Hamilton Beach 56206 Smoothie Smart Blender

mixed reviews
I see that the reviews of this blender are quite mixed: from "can't be beat!" to "worthless."

Well, all I can do is tell you my experiences with this model.

The negative: Maybe it's just me, because others have written that it crushes ice cubes. I tried five ice cubes at a time, reducing it to even just one at a time, and I simple couldn't get more than something that resembled frost in the bottom of the blender.

I'll use it and enjoy it for hot chocolate and smoothies, but I'm still going to have to get an ice-crusher.

The positive:

It made perfect smoothies for me, using bananas, strawberries, blueberries and other fruit. Much of the fruit was frozen, but it still produced well-blended smoothies.

It makes wonderful "Abuelita-style" hot chocolate. This is the Mexican hot chocolate you make first heating milk in a microwave (Pyrex bowl), then pouring it into the blender and adding one of those hard Mexican discs of...

"The dogs did bark , the children screamed, Up flew the windows all; And every soul bawled out as loud as he could bawl."
I hope everyone enjoyed that little bit of William Cowper. And now about this Hamilton Beach Blender. Every once in a while you come across a product with a flaw so glaring you wonder how the product-development meeting went. Something like this maybe: "Well boys this smoothie blender is jack-hammer loud and not particularly good at making actual smoothies, and a previous incarnation of the blender, fondly remembered as 56205, was lambasted with bad reviews because the motor had a tendency to blow out in a month or so, but men we are not ones to learn from the past so I declare version 56206 market-ready!" And then the Regional Junior Vice-President, East Coast Division Bottom Floor, blows a kazoo and here we are, testing the Hamilton Beach 56206 Smoothie "Smart" Blender. Read on for the lousy details.

SET-UP AND APPEARANCE: I will admit this blender looks great, and I truly love the outward design. The controls are simple and very functional, with a one-touch "Smoothie"...

Ultimate blender, and not just for smoothies
This is the ultimate blender, and not just for smoothies. The heavy glass pitcher is so much more durable than the plastic kind, and the built-in spout makes for a splatter-proof pour.

My favorite feature would have to be the auto smoothie button. Simply put all the smoothie ingredients in, hit that button just once, and it does it all for you, from pulsing to chop ice to the final whir for that creamy, perfect consistency.

I've used mine to puree soup and for smoothies, and am totally happy with it. Unpeeled apple chunks in my smoothies practically melt to liquid, and even the skins are barely visible specks.

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Oster 124461-000-000 Osterizer Round Glass Blender Jar 5.25 I.D. - 5.38 O.D.

This jar's opening is 5" and its outer diameter is 5 1/2"
The jar fits the Oster Beehive blender and its blade & screw cap, but the 5 inch lid I own (from the original glass jar that came with this blender) doesn't fit this jar! The description "this jar requires a lid that is 5 inch in diameter" is unclear. The inner and outer diameters of the jar, which are 5 inch and 5

Vitamix 1710 Professional Series 500, Brushed Stainless Steel

Vitamix? Yes!... This model? Maybe...
First of all, let me join the others in saying that this appliance can truly be life-changing and I should have purchased it years ago. If you are considering this blender to eat healthier by adding fruits, vegetables and other natural, nutritious foods to your daily diet then don't wait. In just couple of weeks I have learned the basics and use my Vitamix at least once daily. I've lost weight and feel better, and I eat out just for the convenience much less. The ingredients to make a smoothie and many other recipes keep well in the fridge and freezer and it is easy and economical to have a healthy meal at hand.

However, this particular Vitamix may be over-kill for most. You pay around an extra $100 for the 3 presets over the 5200 model but they only add a small measure of convenience in my experience. The hot soup setting doesn't make the soup all that hot. I made a small batch of tomato soup and I had to transfer it to the stove for warming before serving. In other words,...

The Rolls Royce of Blenders
As I also posted on the Williams-Sonoma website, I had no qualms about spending $600 on this appliance after throughly researching reviews and videos and discussing with food pros. Am using at least 3x a day - hot soups, frozen fruit treats, dips, and smoothies and lassis to die for. So easy to use - no need to peel or remove seeds from fruits or vegetables. The 64-oz container is lightweight and easy to pour from; rubber lid snaps in tightly - no leakeage - and removes easily. It's important, for maximum effectiveness, to always put your wet ingredients in before the solid - this will prevent the solids from gumming up in the blades. As clearly stated in the accompanying recipe book - place the ingredients "in the order listed." Also a breeze to clean, and such a handsome addition to the kitchen counter - next to my Cuisinart, which is quickly becoming jealous from disuse. Not surprising that this is the blender used on Iron Chef - I keep freeze-framing on the TV image to reinforce...

Believe it or not, it IS worth it IF you use it!
Never thought we would spend this kind of money for a mixer/blender! But we did and love it!! Use it everyday for smoothies, salad dressings, frozen desserts etc etc. It is a workhorse and works as advertised. Saves a lot of time. We grate parmesan cheese and its perfect every time. Margaritas, fresh peanut butter..I could go on and on or maybe I have. Haha. Anyway, if in your budget, buy it.

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KitchenAid KSBGCB Cutter Blade Assembly with Gasket

THIS PART DOES NOT FIT THE KITCHEN AID KSB5 MODEL!
After reading the reviews I wondered about the part. Some said thAt it would fit and others said it doesn't. Perhaps it will fit other models but it certainly does fit the Kitchen Aid KSB5. It is much smaller and there are only 2 cogs instead of the original 6. I am happy that I purchased this with an Amazon.com Credit Card. They helped me get a refund with no problem. I did have to pay for the shipping the part to them and also the shipping of the part to me. That came out to almost $5.00. At least I got a little over $12.00 back. On their reciept it states that there if there is "free" shipping there will be a $10.00 handling charge plus the price of the shipping charge to send the item to you. Thank goodness this was not the case or I would have been a very unhappy camper. IF YOU HAVE A KITCHEN AID KSB5 BLENDER DO NOT BUY THIS PART......IT WILL NOT FIT!

Worked Perfectly!
Worked great for my blender model number KSB3WH. The original one that I had was dome shaped and this replacement worked great for it!

perfect
This blade was a perfect fit to my kitchenaid blender KSB5ww4, and the blade is so much sharper than the original. I am very pleased! I also found the seller to be prompt in shipment and they communicated quickly with me when I found a small crack in my new blade. The result was they immediately sent a replacement to it(which was perfect when it arrived) to me free of charge and didnt require me to ship back the cracked blade. You cant beat customer service like that! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!

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