Let's take a look at why the new KitchenAid 5-speed blender will make your life in the kitchen easier. The jar of the new KitchenAid blender is uniquely teardrop shaped to funnel food down into the blades, keeping fluids from spinning uselessly in circles. This jar is made of nearly-indestructible, shatter-resistant, commercial-grade polycarbonate, able to withstand temperatures from freezing to boiling, and resistant to staining and scratching. The 56-oz. jar is much lighter and easier to handle than a glass jar would be, and the teardrop shape creates a natural, drip-free pouring spout. The tight-fitting lids seals in liquids and includes a removable 2-oz. cap for measuring and adding ingredients.

Underneath the jar is a powerful, 0.9-horsepower motor, able to crush a pitcher full of ice in just seconds using KitchenAid's patented, stainless-steel blade. This unique design puts the blades on four different planes for fast, efficient blending. The blade assembly is built into the jar for convenience; just pop it in the dishwasher for clean up. The motor is governed by KitchenAid's Intelli-Speed control that automatically keeps the blades at a constant, optimal speed for each setting, no matter the load, from the thickest ice cream drinks to thin broth. And a great new Soft Start feature lets the blender start at a slower speed; this pulls food into the blades instead of throwing and spattering the food all over the jar when you start it up. The motor quickly speeds up to your selected speed setting.

All this is housed in a sleek, new, die-cast metal base that ensures stable, quiet operation, even when blending a full pitcher of ingredients. Four rubber feet on a wide, solid base provide a non-slip, non-marring grip on your counter. The Clean Touch control pad is seamless, wiping clean in an instant. Buttons for Stir, Chop, Mix, Puree, and Liquify give you control over blending with a Pulse button that works with all five speeds. In addition, the Crush Ice mode automatically pulses the motor at staggered intervals for optimum ice crushing.