Nostalgia MSB-585 Margarator 1-Gallon Margarita-Making Machine
by The Helman Group
(Click here)
Product Summary
Manufacturer: The Helman GroupBrand: Nostalgia Electrics
Model: MSB-585
Product features:
- 85-watt margarita maker with ice grinding/shaving motor
- Front-mounted serving spout for easy dispensing
- Insulated container holds up to 128 ounces; carrying handle
- AC/DC power capabilities; car plug and power cord included
- Measures 10 by 10-1/2 by 19-2/7 inches; 90-day warranty
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Nostalgia MSB-585 Margarator 1-Gallon Margarita-Making Machine
Customer Review: Cool name - over-hyped product
Summary: 2 Stars
Summary - the margarator kinda works, with much effort during the party (oh, were you planning to have fun instead of work?). It seems cheaply constructed, and other's experiences (failures) bear that out. Those with high expectations will likely be disappointed, and I think that's why there are so many negative reviews. However, to get better than this, you have to turn to the expensive pro-machines. Welcome to your new home: Rock and a hard place and you in between. I would suggest machine rentals, except at $100 a pop, after 12 parties and you could have bought a used pro machine yourself.
What is it?
The Margarator is an insulated blender with dull blades that pulverizes the ice in a margarita mix to make a frozen drink.
Quality?
The motor and build quality are suggestive of a heavily cost-reduced consumer product.
It is just about possible if you get everything cold to get fairly decent results. However, if your expectations are perfect restaurant quality frozen margaritas then you will probably be disappointed.
Use experience:
The reality of using it is (as others have said), a challenge to get the mix cold enough without diluting the mix too much with ice. It does take much longer to get the mix ready than the instructions suggest. Use tip - keep the machine running when serving, otherwise the ice floats to the top and you just get the liquid at the bottom.
After running a friend's Margarator all night at 2 parties, I really wanted to serve frozen margaritas at my own parties (and fruit granitas for my kids parties). But the shortcomings of the Margarator had me looking around for other options. Eventually, I dropped coin on a used Taylor 430 restaurant machine. Even used they're like 10x-15x the price of the price of a new magarator, so it doesn't seem like it's a fair comparison. But unfortunately a restaurant machine is the next step up from breaking up ice in a blender. There are some <$1k granita machines (with the see-through bowls - e.g. Faby), but they are not designed for outdoor heat, plus you can't top it up with extra mix since you'd dilute the frozen mix with unfrozen product and have to wait an hour for it to refreeze. If you're willing to spend that much, you might as well spend a little more to get a machine that really does what you want; a used Taylor or Crathco that will last for years and years.
Consumer vs. Pro:
One of the main pluses is the pro machines basically never die as they are easily repaired and could be resold for virtually the same amount you paid for it years later. When you consider the net loss of owning a pro machine that's resold 4 years later vs. the cost of a new margarator (with no resale value after 4 years), then the pro option might not seem like such a crazy proposition. Sure, you have to front more cash at the start for the pro machine, but the total cost of ownership at the end of 4 years is not as wildly different as it first seems.
Description of Nostalgia MSB-585 Margarator 1-Gallon Margarita-Making Machine
Be a part of the party! Now you can make a gallon of Margaritas at one time! Fill the Margarator with ice, Margarita mix and Tequila. Secure the safety lid and flip the switch. In a matter of minutes you will have delicious, refreshing Margaritas.Blenders
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