Blending the past with the present for a promising future

MY MOTHERS WARING BLENDER

My mother had a Waring blender as an engagement gift from the early 1950's. I remember as a child the milkshakes and soups she would make from it. It had a tall, cloverleaf, glass container that connected to a polished chrome beehive base.

I do recall having to grab the container, and even with its cloverleaf design, my hands never felt like I had a good grip. I also remember cleaning it, squeezing the sponge deep down to the blades, on this very heavy glass container (without a handle), was quite awkward. My mother had this blender into the 80's when she opted for another blender with a glass handle on it.

MY WARING BLENDER

I have had a blender or two of my own since then, but I have grown tired of the rubber gasket drying out and the glass getting frosted by multiple dishwasher uses.

Recently I purchased this blender at Amazon. It sold for $123.85 and with a $125.00 purchase, I would get $25.00 off, bringing it down to $100.00 plus shipping. I added a small item and with shipping it came to $112.00.

This 390 watt motor is very powerful and for professional use. It has an off, low and high switch with pulse capability. The difference between blending and liquefying is the amount of time you allow the ingredients to blend. There is no revving of the motor when blending ice, frozen concentrated orange juice or chocolate chips. It is a very serious blender.

The cloverleaf remains the design shape of the glass container. It holds a 40 oz capacity, molded with striations for design and one cup measuring markers advancing to just below the top at 5 cups. It has a black rubber top, with a clear plastic cap inserted in the center. This clear plastic cap equals 1/3 cup (for measuring convenience).

The base is available in pewter, stainless steel, bright and brushed copper bases. This unit stands on 3 rubber feet, with no provisions for self storage of a thick, black 3 foot cord with a 3 prong grounding plug. If this is not available in your kitchen (Or where ever you blend), there are instructions in the booklet for installing an adapter.

ASSEMBLY

Place the glass container on the base. At the top of the glass container, place the black rubber lid with the clear plastic cap attached. That's it. No separate gaskets, blades, bases or gizmo's. Fully assembled my blender measures 15.5 inches in height, from the rubber base feet to the top of the clear cap. The widest part of the base measures 7.5 inches across.

CLEANING

Directions reveal the easiest way to clean the glass container is to fill it 1/3 full of water, add a few drops of dishwashing detergent, replace the lid, blend and rinse several times. I can fit my hands down to the bottom with the sponge, and conveniently hold the container with the handle. I have had no trouble cleaning this. I do see how this would be difficult for people with larger hands. This container remains a heavyweight. The base can be damp sponged for cleaning. Do not immerse in water.

USAGE

In New York, it is not quite Pina Colada time yet, but my children have requested milkshakes and smoothies, just to try out the unit. (Or so they say.)

I have scooped ice cream into this blender and added chocolate chips. I was surprised to find that this blender is no louder than any other blender I've heard. I have not heard the motor being taxed when challenged with chopping the chips or ice. My recipes blended exceptionally well within seconds.

TROUBLES

I found that the black rubber lid did not prevent the liquid from squirting out where it seals to the glass container. I don't know if this was intentional or not, I'm calling the company. I find that if I hold the lid in place though, the contents remain in the blender.

Perhaps it was their intention to keep you at the blender, when in use. I didn't have this on my old blender. It would not be the biggest problem, as this machine does blend a perfectly consistent texture in seconds, yes, seconds.

UPDATE 5/9/06: I contacted Waring with regards to my problem with the lid. They said this is a common complaint that happens because of the air current when this blender is started. Their suggestion is to start and stop the blender quickly a couple of times and this should solve the problem. I did this and it worked!

WARRANTY

This blender comes with a five year limited motor warranty and one year limited appliance warranty. The waring service center gives a 1 800 269-4460 telephone number, but is not available after 4:30 pm.


It comes with an instruction booklet, that includes 8 pages of recipes including smoothies, soups, blue cheese dressing (YES!!) and chocolate silk pie.

Thank you for reading my review!