Blender recs please

[sarahbear]

We used to have a Kitchen Aid one but it broke years ago and we never replaced it. Any recommendations for a REALLY good blender. I don't want a cheap one. We were never very happy with the KA one either....wedding gift. Thanks!

[happyhomemaker]

Really, you hated your KA blender? We have the pro KA blender and I love it, though we don't use it on a regular basis. I have heard great things about Vitamix, but I don't know what you are wanting to spend.

[wawa]

What sort of blender tasks do you do? Are you a big pitcher of frozen margaritas kind of girl, or are we talking other blender related tasks? Because I gave my regular blender away after I got an immersion blender. I think it does a better job with single serve smoothies and anything else you need pureed, and it's easier to clean. Bonus pureed soups in the pot.

The only thing I occasionally miss my normal blender for is frozen drinks for a crowd, but that happens about once a year and I just borrow one.

I have this one: www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CSB-77-Blender-Chopper-Attachments/dp/B0006G3JRO
Going on 4 years of frequent use and it's still going strong. The whisk attachment is the dumbest thing ever and doesn't work, but the mini-chopper is great.

[TBM]

I am a vitamix fan. The more I use ours, the more I love it. I just wish that I could justify spending the money to get the latest model....I love that it has a pulse feature, as well as the other upgrades, but our vitamix is only five years old and is in great shape, so I can't justify it.

[sarahbear]

Our KA would get air pockets in the bottom while making frozen drinks or smoothies and cause us to have to open it and move things with a spoon before starting again, or shaking it from side to side. It finally broke when the bottom spinner mechanism cracked.

I would love a Vitamix but don't want to spend that much right now. My main concern is air pockets and smoothness while making margaritas/smoothies/frozen drinks. Oh, and we do have a hand held immersion, but I'd like a blender so I can make smoothies for myself and the kids at the same time and also do pitchers of drinks.

[kellikans]

we have a Blentec blender. its amazing!

www.amazon.com/Blendtec-WildSide-HP3A-Blender-Container/dp/B003TPDKP0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1338958746&sr=8-3

occasionally Costco has them for around $400.