skip to main content

Has anyone used a Ninja blender?

12 years ago

I'm thinking about getting one. I have a juicer and want something that will juice the entire fruit or veggie so I get the benefits of the pulp as well. I also have a Magic Bullet, which works fine for a lot of things, but won't turn carrots or other hard veggies into juice very well.

Can't afford a Vitamix or I'd get one, and the Ninja looks like the next best thing.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

grainlady_ks
12 years ago
I have a Ninja Pro System 1100 and love it. I didn't want to put the money out for a Vitamix when all I really needed was a more powerful blender, and the Ninja was a HUGE improvement over the blender I was using. I decided on the Ninja after watching videos on YouTube and I'd suggest taking advantage of those.

I have both the 72-oz. pitcher and the 40-oz. bowl, which also sold me on the unit, plus the blades for whipping, a dough blade and dough paddle along with the 6-blade assembly for the tall pitcher. I use the Ninja more than any blender I've ever owned, and I've owned blenders since 1970.

The first chapter in the 216-page Ninja (150 recipes) Cookbook is all about juice blends and smoothies, and the second chapter is frozen drink specialties; and I'm sure you would find either great recipes to try or inspiration for your own concoctions. We're whole foods people, so I don't make much effort blending and juicing so no personal experience.

I needed an up-grade for using with recipes in "No Wheat Grinder Wheat Recipes" by Cindi Van Bibber where you blend cooked whole wheat berries in a blender + other ingredients to make a wide variety of recipes (including breads, cookies, main dishes, etc). It's more than powerful enough for this use.

-Grainlady
magothyrivergirl
12 years ago
I also have a Ninja, purchased at Bed, Bath and Beyond - it was on clearance & also used a 20% coupon and just could not resist it. I knew nothing about it prior to buying it.
It is the most wonderful blender I have ever used.
I make a version of the Pioneer Woman Salsa in the large pitcher and it is perfect.
I cook for my little dog - who has many missing teeth, so I have to grind the food - the Ninja has made the task much easier. It is so easy to clean. I love mine.

Here is a link that might be useful: NINJA
Related Discussions
a blender for blenderizing fruits and vegetables
Q
Comments (6)
Ooops, I have a 3 digit blender - the Vitamix. Just got it this summer at a Costco roadshow as our old $40 blender just couldn't do what we needed it to. It couldn't crush ice, couldn't pulverise vegetables, smoothies were lumpy not smooth yada yada. I've used the Vitamix daily since I got it. Today I made a strawberry/pineapple/spinach/ice smoothie, ground rice into flour and mixed a sald dressing. I usually make at least one smoothie a day - sometimes 2 or three. Obviously I am biased so I looked as Cooks Illustrated's reviews of blenders last reviewed in July 2006. Products They tested: (listed alphabetically) * Braun PowerMax Jug Blender * Cuisinart Smartpower Premiere * Emerilware * Jenn-Air Attrezzi * KitchenAid Pro Line ChefÂs Blender * L'Equip R.P.M. * Vita-Mix 5000 * Waring 2-Speed MegaMix Specialty * Waring Pro PBB For copyright reasons I can't reprint the report here (you have to be a subscriber) but here's the short version: Their Conclusion? Until a markedly better blender comes along, they'll stick with their Best Buy model for the usual blender tasksÂand rely on a food processor for everything else. The winner was the L'Equip R.P.M. with a MSRP of $134.99 but I don't think it's available any more. Also CI is biased AGAINST high priced items. It did rate the Vitamix as best smoothie maker though and that was the older model.
...See More
Anyone have a Blender they LOVE?
Q
Comments (13)
Blendtec. Cheaper than Vitamix, easier to use and blends better than Vitamix in the objective tests I saw posted on youtube. Especially if you get the big bottle. I loved my Oster too, till it started to smoke. It really can't do a lot of blending. Blendtec is also LIGHT in weight, you can take it with you on trips/holidays and people do. And it's sturdy, non-bpa plastic. If you're going to buy a Blendtec, you can get it a bit cheaper when they're doing a demonstration in your area, I'd buy the bigger bottle too, which is what I'm going to do next time they're in my area. Here is a link that might be useful: Blendtec Roadshows - buy them there for a cheaper price
...See More
Nutri Ninja Blender
Q
Comments (6)
I have the big one and the small one, the rule you know (one for the house and one for the rv lol) They are both excellent and I have made dough in my big ninja. It's great, works well, and makes really good pizza dough :) I've enjoyed smoothies as breakfast for quite a while now. Love them. I use mine for just about everything. Mine came with the tall blender cup, the medium blender for dough, and 4 individual containers with lids, it has the chopper blade for the big and small containers and the dough hook. I got mine from Costco when it was on sale. I love it so much if I had to I'd buy another one :) I make smoothies with either spinach or kale added to frozen fruit and yogurt. They are pure deliciousness, and add to our daily intake for vegetables. This is mine:My system
...See More
Cordless stick blender, anyone?
Q
Comments (6)
Cordless tools have seen a lot of advances in recent years. Thanks to cell phones and electric cars, RC (radio controlled) toys (drones), battery and motor technologies are very much improved. At this point you can find extremely useful cordless electric tools. Today most of the power tools construction contractors use are cordless. Many of my tools in my shop and garden are cordless. I just bought a cordless leaf blower that is more powerful than one powered by a gas engine. If my regular blender dies, I would probably look for a cordless one. BTW, alway look for one that is powered by Lithium-ion batteries. dcarch
...See More
mustangs81
12 years ago
I have a Ninja and also bought it at BB&B with a coupon. I love it! My Vitamix hasn't come out of the pantry since I got the Ninja.
eahamel
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks! I read some bad reviews along with some good ones. I have a $72 credit, and with the 20% off coupon, that will bring the out-of-pocket cost way down! I love the Magic Bullet, but it doesn't blend enough volume at one time, and it sounds like the motor is going to go out soon, so I think I'll get the Ninja next time I get a coupon in the mail. I'd love a Vitamix, but they're pretty pricy and too tall for my drainboard since they all have cabinets above.
lakemayor
12 years ago
I would love to have a Vitamix also but haven't wanted to spend that much money. I have a Jack LaLanne juicer but I too would like to get the benifit of the peelings and the pulp mixed into the juice for better nutrition.

Kathy, does the Ninja do as good as job as the Vitamix?

Karen
mustangs81
12 years ago
Karen, As good or better but then my Vitamix is 12 years old.

OT: Are you and Steve coming down this year; I think I read that you were.
lakemayor
12 years ago
We are down here Cathy. Left a few days after Christmas.

I'll send you an email and maybe we can get together.

Karen
ryseryse_2004
9 years ago
I just realized this is an old thread but I will comment anyway. It is a useful blender and although it can't compare to the Vitamix in any way, it is about a third the price.

I have both but must use my Vitamix when I want something strong enough to completely puree raspberries for jam and to make applesauce with peels on.

Related Stories

COLOR How to Use Marsala, Pantone’s 2015 Color of the Year

By Jennifer Ott Design

Pantone digs deep and goes earthy with its selection. Here are ways to make it work in your home

ACCESSORIES Easy Green: Cut Electricity Use With 15 Unplugged Home Devices

By Laura Gaskill

Crank up the energy savings, courtesy of household items that come into power the old-fashioned way: manually

FEEL-GOOD HOME 12 Very Useful Things I've Learned From Designers

By Becky Harris

These simple ideas can make life at home more efficient and enjoyable

KITCHEN DESIGN How to Choose and Use Ecofriendly Kitchen Appliances

By Ivon Street Studio

Inefficient kitchen appliances waste energy and money. Here's how to pick and use appliances wisely

KITCHEN STORAGE Kitchen Storage Hacks to Make Use of Every Space

Cupboards full? Try these kitchen ideas for working more valuable storage into your cooking space

COLOR 11 Pretty Sweet Decorating Ideas Using Pastels

By Natasha Saroca

Go ahead, be a softie. When you use powdery shades right, they go beyond child’s play into the realm of chic

HOME TECH 3 Kitchen Contraptions You Won’t Believe

Pizza hot from the printer, anyone? These cooking gadgets harness imagination and high tech — and have price tags to match

SUMMER GARDENING How to Grow Basil

By Marianne Lipanovich

Bright color, quick growth and endless uses for cooking make this summer annual a winner in the garden or a pot

DECORATING GUIDES 25 Design Trends Coming to Homes Near You in 2016

By Mitchell Parker

From black stainless steel appliances to outdoor fabrics used indoors, these design ideas will be gaining steam in the new year

KITCHEN DESIGN Trick Out Your Kitchen Backsplash for Storage and More

By Karen Egly-Thompson

Free up countertop space and keep often-used items handy by making your backsplash more resourceful

Sponsored

More Discussions

Holy Ham! Hubby bought a 14 pounder!

11

Improving an Apple Cake recipe - Very crumbly!

20

Does coriander actually add anything?

8

First Shortcake Report

8

Troubleshooting My Baking

12