Blender Blow-Out

A few more smoothies and the blender had a blow out. Michael had suggested throwing ice into the mix and after we did the container started leaking. Eventually the whole thing let loose and we were shut down. After further examination it was determined that a set of interlocking plastic tabs had failed. My observation leads me to believe that the ice cubes jammed themselves between the blades and the bottom of the container and loaded the small tabs holding the container and blade assembly together. These tabs were part of the injection molded container and were located a fair distance from the molding gate location which can result in the tab material having molded in stresses. The additional load from the ice cubes combined with the tab's small size and prestressed state resulted in these structural failure of the tabs and the container. The net result is seen below.

After a prompt discussion and numerous attempts by Michael to throw the blender out the door I convinced him we return the device and give Sunbeam a BIG THUMBS DOWN in our review. We also do not recommend anyone in the blender market to consider products which assemble with plastics tabs or which use plastic liquid containers. Better to get the glass threaded types. If you require assistance in buying your blender, ring us for a consultation, we are cheap.

Off to Game (pronounced Gah-may), the store where we purchased the unit, with the blender just as you see it above. Michael wanted no part with the return process and promptly disappeared during the transaction. I unloaded the unit on to the counter and kindly gave my analysis. The customer service woman was either impressed with the explanation or just wanted to clear the dripping mess off her counter - regardless she refunded the whole thing. Back to isle 9 to find the next victim in our blender shoot out. We now procured the Salton Elite stainless steel 2 speed 500 Watt blender. It comes with a glass container and six chopping blades. It also has a unique blade and container assembly which is not made to be easily disassembled. It is held in place with fasteners and is really made to stay together. Clean-up requires pouring water in the blender and running it and then washing. A unique set-up but so far it has been performing like a champ.

The smoothies have been so successful that they have expanded to include deliveries right to climbers on the routes. Here is Michael working an early morning project and enjoying a smoothie on the route.