Back to Basics SALPHA500 Smoothie Signature Smoothie Maker
by Back to Basics
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List Price: Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Back to Basics SALPHA500 Smoothie Signature Smoothie Maker
Customer Review: Good news, bad news.
Summary: 2 Stars
I really liked the way the smoothie maker performed, it was awesome at crushing ice! However, like several other people, the spout cracked after 3 months. I ordered a new part, but the new spout broke during the first use. I am now looking for a new brand.Customer Review: Great honeymoon period....
Summary: 1 Stars
Blender did what it was supposed to do, that is, blend fruit into shakes, for about 6 months of use. I was happy.
Blender comes with 2 caps for the base - a small screw on tap and a spout. The spout is difficult to clean and adds little benefit so I used the screw on cap. After about 6 months the cap cracked from normal wear and tear and smoothie maker began leak into the base and on the counter top. I reverted to using the spout cap and this cracked after 3--that's right 3--uses. I resorted back to using the small cap wrapped in a towel for about 2 months. Then yesterday during blending the base started to smoke as the bottom part of the blade ground into the smoothie base it is attached to. Plastic splintered everywhere and now I have no smoothie.
If a good blender for you is 6 months worth of use, buy this blender. Otherwise I suggest reading reviews of this blender and other blenders from this manufacturer - you will see a common theme. I wish I had...
Customer Review: Do NOT Buy
Summary: 1 Stars
Okay so this thing seems great at first, the reveiws are so so and it seems like it has power. EXCEPT it cannot be run for long periods of time, so if you are making a full belnder of say a frozen fruit smoothie it will not blend all the fruit therefore leaving you with chunks. If you do run it for too long it starts to stink becuase the motor is burning.
Also, it is very very hard to obtain parts, the spout broke just from normal use, which I find now, is common, and I searched online then finally found a phone number to order, the people are rude, the parts are Way too expensive (the spout was $15 plus shipping) and the shipping was terribly slow.
I don't know what this would be good for, as evn if you are not blending frozen things, the motor still can't run for longer than a couple of minutes.
Save your money, and buy a Hamilton Beach single serve blender, this little guy rocks! It comes with a travel lid and will fit in your car cup holder.
Customer Review: Defective blender base, cracks easily
Summary: 1 Stars
I too own this blender, & instantly fell in love with the power & ability to grind large quantities of ice. I new it was too good to be true though. After about a year & a half of ownership, one day my wife & I were making some smoothies when we noticed liquid running all over the counter. First thought was we assembled the gasket wrong after its last cleaning. So after cleaning up the mess, we took it apart, and discovered a very long hairline crack within the base. At least two other reviewers also had this same problem, so I don't think it was just my bad luck.
To make matters worse, the only place we could find replacement parts was from the manufacturer's website. The part is only $7.00 dollars, but you have to pay almost another $10.00 to get it shipped. Add tax, and you're at half the cost of the blender!
My recommendation: Pass on this unit due to a potential defect in the blender base.
Customer Review: Beware of not cleaning the dispenser properly
Summary: 1 Stars
The problem is that to clean the container properly, you need to remove the cap or dispenser. Then it becomes difficult to get the cap on & off, or the dispenser starts leaking. Once I tried to clean the container without removing the dispenser. True story--the next time I went to use my smoothie maker, there were fly larvae in the dispenser. Disgusting. I was on my 2nd Back to Basics smoothie maker pro when the glass container broke. Come to find out, there are no replacement parts. I purchased a Kitchenaid 3 speed blender. Not only does it make better smoothies, in way less time--you do not even need a stir stick and it is so easy to clean. Well worth the extra cost.