Braun MX2050 PowerMax 525-Watt 58-Ounce Jug Blender
by Procter & Gamble - kitchen
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: Procter & Gamble - kitchenBrand: Braun
Model: MX2050
Color: White
Product features:
- 525-watt blender with 5 speeds plus pulse setting
- Heavy-duty, stainless-steel blade crushes ice quickly
- 58-ounce glass jar allows pouring from 3 different positions
- Dual safety system; dishwasher-safe parts
- Measures 8-1/2 by 11 by 14-7/8 inches; 1-year warranty
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Braun MX2050 PowerMax 525-Watt 58-Ounce Jug Blender
Customer Review: Good bargain for light use blender.
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this blender on the recommendation of Cook's Illustrated - I wanted a blender that could power through ice for mixed drinks! And... at first, I thought it was about worthless... I would put ice and mixers in and blend and it seemed like it took forever and ever and still had chunks of ice. I tried a few different times and it was always "just okay." So, it sat in the cupboard and I gave up on it.
Then I decided I wanted to make fruit smoothies (couldn't afford the $5 a pop at the local joint) so I drug out the blender, but I didn't have high hopes. And, unsurprisingly, it didn't do well on that, either. I couldn't understand - I had liquid and frozen fruit - and it kept getting bogged down - I had to stick a wooden spoon it and try to break it up to get it to blend. Then it would only blend for 5 seconds, and you could hear the blades just spinning, but nothing was happening. I was ready to chuck the blender and get the KitchenAid a friend has and raves about...but I didn't want to spend $100. So I gave it one more shot - and finally figured out the secret.
[In my experience] YOU ABSOLUTELY CANNOT PUT ALL YOUR INGREDIENTS IN AT THE SAME TIME. Meaning, to make my smoothie, I put in all the liquid and a small handful of frozen blueberries - then blend. When that is smooth, then I add a frozen strawberry or two - then blend. Then another strawberry or two - then blend... until I have the desired smoothie thickness.
I have yet to try this method with pure ice for frozen margaritas, but I imagine it would work the same way. But even if it didn't work, I drink smoothies way more than I drink frozen margaritas, so for the time being, this is the perfect blender for me, as it has paid for itself just in the month I have been making smoothies!
NOVEMBER 2007 UPDATE: I would change my rating to 3 stars if I could (I changed the title to "light use"). Why? This blender has died. It could not handle making a frozen fruit smoothie every day, and broke down after less than two months of steady use. I am not sure what the technical name of the piece is, but it's the hard plastic "teeth" that join to make the blades spin. It completely broke in half and was irreparable. To replace it would involve buying an entirely new jug, which costs more than buying a brand new blender! Since I was going to be making smoothies every day, I opted for a professional VitaMix blender. But, if you only use this blender for light duty a few times a month, then I would still recommend it. But if you are using it every day, this is probably not the blender for you.
Description of Braun MX2050 PowerMax 525-Watt 58-Ounce Jug Blender
Braun MX2050 PowerMax Jug BlenderBlenders
Kitchen and Housewares