Ready Steady Cook Smoothie Maker

Author's product rating:   

Advantages:	Gets fresh fruit into the children
Disadvantages:	Doesn't liquidise very well

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

My son was given the Junior Ready Steady Cook Smoothie Maker for his 6th birthday. Straight away we had to pop down to the local supermarket and buy fresh strawberries and raspberries to make his first ever Raspberry Rebel! He loved it.

For those of you that don't know what a Smoothie is. It is a drink made from fruit and yoghurt or milk - a little like a milkshake, but so much tastier.

First let me tell you all about the Smoothie Maker - it comes with a recipe book and instruction manual, 2 glasses and 2 mixer sticks.

It looks just like a blender - with a red plastic lid and red bottom. It has a non-removable safety grill which prevents fingers from accessing the cutting blades. It will separate in the middle so that it is easily cleanable. There is a safety isolation switch which means it cannot be switched on when the two items are separated.

It uses 4 x AA batteries, which are placed in the battery compartment in the base of the Smoothie Maker.

Fruit must be cut very small (very small indeed - which is a bit of a hassle) and then is placed in the jug, along with other recipe ingredients (such as yoghurt, ice cream, honey). You then press the button on the side of the base and away you go.

Cleaning is easy, you separate the jug from the base and wash with soapy water. The base is just wiped with a damp cloth. It should not be submerged in water. The jug section is also dishwasher safe,although the lid must be removed and not put in the dishwasher.

There are several recipes in the receipe book, such as Very Berry Sensation (using cranberry juice, raspberries and strawberries, and yoghurt), Cool Caribbean Cruiser (strawberries, banana, yoghurt, milk and vanilla essence), as well as Slushies and shakes.

My son and my 4 year old daughter enjoyed making the smoothies. Although a lot of adult supervision and participation is required.

My son also enjoyed drinking the smoothies. However my daughter did not. They just weren't very smooth and she dislikes lumps.

In my opinion there is not enough power in the smoothie maker to liquidise the fruit enough. The fruit is still very chunky. However the smoothie still tastes great.

It is a great way of getting your children to eat fresh fruit and yoghurt.

You can buy the Smoothie Maker from Argos, Woolworths etc.

It is designed for children over the age of 5 years. It is lightweight, so easily portable, and costs around £14.99.