Until I started using this, I was against "fancy" kitchen appliances. I would bore anyone I could with my preaching for hand prepared cooking. Any appliances I did buy, hypocritically, were hidden and used secretively. Recently my son was helping with the washing-up and forced me to admit that all my wooden spatulas were blunted by being used as "blenders". So I bought one of these, and it really won me over. As there is already a very competent usefulness review on this page, (total agreement), I will add only this: it's a very well designed tool, with all the power, quality and finish not normally associated with British brand names - and look at the price! It's my only electric cooking appliance that is not hidden: I'm quite proud of it! PS: Anyone know how to hide a micro-wave in a cramped kitchen??