KitchenAid KSB580NK Custom Metallic 5-Speed Blender, Brushed Nickel

The Leak Problem


Top-Notch Blender
This is an excellent, high-quality blender. We replaced an inexpensive Oster with it and like this KitchenAid much, much more. Things I really like:

1) Power - this blender whips through hard-frozen fruit like nothing is there for wonderful smoothies.
2) Smooth, one piece control panel - makes for super-easy clean-up as there are no cracks or crevices to trap spills. Yet, the buttons behind the panel still have a nice tactile click response so you know you pressed one.
3) Brushed nickel finish - very attractive on your counter.
4) Polycarbonate jar - this worried me when considering this purchase as our old blender had a nice, thick glass jar. But, after using this blender for 3 months, I like this jar better. It is thick, yet lightweight, and hasn't scratched (although I only use rubber or silicone spatulas inside any way).
5) One piece blades & jar - our old blender had a screw-off base, resulting in 4 parts for clean-up - the base, the blade...

Great blender, for a few months ONLY...
We registered for this blender loving it's small footprint and clean looks. Perfectly happy with having a plastic (polycarbonate) jar, since it's lighter, and offers 1-piece simplicity (stick it in the dishwasher, pull it out, done).

BUT, and this is a big but: the jar doesn't last. Our first one went after a few months of use (1-2 times a week ONLY). Even though it has an ice-crush button on it, I started pre-crushing the ice with our ice maker when we purchased our replacement jar (at $50!). The second jar didn't seem to take any longer to start cracking. The cracks seem to start around the handle, and work their way up and down. Slowly, but surely, the jar begins to leak onto your blender and the counter. And, of course, it's sticky and nasty, and annoying. I just ordered my 3rd jar and I'm grumpy about it. Another $50 to KitchenAid, in support of this failure of a product. I wish the glass jars would fit it, but sadly they don't. Your only choice is to replace with...

Click to Editorial Reviews