Cuisinart CSB-33 QuikPrep Hand Blender

Customer Rating:
Summary: Sub-Optimal: Cuisinart CSB-33 QuikPrep Hand Blender.
Comment: Having been a long time user of a similar product (Moulinex Turbo) for 8 years, my old unit had seen better days and was in need of replacing. So, I made some assumptions about the product based on my experience with my other Cuisinart products and purchased the CSB-33 QuikPrep Hand Blender. Much to my dismay, the Cuisinart hand blender performs nowhere nearly as well as the Moulinex did the day I threw it away. The Cuisinart has a blade that is not sharpened. Consequently, it doesn't cut up food (like blueberries, for instance) very well. It just sort of beats stuff to a pulp, quite literally, and doesn't puree them into liquid. It also has a system of holes around the perimeter of the blade guard that just get clogged up.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Protein Drink Everwhere!
Comment: I owned a Braun Miniprimer Plus Hand Blender, with variable speeds and broad stainless steel housing for the blades. I had it for years and worked great until the motor finally gave up, but it's no longer available. I purchased the Cuisinart CSB-33 QuikPrep Hand Blender. It is supposed to have two speeds, but really hard to tell the difference and either button needs to be held down very firmly. I always have to use it at high speed and then takes a long time to completely blend. So far I have only used it for light liquids such as protein drinks, sometimes containing a cut-up banana. It can't chop any firmer fruits or vegetables.

It also cannot stand. The flimsy plastic housing for the blades has 3 little knobs on which this top-heavy blender is supposed to stand. This morning I stood it upright in its two-cup plastic container and it immediately fell over, splashing protein drink everywhere, which then ran under my coffee maker, my very heavy mixer and several cannisters. I am thankful I wasn't trying to blend hot soup on the stove.

If you aren't prepared to lay it on its side when not firmly holding it and the container its in, this blender may not be for you, either.

Customer Rating:
Summary: A big BOOM
Comment: I had this hand blender when it came with the stainless steel beaker cup (which I did keep), the plastic beaker, lid, chopper & 3 blades. I loved all the gadgets & gizmos it came with. It was very nice to start, but once I started chopping fresh fruits...BOOM! --Sounded like a gun went off! It died. Maybe they are different now? hmmm...sounds like the motor hasn't improved too much though.

I'll just stick with Cuisenart's bar blender.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Go for the KitchenAid Immersion Blender instead
Comment: I bought the Cuisinart Immersion blender a year and a half ago, and used it 2-3 times a week with passable (if noisy and slighly lumpy) results, until it died last week. I was pleased with my Cuisnart until I replaced it with the KitchenAid Immersion blender. This thing ROCKS. It's quieter, twice as powerful (check the amps!), has nine speeds AND a detachable blade arm for easy, submersable, cleanup. Best of all, it leaves no lumps. You can taste the difference!

Customer Rating:
Summary: Good Value for the Price
Comment: What a useful little blender/chopper! Much better than the old electric hand blender I used to own. I had the kind with two "beaters" that would spin. The mixer would often cause liquids to spray. The cuisinart csb-33 hand mixer's design prevents liquids from spraying and it's very easy to clean. Just a quick rinse under in some hot soapy water is all it needs.

I would definitely recommend this for anyone.