more clean than plastic), So far, it seems they haven't done so....but if enough people ask! (Hint, hint! : )
The 2-for-1 offer SEEMS quite a bargain....but if you give one as a gift, it might be hard to ask for it back, if you are unsatisfied with Your machine, and want a refund. Just make sure the "giftee" is aware of your possible return of your own, (and hers/his), and is amenable to this return, if and when you, yourself are unsatisfied with it.
Recently, I had a "mini" crisis with this machine. Just like my sister, I left a container in the "locked" position, then re-plugged it into the wall. However, I was immediately aware of what happened, so I stopped the machine ALMOST instantaneously. This led to a slightly-less strongly acting motor....and after a time, I pluncked down another $60, to get the "regular" set, from a catalogue. This "regular" set did NOT include the blender/juicer attachment....but that was OK for me, because I already had it from the set(s) I bought via the 2-for-1 offer on TV. As far as I know, ONLY the TV-offered set includes these additional blender/juicer piece.
ANOTHER CAVEAT. This machine requires constant screwing and unscrewing of the lids. They have to be quite tight, or the liquid/mixture inside might leak. Therefore, if you have moderate to severe arthritis, or other ailment which makes screwing or unscrewing of lids difficult, be sure to have adquate gripping aides available. For those with no ailment, or only slight muscle difficulties, the lids should be easy-to-moderately-easy to open and close.
As this is written, I haven't yet used the blender or the juicer attachements myself. Although my sister has said she could never get the hang of using the juicer. I, personally, have just moved to a new apartment, so -- when I finish unpacking, (in a few years....just kidding?????), I'll update this review
to include using the blender and the juicer.
The Magic Bullet is NOT the "Rolls Royce" of blenders -- nor does it pretend to be. But for the price -- and if you are aware of the machine's short-comings -- it is a very nice "Chevrolet"-type machine, whcih will do most kitchen blending tasks quite well! |
"G O O D.......F O R.......T H E.......P R I C E....."
"Marvelous Machine"
"worst appliance ever"