As regular readers know, I grew up in Texas. It gets hot in Texas! I used to consume snow cones and Slurpees like they had no calories as a kid, because they offered up temporary relief from those oppressive summers.
While we have seen nary a day over 80 degrees in Seattle this summer, I can still appreciate a good snow cone. So, when a commenter left a question on my Ninja Blender review about the blender’s ability to make “snow,” I had to try it out and see if it was possible.
On a side note, I admit to having never seen the Ninja blender infomercial before I bought one. I get quite a few questions from people thinking about buying one that reference things done in the infomercial, and this was no different. However, yesterday in the wee hours of the morning, I happened to catch this famous infomercial. It pays to be an early bird, I guess.
In the commercial, the “host” has a full blender jar full of ice that he proceeds to turn into snow in no time. I really wasn’t sure if this was possible, so I loaded up the blender jar and gave it a shot.
As with everything Ninja, more is better for better blending consistency. It does best when the contents mostly fill the jar. There is nothing in there but ice.
I blended on “1” for about 30 seconds and “3” for about 15 seconds. Warning: It was pretty loud. Check out the snowmaking in progress:
Voila. Snow.
It made way more than 2 cups of snow, but I just wanted to show you the consistency in something other than the blender jar itself. I think that is pretty cool! With a little flavored simple syrup, you have a homemade snow cone!
View Comments (38)
I have not tried making snow yet in my NInja … will surely do. In India the “snow” used for snow cones is very smooth, much like the real just fallen fresh snow, unlike the “snow” used in snow cones one buys here, which is more crystallized I think. I am sure Ninja will deliver a really nice smooth snow!!
Thank you for sharing this .. brought back fun memories from India!
Hi Chandana, Your India snow sounds delightful! I think they call that Hawaiian Shave Ice if you can find it stateside. I thought the “snow” was really pretty good for coming out of a blender! Curious to see what you think when you make it…
Just got my Ninja. Want to make the snow but was wondering if anyone knew how fast that will dull the blades and how can I get them sharpened. Enjoying recipes….thank you!
Using ice in the Ninja will absolutely contribute to the blades dulling more quickly than normal. I’ve had my Ninja less than a year and I add ice to all my smoothies, made several times a week. At the beginning, it ground the ice down so well you didn’t even know it was in there. After about a year of use, the blades now grind the ice to tiny pellets, about the size of small hail. You can see them in the smoothie, and they crunch when you eat it. With the current dullness of my Ninja blades, my Magic Bullet actually does a better job of pulverizing ice. I am now looking into sharpening the blades myself, or buying replacement blades. But I still love the Ninja and consider it worth the year of good smoothies. Nothing lasts forever.
Hi KS,
Thanks for sharing your experience. If you’ve had your Ninja less than a year, I’d suggest contacting Ninja directly. Your blender should still be under warranty, and I would ask if they can send you a new blade for free. It’s worth the ask!
Angela
HI Sherry,
That is a great question. I don’t know if making snow will wear down the blades very quickly, but I somehow doubt it. I have blended frozen butternut squash, bananas, berries, and pretty much anything you can imagine almost daily for over a year and my blades are still sharp as ever. If for some reason it was an issue, you can buy individual part replacements from the Ninja people directly. The blade assembly is $19.99:
Good luck!
Just did this for my girls and poured on some snow cone syrup. They loved it and I loved that I didn’t have to leave the house for it!
Hi Tina,
That is awesome to hear! I am glad it worked out for all of you. ?
Angela
I was making slushed for my cousins today and noticed that the longer I
Blended it the thicker it got they love them and I am using sunny d watermelon flavored
we have the big and small blender. i have found the small blender with the 2 blade assembly is dullign up and not chopping up ice or anything as fine as it did even a few months ago. rather large peices of ice left even after blending for several minutes. the smaller unit is more convenient for single drinks like a post workout smoothie. not sure if there is a sharpening tool for the blades or maybe i should only use the large unit?
Hi Marc,
Hmm, that is not good. I would recommend contacting Ninja customer service and asking them for a replacement — that should definitely not happen!! I agree that the single serve cups are more convenient for post workout smoothies. Good luck – let us know how you make out with the Ninja folks.
I just purchased my Ninja system and the first thing I did was make snow. One of the many reasons I bought it was for this feature. We live way out in the country, but I sure love a Starbucks Frappe. Sometimes I am in the mood for one, but don’t want to drive to go get it. This makes the most wonderful snow, so I can make homemade frappes. I also cleared out many of my electric kitchen items, and am ready to sell them on one of the Facebook selling sites. I am very pleased with my system and look forward to using it for many other things.
Hi Niki,
How great that you can make your own Frappes now! I’m sure other readers would love to hear your recipe, if you wouldn’t mind sharing it.
Thanks for your note!
Angela
I just got the Mega for Christmas and was ready to make ice cream! I thought on the commercial it was Strawberries, Bananas and Milk, or Peaches and Milk. I tried to google the recipes and found this site! Im glad I did!! Instead of ice cream because I didnt have any heavy cream, we had snow cones! It was AWESOME!! My daughter now calls the blender hers (and shes only 6 years old!!
Hi Kellie,
That’s awesome! By the way, you don’t need heavy cream to make ice cream. Here is a berry flavor recipe for you. Just make sure you have frozen fruit — that is the key! https://testkitchentuesday.com/2010/12/23/berry-blender-soft-serve/
Enjoy your Ninja. I mean, your daughter’s Ninja! ?
Angela
I had originally bought the 40$ one on sale at Wal-mart and used it for the instant strawberry ice cream all the time. It also made awesome bar like frozen drinks, but not snow quality. It blended ice much better than my old traditional blender but it wasn’t as fine as on the infomercial. My husband just ordered the mega system for a gift and I can’t wait to make snow. So glad to see comments on here confirming that it really does work!
Hello all, I just won a Ninja Pro Stackable Chopper NJ1006 in a raffle from M & M my health food store. I didn’t even know what it was but when I got the call from one of the ladies at the store, she was so excited I couldn’t wait to see what it was. I called my sister to tell her just that I won something and she was really excited; first thing she said was you can give away your Magic Bullet and put your vita-mix in the pantry for awhile cause this is the best. I haven’t tried snow yet but made myself a protein drink with Vega van. chai; raw spinach; coconut milk and lots of ice. Pretty good (alas,much better than my bullet.) Now, where do I find recipes for this magnificent chopper. Please?
Hi Margo,
Wow, that’s awesome, congrats!
You can make pretty much all of the recipes on my Ninja Blender Recipes page with your Ninja Chopper. It’s a lot like the Ninja Pro Blender, but in reverse with the motor on top instead of in the base. I don’t personally have one, but my brother does, and he loves it as much as I do the Pro Blenders from Ninja. Have fun!