Kenwood SB206 Smoothie Maker

The goblet has the usual volume marker on the side (capacity is 1.5 litres) and it's also marked to show you how much fruit or ice you can put in, how much liquid you can put in and (most useful of all) how many people will get a drink.

This isn't a multi-purpose liquidiser--the blades are raised above the spout of the tap to produce a nice foamy smoothie, so it's not good at grinding dry ingredients. If you're mixing something particularly thick, pop in the stirring stick to make sure everything gets well mixed; this makes your smoothies even foamier. The powerful motor can cope with frozen fruit, ice cream or ice cubes and the high-speed Smooth button finishes your drink in under 60 seconds.

Smoothies are a great way of getting kids (and adults) to enjoy their daily dose of fruit. But if you're going to make smoothies every day you want a blender that's easy to clean. The goblet, lid and stirring stick are dishwasher safe but they also wash quickly under the tap because there are no nooks and crannies for pulp to lurk in. It's surprising how much difference the shape of the goblet and the tap make to the SB206; just make sure the tap is closed before you start filling the goblet. --Mary Branscombe

People seem to cite the tap as an impractical gimmick, but if you read the 'Tips' section in the book that accompanies the machine, you will see that it is reccommended you keep the smoothie maker switched on (i.e. still mixing) while you use the tap. If you follow this, the tap will function perfectly and you shouldn't get any fruit pulp choking it up.

Also, the recipe book is extremely useful as it gives you an indication as to the types,combinations and volumes of ingredients that will blend to give a good smoothie. When you have a feel for this, you can start making your own.

Obviously, you can't just pummel a sack of fruit into the gobelt and reasonably expect a mess free, tasty drink that won't clog up the tap - you have to use the smoothie maker for what it was designed for.

Basically, if you follow the instructions and make sure the blend of ingredients you are using can actually come together to make a drinkable drink,then this machine won't dissappoint you.


Kenwood Smoothie   October 14, 2004
26 out of 26 found this review helpful

This is a fantastic smoothie maker with probably the best feature being that it crushes ice which is usually a feature only available on the pricey models.

It is so easy to use and even easier to clean - the whole top comes off for washing.


pretty, specialised and effective   May 20, 2003
49 out of 50 found this review helpful

This is a great product. It looks very well, and it does what it says it does beautifully. It can deal with ice - so many liquidisers cannot - and the results are delicious. I wasn't convinced that I truly needed a smoothie maker - I have many processors, juicers and other gadgets - but this is so well designed and the results are so good that I am absolutely delighted.
There are good recipes in the instruction book, but next time the local supermarket are selling off discounted fruits - work out whether they might be good with yoghurt, cream, on its own or with rum or vodka, as pancake stuffing or icecream. Or in a souffle or fool. (Only kiwi fruit are disappointing to date - they are quite raw on their own, but probably much better with additional fruits and ingredients.)
Drinking a smoothie takes a lot less effort than eating the same amount of fruit that has not been processed - perhaps this leads to an increase in gluttony. But this does help me to eat the recommended number of five portions of fruit and vegetables a day which has just got to be good for me. And these purees could be used for millions of wildly different desserts - think cocktails, syllabub, flummery, souffles and icecream.
And that I might be eating too much fruit is my only worry. (Good for the bowels, though.)


Smoothie magic   October 23, 2003
81 out of 84 found this review helpful

It was because I read the reviews on Amazon that I ordered the Kenwood Smoothie Maker. When it arrived, it was as easy to use as a,b,c. Our two sons (10 and 5) now look forward to their daily dose of fruit, and reckon it's 'simply the best' drink. I make up the recipe as I go along, depending on what's available. Thier favourite consists of banana, milk, ice cream and a teaspoon of chocolate spread. A recipe leaflet comes in the pack. Vegetables can be used, too, but I haven't tried yet. The only negative comment is that it makes a loud noise when whizzing.
It is SO EASY TO CLEAN! Really it is. The main section rinses easily, and the blade, seal and top twist off for cleaning without effort.
Adults can add some alcohol to some of the variations for an extra 'zing', but the smoothies are pretty special anyway.
The smoothie maker is a very good addition to my kitchen gadgets, and one which is in use every day. It is reasonably priced, and the bonus is that you know exactly what is in the drinks you make, as you control the ingredients: no additives, or E numbers in sight, unless you choose to add them.
I recommend it to any parent as a fun way to encourage their children to 'eat' fruit - and, of course, you just have to have some for yourself!