Hamilton Beach Commercial Commercial HMD400R Triple-Spindle Drink Mixer, 3 Speed Universal Motors, Hands-Free Operation, NSF Certified

We bought this machine in 2016. After trying a machine from a well known kitchen store that didn't have the power to beat eggs and reading several reviews, I opted to try this machine. It has worked beautifully for our malt loving family. I cannot say that we have used it as intensely as a commercial malt shop would, but when we do use it we use it pretty intensely for our large family, making at least 12 malts and/or shakes for our family.We like our malts nice and thick and creamy. We follow the recommendations we found on the Chowhound YouTube video "How to Make the Ultimate Thick, Creamy Milk Shake - You're Doing It All Wrong" from July 24, 2012. (I would put in the link, but I don't think I am allowed on these reviews.) There are some good recommendations on this review among them are (1) Use one pint (2 cups) of ice cream to 2/3 cup of whole milk. (2) Do not use low fat milk. (3) Use good quality natural ingredients. We prefer Tillamook Vanilla Bean for our basic malts such as banana or strawberry.

I love this mixer overall--and would rate "4.5" if I could. It's worth more than a 4, but has two small things that I'd change.The good--very powerful, waaaaay quieter than I expected (balance and smooth, nothing like your old Oster blender!), and the size is actually smaller than I expected. It actually looks quite elegant in a kitchen, and doesn't weigh a ton so moving is easy. It does have suction cup feet, even though it doesn't really look like it in the photos, and also has a small kickstand to the rear to help stabilize. The Waring equivalent also looks like a great unit, though the case is not as nice to look at. Hamilton Beach also advertises that the motor on this unit is easily user-replaceable; Waring does not, but probably is the case there as well?The bad--the mixer doesn't include an agitator that will handle chunks (cookies, fruit, candy, etc.) and so you need to order that separately. Search Hamilton Beach 929 and you'll see the one you need for about $25. Also, the base (directly under the spindle) is curved, so it's not ideal for cup storage. You can do it, but with a stack of cups, they'll tend to want to walk off the front. (The Waring has a flat dent here that holds cups).The ugly--there is no ugly. This thing rocks.The helpful--For chunky add-ins, order agitator 929. Extra Hamilton Beach stainless cups are part number 110E; more expensive, but will nest correctly with the one that comes with it. The mixer comes with an extra part, and the manual says something like, "to use the pulse feature" and shows how to replace the cup-activated switch with the extra part. This is not necessary--you can use the pulse feature with the cup activated switch in place.Final tip--if you buy this, be sure to upgrade your gym membership. You're gonna need it... Enjoy.Update--after using agitator 929 a bit, I really don't think it's worth it. You still need to break up add-ins and it doesn't make a much better vortex, if at all. I'd pass on that part--I put the stock agitator back on.

This is the best milkshake machine we have ever purchased. We have been in business 30+ years and purchased three others. This one is fast and easy to clean. We use both soft serve and hand dipped.

Hesitated to buy the triple dog for a few months Because of the price.... should’ve just bit the bullet sooner. It’s a beast. If your even looking at this unit then you are in the ice cream business. It’s wayyyyyyy overkill for home use and has the price tag to prove it. If you considering for your business....buy it. It’ll pay for itself in added volume. If your mixing soft serve you prob don’t need this. Get something less money. But if your using hard ice cream.... you need this. Trust me. I tried 3-4 different quote unquote commercial single ones and they burnt up in a month or two. On hard ice cream. This sucker has been running strong for a long time and I believe when it goes you can get parts and repair it. You can mix 3 shakes in the time it previously took to make one. Speed is king. 3 sales in the span of time you previously had 1 sale. Make that money yo. No one likes to wait in line on a hot day for their shake. They want it NOW! this old school beast delivers.

Mine just arrived,Let me tell you, this is one "OUTSTANDING" product. I have not had so much fun in years… This machine is very well made, looks great on my counter and performs like an Olympic Gold Medal Winner, a Champion for sure, Quite, good looking, well made, and exceeds my every expectation for a product of this type. I used it right away to blend a Margarita, Bloody Marry, Malt and Milkshake, all outstanding. This thing is going to kill whatever diet I ever thought I was going to try…. Oh, just in case you wanted to know, I am 70 years young and going on 10!! Get one now, the Grandkids will love you and so will your Honey!!

Price little bit more but good

ice cream shoppe -- 50-100 shakes/day. Very powerful. the spindle is different from the HB we just 'retired' after 20 years of service! new spindle, im guessing, is 'safer' but just as effective. the 20 yr old machine lost a little Horsepower ( understandably) bc the new machine 'shredded' milkshakes on High power unlike the old one. The High setting is actually too strong for milkshakes. Start on low, then medium, and maybe finish with quick burst in High. Leave it High for too long and it 'thins' it quickly. this machine is Great! Making shakes requires care, attention, and consistency. if you're ignorant with no desire to learn or apathetic with no desire to serve this machine may not be for you.

Stopped working after 3 months. Called product support and got no answer and no call back.