Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I have had a Vita-Max for almost 7 years now. While the Vita-Mix can't be beat power wise it has some very important weaknesses. First it is very expensive. I paid almost $600 for mine. Second, if you use protein poweder in it you have to not only rinse it immediately, you have to blend water in it to clean the protein powder grit out of it so that it doesn't destroy the blade assembly. I have went through three blade assemblies in the last 7 years. This with following their directions for blending water in it after using it. Third, the plastic (polycarbonate) containers crack at the bracing points. I have went through 8 containers in 7 Years.
I bought the Oster Fusion because I wanted a simple blender for blended drinks and the like and I didn't want to have to worry about destroying the blade assembly. I have had the Oster Fusion for nearly 4 months now and I still love it. It is powerful, easy to use, great blender container and wonderful rubber seal lid. I have made not only blended coffee drinks, smoothies, milk shakes, slurpies, but have also made salsa, apple sauce, wheat berry pancakes and more in it and it works wonderfully. I am especially impressed with the blenders ability to chop things like salsa and applesauce in to consistent size peices. Not even my Vita-Mix could do that.
The only reason I am giving it 4 stars and not 5 is because you can't reverse the blender yourself, reversing is only done in the two pre-programmed modes. I would like to have a rocker switch that I could move back and forth to reverse and then forward the blades myself. The preprogrammed cycles work great for me. If you drop in a whole tomato or something that can't get down in to the blades of the semi-funnel shaped blender container then it isn't going to be able to blend it. I am for peices that are 1 to 1-1/2-inches in size and I have never had a problem.
As for blending drinks with ice, the instructions say to put the liquid in first and then the ice or ice like stuff (frozen fruit, etc.) I have no issues with this not working. In fact here are two recipes for you.
Ice-Cream Free Strawberry Milk Shake
2 Cups of Frozen Strawberries, thawed for 30 minutes
1-1/2 cups of Milk
1/2 Cup of Half and Half or Whole Milk
4 Packets of Equal
1 Tablespoon of Lime Juice
Place all of the liquids in to the blender container and then add the frozen berries. You want to thaw the frozen berries for about 30 minutes so that they aren't rock hard but still frozen. Use the pre-programmed Frozen Drinks and Shakes mode. As test to see if the berries are frozen but soft enough I use a meat mallet on them. If they can be smashed without a lot of hard heavy pounding they are ready. The frozen berries provides the freezing component to make the shake. It is also best to use really nice ripe berries. We buy berries each year when they are at their peak, prep and freeze them ourselves.
Salsa
2 whole fresh tomatoes (garden fresh are best, but use the best you can get)
1 Jalapeno, seeded and stem removed
1 Small/Medium Can Whole Green Chilies, Drained
1 Can of Diced Tomatoes with Chilies
3 Tablespoons Lime Juice
1/4 Cup Cilantro
1 Tablespoon Kosher Salt (use 1/2 as much or to taste for table salt)
1/4 Medium Red Onion, cut in to chunks
2 Cloves Garlic
Core the tomatoes and cut them in to 1 to 1-1/2-inch pieces and place them in the blender container. Seed and stem the jalapeno and cut in to 1/4's. Add the can of whole green chilies after you drain them. Use the Food Chop mode and then empty the blender container in to a large bowl. Add the canned tomatoes, cilantro, salt, lime juice, garlic and onion in to the blender container and use the Food Chop mode. Add this to the bowl, mix well and then taste. Adjust salt as needed. You can also add some black pepper if you wish.
As for other reviews, people need to understand that nothing made by man or women is perfect. You will (more often now-a-days then in times past) get a lemon, this is the price we pay for being able to get technology at rock bottom prices. Even at $500 plus the Vita-Mix isn't perfect either. Sometimes I think people either don't follow directions or have very un-real expectations. I love my Oster Fusion and I am not sorry I bought it.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Oster Fusion Blender - BRLY07B
The ultimate chopping and blending solution, featuring Tripe-Tech Technology. Large 6 cup capacity glass jar with lid. Stainless steel 6-point star blade ideal for chopping food and crushing ice and exclusive all-metal drive system for durability. Reversible motor moves forward and backward to draw food down for better blending results. Precise blending and control with low/high pulse options. Low, medium, and maximum manual settings create a variety of food and drinks. Add liquids during processing with food pusher and cover. Powerful 600W motor. Pre-programmed settings for consistent performance and 1-touch operation. Easy-to-use and easy-to-clean soft touch buttons. Black with brushed stainless steel accents.
Click here for more information about Oster Fusion Blender - BRLY07B
