This blender, smoothie plus 600, is great for blending mushy items, say a pasta sauce or making refried beans. Once you start to add the ice though, then is when you wish you'd bought that expensive hamilton beach blender. However, be patient and the blender pulls through, hopefully it lasts longer than the warranty this time. Also, that easy pour spout is a life saver when you've rimmed the cups with sugar for those watermelon ice drinks, or when your little brother is serving and you're afraid of what he might do (flip over the entire container) One more tip, do NOT add whole frozen strawberries,...