|
I really can't overdo it. So, yeah, this blender is pretty, and my occasionally-used 6-year-old model IS still running, so I'm giving it an extra star for that. However, every time I blend something from ice to berries it smokes and emits terrible burnt-rubber smell. I've been terrifed to use it very often or for anything heavy-duty. I do not think anyone who wanted to use this more than occasionally would get much use out of it.
If you make frozen drinks with frozen bananas or frozen strawberries, look elsewhere.If you don't plan on making frozen drinks, it's decent but when you can pay less for a blender that CAN mix anything you put in there, why even bother with the more expensive cuisinart. The cuisinart will stick around simply because the food processor still works and the blender itself will be used for backup if needed.Also, the hard plastic covering that covers the button area is cracking where the more commonly pressed buttons are located.
At $25 (shipped) a pop, the SPB-456-2 blades aren't cheap but their engineering IS.The blender itself has proven to be pretty tough after 5 years of using it 3~5 times a week but their blades simply cannot withstand frozen items. We've had ours for around 5 years now and my 5th (yes FIFTH) blade is in the mail.
The base of the blade assembly will spin freely.I've got JB weld curing on my latest stripped blade so we'll see if that fixes it but the 5th and final replacement blade is on the way and a new Oster fusion blender (with all metal blade assembly and coupling construction) will be under my Christmas tree in a few weeks. It worked excellently for the first 3 years of use when it was just milk/yogurt and protein powder but now that I've started freezing bananas and breaking them intop 4/5 pieces and blending them and frozen strawberries in the blender, the blades have been breaking left and right.The base of the blade that grabs the spinning rubber "teeth" that are on the main drive shaft is made of plastic and threaded onto the main spinning shaft of the blade assembly.
Apparently this plastic base screws onto the shaft and if something in the blender catches the teeth just right, it'll strip the plastic base of the blade assembly rendering it useless. They should have used rubber or real buttons.Lesson learned.
Live and learn I guess :/
I reiterated the fact that this was the second blender where the same issue had taken place and pressed upon the fact that it was obviously a common design flaw. After the issue happened with the first, I had not retained the info on the purchase so couldn't return the product. I have owned two of these blenders and within 6 months of having each, the clutch assembly shredded. I was once again directed to purchase the clutch assembly and install myself. I bought a second (same model) and the same issue happened within a few months. Upon contacting Cuisinart customer service, I received a "blanket" type response stating that the blender needed a new clutch and I could purchase one and install it myself. I will never buy another Cuisinart product. Seems the reviews here echo the same.
Smoke started coming out of the base of this blender after the first time I tried it and all I was blending was bananas and milk. I didn't even put ice in it. I called Cuisinart to see if they could fix it and they said I would have to pay to ship it to them and they would give it a look, but would not even guarantee that they would fix it. I will never buy a product from them again.
I was fool enough to buy a second when the first broke after less than a year. It couldn't handle ice. I thought I just had a lemon. The second burned out on the second use making a smoothie. Wnat a terrible product. I can't believe I wasted my $.
|
