Cuisinart SmartPower Basics CB-18 Work Top Blender -Just call it Crusher-

Author's Rating:

Pros: Crushes ice well, blends quickly, and is attractive

Cons: Blade is possibly thinner than what one would expect

The Bottom Line: 
Great blender for those who do not abuse a blender. I would highly recommend this blender to the everyday cook or bartender.

Author's Review
Cuisinart SmartPower Basics CB-18 Work Top Blender

I've have this blender or should I say *had* this blender last year and used it quite a bit before it gave out on me. The motor did not burn up but the blade became dull and would not do it's job in the way that I felt as though it should or how I wished it would. When an appliance gives out in my home, I do not throw it in the appliance graveyard, I give it to any one that has less and could make better use of it than I can. If it still works or if hubby can fix it to work, then there is some body who can use it.

I am hard on appliances. We have a large family (not immediate) and I cook large meals often. Very often! I have to have appliances that are able to with stand heavy and long use. I mentioned back a few reviews that I had many Cuisinart reviews to do and that I do. I am a good cook and though I do not call myself a great cook there are many that do. I recently, within the past couple years, took some gourmet cooking classes and have really got hot and heavy into the Cuisinart brand appliance. I have come to expect more from them than most if not all other brands.

This blender done well this past summer and I can not complain about any part of it, minus the somewhat thin and weak blade. It should have lasted longer than it did but it gave out after a couple months. It dulled and even though hubby sharpened it more than once, it just would not perform as I expected it to or as it did in the beginning. It is a stainless steel blade. This is not a bad thing though, I have a neighbor who is very happy with it and is making good use of it since our passing it on to them.

The Cuisinart SmartPower Basics CB-18 Work Top Blender did a great job at first crushing ice and that is my main use for any blender. Had Cuisinart placed a slightly thicker and more durable blade in this model, I could possibly still be using it. Since it stopped crushing as it did in the beginning, I had to upgrade to a better one which I will review later on.

Ours was white and as far as molding goes had hardly any creases or sharp dips to get mess into and make it difficult to clean. It did wipe down fast and easily. The heavy, 48 ounce jar is awesome and dishwasher safe. As for the lid, please always place on the top rack. If you can not make certain it will not fall into the bottom of the dishwasher, please wash it by hand. It will melt if you use heat drying.

It has three buttons on the front. A light touch on/off button, pulse, and ice crush button. I suppose they feel these are the settings most used on any blender and I tend to feel the same way. However, do not be misled into thinking three buttons mean limited function. It does not with the Cuisinart SmartPower Basics CB-18 Work Top Blender. There is a large dial on the front just above the buttons. There is your speed. It goes from low for slight blending to Hemi type hi speed. Those of you who know anything about muscle cars will know what I mean by that. For those of you who do not, it means really fast! There is like 18 different speeds on the dial.

Ok, I guess you are wondering how loud this thing is. Depends on what you're blending or if you are crushing. Crushing means loud. All blenders are going to be loud if you are crushing ice. The real test comes when blending liquid and this is one surprisingly soft sounding. Sort of muffled, if you will. Not too bad. I've had worse but the one I have now is quieter than this one. It is acceptable though. Wish a 500 watt motor you'll have to expect a certain amount of noise.

Here are the specs: *as per cuisinart home page*

Powerful 500-Watt Motor, 18-Speed Control Dial, Ice Crush Button, Pulse at any Speed, 48-ounce Glass Jar, Stainless Steel Cutting Assembly, 2-ounce Measured Pour Lid, Instruction / Recipe Book, Limited 3-year Warranty

The warranty covers the motor basically and would not cover a dull blade. I was not extremely pleased about that but find it to be standard practice.

In the box you'll find the blender body, the jar, a nice recipe book with some interesting recipes that taste good and the manual. The blade will be packed out of the blender so be sure to watch for that. Send in the warranty card!

When the Cuisinart SmartPower Basics CB-18 Work Top Blender first came out it could cost you up to $80 at some places but if you shop Amazon or any discount type Cuisinart dealer, you can find it for about $38 bucks now. Shop around people and find the best deal.

My overall impression and recommendation:

I really like the blender but as stated above, wished it had a stronger blade. Maybe it was a fluke, who knows but I was not impressed with it. But, like I mentioned, I put more load on a blender than your basic user. Every other aspect of the blender is great! I would highly recommend it to you.