Thunder stick shmunder pick

[Johnny Pneumatic]

I first saw thunder stick mixers on TV some years ago, it might have even been in my pre-skeptic days, so that'd place it about five years ago. Anyhoo I recently rembered the things and thought, "Hey, if they're not crap I should get one." Trouble is the people who sell them can't be trusted to tell you the straight dope. And TV sold products are notoriously cheaply made or downright scams: like diet pills, Q-ray bracelets and so forth. The infomercial I watched years ago said they: http://www.seenontv.com/prod-pages/thunderstick.html
have a lifetime warranty. Touble is they could just say it and not follow through, or all manner of other dishonest stuff TV products corps are want to do. If somebody would like to give me the straight dope on these things that would be great. Thanks:)

[TobiasTheViking]

I first saw thunder stick mixers on TV some years ago, it might have even been in my pre-skeptic days, so that'd place it about five years ago. Anyhoo I recently rembered the things and thought, "Hey, if they're not crap I should get one." Trouble is the people who sell them can't be trusted to tell you the straight dope. And TV sold products are notoriously cheaply made or downright scams: like diet pills, Q-ray bracelets and so forth. The infomercial I watched years ago said they: http://www.seenontv.com/prod-pages/thunderstick.html
have a lifetime warranty. Touble is they could just say it and not follow through, or all manner of other dishonest stuff TV products corps are want to do. If somebody would like to give me the straight dope on these things that would be great. Thanks:)
Ehm..

"lifetime warranty" == "is under warranty as long as the product is aok"

no?

[valis]

I was buying a can opener once, literally an under two dollar item. In bold letters the package said "Lifetime Guarantee". Then I read the fine print:

To claim the guarantee the item had to be sent registered mail with return postage. The shipping would have been well over the cost of the item.

[Mongrel]

I'd say stick with a Braun or other well known brand from a reputable supplier. I'm a great believer in "You get what you pay for"

[Johnny Pneumatic]

Ehm..

"lifetime warranty" == "is under warranty as long as the product is aok"

no?


For the dishonest companies, yes. Before it became a buss word to help sell crap it ment what it says: that if it breaks due to a product defect and for some products just wear and tear(Craftsman tools does this, beyond the lifetime of the person who bought them. This impresses me quite a bit, sure they cost more, but hey.) The question is what version does thunder stick have, lie or for real.

[Johnny Pneumatic]

I'd say stick with a Braun or other well known brand from a reputable supplier. I'm a great believer in "You get what you pay for"


So true.

What peaked my interest in it was the things it was shown to do. Now if it can actually due such is in question here, along with if it's a quality product. :

Crushing ice really well
Turning milk into whip cream-like aerated foam
Turing water with some coffee powder dropped in it into a coffee aerated foam


Is there a website that has unbiased reviews of all manner of products on it where I might check it out?

[Nex]

Is there a website that has unbiased reviews of all manner of products on it where I might check it out? Maybe here? (http://www.consumerguide.com/)

[Aepervius]

Maybe here? (http://www.consumerguide.com/)

Maybe I clicked on the wrong link, but after searching for thunderstick (just to try) I got something which looked more like an ad than a review...

[Johnny Pneumatic]

I found some reviews of it here: http://www.epinions.com/Thane_Thunderstick_Pro_Small_

I'll pass on buying it. Shame they can't make it a quality product, I mean how hard is that?

[Mongrel]

I have one similar to this one (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00008BFTA/qid=1136663244/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/026-1024841-9085246). Reliable brand, powerful motor and more attachments than you can shake a stick at. Even includesa balloon whisk and mini grinder for making your iced cappucinnos :)

[Johnny Pneumatic]

I have one similar to this one (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00008BFTA/qid=1136663244/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/026-1024841-9085246). Reliable brand, powerful motor and more attachments than you can shake a stick at. Even includesa balloon whisk and mini grinder for making your iced cappucinnos :)

Can it whip milk or coffeed water into a thick, spoonable foam? If so, I'm totally sold. I'll probably get one anyway: for crushing ice and other stuff though.

[Mongrel]

Can it whip milk or coffeed water into a thick, spoonable foam? If so, I'm totally sold. I'll probably get one anyway: for crushing ice and other stuff though.

With a bit of practice with the blending attatchment, just lift it slightly above the surface level of the liquid, it will produce a foam. Whether it's good enough for what you need - I'm afraid I have no idea :(

[ysabella]

I have a KitchenAid brand stick blender (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008GSAE/). If anything, it's a little too powerful. If using the whisk, you have to watch it or it'll spin the whole bowl.
I'm sure the Braun is close to the same thing.

[JLam]

If you're going to get an immersion blender, go with the Big Boy...

www.bamix.com

Yes, with the flat blade attachment, it will most definitely whip skim milk into a froth. Add some sugar or Splenda and some fruit, and you've got a nice dessert.

I use my Bamix all the time. It's a bit expensive, but worth every penny. I use mine all the time.

[Mongrel]

If you're going to get an immersion blender, go with the Big Boy...

www.bamix.com

Yes, with the flat blade attachment, it will most definitely whip skim milk into a froth. Add some sugar or Splenda and some fruit, and you've got a nice dessert.

I use my Bamix all the time. It's a bit expensive, but worth every penny. I use mine all the time.

OOhhhh Shiny :)

You've got to love a site that gives you a recipe for toothpaste

[tkingdoll]

So true.

What peaked my interest in it was the things it was shown to do. Now if it can actually due such is in question here, along with if it's a quality product. :



This has nothing to do with the topic, but the phrase is actually 'piqued my interest'.

Sorry.

Carry on.

[JMEJAM]

Hmmm, Bamix. Are we sure Emeril isn't involved here?

[Johnny Pneumatic]

If you're going to get an immersion blender, go with the Big Boy...

www.bamix.com

Yes, with the flat blade attachment, it will most definitely whip skim milk into a froth. Add some sugar or Splenda and some fruit, and you've got a nice dessert.

I use my Bamix all the time. It's a bit expensive, but worth every penny. I use mine all the time.

What's the motor power in the thing? The Braun is 600 Watts.

[JLam]

What's the motor power in the thing? The Braun is 600 Watts. I don't know. It advertises 25,000 rpm, but I don't know the motor's power.

It's damn powerful, however. I used to have a Braun, and these two aren't even in the same ballpark.

[Johnny Pneumatic]

Sounds good. How much do they cost though? I can't find any prices on the site. And where do you buy 'em?

[Mongrel]

Sounds good. How much do they cost though? I can't find any prices on the site. And where do you buy 'em?


Same questions from here :) They look like nice bits of kit

[Johnny Pneumatic]

Same questions from here :) They look like nice bits of kit

Yeah, I wish he'd come back...

[JLam]

Sorry...
I paid $200 for mine, which is the real high-end top of the line model. They're only sold at places like county fairs, trade shows, auto shows, basically anywhere where there are booths with vendors. The slightly less expensive (but I'm sure just as good) models can be purchased online.

Here's a link:
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?sourceid=mozclient&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&q=bamix&sa=N&tab=wf

[Johnny Pneumatic]

Sorry...
I paid $200 for mine, which is the real high-end top of the line model. They're only sold at places like county fairs, trade shows, auto shows, basically anywhere where there are booths with vendors.



Whoa, you weren't kidding when you said they cost a lot. I was thinking, maybe, *maybe* $100; good lord, I have some saving to do. Why do they cost so much? What sort of warranty does it have for that uber price?

Wwww.....why? A company making it's products HARDER to buy? Mmmmmm....

[Mongrel]

Whoa, you weren't kidding when you said they cost a lot. I was thinking, maybe, *maybe* $100; good lord, I have some saving to do. Why do they cost so much? What sort of warranty does it have for that uber price?

Wwww.....why? A company making it's products HARDER to buy? Mmmmmm....

Because then it's exclusive. Silly ;)