I have a way of being remarkably loyal to brands when I find one that works. One need only look through my many reviews of coffee grinder to see how devoted I am to getting things right, though. So, when it comes to milkshake makers, I have stuck with Hamilton Beach over the years because their stand milkshake makers have worked, despite their flaws. As such, I have taken a journey from their least expensive, Hamilton Beach Classic DrinkMaster 727W (reviewed at:
http://www.epinions.com/content_44200464004 ) to their virtually identical, slightly more expensive DrinkMaster 750BC (reviewed at:
http://www.epinions.com/content_438642052740 ). Shortly before I lost my house, I ended up upgrading my milkshake maker to the tertiary Hamilton Beach Drinkmaster, the 730C. Why? Everything else in my kitchen was stainless steel, why not my milkshake maker?
The truth, however, is that this is just paying for style at this point. The 730C operates as well as the prior two models and the only real difference between it and the 750BC is that it does not have the black plastic highlights or trim that the BC did. Outside that, these three units are identical in size and function. So, the drastic increase in price to the 730C is all about vanity and fitting in with the other appliances.
Still, I am a person who loves making milkshakes and who loves making ice cream. The DrinkMaster 730C (any of the DrinkMasters, actually) is the essential tool for home milkshake making. It is a specialized blender and I keep one around just for mixing milkshakes (no other drinks, even!).
With the Hamilton Beach Classic DrinkMaster 730C, the unit is cast entirely in a stainless steel finish. As a result, both the stand is made of stainless steel and the head of the unit is made of stainless steel with a bright chrome finish! In all honesty, this functions virtually identical to my old 727W and because I gave that unit up for aesthetic reasons only. As with the prior units, I have waited a year before reviewing the 730C, because I wanted to be sure of the functionality and durability of it. The 730C holds up the same way the others did.
For making milkshakes, the 730C is ideal and my experiences with Hamilton Beach DrinkMaster blenders has been nothing but positive. Basically, you fill the stainless steel mixing cup with ice cream, fill in with milk so the milk just covers the ice cream. Then, lift the cup under the mixing rod and hook in to the clip. The clip is there and basically this makes the cup suspended on the base of the mixer. I have to say, the Hamilton Beach 730C is remarkably sturdy. Back in the day, the clips on the back of the base that hold the mixing cup up and to the base broke easily or were inefficient in actually holding the cup. Not so any more. I have happily discovered this newer model is a hands' free device. Turn it on to mix and the cup stays right where it ought to. Kudos to whomever fixed that problem!
Mixing, then, is fairly easy. This 730C has two speeds. The first is a reasonable mixing speed ideal for making milkshakes. The second is a very fast speed which basically makes your chocolate milkshake into chocolate milk; not recommended for milkshakes. In making a milkshake (or I suppose anything else) the 730C is perfectly equipped as the head swivels. So, if left alone, the drink mixer will break up the ice cream into bitty pieces ideal for a milkshake, but to speed up or finish off the process, one may simply swivel the mixing head of the device to get at all of the points unreachable before. It's a very handy feature and basically, two moves of the head and two turns of the mixing cup and you have reached every possible point in the mixing cup and everything in it is excellently mixed.
One of the nice things about this device is it's very easy to clean. I've gotten ice cream all over it (my own clumsiness, not a defect in the product) and a damp washcloth cleans it off remarkably easily. I mean, one swipe and it's clean. Very easy to clean!
The only point of contention I have with this device is in its durability. As with earlier models, the mixing wand comes loose with continual wear. While I use my 730C an average of twice a week now, after about a year, the mixing rod is a little loose. The metal mixing rod connects to the motorized top. When the power is turned on, it's this metal rod that turns and mixes. The metal rod simply pulls out for cleaning. It's convenient. The problem is, the popping in and out of the metal rod has weakened the device; lately when I've been mixing milkshakes and go to swivel the head of the mixer (where the metal rod is plugged into) the metal rod pops out. Not convenient at all. The reason I have no qualms evaluating this product for milkshakes only is I have to figure if you're mixing drinks in this with ice, this same problem will come up, probably sooner than it did with mine.
Over all, the 730C is a competent device well worth the money. The stainless steel finish makes it a stylish addition to any modern kitchen and it is fun and easy to use. Moreover, despite the minor problem with the wear on the wand, I have never had anything that has required me to see how Hamilton Beach actually makes good on its warranty. It's a product I have come to count on and after a year, I have not been let down yet, just like I wasn't with its predecessors!
For other kitchen gadgets, please check out my reviews of:
Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker -
http://www.epinions.com/content_362311945860 Hamilton Beach FlavorPlus Coffee Maker -
http://www.epinions.com/content_361802665604 Osterizer 14-speed Blender -
http://www.epinions.com/content_463557594756
