KitchenAid KSB580NK 5 Speed Blender Custom Metallic, Brushed Nickel Product: KitchenAid KSB580NK 5 Speed Blender Custom Metallic, Brushed Nickel Review. List Price: $179.99 Amazon Price: $129.98 Click Here To See Amazon Sale Price Add to cart to see low price@ Availability: In Stock Usually ships in 24 Hours Free Shipping Available

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KitchenAid Metal Blenders combine outstanding performance, durability and an easy to clean design to perform everyday kitchen tasks from making smoothies to pureeing vegetables for soup, to crushing ice and making pesto. This blender features a 56 oz shatter-resistant blend & serve pitcher. Its soft grip handle is comfortable and the jar’s lighter weight allows for anyone to use, including kids. One piece dishwasher safe pitcher with Stainless Steel one-piece blade eliminates food traps and any need to disassemble. Clean Touch control pad wipes clean in an instant. Unique pitcher design and patented blade system combine with .9 HP motor and Intelli-Speed electronic controls for fast, consistent blending. Includes 1 Year Hassle Free Replacement warranty through KitchenAid.

• Amazon Sales Rank: #850 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Color: Brushed Nickel
• Brand: KitchenAid
• Model: KSB580NK
• Released on: 2006-03-24
• Dimensions: 9.00″ h x 7.00″ w x 15.00″ l, 9.90 pounds

Features

• Large 56 ounce Polycarbonate jar
• Patented Stainless Steel One-piece Blade Design
• Solid Die-Cast Metal and Heavy Duty Polycarbonate Base
• Automatic Crush Ice Button
• Clean Touch control panel for easy clean up

The Blender with Intelligence
I have owned a lot of blenders and this one is very impressive. I was tempted to give it 4 stars as it is not the best blender I have ever owned. That distinction goes to the Vita-Mix which has a nuclear reactor for a base, sounds like a Harley and cost as much as a microwave but if you need a blender that can crush anything and make flour and HOT soup….well….but back to the KitchenAid.

First it looks great. As a home chef, having a sleek modern looking kitchen is important. Second it is easy to clean… I will never own a push button (i.e. old Oster-type) blender again. Nor one with a multi piece jar. One leak can and has ruined an evening or party, as you run to grab paper towel and dish clothes to control the margarita or soup that is running across your counter and down your cabinets. Then the fun of cleaning your blender nooks begin….grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Now the really impressive part. I have owned a Waring for years. Everyone always raves about it and if you have a thin liquid, it works great. But for crushing ice and making smoothies, it just flat out sucks. So I sought out an ice crushing (margaritas), sealed jar (gravies/soups), lightweight, large capacity (parties), easy touch (easy to clean), piece of art. The KitchenAid is all those things and has a logic built in that controls the blade speed. It knows how well it is crushing the ice and modulates the motor to ensure an even snow like texture that is incredible. The same system is also built into the other modes, measuring resistance to step the motor up, then back it down to ensure smooth results.

This is my first KitchenAid product, but it will not be my last. BRAVO

Top-Notch Blender
This is an excellent, high-quality blender. We replaced an inexpensive Oster with it and like this KitchenAid much, much more. Things I really like:

1) Power – this blender whips through hard-frozen fruit like nothing is there for wonderful smoothies.
2) Smooth, one piece control panel – makes for super-easy clean-up as there are no cracks or crevices to trap spills. Yet, the buttons behind the panel still have a nice tactile click response so you know you pressed one.
3) Brushed nickel finish – very attractive on your counter.
4) Polycarbonate jar – this worried me when considering this purchase as our old blender had a nice, thick glass jar. But, after using this blender for 3 months, I like this jar better. It is thick, yet lightweight, and hasn’t scratched (although I only use rubber or silicone spatulas inside any way).
5) One piece blades & jar – our old blender had a screw-off base, resulting in 4 parts for clean-up – the base, the blade assembly, the jar itself & a rubber gasket. This blender’s blades are permanently mounted in the bottom of the jar making for easy clean-up. I either just put it in the dishwasher on the bottom shelf, or I rinse it out, fill it up halfway with warm water & a small squirt of dishwasher detergent and run it on medium for 10 seconds or so.

Unlike another reviewer, I have experienced no leaks. There is a hex hut on the bottom of the jar that holds in the blade assembly & I am sure there is a rubber gasket underneath the nut. If I ever do get a leak, I plan trying to slightly tighten this nut with an adjustable wrench – I imagine it could possibly loosen over time due to vibration.

The bottom line is that while there are certainly many less expensive blenders on the market, this is an extremely powerful, well-built & attractive option. I think it is worth the price (I had a $20 rebate to lessen the sting), but others may not depending on their budget.

UPDATE after a summer of making daiquiris & margaritas – This blender makes FANTASTIC frozen drinks. It really pulverizes the ice & frozen fruit to make a killer frozen cocktail!

Monster ice crusher
If you’re into crushed ice and smoothie type drinks, this is easily the best one I’ve found. It reduces ice cubes to a smooth slush in just seconds. The “crush ice” mode pulses on and off to crush the ice quickly and few more seconds at a higher speed smooths it out and adds some air volume. It also looks very sleek, so won’t mind leaving it out on your bar or in the kitchen.