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Product Review: The Magic Bullet Blender

2008_07_09-Bullet.jpgThe Magic Bullet is by far the most "as seen on TV" kitchen product that we own, and yet we're not ashamed to say that we have it, love it, and use it.

 
 

It's hard to even know where to start talking about the Magic Bullet. The official website is rather loud; it talks like a personal trainer or fitness guru, promising that this little blender will help you get fit, cut down the time you spend cooking, and change your energy levels. Whoa.

It is best to ignore all the made-for-TV hype and focus on what this appliance does very well.

2008_07_09-Bullet2.jpgIts first benefit is the small footprint. Unlike traditional blenders and food processors, the Magic Bullet really doesn't take up much space at all. It goes vertical, with a small round power base that is easily stored away. This is our favorite thing about it; it's much easier to pull in and out of the cupboard than our old blender.

2008_07_09-Bullet3.jpgAnother advantage is how simple it is to use. You don't have to choose between mysteriously-named settings - Puree, Blend, Crush. There's just one setting. You screw the blade cap onto the jar or cup you're using, flip it over, and hold it down. As long as you're pressing the cup down the motor is running. Release and it stops. If you need some extra hands-free time, hold the cup down and turn it so it locks.

So, basically, as long as you're holding it down, the Magic Bullet is on. When you want the blades to stop, let go.

And then comes what Magic Bullet's hype-machine calls the "The Cyclonic Cutting Zone® Process." Errr - OK. Well, whatever they call it, it works marvelously. They say it can do virtually any job in 10 seconds or less, and we found this to be true.

2008_07_09-Bullet4.jpgWe put this blender to the ultimate test: a blended drink with big ice cubes. Our old blender struggled with this, leaving shards of ice and big chunks in any iced drinks we tried to make.

The Magic Bullet whipped through the ice; we couldn't believe what a fine texture it had here. It was literally like ice cream! In fact, it was so fine we had to add extra ice to fill it out.

2008_07_09-Bullet5.jpgIt was a fabulous milkshake (a little boozed up too; watch out - recipe coming soon!)

The short story is, this is a great little blender, especially for small apartment kitchens without a lot of space to store full-sized appliances. You can get 2 for 1 through their website for about $100, or buy through Amazon.

The only down-side to this thing is all the stuff it came with: there are multiple jars and pitchers and "party cups" so everyone can have their own custom smoothie. There are even lids and rims for everything. This is fun, but we have limited space to store all this stuff.

But that is a small aside; in general we've been totally pleased with our new toy - it came just in time for summer cocktails!

Official Magic Bullet website
Buy on Amazon, $54.99

Related: Good Product: Immersion Blender with Whisk

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Gadgets, Best Products, Appliances - small, blender

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Comments (35)

A friend of mine got the Magic Bullet for making baby food. She had a full-size blender but found the Bullet much simpler--and it was small enough she could leave it out on the counter.

posted by chowbella on 2008-07-09 17:30:53
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my friend has this. i dunno how i feel about it. usually i am wary of as-seen-on-tv stuff.

posted by kdkaboom on 2008-07-09 17:58:58
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I was just talking the magic bullet up to my friend in NY this past weekend. She had a brand new one in her drawer and was unsure about it.

I told I got one for free at the restaurant and used it every day until it burned out (I think it lasted 3 months!) That's like 3 household years.

The little thing reminds me of a household PacoJet. When you say it ripped through the ice to create an almost ice cream like texture it is because of its super sharp blades and fast rpms.

The PacoJet http://www.pacojet.com/html/en/pacojet.htm turns at something like 2000 rpm (that's almost $2.00 per rpm).

posted by art on 2008-07-09 18:12:54
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this is one of the only as-seen-on-tv products that i have even been tempted to buy. the guacamole section of the infomercial gets me every time, even though it's not hard to make it by hand. i don't know what it is, but it appeals to me. alas, i already have a blender and a food processor so i can't remotely justify purchasing the magic bullet.

http://threadtrace.wordpress.com

posted by cassiopia on 2008-07-09 18:34:00
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I love the infommercial. Who knew you can make alfredo sauce in under 3 seconds? Dinner doesn't have to be a production anymore. At least not with the Magic Bullet!

posted by Comicgeek on 2008-07-09 18:47:40
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I LOVE the Magic Bullet!! My parents bought one for their house in Oklahoma, their house in California, their RV, and for each one of their three children! It's so easy to make a smoothie for breakfast in the morning with just frozen fruit and yogurt. In short, I love the thing.

posted by laurenweyhe on 2008-07-09 19:09:38
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I love my magic bullet. It was great in college because we had little room, and even now, its good when you only are making a milkshake for one.

posted by A Lady In Red on 2008-07-09 21:27:28
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I love the fake party on the infomercial. Especially when they make nachos with a horrible looking cheese sauce and someone says "Let's get this party started!" I fear the direction this party may take when the camera stop rolling.

posted by peacelily on 2008-07-09 22:38:06
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And I forgot the disturbing comfort lip rings.

posted by peacelily on 2008-07-09 22:44:42
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i got one from my bf's mom when i moved out by myself. i like how i can leave it on the counter top, how easy it is to use and clean up. plus it is great for one person. i never made smoothies etc when i lived with my family because we had a huge blender...not worth the trouble of getting it out and cleaning the huge thing for one drink.

i should say i was totally against the magic bullet before i got it because it is an 'as-seen-on tv' product. i was convinced it was lies. I still say the knife that cuts concrete is lies no matter how much the bf wants one.

posted by niche on 2008-07-09 22:57:44
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I always wanted one. But then again I too belive that knife will cut thru concete :). I don't trust myself as i want every new item to come out.


http://organicandnaturalmom.blogspot.com/

posted by luv2cook on 2008-07-10 00:06:17
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Mine broke after three uses. For the same money (or much less, according to Consumer Reports), you can get a real blender.

posted by Andy M. on 2008-07-10 01:28:23
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I was also skeptical since it was in one of those TV infomercials, but when my mom got it for me for Christmas, I used it and have loved it ever since.
I think it's an excellent starter blender. Sure, you may want to move up to a real or powerhouse blender in a few years, but I find that it is more than adequate for my needs of making green smoothies, frapping coffee drinks and grinding flax seed to name a few of its tasks.
I also like how easy it is to clean, as compared to most blenders. No hauling the huge contraption to the sink with awkward scrubbing techniques.

posted by crazykj on 2008-07-10 08:30:27
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Is it really better than a high end stick blender (you know, the kind that you can hold in one hand, stick in a pot of soup and puree)? My braun stick came with a little container attachment that works like a mini food processor. I use it all the time. Somehow, I think a stick blender is much more useful than this gizmo, since you can make shakes, mayo, or puree with it in any pot or bowl you choose, AND use it as a mini food processor (for those times you need to mince a few onions or a chicken breast, and don't want to haul out the big cuisinart).

posted by 212gretchen on 2008-07-10 08:33:31
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i like mine, but the way they advertise it is as a blender and a food processor. I never got the hang of the "pulsing". I would end up shaking the thing and it would be puree at the bottom and chunks at the top. so as long as you see it as a blender you'll love it.

posted by DianaRead on 2008-07-10 09:35:53
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I just got rid of mine. I got it as a gift two years ago, used it twice and hated it. It sat in my closet because I was too guilty to get rid of a gift.

posted by SleepyDweller on 2008-07-10 10:01:39
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My roommate has one, and when I tried it I can't believe that it works so well. Eventually it wore down, but my roommate just bought a new one from a store (it was much cheaper than $55) and then a few days later returned the old/broken one with the new receipt. I know it's not right, but she said the old one had something wrong to begin with, that's why it didn't last longer....
I'm moving out, and I'm buying one for myself from a store (Bed Bath Beyond, Target...) and return it if it has some problem. It really works!

posted by cojaclynsy on 2008-07-10 10:05:17
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favourite infomercial of all time

posted by jenny! on 2008-07-10 10:08:15
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I buy infomercial products for a large electronic retailer so I see all of the As Seen On TV items. This is one of the great ones. I recently set up my Magic Bullet 2Go and it is amazing! Perfect to take to the pool with the girls! Can we say strawberry margaritas?!

posted by KellyKelleye on 2008-07-10 10:22:33
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I have a full-size blender, a stick blender (we call it the "boat motor") AND the Magic Bullet and I have to say we use the Magic Bullet the most. It's a great size and it's super easy to clean: just put a drop of soap in it with hot water and blend it and everything gets clean and you don't have to even use a sponge.

posted by Monica on 2008-07-10 10:40:18
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i've been wanting one forever. in college my friends and i taped to the infomercial. that was probably an altered decision, but in any case, we all had bullet envy. now i'm going to go get one. they have them at our local cvs... there's a whole little section of as-seen-on-tv stuff there... is this true of anyone else's?

posted by closertotheocean on 2008-07-10 11:05:25
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I am more than a little embarrassed to admit that sometimes when there's nothing else on tv, I occasionally see the magic bullet infomercial in the tv guide listings and intentionally switch to that channel to watch it.
I know, I know.

posted by strmtrprbthngst on 2008-07-10 11:09:56
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I've got a full-sized blender and an immersion blender. I hate my big blender. If I got the magic bullet, could I toss the full-sized one?

posted by brittanykate on 2008-07-10 11:33:02
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I went berzerk and paid the extra -- what? $50? -- or so to get a 2nd one when I bought mine, because I have a friend who I was sure would love it; we both did at first, and I STILL love mine, in theory, but haven't used it very much, because I never quite got in the habit of it.

But then, the only food preparation I do at home tends to stick to making toast in the toaster, pouring milk on cereal, boiling water for iced green tea, throwing a roast chicken from Associated onto a plate to eat it, and sometimes heating up the contents of a doggy bag.

So, it's not the magic bullet's fault that I don't use it much. Because, I have to say that it really does work beautifully; it makes amazing smoothies. And they really are smoothe.

posted by Curtis on 2008-07-10 12:32:37
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LOVE mine....I too was sucked in by the guac and alfredo allure of the infomercial, but I do love and use it often. I think that I use it to finely dice garlic more than anything else, but I use it several times a week!

posted by hanako66 on 2008-07-10 13:09:15
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I LOVE MINE..

posted by blondee47 on 2008-07-10 13:15:26
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If you already have a blender, but don't want to fork over $55 for a Magic Bullet, make your own. The ring that holds the blades for blender and screws onto the glass pitcher is the same size as the opening of a mason jar. I've tried this with two blenders, so I assume the size is standard. Instead of the big glass pitcher, I now just screw on canning jars that I have lying around because most of the stuff I blend tends to fit in them. They're about 10x easier to clean and take up a lot less space in the drying rack or dishwasher. In fact, I'm pretty sure whoever invented the Magic Bullet figured out this very same thing and decided to sell it.

posted by louiedog on 2008-07-10 14:13:21
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@louiedog,

you so smart.

I'm going to try this immediately.

One of the nice things though about the bullet is the way it is activated--just by pushing down on the jar. And the jars are plastic--no danger of breakage.

posted by art on 2008-07-10 15:49:00
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I finally got the Bullet as a gift for Christmas. It's really convenient for my small kitchen. Don't use it religiously but when I do it's for coffee drinks, alcohol drinks, protein shakes/smoothies, and occasionaly to grind coffee.

Surprised how it crushes ice cubes. Nice little gadget!

posted by Martine on 2008-07-10 16:01:27
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@art

Breakage is the only thing I've ever worried about, and I haven't put ice in it. I'm not too scared using it for breadcrumbs, coconut chutney, all fruit smoothies, etc. I also never turn it up to high speed.

The Magic Bullet people sell extra cups, I bet they'd fit. But, at the price, you might as well buy a complete system. I know my plastic Trader Joe's peanut butter jar fits, but it doesn't feel as tight so I haven't tried it yet. The plastic isn't that thick either, so again it may not be a good idea to put ice in it.

posted by louiedog on 2008-07-10 16:16:29
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Hmmm, it chops ice that well, huh? I didn't think I *needed* one before, but I might now that I know that.

In other infomercial news, I watched the one for this thing twice this weekend. I really want one. http://www.gtxpress.com/
Its like a giant version of those sandwich maker things from when I was a kid. I swear thats the same woman in the infomercial too.

posted by SourCherry on 2008-07-10 16:36:56
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I found a Magic Bullet at a yard sale for $5. I got so excited that the seller raised the price to $10, which I still consider a steal. I use it all the time, and I adore it. I find it has more utility than my stick blender, but I use then for very different functions. I lost the blender attachment, so if any of you naysayers want to get rid of yours...

posted by cmoore on 2008-07-10 19:11:22
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I got a "smoothie kit" for my old-skool 20-year-old Oster blender, which consists of a smoothie-sized plastic jar that fits onto the base, upside down, so all you have to do is turn it over, pull off the blades, and stick a straw in it. I couldn't bring myself to buy yet another appliance but I was sick of cleaning the giant blender jar when I wanted a smoothie or a frozen margarita.

Plus it was like $20 instead of $50.

posted by Jezebella on 2008-07-13 19:27:25
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I have tried my Magic Bullet Express many times. Every time it has leaked to the point that whatever is in there winds up in the machine and on the counter and floor.

I know I am attaching the lid correctly and tightly. I have checked that every time after the first flood (orange juice and organic raspberries). I've even tried it with just water, shaking the heck out of the cup with the blades screwed on. It didn't leak a drop until I attached it to the base. Then, the flood.

Off to go clean up the last stick messy from the Magic Mess Maker!

posted by Stanford on 2008-08-02 18:17:54
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My SO watches in rapt fascination every time the Magic Bullet informercial comes on and has done so for years. I finally broke down and ordered it for her for the holidays.

I'm happy to hear so many positive reviews. We currently have two big blenders, and I think this one is going to replace them, based entirely on the size of it; plus if it crushes ice the way y'all report that it does, I'm sure it will be used all the time.

However. I am currently knocking my head against a wall Charlie Brown-style, having found the same product available on Amazon for about $50 and FREE shipping. I stupidly bought the pair of them, thinking I had either to get two or get none, for $100--PLUS the $40 "shipping and handling." Man, I feel violated.

Don't be like me. Go to Amazon, not buythebullet.com.

Hope we enjoy the damn thing now. Shoot.

posted by lesliec on 2008-11-07 15:11:21
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