Back to Basics Smoothie Maker Review
A Machine With An Auto-Pour Spout

The Back to Basics Smoothie Maker features an auto-dispensing pour spout just like you see at smoothie shops, however, consumer reports say there are problems with this.

GoBlendIt Editor's Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0

GoBlendit Editor's Review

Overall, in terms of making smoothies, the Back to Basics Smoothie Maker delivers reasonably well. It's affordably priced and offers good power. There are not many reports of breakdowns as we've seen with other smoothie machines.

Of the 5 smoothie machine models offered by Back to Basics, we looked at the AutoServe Smoothie Maker, which has a cool auto-dispensing function where you press your glass up to the machine and the engine automatically starts and your smoothie is poured, just like at a smoothie shop. However, even though this sounds great, there are numerous reports of the pour spout not working and either leaking or the blended smoothies just coming out too slow.

Check for the Best Deals

As the automatic pour spout is a major feature of this smoothie maker, it's a big disappointment that it doesn't seem to work as advertised. You can of course just pour your smoothie from the container, but there are many other smoothie machines on the market with working spouts and similar features to the Back to Basics Smoothie Maker.

As a result we can't fully recommend the Back to Basics Smoothie machine, until we see a newer model that fixes the auto-dispensing issues.

The Good

• Easy to clean - the pitcher and engine base all wipe down easily
• Good Pitcher - the specially designed carafe helps to smoothly blend all ingredients
• Good power output - at 600 watts this smoothie maker offers good power

The Bad

• Dispensing spout - reports say that the smoothie mix comes out too slow, and the spout can leak.

Models

The Smoothie Elite is Back to Basics original smoothie maker. It has a 500 watt pulse motor and a 56 ounce jar. It costs about $55. The Smoothie Signature II has a 600 watt pulse motor, 4 settings, and a 56 ounce container. It costs about $10 more than the Smoothie Elite model.

Frosty Blend Model

The AutoServe Smoothie Maker lets the user serve smoothies by just pressing their glass onto the dispensing button. When you press the button, the motor runs at a low speed and delivers your smoothies and thick drinks smoothly and easily. It has a 600 watt pulse motor and a 56 ounce funnel shaped container jar. It runs about $50.

The Back to Basics Smoothie Swirl is an introductory model with a 350 watt motor, and a 40 ounce plastic jar. It costs about $42. The Frosty Blend model offers the same features as the Smoothie Swirl and costs the same. The only difference is the Frosty blend comes in blue and white, and the Smoothie Swirl is red and white.

This review covers the AutoServe Back to Basics Smoothie Maker, which is the most popular model.

Features

The cool thing about the Autoserve Back to Basics Smoothie Maker is the auto-powered dispensing feature. You just put your cup or glass up to the spout and the motor starts and out come the smoothies.

The engine is a strong 600 watts and offers 2 speeds, including pulse. The jug container has capacity for 56 ounces which is enough to make seven 8-ounce drinks, and has measuring marks for ingredients and a funnel shaped design. The machine also comes with a stir stick to help push the ice and other thick ingredients down into the blender for an even blend.

For more information on any of these features, check out our Blender Reviews Buyer's Guide, which provides detailed information on what to look for when buying a blender.

GoBlendIt Consumer Reviews Summary

Summary of the most helpful positive reviews:

Owners feel that the smoothie maker really makes good, smooth, ice chunk free smoothies.

Summary of the most helpful negative reviews:

Despite it sounding so cool, there were a lot of negative comments about the pour spout. Owners say that the smoothies come out too slow and that the spout sometimes leaks. There were also some comments about the power; many reviewers had to use the stir stick to get the ingredients going.

Back to Smoothie Machine from Back to Basics Smoothie Maker Review

Back to Best Blenders Home Page from Back to Basics Smoothie Maker Review