Margaritaville DM1000 Frozen Concoction Maker
by Margaritaville
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List Price: Our Price: $244.79 You Save: $180.21 (42%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $99.99 (click here) Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Margaritaville DM1000 Frozen Concoction Maker
Customer Review: don't order as a surprise gift!
Summary: 5 Stars
Let me start by saying this is one amazing machine! It is fun and easy to make really, really good margaritas. It's a little bit of effort to measure and add all the separate ingredients into the pitcher, but it's a blast to press the button and watch the ice be shaved, added and blended to perfection. This machine even turns itself off when it's done. First time users can't help but laugh out loud to watch the show!
That being said, I was VERY disappointed in the shipping. I ordered this as a surprise holiday gift for my husband. It was a great price, great shipping deal, and arrived in two days on my porch. Unfortunately, the shipping label was stuck right on the Margaritaville box, so the entire neighborhood could see this expensive appliance sitting on my porch all afternoon (glad it wasn't stolen) and my husband got home before I did, so needless to say his surprise gift was not a surprise any longer! Also, the Margaritaville box is thin cardboard, not corrugated or suitable for shipping, so it arrived very beat up and torn. Luckily the Concoction Maker is safely packed in styrofoam so it wasn't damaged, but I really think Amazon should have packed this appliance in a cardboard shipping box with packing peanuts or something.
Finally, a few pointers. We usually use the recipe for three people, which calls for three shots of tequila, but we find that three and a half is a better drink. Also, some feedback has said it's too tall to sit out on the kitchen counter under a cabinet, but ours fits there ok. We have to pull it out to fill the ice hopper on top, but it looks great sitting there, just beckoning after a long workday!
Customer Review: Excellent for Frozen Smoothies
Summary: 5 Stars
I am very impressed with this machine. Even tho it specializes in Margaritas, it also makes the best fruit smoothies and frozen concoction of any kind. What a difference it makes to have that "shaved ice" instead of only a regular "blender" drink! This machine makes frozen drinks to the desired consistency I've been wanting for a long time.
It's very helpful to have the automatic settings to use, but also good to be able to manually add more "shaved ice" to your recipe when making your own concoctions. I love how there is an overflow compartment in the back where the melted ice collects and is easily removed to drain. I am able to make my fruit smoothies on a daily basis with such ease! It only takes a few minutes, so quick and easy to use. Very easy cleanup too - and that's important.
The only negative side of this machine is how big it is. It's very tall and does not fit in most of my cupboard space. If you buy this machine, then you will likely need to keep it as a countertop appliance at all times. But, considering how easy it is to use, that's not such a bad idea anyway.
Oh yeah! Please be careful to hang on to the blender handle with a firm grip before it starts the blending process! The first time I didn't hang on to it, the power of the motor actually unscrewed the bottom of the blender area and it leaked out on the counter. The motor is very strong, and I cannot seem to get the blender blades & bottom seal screwed on tight enough without having to hold it while blending. Otherwise, i have no complaints about the quality of this product.
Customer Review: Excellent Machine! The best I've seen!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
This Margaritaville Frozen Concoction Maker DM1000 is the best that I've ever seen. At one point, I seriously considered buying the Island Oasis for $2500, as pricey as that is, just to have a good machine at home for entertaining...but then I found this thing, read all the reviews and figured, why not give it a shot for under $300? I'M SO GLAD I DID!
This thing has a powerful motor, and it's finished drinks are as good as you'll get out of any Island Oasis machine. It truly is dummy-proof and makes a professional bartender out of just about anyone. Follow written drink recipies or create your own. Tripping over your own great recipies is half the fun with this thing!
In the beginning, we though the drinks came out a bit watery, but due to the ice being shaven, then blended, the shaved ice would often melt down a bit, losing a bit of the "slushyness". We found that we ignored a few tips to actually freeze the blender jar (or at least refrigerate it for a while) before making drinks. This way, when the shaven ice hits the jar, it does not instantly start to melt. This is the secret to making a drink with the perfect consistency.
This machine is great at home, and we bought the carrying case for it as well so we can take it with us to our football tailgating parties and everything else. People have seen it in action and now request that we bring it with us to their events. I should start charging a rental fee and make my purchase money back on it!!!
If you don't have one of these...BUY ONE!!! It is great.
Customer Review: Great At Shaved Ice; Recipe Suggestion Below
Summary: 5 Stars
PROS:
1) Succeeds fabuolously at its primary mission: making the perfect shaved ice margarita, frozen daiquiri, or smoothie. Many drinks taste so much better as a "smoothie". It's interesting how even regular juice tastes so much better and more refreshing as a shaved ice drink.
2) Upscale design: Looks very professional and cool for a party. Seems to be a heavy duty design that would last a long time.
3) Easy clean up. Though I avoid the dishwasher based on other's recommendations, it's still easy to clean up.
CONS:
1) Expensive, though this is a personal choice.
2) Big and heavy makes it not a simple kitchentop blender.
3) Each batch makes 32 oz. This is enough for most parties, but if you're trying to serve to 50+ people, this probably won't be able to make them fast enough.
4) Drinks can taste diluted if you take a standard recipe and add shaved ice. This is not a fault of the unit, of course. After experimenting a lot, I've found this party recipe to work well: 6 oz. Malibu Coconut rum + 4 oz. Pineapple Juice CONCENTRATE (the round cans in the frozen juice section of the grocery store). This is a bit concentrated by itself, but when shaved ice is added, it makes for a perfect blend without being too diluted or too strong.
Overall, though I hesitated at the price, this unit is fun for all ages, and turns any cold drink into a refreshing event. I'm very glad I bought it.
Customer Review: You Will LOVE It!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
My coastal cottage is named "Margaritaville" so, of course, I had to have the Margaritaville Frozen Concoction Maker. I opted for the DM 1000. For very little more than the DM 500, you get much more pazazz and convenience. And...no matter what anyone tells you - you don't need the DM2000. The ice reservoir is PLENTY big on the 1000. It will make four pitchers (24 drinks in average-sized Margarita glasses before more ice is needed. Also, you don't need the different drink textures. There is no huge difference - so, save yourselve $110. plus dollars and buy the DM1000. There is positively no guess work and your frozen drinks will come out perfectly every time. The ice is shaved and added to the pitcher, your drinks are blended and the machine even shuts itself off when your drinks are ready!
Here's my recipe for excellent Margaritas without those syrupy, fake-y tasting Margarita mixes : You will need one large can of frozen limeade concentrate; Tequila and Triple Sec. Add the entire contents of the limeade can to the pitcher. Using the can, measure 1/2 can of Tequila and 1/3 can of Triple Sec and pour each into the pitcher. A touch more of both the Tequila and the Triple Sec is fine and will ensure your drink glasses will be full. Put the selection switch on "3 drinks". Fill the reservoir to the line with ice cubes, cover and put the pitcher in place. Flip the toggle up. Yum. Six excellent frozen Margaritas, perfectly mixed.