Oster 4093 Classic Beehive Blender, Silver
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List Price: Our Price: $47.95 You Save: $22.04 (31%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Oster 4093 Classic Beehive Blender, Silver
Customer Review: Pretty good value, with some limitations and minor concerns
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this Oster "Classic Beehive Blender, Chrome" because I wanted a solid, reliable and well reviewed unit with a glass container instead of a polycarbonate one. Given the reviews and price, it seemed that this unit did the job. That it looks identical to the Oster blender my family had for many years was an added bonus, and convinced me that it would be something that would last.
I must say that after using it for about a year, I'm sold on Oster blenders in general, but a little ambivalent about this particular unit, which doesn't quite meet my needs. There are plusses and minuses to it. I'll start with the minuses...
First, the base's cover - instead of being chrome steel as I assumed, is plastic. While in some ways beneficial (it won't dent, and doesn't seem to scratch easily), this makes it clear this unit is "classic" in the sense of appearance only.
Second, the black plastic base for the glass container is thinner and more fragile-feeling than the heavy one from my old unit. While it has lasted, I worry about stripping the threads if I screw it on too tight, or cracking it if I accidentally bang it on the counter too hard. --- But then again, it has lasted for a year without experiencing any of the problems I've been worrying about, The replacement part is readily available, should I need it.
Plusses:
The unit is durable and powerful, it handles frozen fruit smoothies and chops ice without a problem.
It works exactly like advertised - no surprises, and aside from the two minor concerns mentioned above, seems to be very well put together.
No problems, despite months of making frozen fruit smoothies several times a week using this unit, and the occasional evening drink.
Availability of spare and extra parts and different blades is a big plus. As a brand, Oster has made a believer out of me.
I am surprised how durable the blade on this unit has been. I've really subjected it to alot of abuse, and yet it seems as sharp as ever.
Wish List:
Experience has shown that I really needed three additional features, all of which will be on my list if I shop for another blender at some point in the future...
First, I should have gotten a unit that was heavier. When using the "on" setting (instead of "pulse") the unit will often "walk" across the counter when attempting to blend something that is chunky and/or thick. (Having an option of running the blades at a lower speed would have alleviated this problem, too.)
Second, a "pusher" to break up clumps and push large chunks down towards the blades would be useful, and is included with higher end models. It is also available as an accessory.
Finally, and the biggest issue, is this unit only has a "pulse" and an "on" setting - no variability of speed. This has been a real problem. These two settings make the unit pretty good, I suppose, for bartending, but it turns the making of a fruit smoothie and other concoctions into a major hassle: your choices are either to sit there and play with the pulse switch to avoid "air bubble lockup" around the blades; or else leave it running on "high", which works best for relatively thin mixtures, and runs the risk of "walking" that I mentioned above.
In summary, the unit is a good value for the money: durable and from a good manufacturer. It is missing features I now know I really could use, and will look for if I ever need to buy a replacement. Overall, given the three features I wish it had, the "cheap" feeling of the chromed plastic cover on the base, and the seemingly flimsy base on the container, I do not feel I can rate this unit as 5 stars, but it definitely is better than merely "OK". I'll give it 4 stars.
Customer Review: Beehive BeGONE!!
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased one of these blenders Sept 10, 2009. I'd been in the market for a new one for a while, but when my last blender burned out (it was only two years old), and I discovered that I was going to have to start making special "soup" for my sick ferrets on a regular basis, I decided the time was NOW.
After perusing various reviews, looking at floor models in several stores, I decided on the Beehive. Took it home, made a couple of banana smoothies (milk, banana, fresh berries, a little ice for thickness). Worked great. Mixed up a batch of "soup" for the ferts (boiled chicken (NO BONES), some ground-up vitamin supplements, cooked chopped chicken livers & gizzards & hearts, some chopped raw beef liver, a little pumpkin, a little banana -- nothing rough, mind you, and all was rosy. A week later, the stupid thing stopped locking the jar into place . I removed the jar, took the entire unit apart, and found that the jar collar (the part that holds the blades and gasket in place) was cracked. Not just a hairline crack, but a travelling, meandering, enormous crack that wandered around 2/3 the circumference.
I took the thing back to Target along with my receipt. The clerk gave me some bizarre song-and-dance about Target "not taking back used merchandise" (?!?!?) even with receipt (mind you, not only did I have the receipt; it wasn't even a month old at this point). I knew her explanation was nonsense, but sinnce I really liked the blender and they didn't have any others in stock at the moment, I accepted her idea and took the plastic collar off the floor model. Much less hassle for everyone, right?
Went home and used the thing to make, oh, maybe four more smoothies over the next two weeks. Made another batch of ferret "Duck Soup". No problem.
I made two more smoothies about two weeks later, and again, the machine started stumbling across the countertop. Took it apart and lo and behold -- an even BIGGER crack in this collar.
I took everything, including original receipt, back to Target and flat-out told the snotty clerk (a different one) that I was not going to play the "we can't take used returns" nonsense, and to REFUND MY MONEY. I wasn't hostile, but I was firm. Glaring the entire time, this one refunded my money.
Now I have to find yet another blender -- hopefully one that DOESN'T have a cheap piece of crapola PLASTIC jar collar. Problem is, I haven't yet seen any description of "collars" for any model, so again, it'll be hit-or-miss unless I go look at floor models again.
Customer Review: Great, but careful when you wash it
Summary: 4 Stars
This is my third blender in the past 3 years. First one of this brand\model. I've owned this one for 2 years now. I make a smoothie every morning for breakfast. I don't put ice in my smoothie, but I do use frozen fruit and this blender blends up my milk and protein powder and flax seed and fruit in just under 20 seconds. Sometimes less if I use small fruits like blueberries.
I really like this blender for the price and the quality of the components. It only has 3 settings. 1)off 2)regular on 3)high on. I only use the off and the regular on setting.
What I don't like is washing it. Since I use this item daily, I like to just rinse it out and put the lid with the little top thingie in the top rack of the dishwasher and the pitcher with the glass, rubber seal, blade, and plastic bottom upside down on the lower rack of the dishwasher. Well if I don't remove the pitcher as soon as the washer is finished, the parts start to rust. So now the metal part with the blade is rusting, since "rust never rests" right?
Now I can't really complain. A blender with a metal gear and strong motor for under $60 (I paid around $56 at Target) is great. One of my previous blenders was a Cuisinart. I paid $99 for that one and the drive was plastic. It broke when I used frozen pineapple in a smoothie one morning. Big bummer.
For all the people whose blenders broke right away, I don't know what to say. Maybe you overloaded the pitcher? I mean some things won't blend. And if you have too many solids and not enough liquid, the blender can't get everything to tumble properly in the pitcher - so not everything will make it down to the blade.
If you're not sure if there's enough liquid but you notice things aren't moving around properly in the pitcher, open the lid just a bit and add a small amount of liquid (milk, water, booze, broth, depends on what you're making) and if things start mixing properly, then that's all the problem ever was. Not enough liquid.
I'd buy another one of these, and probably will have to since the bottom part is rusting because I've not taken good care of it. But for a daily use item, $56 for two years is quite a bargain in my opinion.
Customer Review: not perfect, but close
Summary: 4 Stars
This blender really is loud. Crazy loud. I switched it to the "on" position once and probably never will again - totally earsplitting. The "pulse" position, however, is not quite as loud (like a car starting up, as opposed to a jet taking off), but plenty powerful enough to make the smoothest smoothies I have ever had in my life. Considering that I spent the last 6 years holding down the "ice crush" button on my old Black & Decker blender (I rarely, if ever, actually used any of the 12 speeds), I am not bothered by having to hold down the switch.
I love the square shape of the pitcher, it makes it very easy to pour without spilling. It is a little bit smaller than I'm used to, but still sufficient for my needs. The dreaded "air pocket" (which is what made me replace my old blender) has only happened once, when I added the ingredients in the wrong order. (Liquids first - it really does make a difference!)
I really like how many different accessories are available for Oster blenders (I have the stainless steel pitcher, the milkshake blade, the mini-jar, and two Blend 'N' Go cups) and that was a major deciding factor for me in choosing this one over the Kitchenaid. I also wasn't comfortable spending $100 on a blender with a plastic pitcher and a blade that can't be replaced if it goes dull. Not only can this blade be replaced, there are different blades for different purposes. Awesome.
I have seen some reviews where people have had the center, plastic part of the lid fall into the blender while blending soup. The directions clearly state that the center part of the lid should be left off for venting purposes while blending hot liquids. If you don't follow the directions, you shouldn't blame the blender.
Customer Review: Don't buy
Summary: 1 Stars
I am editing this review after using it again this morning. I hate this blender. If I had it to do all over again, I would not buy this. Unfortunately I spent $70 bucks on it and I only have so much to spend on blenders. What will surprise you about this blender is it only has an on and off switch - no pulse. I have to beat the crap out of it with my hand or turn it off and stick a knife in there to get it to blend fully. It totally sucks and gets my day started on the wrong foot. Don't buy this.
This was my previous review:
I had an old Oster blender with a plastic jar that finally begun slowing down. I decided after reading the reviews that this was a good alternative.
Here's why I wish the old blender had not stopped working:
-This is extremely noisy and if you like making your smoothies right after you have just woken up, this is a rude awakening.
-The jar is too narrow - food does not make its way towards the bottom to be chopped without help. Every time I use this, I have to stop and remove the lid, then force the contents towards the bottom, then re-start. Sometimes this works and sometimes I have to add more liquid, beat the jar with my hand, or use a utensil to force the food towards the base.
-When the product is finally finished, if it's too thick, the jar does not easily feed the drink into your cup...oftentimes it goes over the outside of the glass because the pour spout is too narrow.
For the price, I would not purchase this blender again. It looks cool, but does not function like I would expect for a $70 blender.