Praise for forum, and stick blender

[nettles]

Hi, all! First, I want to say that I think this forum is just the cat's meow! I've learned so much already. I learned about soap calculators, and that soap doesn't really need to heat up and gel to turn into soap. THAT was a shocker. And I learned some more about fairies and pixies... where else could I get all that?

I also learned about stick blenders. I was previously ignorant of their existence. So I went out and bought one, but haven't used it yet, it is still in the box. It is a Kitchen Aid. I thought to ask people's opinion first. It is not EXACTLY what I wanted, what I wanted was a cordless one that could be recharged. I saw two so far, a Cuisinart Smart Stick, and a Beville. Does anybody have experience with using any of these products, and care to share your thoughts? It's not too late for me to return mine to the store..... :?:
May all your batches be wonderful!

 

[SimplyE]

Hi! This IS a great forum! So many kind, funny people willing to share!

I can't tell you on the brand of blender, but I am leaning at purchasing a cordless as well. Several batches ago, I accidentally dropped my corded blender into the sink full of vineger/neutralizing water. Oops!

IMO, sometimes cordless products can tend to not be as durable. I would go with a brand that has a good reputation. I am a huge fan of Cuisinart products. Don't know anything about Beville.

Good luck and welcome! :wink:

 

[surf girl]

I'll have to check my brand, can't remember off the top of my head. I like it because the blender end just pops off the corded end with a quarter turn. I wash it off and then throw it in the dishwasher.

 

[Jody]

I suggest you get one with at least two speeds.
The first one I bought had only one speed and it was bat out of hell speed. It was way too fast sometimes. I now have another one with a low and high speed and I mostly use the low speed. Works like a charm. I don't know what brand it is. It's just a real cheapy. I have an expensive Kitchen Aid one but I use that only for cooking. Not that I worry too much about mixing with soap and then food. I do use some stuff interchangeably for food and soap just not the blender. Why? I don't know.

 

[AshleyR]

I know you already bought your blender, but since you weren't sure about brands...

I have found that even the "best" stick blender doesn't last that long when using it in soapmaking. I started out with an expensive one, and it died about 3 months later. I've been making soap regularly (about twice a week, sometimes more!!) for almost a year now, and have gone through three stick blenders.

I just buy cheap ones now because I expect that they're going to die after a few months! I got my latest SB for $10 and it's lasted me the longest!

 

[Sonam]

I just started here too and I must say its been sooooo much help and support and sweetness

And thank goodness for the invention of the stick blender! After my first batch where my arm nearly fell of and never turned into soap, the SB became my best friend.

Cuisinart makes very nice toys :wink: I saw one that was expensive but it had detachable parts, a stick blender and a mini food processor. I may have to upgrade mine, its kinda cheap and the motor is shrieky. But since i don't need to use if long at a time i deal with it. :roll:

 

[jcandleattic]

I know you already bought your blender, but since you weren't sure about brands...

I have found that even the "best" stick blender doesn't last that long when using it in soapmaking. I started out with an expensive one, and it died about 3 months later. I've been making soap regularly (about twice a week, sometimes more!!) for almost a year now, and have gone through three stick blenders.

I just buy cheap ones now because I expect that they're going to die after a few months! I got my latest SB for $10 and it's lasted me the longest!

WOW - I've been soaping for going on 6 years now, and my FIRST stickblender just now had to be replaced - and not because it burned out. It was because I was having a bad day and accidently twisted the bottom part the wrong way to take it apart and the tabs that keep it together broke off. I can still use it, but have to hold both the top and bottom to get it to work, so I just went last weekend and bought a new one. I think I'd be buying the el-cheapos too if I went through that many...

 

[Barb]

i have the kitchenaid ( well two acutally), after purchasing the cheapy ones from walmart i bite the bullet and dished out the extra cash for a good one.
the shaft and bell are stainless steel, it detaches for washing. all the others have plastic shafts and bell. i melted one while mixing some hot oils and sugar together, the other one the bell part broke off in a large batch of soap.

if it had been cordless it would be perfect.

 

[topcat]

I suggest you get one with at least two speeds.
The first one I bought had only one speed and it was bat out of hell speed. It was way too fast sometimes. I now have another one with a low and high speed and I mostly use the low speed. Works like a charm. I don't know what brand it is. It's just a real cheapy. I have an expensive Kitchen Aid one but I use that only for cooking. Not that I worry too much about mixing with soap and then food. I do use some stuff interchangeably for food and soap just not the blender. Why? I don't know.

But Jody - think how clean your SB is after your soaping! Your food processing never had it so good!!!

Tanya

 

[topcat]

Nettles - I use the SB I had in the cupboard for preparing food. It is a good quality one with s/steel shaft and bell which is detachable also. I have only made....let me see......18 batches to date and it is still going fine. It is a Breville. I haven't made any CP with hand stirring!

Tanya

 

[surf girl]

I did check the brand I have - it's a Braun. It was on sale for $30, usually would have cost $60 or $70. It does have a special blender dealio that you can attach the motor to, so I guess that's why it's pricey.

Anyhoo, it's at about 20-25 batches thus far.

 

[Lil Outlaws]

After my first batch where my arm nearly fell off and never turned into soap

I'm very happy to hear that your arm never turned into soap

 

[Lindy]

I too love this Forum - the people here are always so helpful and supportive....

As for my SB it's an old Braun that has variable speed and I couldn't imagine soaping life without it!!!!!!!!

 

[Laurie]

I have the Braun SB which I also got on sale for about $30. Got it at London Drugs about 5 years ago. Silly me I didn't realize until I read your post Surf girl that it twists apart. Bonus.

Of course I probably don't make quite as much soap as the rest of you.

Laurie

 

[Deda]

I never pass up a SB, every yardsale, charity store, flea market. If I see one, I grab it.

You're right, the members here are nice!

 

[mnten]

Stick blender

I use a paint mixer on my quarter inch drill. Got it at Lowe,s for about a couple bucks. Works like a charm. Soap will usualy trace in about 10-15 minutes.