Good question! I think a $30 ice crusher might be your best bet. My mother had an ice crusher attachment for her kitchen center motor which worked great, but I haven't seen anything like it in this century. You can use a blender or food processor in a pinch, but doing it a lot can dull your blades. I use a plastic bag wrapped in a tea towel and mallet, but that doesn’t give a better, more even outcome than a blender and is a bother. The little ice crushing machines, so far as I’ve seen, do a good job, and do different sizes.

My DH tried to crush ice in my food processor and chipped the blade. I was not pleased. My cheap blender does a decent job, as long as there is liquid with the ice.

In the way back of the tall cupboard there is an ice crusher. It did crush ice, but sprayed snow as well....
We just do without crushed ice....or if really needed wrap cubes in a dish towel and use the meat mallet.

2nd the Opal Ice Maker, great invention.

For less than $30 (Opal is $500+) you can get an electric ice shaving machine, which can also be a lot of fun making snow cones for kids.

I have had mine for many years.

The machine takes not much counter space.

dcarch

We've had both Blendtec and Vitamix. Both are great at all of the tasks we put them to including a variety of crushed ice. I have a slight preference for the Blendtec but both are good.

Just get yourself a Snoopy Snow Cone Machine and you will be set!

Snow Cone!

Ok, so that is more shaved ice but it would be fun!

If you're in the market for a new blender, I agree with @opaone to get either a Blendtec or a Vitamix (Blendtecs fit under kitchen cabinets if you're the type to want to leave it out). They're pricey but well worth it. I've had my Blendtec for nearly a decade and it crushes ice very easily.

I wouldn't want to use up valuable kitchen space on an appliance that only crushed ice, personally.

I just buy bagged crushed ice. It's not expensive at all, it's perfectly clear and delicious and no appliances needed. If you have the freezer space.

Just get yourself a Snoopy Snow Cone Machine and you will be set!

Oh how longed for one of those. My mom thought it ridiculous. She gave me ice cubes in a pillow case and my dad's rubber mallet! Did the trick. We were not poor by any means, but definitely frugal.

Ok, I answered this once, and thanked everyone. Now, my response is gone.

I thought about using a Lewis bag and a mallet, but then I would have another single use thing in my kitchen.

I have been seeing short and wide blender jars, and I wondered if they did better or worse than the tall, narrow glass jars. My old jar is round at the bottom, but gets wider and square towards the top. It gets an air bubble in the bottom, so I have to constantly stop and stir. I gave had one with the built in stir stick and I didn't like it. I went back to my old blender.

I still use a blender for some things. I have a crustless pumpkin pie recipe that my daughter loves. All ingredients go in the blender. Then, I use the blender for smoothies. A blender is easier to clean than my food processor.

So Vitamix or Blendtec? Probably as expensive as my Ankarsrum! What about one of the Ninjas?

I need more information like what size motor is best for crushed ice. Or is it rpm? If the blender can crushnice, it can do anything.

What shape of glass? Round? Square? Short and wide or tall and skinny?

Thanks.

My Blendtec has what they call a "Wild Side" jar, which means that the jar is square shaped (slightly tapered toward the bottom), but one corner of the jar has an angle on it. It supposedly helps things keep mixing and avoid the air pocket and stirring you mention. I have far less of that problem than I did with my old (cheap) blender. Vitamixes have a plunger in the lid that you can use to loosen items. Between the two, I don't think you can go wrong. I ended up getting a Blendtec because it fits under upper cabinets and it has a touch panel that's easy to wipe down. I believe I got mine in 2012 and it's still going strong!

My in laws have a Ninja they really like, but I haven't used it to compare. I think it's the best bet of the less expensive blenders.

I've had my Blendtec for 7-8 years now. Total game changer in the kitchen. I rarely used the cheaper blender much. Maybe 2-3 times a year. The motor burned out making pesto.

I use my Blendtec a dozen times a week. Sometimes 4-5 or more on a weekend. I have three jars and the smaller twister. Nut butters, pesto, humus, salsa, endless and in seconds. Late home last night from vacation. Made a quick pasta dish needing Romano. 4 seconds pulse for coarse, 3 more for coarse sand, 3 more seconds for snow I like on popcorn. Left in a tBsp of cheese and added lemon, vinegar, parsley, olive oil and half an avocado for a dressing. Rinsed out the jar with a bit more AC vinegar. I make different dressing after every thicker sauce to rinse the jar further.

Sesame oil, vinegar and lemon after making humus, etc.

Crushing ice just the way you like it should be no problem with either. Ninja seems to be the answer to 'sticker shock' people. I was that way for years but got so tired of disposable appliances. Not strong enough so rarely used, then burn out after a dozen uses over a few years.

Thank you, both! I agree. A seldom used appliance that quits after a few years is not what I want. I had the same problem with mixers which is why I bought the Ankarsrum.

We just got back from the Pekingese National dog show, and our car's transmission went out which stranded us in Illinois. Once that has been repaired along with the front headlight and passenger doors from a deer that ran into our car, we will choose one of the blenders.

Thanks, again.

I think i would consider the appliance you have and add the blender...Ankarsrum. (based on the reviews?)

An issue comes up with the higher end appliances...Blendtec, Vitamix...some swear by one or the other but i sit on the fence. When we choose one, we might swoon after the other. I'm not a Blendtec lover, ...it choose me. I've used both but not on a counter side-by-side. SIL and sister have Vitamix. Visiting me they are beyond jealous of my Blendtec, 🙄.

My SIL got struck in NY during a storm...off to work i set up lots of greens and fruits as she was here 'working from home'...(flights canceled).

A recent road trip visiting my parents...we rented a beach front home nearby...typical rental, no cutting board, ginzu knife set, RachelRay cheap pan set...destroyed surfaces teflon junk....but they had lot of baking stuff. Not our interest but an ice maker giant thing. Makes sence maybe for a beach home and very hot high heat summer months...(we pack a small kitchen crate road tripping...knives, a cast iron and a 4 qrt enameled dutch oven) yada yada.

One trick pony and testing it, ok and efficient...but furthur inspection it was discusting inside...guessing hard to clean...lots of mold holding water for so long...ick.

It made ice in 7 minutes. Impressive. But looking inside, gross. Not sure how to clean such a thing. Did not use that ice. Standing water in appliances is a breeding ground for molds.

Glass containers in a blender is an issue for high speed blenders. Too powerful for glass.

Gross! Thanks.