...
I settled after much deliberation on a Braun Multiquick Miniprimer Professional MR 5500. Sounds extravagant doesn't it?!
~~~A 6 in 1 kitchen toy!~~~
The basic power part is a hand held "blender shaft" as it's described in the instruction manual - is it just me that finds this mildly ... Read review
600watt for fast. effective results. Unique Vacuum Freshness Storage System. Includes ... more
vacuum attachment and two Pyrex (tm) FreshWare containers. 12 speed settings with turbo button. Soft grip handle. Stainless steel blender shaft for use in hot liquids...
Advantages: Powerful, very quick and simple to clean. Disadvantages: An obsession with using it for every meal and snack!
...after much deliberation on a Braun Multiquick Miniprimer Professional MR 5500. Sounds extravagant doesn't it?!
~~~A 6 in 1 kitchen toy!~~~
The basic power part is a hand held "blender shaft" as it's described in the instruction manual - is it just me that finds this mildly amusing? As far as speed settings go you're spoilt for choice with 1 to 12 plus a turbo switch (ladies are you still with me?). Speeds ... ...decide between this and the Braun Multiquick Fresh system. Glad I chose this as the ice crusher and large blender jug aren't included in the other package and after all an air tight container is an air tight container.
Other than the smoothie probe, all blades are within a container so it's safe to wield the blender-shaft and attachment about a bit. The lid parts operate blades by a cog system that's completely safe to touch. The removable ... more
When we moved into our student flat we were blessed to have a kitchen with a blender but no cheese grater, eight chopping boards but no vegetable peeler. In retrospect I'm glad it was the little things that we had to buy and not the bigger things. While peelers and cheese graters are particularly handy for potato gratin, nothing warms you up like a hearty homemade soup. And, living in Edinburgh for four years it gets damn cold in the winter so hearty meals are just what you need to warm you from the inside out. I became a bit of a whiz (no pun intended) at soups despite the crack in the side of the blender jug that leaked slowly as you blended your soup to smoothness.
When we all graduated and moved out of the flat remembering to take the graters and peelers with us. I decided I wouldn't be able to get through winter 05/06 without a blender of my own and saw it as an investment for future culinary experimentation and postgraduate student survival.
I settled after much deliberation on a Braun Multiquick Miniprimer Professional MR 5500. Sounds extravagant doesn't it?!
~~~A 6 in 1 kitchen toy!~~~
The basic power part is a hand held "blender shaft" as it's described in the instruction manual - is it just me that finds this mildly amusing? As far as speed settings go you're spoilt for choice with 1 to 12 plus a turbo switch (ladies are you still with me?). Speeds 1 to tubo are generally used for handblending and chopping while the whisk works best between 3 and 9.
To attach a component to the blender shaft you simply clunk click it into place. A component can be removed by a pincer action to side buttons on the blender-shaft that release it. So what are these extra components?
1. Whisk - a bulb shaped balloon whisk that can be used in any bowl or pan. Splattering can be kept to a minimum by using in enough liquid and in a high sided container. This makes great angel delight and rids any lumps from cheese sauce.
2. Chopper - the smaller double blade inserts into a clear small tub with non-slip base. The lid is attached to the blender-shaft and placed over the tub to chop meet, cheese, carrots etc. Most useful of all it finely chops onions and garlic in seconds and saves smelly hands too. It's best to use a lower setting to avoid a puréed mess though. What I particularly like about this is that you only need one hand to operate it. Our previous blender required one hand to cover the opening and one to operate the on/off/speed switch. I've also quickly and finely chopped herbs or nuts (unshelled) too with great efficiency.
3. Purée-er - now I feel a little conned by the 6 in 1 claim. This is just the chopper on a higher speed setting. It's good for making dips, mayonnaise and dressings. My only gripe is that where I used to bung all the mayonnaise ingredients in then turn on the blender and shut the door, this machine requires supervision in order that the button is pressed down to keep it whizzing. In its defence, on turbo it has mayonnaise done in a few minutes which for anyone who's ever tried to make it is extremely fast. The most delicious thing I've made with this component was raspberry fool - yoghurt, honey and fresh raspberries with a teaspoon of icing sugar! Yum! I've also made marinades using this component. The smaller the bits in the marinade the more the flavours can envelope meats.
4. Ice Crusher - This is the most complicated of all the Multiquick's components. A stainless insert sits in the jug and a serrated ice blade is inserted into this. A larger lid much like the small chopper one attaches to the blender-shaft and away you go! This has been invaluable this summer while entertaining. I bought some very cheep fill your own disposable ice cube bags. So cheep that on filling most of the perforated dividers between each ice cube compartment disintegrate- no I haven't got confused with sandwich bags! My ice comes out of these bags in lumps bigger than the one that sunk the titanic… I give it a quick whack on the work surface and tip it into the ice crusher to give me a nice slush perfect for summer drinks in the garden. Pimms ah hoy!
5. Smoothie Maker - Smoothies have become my winter-soup counter part for the summer months. I have a thing about ripe fruit, even if it's just past ripe I won't entertain it. Now all my slightly soft fruit gets roughly chopped, thrown into the supplied measuring beaker with a bit of juice or yoghurt to thin it down and smoothied like there's no tomorrow. The best thing is, if my eyes have been too big for my belly the beaker has an air-tight lid so I can store in the fridge for later. The smoothie component is the most sinister looking, all stainless steel with the blade enclosed under a domed end to eliminate splashing.
6. Blender/Liquidiser - large jug with measuring lines, large blade and large lid (as per the ice crusher). It's very fast a liquefying a vegetable soup and the wider jug allows room for lumps to circulate and get blended by the blades. Those taller upright blenders tend to leave lumps or require extra zapping and a little jug shaking. This, like the chopper, also has a non-slip base that's fully removable for washing.
~~~Cleaning~~~
You'd expect with all this time saving gadgetry that there has to be a catch. Maybe cleaning is what devours any saved preparation time? Erm… no actually!
At first I was shocked at the shear number of parts the Multiquick has. Now that I'm au fait with it I'm glad of that. Everything apart from the blender shaft can go in the dishwasher but I've found at a rinse and wipe as soon as I'm finished with it does the trick. There are no nooks and crannies for food to hide in because everything comes apart.
The blender shaft can be wiped with a damp cloth and I've been doing this once a week. Although, due to the lid attachments it does not tend to get dirty anyway.
~~~ Extras ~~~
Wall Mount - I've not used this yet and don't intend to. It's a bit unsightly and I prefer a clear, uncluttered work surface. I usually store the components in a small fold out plastic box with the blender shaft so that I can select what I need for a specific job from there.
The components are pretty self explanatory but the Multiquick does come with an instruction book. This gives clear concise instructions with pictures to ease any difficulty. There are also speed tips in there and a guide to washing too.
Along with the package I also got a Summer Detox Plan booklet. This is written by Matt Roberts a personal trainer and nutritional expert. It has 10 summery recipes that are uber healthy plus a page of quick-fix summer exercises. If that's not enough to get you started, further inspiration can be drawn from the "A Whiz in the Kitchen" recipe book. This contains an introduction page telling you how great the Multiquick but I suggest you try the recipes and find that out for yourself. The book is split into for each season with correlating seasonal recipes using the Multiquick's various components. My personal favourites are blueberry muffins, rapid raspberry ice cream, chicken satay and Thai fishcakes… but not all at once.
~~~Availability~~~
John Lewis, Argos, Amazon, supermarkets and department stores. All the stores I looked in retailed this model at £58.99 but check with the store itself how long the guarantee lasts as this is variable. I bought mine from John Lewis and they cover to up to two years from the date of purchase.
Prices are coming down and I've been informed that you can get hold of them for £30-40 without a guarantee.
~~~EJ Intuition ~~~
On making my choice I couldn't decide between this and the Braun Multiquick Fresh system. Glad I chose this as the ice crusher and large blender jug aren't included in the other package and after all an air tight container is an air tight container.
Other than the smoothie probe, all blades are within a container so it's safe to wield the blender-shaft and attachment about a bit. The lid parts operate blades by a cog system that's completely safe to touch. The removable blades from the jug and chopper container allow processed food to be stored safely too. The large beaker is perfect for making one of two glassfuls of smoothie and the lid for fridge storage is useful. Cleaning is not as much of a chore as you might expect particularly if you do it before food has dried on.
I think this is good value for money and works out at just under £10 per component of the Multiquick. Plus you can't complain at a free recipe book to get you started.
I have to agree that it does Multiple things and it does them Quickly I can but recommend this to potential buyers.
Advantages: Powerful, easy to use and easy to keep clean Disadvantages: Not cordless
...the end I chose the Braun MR5550 Multiquick Professional. I liked the fact that this item had a more powerful motor than the competitors and that you got a few attachments and extras with it.
WHAT YOU GET FOR YOUR CASH
The MR 5550 comprises a 500 watt motorised turbo hand blender. The basic unit plugs into the wall and can be attached to one of three different accessories according to what you want to use it for. The first thing you notice about ... ...power, this device needs to be quite hefty. As such, this is not a particularly suitable gadget for the elderly, or anybody suffering from arthritic type conditions – I’m sure these people would find the motor cumbersome and heavy to use for any protracted period of time.
The three attachments are as follows:
A blender shaft. This looks like an enormous metal claw, with a long steel shaft and a narrow cutting blade, which spins ...
LostWitness 28.09.2002
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Braun MR 5550 MCA-V Multiquick Fresh Syst
I received my Braun MR 550 Hand mixer as a present when I had my son. I wanted to be able to give him fresh foods when he was weaning so this seemed a perfect gift for me!
There are a few varieties of the MR 550. For example, MR 550 M, MR550 HC, MR 550 CA. Each model is more powerful than the last. My particular model is MR 550 HC. Because of the number of models, Braun seemed to become lazy in the instructions department, making a universal instruction ... ...are clear enough, they are accompanied by a number of dots and dashes to determine the action of each method, depending on which model you have! With me so far?! There are very little written directions, but I suppose, what is said is useful!
The MR 550 HC comes with a blender, a gear attachment for the whisk and stirrer, a metal balloon whisk and blender, a one liter measuring beaker with an air tight lid and a chopper. The device also comes with ...
kerryzach 16.04.2004
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Braun MR 5550 MCA-V Multiquick Fresh Syst
Advantages: clean and easy to use Disadvantages: i cant find anything its so simple
...gadget for my kitchen the BRAUN MR5550 MULTIQUICK HAND BLENDER from argos for £44.50
its so simple to use with 600watt power for fast results. 12 speed settings with turbo and easy to handle thanks to its soft grip.
it comes with a metal whisk,large chopper which is good for herbs and dressings also a 600 ml beaker with lid.
the blender shaft is stainless steel for use in hot soups and sauces and is designed so it is anti splash so when lifted ... ...also detatchable making it very easy to clean with out worrying about the electrics or plug making it safer aswell.(also dishwasher safe)
this baby chops,whisks and blends and is probably the best utensil ive bought in a while i love the way i can make my own garlic oil without the smelly hands and also it makes my favourite marinade easier and faster to make why not try this recipe you love it.
1 small handful of fresh basil and corriander
1 ...
cazuk12002 08.12.2003
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Braun MR 5550 MCA-V Multiquick Fresh Syst
Advantages: Large containers for blitzing, powerful, variable speeds, pulsing Disadvantages: Quite expensive - around £60
This Braun blender/chopper is fantastic. I have now thrown away my bulky full size processor. It comes with a 1 litre+ jug so I no longer need to process baby food a bit at a time. The jug also has an attachment to crush ice cubes - great for cocktails. There is also a smaller container which is tall & slim to prevent splashback.
The small chopper bowl is great for herbs/garlic. I have now stopped using my garlic press as the chopper is easier to ... ...The metal end of the handblender is stronger then the plastic versions and its design prevents splashing.
All in all this collection of Braun goodies provided me with a flexible tool that is easy to store and easy to use. I use it every day and thoroughly recommend it. ...
lucy7456 25.04.2006
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Braun MR 5550 MCA-V Multiquick Fresh Syst
Advantages: Compact, versatile, practical, easily cleaned, requires no great skill to use! Disadvantages: Takes a while to process large ammounts
...my mind. Since the Braun MR5550 MCA came to live with me I've been making soups, dips, meringues, smoothies and even my own peanut butter! The three attatchments (handheld blender for whizzing around in soups etc, whisk and contained chopping/processing unit) are easy to click on and off and also easy to clean, I was very impressed how easy it was to use. I highly reccomend this item, it really will broaden your horizons, however I have two warnings: ...
ridwen 28.02.2006
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Braun MR 5550 MCA-V Multiquick Fresh Syst
