KitchenAid KSB560ER 5-Speed Blender with BPA-Free Polycarbonate Jar, 48oz Capacity - Empire Red Countertop Blender for Smoothies, Soups & Cocktails - Perfect for Home Kitchen & Small Restaurants

UPDATE (5/28/14):I am not using the blender as often as I did in 2011-2012 (twice a day to now maybe a few times a week, if that), but the 2012 replacement pitcher is still in great condition. I noticed the price for this blender is $189.99 as of 5/28/14. I recommend not buying this blender for that price. KitchenAid might have a newer model by now. I believe the cost of my blender was around $90. This blender is great for slushies and smoothies, but some of the other blender functions lack finesse. Chop is more like pulverize (even with Pulse action). Puree is questionable, as Blend seems to garner similar results. I don't have Vitamix funds, so I'm still happy with my purchase. One final note -- REGISTER YOUR PRODUCT UPON RECEIPT!____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________UPDATE (11/9/12): It took 16 months, but finally the blender broke in September 2012. As other reviewers have mentioned, there was leakage from the bottom via the blade assembly (which didn't have separate parts and trying to tighten had no effect). Obviously, I would like appliances to last for several years without problems, but that's not today's reality (with few exceptions).I had registered the product, as I try to do with most purchases. So, as I was wiping up liquid of the table and floor, I called KitchenAid. They picked up my call quickly. I was worried that I would run into problems since it was past the 1-year warranty by 4 months. The representative asked for the serial number and said that a replacement picture would be mailed to me within 7-10 business days for free. There was no argument about the warranty and in fact, the replacement pitcher came with a new 1-year warranty. The pitcher came sooner than that (more like in 5 days) and I resumed enjoying my tea slushies at no extra cost.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________This blender has a smart design for ice crushing. Being able to get shaved/crushed/slushie-approved ice has been my goal for a long time. It's been difficult to find a machine that produce slushies on demand, in a mostly safe and quick manner.The KitchenAid KSB560MC is triple the price of many blenders - like something you can pick up from Target or Wal-Mart. Yet its blades are thicker than those $30-$50 blenders; it has a gradual start with more of pulsing upward action; has a "ice crush" function; and the noise is less grating on the nerves. Slushies are made within a minute, as long there isn't too much ice with the liquid (i.e. ice laying on top of the liquid). The instructions claim that no liquid is needed to get that result, but I don't trust that. I still slightly defrost any frozen fruit to not add to any possible strain. It doesn't seem strained though.I've used this blender every day (sometimes multiple times a day) from June 2011 to March 2012 (10 months) with the only problem being some staining on the blades. There is a bit of leakage that occurs at the bottom of the base sometimes, but I don't know whether that's condensation or a potential problem. The all-one-piece assembly is awesome -- I rinse or wash, then the blender gets air dried. I have not put any parts in the dishwasher. Any stains (in my case -- tea) on the jar have been fairly easy to completely remove, with a bottle brush, hot water, dish washing liquid, and some elbow grease.TIP: Make sure that you're using the blender an outlet that can handle the wattage needed.I bought this blender to replace my old very well-used osterizer beehive (which, after four years, sounded like a jet engine taking off and legitimately required earplugs for use). That was a great blender also, but I had an issue with hot foods causing the lid to explode off and couldn't use it for soups or salad dressings so I was in the market for something different. After reading reviews on this kitchenaid model I decided to take a chance.I've used it on a daily basis so far for green smoothies, typically blending a few celery stalks, two handfuls of kale or spinach, some frozen strawberries and a few ice cubes with cranberry juice. It definitely does the job, and provides a nice alternative to my very expensive juicer, allowing me to consume all the fiber in the above veggies but with the consistency and drinkability of a smoothie. It's still kind of loud at the higher speeds (more than a standard blowdryer but not by much), but nothing near as loud as my old blender. I suspect my apartment neighbors appreciate the quieter operation in the mornings as much as I do!I tried using the blender to blend raw oatmeal into oatmeal powder, which worked okay. My previous blender did a better job at this (producing a finely ground consistent powder), but the kitchenaid did a serviceable job of grinding it down if you don't mind some powder and some chunkier pieces (for muffins, I didn't). Because the blade is larger and slightly more elevated than other blenders, I think it had a harder time with the dry oatmeal (and probably would have the same issue with nuts or other small dry products), but I imagine this would be a positive aspect for other larger items that people might blend (ie, chunks of butternut squash for soup etc). I've also put hot liquids in this blender and it definitely manages without explosions! My only caveat would be that you can't fill it more than 3/4 up with hot liquid or else liquid will ooze out of the lid and spill everywhere at the puree speed, but at least the lid stays on. Since the container is a generous size, I don't find this to be a huge impediment.The blender is easy to clean and I typically follow the manufacturer's suggestion to blend warm soapy water for a few minutes then rinse. I've found it slightly disconcerting that some sort of black lubricant seems to leech out of the underside of the pitcher while drying, but since it's not on the surface that would come in contact with the food, I'm wiping it off and hoping that it goes away over time. Overall a good purchase for my needs. Oh, and the color is great! Adds some pizazz to my counters :-)Jar leaks, It only really was a problem that it was dribble a tiny amount of something when it was blending something frozen like berries for a smoothie or it was running for a long time, that would usually be limited to a few teaspoons or so and it stayed generally under the shroud and was easily cleaned up. That was until recently, it's began leaking liquids at a much faster rate, I wish I had contacted them before my warranty ran out... but alas it was only a mild inconvenience to keep a paper towel for the first year or so I didn't bother so that's on me...make a jar that seems to be fatally flawed and ruining an otherwise fine product that can only be on whirlpool. Hobart ftw.To start off with don't expect it to be a Vitamix, because its not. This blender is a good product well built with all metal gears inside, but with a plastic outer (meaning the gear/spline that connect the blender blades to the motor is metal but it has plastic on the outside of it. I would not classify this as a commercial blender though. Nice option is the crush ice button which pulsates itself into quick bursts as to not wreck the gears, blades or motor. The jar is like a plastic it IS dishwasher safe and even dared to try it but it is easier just to wash by hand to eliminate any possibilities of cracks and splits. This blender is definitely a great buy for someone who wants to mix a few drinks for company or whatever and is perfect for in home use.I am doing review of this after many years of uae, close to 10 years I imagine. I use this machine quite often to make all sorts of stuff and it's been very reliable and works great. Haven't had the plastic jar Crack yet.After juicing for several years, I decided to incorporate green smoothies into my routine. I was considering a much more expensive brand/model ("B" and "V" brands) but a friend urged me to try this first. I was skeptical, but am very happy with it so far. It will indeed make a smooth green smoothie even with tough greens like kale. If you want a blender for smoothies, purees, and ice crushing, I fully recommend this.Having owned several blenders, this one performs about as well as you would expect it to for the price. Operation is quite loud, the lid does not seal well on the mixer bowl, and speed control is limited. That being said, it does do what its supposed to do and blend things. Plenty good for an occasional use kitchen item, if daily use is your plan the Vitamix blender is absolutely incredible.