Bonnie: “Rule the kitchen with this new Ninja Master Prep,” boasts the makers of this new kitchen appliance.
They claim that this under-$50 Ninja could dice more evenly than my expensive food processor and chop ice better than blenders.
“Skeptical,” is an understatement.
So, when asked, I agreed to test this as a possible FeaturedBite on Bite of the Best.
The Ninja came with a “Master Pod” containing the motor, which fits atop the two containers to power the machine. One use is on the “Mini Master Prep” a 2-cup quasi-food processor for chopping; the other is on the “Master Prep Pitcher,” a 48-ounce blender for making frozen drinks and smoothies.
The removable blades (notice the plural!) sit inside the containers, each of which has a pour spout and comes with a blue (my favorite color) storage lid.
But, does the Ninja work?
I first tested it on an onion. I followed the instructions’ suggestion to pulse the motor until the onion was the consistency I wanted. When done, I removed the top expecting to see different size pieces. Wrong. I found no chunks, just evenly chopped onion pieces. Same results with a ripe tomato.
Next test was the blender. The Ninja folks boast that this “blasts ice into…fluffy snow to make restaurant-style drinks in just seconds.” It does just that. Think frozen margaritas or daiquiris, yogurt smoothies or any slushie drinks.
Before making drinks, I suggest making ice cubes from whatever liquid ingredients you’re planning to use so you don’t dilute your drinks.
They suggest you serve, seal and store in the same container. That’s where I no longer follow their suggestions. I prefer to serve in nonplastic containers.
I like this product so much that one of my talent agency clients is now representing the Ninja.
Bryan: Ok, so I’m not going to lie. I definitely felt a little twinge of “infomercial” when first seeing my Ninja Master Prep. I mean, it slices, it dices… Don’t look at it the wrong way or it’ll kick your a$$! I heard the voice of kitchen gadget guru, Ron Popeil echoing in my head: “It’ll solve all your kitchen needs,” he whispered. “But I’ve heard that all before,” I answered.
Could it be true this time?
I have to say that part of my review of this product is unfortunately going to involve bashing another, similar product. While I don’t like pointing fingers, I had been promised this same litany of abilities from another company once, though my immersion blender/chopper from the Bistro collection truly failed to deliver on any of its boasts. My milkshake maker was a bust and impossibly hard to use, while the mini food processor accessory couldn’t even make its way through an already pre-chopped onion. I was promised everything and I got nothing. It was simply useless. (Sorry Wolfgang, you still make great pizza. We’re cool, I promise!)
When the Ninja arrived, I readied myself for disappointment again, but this time found none. The Ninja not only delivered on its promises, it exceeded every one of my expectations! This is two kitchen devices in one, and each of them actually works! Taking into account all the additional accessories, the Ninja is phenomenally useful.
The Ninja is quite a powerful and unique blender and food processor. I realized why this kitchen gadget got its name as soon as I started using it. While most other blenders and choppers have a single, bottom-dwelling blade, the Ninja has dual blades. This unique, if not revolutionary, adaptation allows the gadget to transform ice cubes into perfect, creamy frozen drinks in just seconds. Many blenders will leave chunks or transform cubed ice into a watery mess. There is something special though about the dual blades, creating the perfect consistency for shakes, smoothies and frozen cocktails.
The mini food processor is equally as powerful (both blades use the same interchangeable, top-driven motor). The chopper perfectly produces diced or minced vegetables; onions, potatoes, carrots, celery, and the like all passed with flying colors! The Ninja is also perfect for any of your salsa or dips. The pulse control makes it easy to avoid turning your entire creation into mush.
The “Master Pod” easily switches from the Mini Prep to the Prep Pitcher. I was worried, as I’ve sometimes seen TV personalities make this type of switch with ease, only to be confounded by my own, at-home try. I like things that are idiot-proof and the Ninja passed its tests with flying colors. The pod only fits on in one way, and the blades can only connect in one way. Utility is further compounded, as the set includes two storage lids, allowing your Ninja creations to last in the fridge without the need of an additional storage container.
The blender pitcher is generously sized, ideally designed for parties with a large 48-oz pitcher. It’s perfect for making several drinks at a time, and features an easy flip pour spout and no-slip bottom. The Ninja pieces are also dishwasher and microwave safe. It’s not going to make your dinner for you, but the Ninja will certainly multitask at your behest.
Eric: To explain this in modern written language, OMG this product is not a WTF. The Ninja, or as I like to refer to it, “the little infomercial product that could,” is an appliance designed for the modern kitchen as well as for the fast-paced lifestyle many of us live. Similar to its infomercial nemesis, “The Bullet,” the Ninja is designed for two specific reasons – crafting great ice-based drinks and prepping the otherwise tedious mise en place.
Just bought my Ninja and on the 3rd use the plastic part of the motor that fits onto the plastic part of the blades decided to melt or chop into their own lil pieces which I came upon in my smoothie. I wouldn’t pulse over the 20 seconds as suggested. I actually wouldn’t go over 10 seconds as it wasn’t needed. I thought this was going to be the best thing ever but now I just want to take it back being I don’t like eating plastic and I’m sure it’s going to continue until it doesn’t work anymore. I’m so disheartened being it seemed like it would be the perfect addition to any kitchen.
D.
Look at comment #240. I think I have figured out a solution to the problem. If the power pod doesn’t drop right on, give the blade spindle a little twist and line up the gears.
I received the Ninja as a Christmas gift. Used it once for a smoothie – it was great. Used it a second time for a smoothie and the plastic gear stripped out. I will be returning it. You get what you pay for! Never buy anything with plastic gears.
Wow, all these stripped gears…a running theme here.
If you don’t seat the Ninja Pod on the pitcher or mini-prep IT WILL STRIP! If you use the Ninja properly it won’t strip.
This is user error causing the gear stipping.
To all those looking for metal gears…do you realize both the Ninja pod and where it mates onto the blades would need to be metal for it to make a difference? I doubt that’s going to happen.
What’s more likely is for the Ninja to be redsigned so that it won’t operate unless seated properly on the blade assembly.
This is a great unit if used correctly.
Sorry Charlie but you weren’t here to see that the unit was used properly. Brooks you’re a nice helpful person and I thank you very much. It’s nice to see there are so many kind people in the world.
D, just how do you think your Ninja’s gears got stipped? I haven’t seen any other theories or explanations other than poorly mated pods to base/blade assembly.
Well Charlie I don’t know about others but me personally couldn’t work the unit unless it was fitted in properly to begin with. As to why or how it happened I don’t know. All I know is that it was quite frustrating being I love the ability that it has.
I didn’t see where anyone answered the question about the comparision between the Magic Bullet and the Ninja. I had always wanted a Magic Bullet & just hadn’t bought one yet. Thanks.
I don’t consider the “magic bullet” to be comparable to the Ninja since they aren’t the same size. I think one person commented they didn’t like the MB because its seals leaked after awhile since the jars are upside down.
My friend has the Magic Bullet..I brought my Ninja over last weekend and we had a showdown. First, we blended blending a strawberry daquiri-type smoothy, then diced tomatoes, spinach, onions and garlic for a dip, then did the snowcone (which is especially yummy with Kalhua and cream!! Anyways, when it was all said and done, all in good fun of course, she and I went to Bed Bath and Beyond and got her a Ninja the next day to be on the safe side:-) This was a very informal, but effective side by side comparison and all items from my Ninja were done exceptionally more efficiently and in more uniform consistency than the MB.
Neeker, thanks so much for the info. I have researched prices, etc. and think that Sam’s Club at $49.84 plus you get 3 instead of 1 16oz processor is a good buy. The reason I was questioning about the Magic Bullett was you get a blender and juicer with it but there’s a lot of stuff to store when if the Ninja is just as good or better, I would rather go that route.
Oh, yes, if you need a second one for a gift, on their official website, you can buy 1 get one free at $59.85 plus P&H $29.90 for a total of $89.75. They also have an upgrade with 2 add’l pitchers & choppers with lids for an add’l $39.90.
Maggie;
Thanks for the pricing info. I had thought the Sams Club version was the best value but seeing as buying direct gets you 2 complete Ninja’s for $90 that’s pretty good too considering by buying ‘direct’ you get the lifetime warranty (I think). The Sams and other retail versions have a one year warranty.
Well, I don’t see the lifetime warranty claim on the Ninjakitchen.com website so perhaps it only applies to the infomercial version. I did find this buried url on a google search: http://www.ninjakitchen.com/ninjawarranty.htm
Well here’s the deal! I love your product soooo much that i wrote a little song type deal about it.. Some think it sounds corney some think it sounds awsome.. i’d like for you to write to me and tell me what you think.. ok here goes.. Please don’t laugh ok..
Twas the day after Christmas
and my blender was broke
so i bought me a Ninja
and thought “is this a joke?”
I plugged it into the wall
and got a big suprise
that sucker blended my ice
right before my eyes
so buy you a blender
a Ninja my friend
and you’ll never ever ever
buy another blender again
ok ya’ll that’s it.. word for word something i came up with in about an hour.. I think it sounds cool… Use it as you wish..
Have a great day and God Bless!
I bot the ninja and it is a piece of crap. It is impossible to line up and when it does chop, it chops all different sizes AND mine just broke after only about four uses and a lot of aggrivation. Don’t waste your money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, now there is someone who holds back on her opinion and her ability to use simple mechanical kitchen appliances. Of course if the appliance is not being used correctly it is a good probability that the chopping results would be bad too.
Now I will go back to making beautiful bread crumbs.
I’ve never used a faster product than the ninja ever! It’s wholly fully the most best processor that i’ve ever even tried!!
90 percent of the comments were clearly written by the people selling this product!
I can assure you skeptics out there, that I do not sell the product, merely use it correctly. I bought mine 2 months ago and one time I was in a super hurry and didn’t place the motor on correctly and heard a funny noise. I immediately lifted it and did it CORRECTLY and it works fine. Stop the paranoid talk people. It makes you sound very silly.
90% really?? Do you sell the product, since you gave a glowing review?
I love my Ninja. I’ve had it for 3 months and I use it daily and have had no problems with it what so ever.
Buy it – don’t buy it who cares.
I think think Stephen misquoted. It should have read 90% of these people have ‘bought’ a Ninja and used it quite successfully.
Do you know how powerful the motor is? Horsepower? Watts?
Product Details
* 48-ounce blender and 2-cup food processor with interchangeable power pod
* 400-watt motor head with one-touch pulsing for maximum control and consistant results
* Quad blade technology for uniform cutting and ice crushing action
* Splashguard and non-slip bases
* Removable parts are dishwasher-safe
Here’s the deal. This product works pretty darn good. The main problem I have is cleaning(drying) the lid. And beleive me it’s not that big of a deal. As far as line up goes, well, you have to use your head a bit. Unless your a child you should not have any problems. Ok back to the line up…..if you fill it with frozen chunks and then try to put the top on properly, it may or may not go on. If it doesn’t, rotate the blades a small ammount. SMALL AMMOUNT. And try again. It’ll work. Read the instructions. Understand the instructions. Follow the instructions. Use logic and common sense. I have read most of the comments here and quite honestly, some of you folks should not try to use anything that has a blade or otherwise sharp component. Stick to lego’s.
i love this product cause when i was hammered i tried green olives and vodka and made the best drink ever
577el7l5
I just ordered the Montel Williams – Health Master yesterday and then I saw the ninja commericial. Im having second thought but I want to make sure the ninja can stand up to chopping & blending a whole picture full of veggies. Someone let me know so I can cancel HM before it is shipped.
Mary, take a look at post 139. The motor on my Healthmaster burned out after three weeks and I sent it back. the ninja has a 0.6 hp motor and healthmaster’s motor is rated at about 1.75 hp. I think the ninja probably will do 90% of what you need unless you’re going to be milling rice flour or chopping up avocado pits. I bought a kitchenaid blender for about $100 minus $20 coupon and it seems to make a smoothie just as well as the healthmaster and I don’t have to use the pusher. Neither machine chop like the Ninja.
My daughter was using the smaller unit of the Ninja(which I gave her for Christmas) and the unit malfunctioned. The “bullet”(the top part with the motor, got stuck to the plastic piece that goes under it and it all came up together, the bullet, the plastic cover and the blades came up all attached. Since this never happens she didn’t realize it until it was too late. She was holding the top piece and inadvertently pressed the button that makes it go and since the blades were ‘stuck’ to the top got badly cut cause the blades turned on. She had to go to the emergency room and had LOTS of stitches on both hands! We were told that she needs to report this or to sue the company cause the product was defective. She is not a child. She is 29 yrs old and will have to miss work now because of it. She cannot use her hands and was lucky that it didn’t take one of her fingers off or cut a nerve leaving her hand damaged. We still don’t know the extent of it until a couple of weeks go by and she gets the stitches removed. When it starts to heal we will find out if she has any trouble using the fingers. This is serious and she already posted pictures on Facebook and I will be posting them on myspace and other social network sites.
Now on my unit, I have stopped using the small one because when I put the ‘bullet’ on top of the plastic cover it is ripping up the top of the plastic and eating it away. So I am getting plastic shavings on it when I remove it. So I stopped using it. Maybe this is what happened with hers. I was lucky I stopped using it. We are going to talk to a lawyer tomorrow. I tried to attach the pictures but it wouldn’t work. If you email me I will send them to you. Allarah LaVelle
voiceofspirit11@aol.com
I truly am sorry to hear about the accident; however, I do not feel there is a need to post any pxs of her injuries on this site, or anywhere, but it is the 21st century where everything needs to be posted somewhere to give someone validity I guess. I do have a comment or two. I understand she is 29, but the fact remains, that whenever something is wrong with an appliance of ANY kind and you are going to try to fix it, the first thing you do is UNPLUG the darn thing. Had she done that, there would have been no power to the motor. I personally, ALWAYS think twice and even three times about sticking my hand into something, especially when anything sharp is involved…duhhh comes to mind. The sad thing is, is she will probably win any lawsuit regarding this because we are in America, where ludicrously obvious errors in human judgement get rewarded via law suits…It could have been prevented. It’s not rocket science people. Motor + sharp blades + malfunction = UNPLUG THE DAMN THING FIRST!I am a mom of 3 and I would feel horrible if this happened to one of my GROWN children…but I like to think I taught them better. If this happened to them, I would sue myself. Your post makes you look like an ambulance-chasing, lawsuit hungry, can’t take responsibility for my actions individual…it ain’t pretty man.
Oh yeah, and I DO NOT have any affiliations with the company that makes the Ninja, just in case some of those paranoid commentors are wondering:-)
To Neeker. Obviously you have not seen a picture of the Ninja or you would know that normally there would be no need to unplug anything because the top portion of the Ninja is the part that turns it on. And it is like a “bullet” that has NO BLADES attached to it at all. It sits on top of a plastic cover and the blades are INSIDE the plastic container that holds the food you are trying to cut up. Normally you have to pull hard to get plastic top off and the “bullet” never gets stuck to the plastic cover and the blades certainly do not attach to the top at all. So there is normally NO way you can get cut at all. This time however, the bullet got stuck to the plastic top that it sits on and even the blades came up. But you would have no way to understand that unless you know what the Ninja looks like. Go to Ninja Master Prep and take a look at a Ninja and you will understand what I am talking about.. But if you were reading this that tells me that you know what a Ninja is or you would not have been on this website. So why would you say that she would have to unplug it or worry about the blades at all. If it was not defective it could never have gotten stuck for it to come up all together. So before you comment you should read more carefully in order to understand what actually took place.
Neeker: You don’t know what you are talking about. Read the description of what happened again and you would know that the product malfunctioned. The top got stuck to the plastic lid of the container and normally that never happens so there is no way to get cut. It all came up as one piece with the blade attached. And if she loses work and has to pay for hospital bills due to a malfunction they need to pay for that.
Please re-read the description of what happened. There is no reason to unplug anything normally. The thing malfunctioned and she should be paid for time she loses from work and her doctors bills
Allarah, I guess your saying your daughter didn’t realize the unit malfunctioned until the mini-prep lid with blades still attached came off when she was removing the master pod and the thing just went off in her hands.
I’m usually not one to abide frivilous lawsuits but I think you may have a genuine case here.
If you looked at recent posts, I have owned my Ninja for several months and have had great success, with the exception of my error on placing the motor (which is by the way the top portion that will engage the blades and pulgs into the electrical outlet)a bit off center and it made a funny noise for a split second when I realized I had not aligned it properly. It still works fine as I didn’t insist on keeping it running. All things man-made have the potential of “malfunctioning”. It’s a fact of life. In this case, see the Owner’s Manual for the Ninja Master Prep. On Page 1 (Important Safety Instructions) it has 21 points, many of which reiterate the fact that the motor is connected to electricity and to unplug it first in the event of a malfunction. #18 specifically states: Immediately release the On/Off button on the motor head in the event that the appliance malfunctions during use. On Page 3 of the Owners Manual, under CAUTION, it reads: Make sure that the power head is unplugged from the electrical outlet and that the blades have stopped turning before attaching or removing any accessory.
As you mentioned, the fact that your daughter “accidentally” hit the power button on the motor head after the splash guard and blades were still attached and out of the canister screams of improper handling, regardless if the unit malfunctioned. She accidentally turned the power ON.
When my toaster malfunctions, I unplug it first, then dig out the toast; again, it’s not rocket science or even highschool science. It’s common sense, much of what we are losing as a society, in blaming everyone and everything else for our own negligence, but quick to beat down the doors of the closest attorney who will, for a fee of course, represent and perpetuate this kind of behavior. Oh yes, good luck posting on the social websites…nothing like drawing sharks to chum, you will get the attention you crave.
Charlie, check out the first post, that states, “She was holding the top piece and inadvertently pressed the button that makes it go”. That is my point about this. If the unit was turned off, and she pressed the on button accidentally, it would not have run.
Thank you Charlie. That was my point. These things happen fast and if you are not expecting it to come out stuck to the lid and blades you would not think to unplug anything. Anyway, we are not the sort of people that try to sue anyone. But it is only fair that she get paid for her loss wages and for the hospital bill. My friend who is a lawyer here in Tucson, where I live(my daughter lives in Tampa, FL) says to definitely contact a Personal Liability Lawyer/Personal Injury lawyer and they will help her. It is only fair. Thanks for your comment.
That’s whats wrong with the world today. Accidents happen and the first thing anyone wants to do is sue. That’s why there are so many attorneys and they sure aren’t cheap. Most are better off trying to get things done first without an attorney and as a last resort, get an attorney.
I still don’t understand why the lady didn’t see the blades come up with the top and how she accidentally pushed the button down to start it and got both hands. If I saw the blades, I wouldn’t get anywhere near them as everyone has said time & again how sharp the blades are and to be very, very careful.
I want a Ninja and waiting for my son’s to give me as a gift. One of my son’s got me one for Christmas but I took it back as you could tell it was used plus didn’t have instructions or recipe book. The store didn’t have any more so I just got a refund. Can’t wait to get one.
One problem I’ve noticed with the Ninja is the fact that it’s a bit awkward when you are handling the motor head: You have to be very aware of huge button on it that turns it on. To me it was pretty natural to unplug it before taking it out of the pitcher and small chopping container. But I’ve worked around dangerous machinery my whole life, too, and you learn early on the only one who keeps you safe is YOU.
To me what happened to Allarha’s daughter falls a bit into poor design and a lot into “should have known better” about handling something as sharp as these cutters are. But it’s certainly too bad that it happened. I’m glad she wasn’t hurt worse than she was.
Dear Allarah I truly hope your daughter heals perfectly and am sorry to hear of this happening. Don’t take any of what these people say to heart. You did the right thing by making people aware to be cautious. Some people have nothing better to do with their lives than beat others down to make themselves feel better than others. You know what’s true and what happened and that’s all that really matters. Thanks for the info and best of luck.
Thanks D. I appreciate the comment. Allarah
HELP – I loved the damn thing but stripped the gear after 4 weeks of daily use….after reading this thread I decided to contact them for a replacement gear. The Ninja website doesn’t work, the 1=800 number is no longer a working number, the Euro-pro website doesn’t recognize the model number!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Anyone know how to contact them for real??????
Hi Marisa. When you say you stripped the gear do you mean that the plastic cover for the small container was stripping when you used it? That is what was happening to mine. The plastic was getting stripped and I would find pieces of plastic strips on the top when I removed the motor piece that sits on top. I stopped using the small container because of that and was going to contact the company and then my daughter was injured. I asked her tonight if hers was stripping too and she said yes. So I am guessing after a while if you keep using it, it fuses together. So you were smart to stop using it. I will be calling the company about mine too. I am not sure what number you are using but they are still on tv so I can’t understand how the 800 could no longer be a working number. The number on the owners manual is the Euro pro number and you say they don’t recognize the model #? That is weird. Mine is a QB900v 54. Is that what yours is? Allarah
My product number is QB950 30 and the only number I have is 1-800-798-7398 If you try and call you get a recording saying that it is no longer a working number and to hang up to avoid getting charged! It’s the same number plastered all over their website. Most of the areas of the website don’t work but I sampled the link to place an order and that still works! What a surprise! (I’m very disappointed) Any advice??????????????????
WoW!You are right! I called the number and got a message saying you have to call (702)589-9300 and that it is a $3.79 dollar call and that “other charges may apply”!!!
The only thing I can think of is to call the number to place an order and talk to them and see if they can give me a working number that doesn’t cost so much to call. This is ridiculous! I am also going to send your comment to my daughter to give to her lawyer. She wants to get reimbursed for her hospital bill and lost wages and the lawyer said there is a case there.
the number you have 1-800-798-7398 is the right one and it works as I called them in the past to order some parts, I don’t know which number you are calling to get refer to 702-589-9300 but it ain’t 800-798-7398.
Also, by doing a little searching on the Internet, I found 1-800-798-7395, it also works.
The Ninja sounds like a great appliance if only it were a little sturdier and safer. It looks like a variation on the food processor. The blades seem similar. Perhaps one of the smaller food processors will perform similarly without the problems.
Can you chop ice in a food processor, like the Ninja does?
The food processors I’ve seen have tended to be much quieter than blenders as the Ninja is reported to be.