=== The product ===

This is a 'stick' blender from the Argos value range.

=== Putting it together ===

The blender is two pieces that are very simple to slot together. You have the top part, the handle, which has the power cord attached to it complete with plug. The bottom part clicks in to place easily to the handle and this part has the one blade on it. This is very simple to put together and obviously you just need to plug it in and then you can use it, the flex is ample enough that I can plug this in on any of my kitchen plug sockets and use it wherever I need to, that's good enough for me!

=== How to use this ===

Once you have slotted the two parts together & plugged it in you can then press the blue button to use the blender. There is one speed on this blender, it's either on or off, that is is. The way that the base is designed means that the one blade will spin around and food will be drawn in to the blade and then chopped up. There are air holes near the blade so that the food is aided in to the blade easily.

=== Where can I buy this & for how much? ===

This can be purchased in store, reserved for in store collection online or ordered online for home delivery (charges may apply) from Argos stores or www.argos.co.uk for just £4.89. This is obviously a very low price for something that is quite useful in the kitchen.

=== Overall opinion ===

This blender is nothing special to look at, in fact it is quite possibly the ugliest kitchen item I own but who cares?! When I have used this it is very simple to wipe the handle over and rinse the actual blade by just detaching it. This means that I do not have to worry about getting the plug or the wire wet so I can ensure that I am safe. Also, because this comes apart I am able to store it in my utensil drawer with everything else I usually need when cooking up a storm in the kitchen. The parts are white so they are relatively inoffensive but I find that the blue button just looks a bit garish and horrible, generally speaking though I am the only person who tends to see this so it does not really matter much!

This blender is simple to use, simple to put together and works quite well at blending. I normally use this for pureeing food for my nieces & nephews or for making deliciously creamy mashed potato when I am having a lazy day but want to make shepherds pie or something similar. I use this in a large plastic mixing bowl and so far it has not damaged the bowl or caused flood to be splattered all over the kitchen so that is good enough for me. Obviously the kind of texture that can be achieved with this is dependent on how long you use it for and I've found that under a minute is enough to smooth out vegetables for a nice soup and even just a few seconds if I want to make a nice chunky soup with a good consistency and thickness. On occasion, when blending really chunky food, I would find that this could get stuck around the blade but this was easily rectified by turning it off and then using the end of a wooden spoon, or any spoon for that matter, to clean it all out.

Just to mention that the section with the blade on can be washed in the dishwasher if you choose to. It says dishwasher safe parts on the Argos website but I certainly would not recommend washing the handle, with the plug on it, in the dishwasher, well, not unless you never want this to work again. The wattage of this is 220 so it is quite powerful for a blender.

I am pleased with the quality of this blender. I only purchased this because I could not find my previous, branded, blender which has since turned up. I will happily continue to use this if I can't use my other one and it is always nice to have a spare. I have lent this to my friend on several occasions when she has wanted to make a soup and now she has purchased the exact same one person so she must agree that it works well!