Hamilton Beach HMD200P-UK Commercial Drinks Mixer for Milkshakes and Frappes, 300 Watt, Silver

I was given faulty product no option to return

I love this mixer overall--and would rate "4.5" if I could. It's worth more than a 4, but has two small things that I'd change. The good--very powerful, waaaaay quieter than I expected (balance and smooth, nothing like your old Oster blender!), and the size is actually smaller than I expected. It actually looks quite elegant in a kitchen, and doesn't weigh a ton so moving is easy. It does have suction cup feet, even though it doesn't really look like it in the photos, and also has a small kickstand to the rear to help stabilize. The Waring equivalent also looks like a great unit, though the case is not as nice to look at. Hamilton Beach also advertises that the motor on this unit is easily user-replaceable; Waring does not, but probably is the case there as well? The bad--the mixer doesn't include an agitator that will handle chunks (cookies, fruit, candy, etc.) and so you need to order that separately. Search Hamilton Beach 929 and you'll see the one you need for about $25. Also, the base (directly under the spindle) is curved, so it's not ideal for cup storage. You can do it, but with a stack of cups, they'll tend to want to walk off the front. (The Waring has a flat dent here that holds cups). The ugly--there is no ugly. This thing rocks. The helpful--For chunky add-ins, order agitator 929. Extra Hamilton Beach stainless cups are part number 110E; more expensive, but will nest correctly with the one that comes with it. The mixer comes with an extra part, and the manual says something like, "to use the pulse feature" and shows how to replace the cup-activated switch with the extra part. This is not necessary--you can use the pulse feature with the cup activated switch in place. Final tip--if you buy this, be sure to upgrade your gym membership. You're gonna need it... Enjoy. Update--after using agitator 929 a bit, I really don't think it's worth it. You still need to break up add-ins and it doesn't make a much better vortex, if at all. I'd pass on that part--I put the stock agitator back on.

We own two restaurants and have blown through 2 triple spindle commercial units in two years! We wanted something with sufficient power to blend thick shakes (with or without add ins such as cookies) yet gentle enough where we could blend them right in the clear plastic cups we serve them in without destroying them...THIS is the PERFECT machine for that!!! We use malt/shake collars (also purchased through Amazon) that fit right in the top of the cup and blend away without worries. Cuts shake prep time in half and everyone is happy. Oh by the way, FREE SHIPPING with this item and I chose the standard delivery service of 3 to 5 days...came in 2 days :-) Thanks Amazon. I'm actually on here to order another one!

Price little bit more but good

We bought this machine in 2016. After trying a machine from a well known kitchen store that didn't have the power to beat eggs and reading several reviews, I opted to try this machine. It has worked beautifully for our malt loving family. I cannot say that we have used it as intensely as a commercial malt shop would, but when we do use it we use it pretty intensely for our large family, making at least 12 malts and/or shakes for our family. We like our malts nice and thick and creamy. We follow the recommendations we found on the Chowhound YouTube video "How to Make the Ultimate Thick, Creamy Milk Shake - You're Doing It All Wrong" from July 24, 2012. (I would put in the link, but I don't think I am allowed on these reviews.) There are some good recommendations on this review among them are (1) Use one pint (2 cups) of ice cream to 2/3 cup of whole milk. (2) Do not use low fat milk. (3) Use good quality natural ingredients. We prefer Tillamook Vanilla Bean for our basic malts such as banana or strawberry.

As others have stated it is large but it does do an excellent job of making malts. We had an inexpensive one before but it was horrible as a malt mixer. I would recommend to anyone who is serious about their malts to spent the extra money and buy the best.