Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This review is the Bamix Swissline Super Box package but the components are across the line-up of Bamix products.
Mixing Wand:
This feels like a professional tool in my hand. The top has heft but not so much weight that my arthritic hands struggle with it. It is ergonomically shaped which makes holding it easy with little or no fatigue. It is quieter than the Braun it replaced and does such a superior job it does not feel like they should be in the same category. The Braun was a lighter weight, all plastic tool, which came with a detachable hollow plastic wand and processing container, both of which I used at least once a day, and it also came with a whisk attachment that I found too awkward to use. With the Bamix wand attachments I can do so much more: I puree, whip, froth, mix and blend like a pro. And fast! What it does to simple ingredients is amazing (Whipped skim milk froth blended with strawberries is heavenly!) The materials are first rate: solid stainless steel and sturdy plastics, that feel like they are of the highest quality, with workmanship that has a reputation for lasting decades -- this is not like many products today which are made to last 3 or 5 years and then be disposed of. Even the electrical cord has a solid quality feel to it.
There are different models available and three different lengths. I got the Swissline which is equal in length to common consumer immersion blenders. The stainless steel motor is encased so well it is designed so that you can immerse the unit well past the wand to the end of the tapered handle. It is easy to see why the Bamix is well regarded by professional chefs and serious cooks. Wet/Dry Grinder:
This works as well as a burr grinder with dry spices. My Braun had an processor attachment that would just smash the ingredients so I was left with a combination of big chunks and fine powder and everything in between. The Bamix gives me even results. Just don't expect it to work with raw garlic, that will not give you good results (I tried, the processor attachment is more suitable for that, better yet is the Kuhn Rikon Solid Stainless Steel garlic press which is nothing short amazing in terms of build and results). The Wet/Dry Grinder is really a dry grinder.
Slicey:
The wand works superbly, but it is the Slicey that makes me really happy. I have arthritic hands and am always trying to find a good tool to slice my veggies. Everything I have ever used, from top of the line food processors, large and small, and mandolins, to a shooter-style apparatus, always left me with odd sized chunks and slices with weird shapes, along with almost whole pieces that appear to simply have slid through sideways. Consistently, the outcome was unappealing -- fine for the family but not acceptable for serving guests. The main reason I bought the Bamix was for the Slicey, my plastic blade holder in the Braun processor had cracked which introduces bacteria, etc). Every Bamix Slicey picture or video that showed sliced onions, etc., showed textbook perfect slices. All my previous slicing efforts left me skeptical but I really was willing to try everything until I found something that worked well. So, I have to admit to feeling a bit of outright glee at seeing my first batch of sliced onions -- they were all evenly beautiful! The Bamix Slicey rocks, plain and simple. This tool is precisely engineered and so accurately fabricated that each slice was perfect. I thought I would have to put the onion quarters in a certain way for good results but that nothing but dropping them int he tube and pushing the plunger was necessary. It was fast and the results were brilliant. The chute is a bit narrow but I can work with that. UPDATED to add: One very important and disappointing thing to note is that it cannot be submerged and I am always nervous washing it.
Attachments & Accessories:
The Super Box includes the Swissline Wand with 4 attachments and a Slicey with 5 attachments (note that while only 2 are shown in the listing photo and 3 are mentioned in the listing write-up there are actually 5 included: a large S blade, both thick and thin slicers, and both coarse and fine shredders.) It also comes with the Wet/Dry grinder and 400ml small and 900ml large smokey-coloured BPA-free jugs. The wand attachments are all blunt edged and hand safe. The Slicey attachments are all sharp and need to be handled with care. The jugs have a rounded base with curved flange for a handle, a pouring spout and lid.
The different models come with different stands and the Super Box package includes what looks like a simple countertop stand but which is actually an elegantly designed storage unit. The arched front holds the Bamix wand in an easy to grab and replace position while the back has a spot that holds the cord, an area for the wet/dry grinder and even a little flip open storage bin for the attachments. The only extra I added to what the packaged offered was a 600ml medium-sized jug. When priced separately there was only a $5 savings going with the Super Box. I got it because I wanted a silver wand and the only other choice was a white Swissline.
Maintenance:
The top of the Slicey can not be immersed in water. The base has a silicone ring which helps it sit solidly while being used, and it is dishwasher safe as are all the other pieces. The Wet/Dry Grinder is best held in the hand and shaken during use. To wash the grinder just add a drop of soap and warm water then run for few seconds -- the base comes apart for cleaning if necessary. I add a squirt of vinegar to remove any smells that may linger and rub a bit of vegetable oil on the plastics if I do carrots or something else that may stain. The wand simply requires a rinse under running water or, if necessary, a spin in soapy water. The product booklet talks about how to care for the product so you will have years of use; what to do when the attachments get loose (gentle squeeze with pliers) and how to keep the Bamix motor mechanism running smooth (a couple drops of veggie oil up the shaft which they say to do regularly but I get lazy and will likely only do it sporadically.)
Purchasing a Bamix:
This part was perplexing and disappointing for a product such as this.
The Bamix is ONLY sold through one exclusive company in the US and one in Canada -- any other sellers with Bamix stuff are just clearing out old stock. If you want a Bamix you are forced to deal with only that one seller. I am in Canada and the Canadian seller's website was surprisingly light on information (especially for the exclusive seller) and it locked me out of viewing any pages after I'd completed the online purchase. I had never heard of the company and was genuinely concerned I'd been scammed. A call to customer service first thing Monday reassured me that it was legit. The girl I spoke to told me that the website was archaic and did not work, that the Super Box was available even though the Website showed it was not and then she got my package out right away so I had it within days.
Country of origin: Bamix are made in Switzerland.
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Bottomline:
The Bamix is a first rate product with a bizarre and limited selling system. I am reassured by the build quality and reputation for longevity and feel it is unlikely I will ever have to do anything through the seller.
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Bamix SwissLine - Immersion Hand BlenderComes with:::Swissline Model Bamix, 3 Blades, Swissline Stand, Food Processor. Dry/Mill, Instructional CD-ROM.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.10 Yr Warranty.Ability to be Immerged because of Sealed Case
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