KitchenAid KSB5 5-Speed Blender, Empire Red

Vast Improvements Over the Previous Generation Model
Let me start by saying that we have had a KitchenAid blender since 1998; it was good but not great. With this updated version of the KSB5, KitchenAid has made improvements galore!
1. the lid: completely different and much improved: there are no longer 2 add-in ingredients openings & caps with tiny little impossible-to-clean crevices and no more rubber sealer to clean (and tear or rot over time)
2. the buttons: easier to push - there is a definite click when you push them instead of having to mash and mash like on the old buttons; but it still features KitchenAid's easy clean touch pad
3. the pitcher: much nicer, let's just say different, with a different heft and weight to it, but especially with the added convenience of a pouring spout (missing from the previous incarnation)
4. color: we happen to have purchased the Empire Red on a whim (a departure from my all-white countertop appliance theme) and love it: the shade is not too orange and very vibrant
**but...

The Best Blender I've ever owned
I received my blender and that very night made Banana Blueberry smoothies. I've tried to make smoothies with my Hamilton Beach Blender for over 2 years and each time I have lumps of ice or the protein powder doesn't fully blend and leaves a chalky taste. Well this blender is tops!!!! It crushed the ice very well and blended all of my ingrediants with ease. The smoothie lived up to it's name, it was smooth and free of any chunks of ice and or fruit. I did a lot of research on blenders this past 7 months and all the reviews on Kitchenaid seemed to boast of a high quality machine with few problems. It's a little extra money, but it's well worth it.

Had to take advantage of the replacement warranty on 2nd use
Received the blender mid-Feb, first used it mid-March to make hummus. No problem. Tried to make vichyssoise mid-April but the machine started to smoke -- creating a haze in my kitchen not to mention the fact that it smelled awful! -- when I simply tried to puree the cooked and cooled leek-potato mixture. I was dismayed, remembering the reviews I had read here of similar problems but counting on the mostly good comments, and recommendation of a friend. The first time I called Kitchen Aid's hotline to take advantage of the "no hassle full replacement warranty" I was on hold for about 20 minutes. When an operator did answer my call, she was snippy and wanted to imply that I had done something wrong thereby voiding the warranty. However, I had neglected to bring the serial # to work with me from where I was placing the call so she couldn't complete the transaction. When I called the next day, I was on hold for no more than five minutes and the operator asked no questions...

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