Here's A Quick Way To Solve The Juicers Problem
In actuality, this smoothie maker was my go-to blender each morning for the last 4 months. I have
Made over 150 smoothies with it and am very impressed.
The 26 Oz container is a nice size for those wanting to make a Fast grab-n-go green (or fruit)
Smoothie that contains a decent serving size of refreshment.
It does take a little getting used to loading the jar properly prior to blending because you put the
Ingredients you want on top when blending, in first (on the bottom of the open jar) so when the jar
Once your brain get a hold of reversing the order, (though I still put the ingredients in backwards
occasionally -- I'm in such a habit of "soft, leafy greens, frozen last" order), this blender blends up a
Surprisingly decent smoothie that is a very generous serving size.
very good consistency. that you'll enjoy drinking.
The 400 Watt motor, for the size of the smoothie maker, is powerful enough that frozen fruits or ice
Cubes don't present a problem as long as you have enough of a liquid base -- about 12 Oz. But that's
True of all lower and even mid-priced smoothie makers -- the motor in these blenders simply don't
Features
3 speed settings, plus pulse
Secure-fitting spill-proof lid
1-year warranty
Motor/ Controls/ Speeds
It's surprisingly powerful and is
I pack this jar full every morning (see my review video below) and it has yet to hiccup at making a
Great smoothie once I turn the switch on.
The Control Panel has a rotary switch dial that is a wonderful size and easy to grip with wet or dry hands.
cavitation -- material unable to be pulled into the spinning blades, thus forming an air pocket and
Preventing further blending. Most times, I'll pulse first to eliminate the chance for an air pocket
and then switch of to High speed once everything is blending nicely.
Dimensions
Not only will it not take up much space on your counter top, it is a nice to travel with. The base is 6"
tall by itself and the jar/blending base is 9" tall. Not nearly as compact as the Hamilton Beach Single
Serve Smoothie Maker, but not so large as you it couldn't be packed for travel.
Container & Base Info
The single container holds approximately 26 Oz of your favorite smoothie and is made of plastic.
Once you're done blending your favorite smoothie in the jar, remove the blending cap, screw on the
Travel top and it's ready to fall in your cup holder for your ride to work (or play). The nice sized
handle is easy to hold with its rubberized grip.
The jar tapers from its 3.75" opening at the top to 2.75" at the bottom, allowing it to fit most cup
holders found in today's cars. The travel top has a waterproof seal that works well to prevent
anything from spilling if tipped.
It also features a sip hole with watertight cover however, the hole is a tad small if you have anything
but a thin (think V8 juice) smoothie. Using the opening to insert a straw seems to work well a la your
favorite milkshake.
Oh, and as a side note, this is a right-handed container only if using the travel lid and taking with you
in the car.
You'll see in the picture above, the connection between sip-hole and handle. This won't be a
Problem for the driver working with this setup but I wasn't able to find a way to re-orientate the hole for
lefties. Sorry.
The base has a nice weight and doesn't dance or jump around on the counter top when blending ice
or frozen fruit. Since this smoothie maker can be used by the traveler, I wish the base had some type
Of cable wrap to make it a bit more tidy when carried in a bag or bag but isn't a massive deal.
The speed dial is large and easy to move through all positions, even with wet hands.
Use & Cleanup
The Smoothie Express Smoothie Maker makes up a fine green smoothie. In months of daily use, it
hasn't failed to exceed expectations and has become my go-to, single serving smoothie maker.
The 26 Oz jar allows me to make a full-size serving of smoothie in just a few steps. The blending lid
has never leaked and though I don't use the travel lid (I simply can't get the smoothie through the
small sip-hole), in my leak tests, it has never leaked.
It did take awhile to get use to loading the jar "backwards" -- putting what I want on top (the frozen
fruit or ice cubes) in first so when I put the blending lid on and turn everything upside down to
blend, the frozen goods are on top.
As always, it's important to get enough liquid base in the jar so as not to tax the motor too much. As
Long as the initial items touching the blades when starting the blend cycle are liquid and soft fruit or
Veggies, everything should be fine. Just Be Sure to pulse the mix a few times to get everything
blending successfully and there shouldn't be too much trouble.
I have blended spinach, apples, celery, kale and collard greens (with stems), frozen and fresh fruit
including peaches, strawberries and blackberries, oranges, tomatoes (yes, in a green smoothie -- try
it!) , ground flax seed (this would NOT blend whole flax seed) and have consistently come out with a
smooth, creamy smoothie.
Not silky smooth in comparison to my high speed blender but a very nice smoothie to not only drink,
But look forward to -- lumpy smoothies might be fine for awhile but I'll bet after weeks (months) of
daily drinking, you'll long for something smoother.
You won't be able to get all 26 Oz of liquid use unless you fill the jar, blend, and fill the jar a second
time. This isn't a huge deal but, since the 'lid' was used as the base to blend, it will be quite messy
when you take it off to refill the jar.
Once done, you have the option to take the blending base off and screwing on the travel lid,
Drinking with no lid or, dumping the entire container into another glass.
As stated previously, the sip-hole in the travel lid is nice and doesn't leak when closed BUT, also
Doesn't provide a large enough opening to permit anything thicker than V8 Juice consistency to flow
through it. So your options really boil down to no lid or using your own glass. Either work.
Clean up is hand wash or rinse only. non of the components are dishwasher safe, I suspect because
of the seals pressed into the lids. This hasn't been an issue because the jar cleans up very easy with
either a rinse under hot water or a little soap and water. The blending lid gets the same treatment
And the base is just a wipe or two with a damp wash rag.
Accessories
No there aren't any accessories included with the Back to Basics Smoothie Express Smoothie Maker.
You'll find the base, jar, two lids (blending and travel) and a use guide. There are a few recipes
Contained in the manual.
Pros
Sturdy
Very Good Choice of speeds
Control dial is nice sized
Fast at making smoothies
Compact
Ice or frozen fruit... no problem
Size, perfect for one or two servings
Easy clean up of all parts
Small and stylish, not another monstrosity to find counter space for
Cup has oz, ml, and cup measurements on side
Cons
Handle is a little large
Handle is somewhat fragile if constantly gripped to remove stuck lid
Hole in travel lid small -- hard to get "creamy" smoothies out
Long term reliability?
No cord wrap on travel size base
Not dishwasher safe
Made over 150 smoothies with it and am very impressed.
The 26 Oz container is a nice size for those wanting to make a Fast grab-n-go green (or fruit)
Smoothie that contains a decent serving size of refreshment.
It does take a little getting used to loading the jar properly prior to blending because you put the
Ingredients you want on top when blending, in first (on the bottom of the open jar) so when the jar
Once your brain get a hold of reversing the order, (though I still put the ingredients in backwards
occasionally -- I'm in such a habit of "soft, leafy greens, frozen last" order), this blender blends up a
Surprisingly decent smoothie that is a very generous serving size.
very good consistency. that you'll enjoy drinking.
The 400 Watt motor, for the size of the smoothie maker, is powerful enough that frozen fruits or ice
Cubes don't present a problem as long as you have enough of a liquid base -- about 12 Oz. But that's
True of all lower and even mid-priced smoothie makers -- the motor in these blenders simply don't
Features
3 speed settings, plus pulse
Secure-fitting spill-proof lid
1-year warranty
Motor/ Controls/ Speeds
It's surprisingly powerful and is
I pack this jar full every morning (see my review video below) and it has yet to hiccup at making a
Great smoothie once I turn the switch on.
The Control Panel has a rotary switch dial that is a wonderful size and easy to grip with wet or dry hands.
cavitation -- material unable to be pulled into the spinning blades, thus forming an air pocket and
Preventing further blending. Most times, I'll pulse first to eliminate the chance for an air pocket
and then switch of to High speed once everything is blending nicely.
Dimensions
Not only will it not take up much space on your counter top, it is a nice to travel with. The base is 6"
tall by itself and the jar/blending base is 9" tall. Not nearly as compact as the Hamilton Beach Single
Serve Smoothie Maker, but not so large as you it couldn't be packed for travel.
Container & Base Info
The single container holds approximately 26 Oz of your favorite smoothie and is made of plastic.
Once you're done blending your favorite smoothie in the jar, remove the blending cap, screw on the
Travel top and it's ready to fall in your cup holder for your ride to work (or play). The nice sized
handle is easy to hold with its rubberized grip.
The jar tapers from its 3.75" opening at the top to 2.75" at the bottom, allowing it to fit most cup
holders found in today's cars. The travel top has a waterproof seal that works well to prevent
anything from spilling if tipped.
It also features a sip hole with watertight cover however, the hole is a tad small if you have anything
but a thin (think V8 juice) smoothie. Using the opening to insert a straw seems to work well a la your
favorite milkshake.
Oh, and as a side note, this is a right-handed container only if using the travel lid and taking with you
in the car.
You'll see in the picture above, the connection between sip-hole and handle. This won't be a
Problem for the driver working with this setup but I wasn't able to find a way to re-orientate the hole for
lefties. Sorry.
The base has a nice weight and doesn't dance or jump around on the counter top when blending ice
or frozen fruit. Since this smoothie maker can be used by the traveler, I wish the base had some type
Of cable wrap to make it a bit more tidy when carried in a bag or bag but isn't a massive deal.
The speed dial is large and easy to move through all positions, even with wet hands.
Use & Cleanup
The Smoothie Express Smoothie Maker makes up a fine green smoothie. In months of daily use, it
hasn't failed to exceed expectations and has become my go-to, single serving smoothie maker.
The 26 Oz jar allows me to make a full-size serving of smoothie in just a few steps. The blending lid
has never leaked and though I don't use the travel lid (I simply can't get the smoothie through the
small sip-hole), in my leak tests, it has never leaked.
It did take awhile to get use to loading the jar "backwards" -- putting what I want on top (the frozen
fruit or ice cubes) in first so when I put the blending lid on and turn everything upside down to
blend, the frozen goods are on top.
As always, it's important to get enough liquid base in the jar so as not to tax the motor too much. As
Long as the initial items touching the blades when starting the blend cycle are liquid and soft fruit or
Veggies, everything should be fine. Just Be Sure to pulse the mix a few times to get everything
blending successfully and there shouldn't be too much trouble.
I have blended spinach, apples, celery, kale and collard greens (with stems), frozen and fresh fruit
including peaches, strawberries and blackberries, oranges, tomatoes (yes, in a green smoothie -- try
it!) , ground flax seed (this would NOT blend whole flax seed) and have consistently come out with a
smooth, creamy smoothie.
Not silky smooth in comparison to my high speed blender but a very nice smoothie to not only drink,
But look forward to -- lumpy smoothies might be fine for awhile but I'll bet after weeks (months) of
daily drinking, you'll long for something smoother.
You won't be able to get all 26 Oz of liquid use unless you fill the jar, blend, and fill the jar a second
time. This isn't a huge deal but, since the 'lid' was used as the base to blend, it will be quite messy
when you take it off to refill the jar.
Once done, you have the option to take the blending base off and screwing on the travel lid,
Drinking with no lid or, dumping the entire container into another glass.
As stated previously, the sip-hole in the travel lid is nice and doesn't leak when closed BUT, also
Doesn't provide a large enough opening to permit anything thicker than V8 Juice consistency to flow
through it. So your options really boil down to no lid or using your own glass. Either work.
Clean up is hand wash or rinse only. non of the components are dishwasher safe, I suspect because
of the seals pressed into the lids. This hasn't been an issue because the jar cleans up very easy with
either a rinse under hot water or a little soap and water. The blending lid gets the same treatment
And the base is just a wipe or two with a damp wash rag.
Accessories
No there aren't any accessories included with the Back to Basics Smoothie Express Smoothie Maker.
You'll find the base, jar, two lids (blending and travel) and a use guide. There are a few recipes
Contained in the manual.
Pros
Sturdy
Very Good Choice of speeds
Control dial is nice sized
Fast at making smoothies
Compact
Ice or frozen fruit... no problem
Size, perfect for one or two servings
Easy clean up of all parts
Small and stylish, not another monstrosity to find counter space for
Cup has oz, ml, and cup measurements on side
Cons
Handle is a little large
Handle is somewhat fragile if constantly gripped to remove stuck lid
Hole in travel lid small -- hard to get "creamy" smoothies out
Long term reliability?
No cord wrap on travel size base
Not dishwasher safe
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