vintage blender

[n0oxy]

I was at my mom's recently and we found her blender in the basement, plugged it in and it still runs great, though when turning it off it sounds like the motor might be getting a dry baring. She got it back in 1970 and I'm wondering if anyone knows more about these. It says osterizer on it, I'm guessing the brand is Oster, are they even around anymore? I don't think blenders are made like this anymore, the motor base is metal, no plastic, the jar is either metal or glass, not sure which one. It has several speeds that go in this order, stir, puree, whip, mix, blend, liquefy, and frappe. There are three buttons above the ones I just mentioned that have to be held in for them to work, they are, grate, chop and grind. It also says solid state on it, I guess back then that was a much bigger thing than it is now, personally I think having all of these speeds is more for marketing, I'm not sure how useful they really are but it was really awesome that this blender still worked so well. I would love to know anything about these if anyone knows about them. Especially when running it on the highest speed, it kind of sounds like a vacuum cleaner, I'm guessing the motor in these is a universal motor, similar to a vacuum.
Mike

 

[fan-of-fans]

Sounds like an Osterizer Cycle Blend or similar. These types of push button Osters are very common in thrift stores and places like that. I have one from maybe the 90s with a plastic base.

They are good blenders. They still make similar models today but not nearly as well made as those.

You can still get new blades and other parts for the vintage ones too. Some people use a caning jar in place of the large one for other tasks.

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Yes, universal motors in all these old blenders.
Solid state meant that it used an electronic speed control circuit, rather then a mechanical governor.
I still have and use my mom's chrome and glass GE blender from 1964. Only two speeds but it still makes good margaritas.

 

[kirbyklekter]

Oster Blenders

John Oster was acquired by Sunbeam in the early 60's I believe. Those buttons that you have to press and hold are for pulsing, short bursts just enough to mix ingredients but not to over process or for lightly chopping onions etc. to a specific size or courseness.

 

[human]

My parents had a late '60s/early '70s vintage Osterizer blender like what's being described. The thing was monstrously heavy and built like a tank—industrial strength by today's standards. The motor unit had a chrome metal housing and the jar part was thick glass. At some point, the spout on the jar got chipped, but Mom kept using it. I have no idea what happened to it, but I doubt she still has it. At age 87, she and heavy things just don't get along anymore.

 

[justjunque]

Edgar,

That sounds like the one my parents had in the 1970s.
They let me take it years ago, as they were no longer using it.
I'm ashamed to say, I haven't used it either. Back in the day, I used to make milkshakes in it.
The fact that I haven't used the Osterizer makes me really question why we bought a Vitamix recently.