Ultimate Chopper
Encyclopedia
The Ultimate Chopper was a kitchen appliance, mainly advertised on television
in the form of an As seen on TV (marketing) 30 minute infomercial
, and sold on-line.
if consumers insert their hands into the food processor. Apparently 17 consumers issued safety complaints with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
. Five of the complainants required stitches or surgery, and the other 12 received cuts or scratches.
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
in the form of an As seen on TV (marketing) 30 minute infomercial
Infomercial
Infomercials are direct response television commercials which generally include a phone number or website. There are long-form infomercials, which are typically between 15 and 30 minutes in length, and short-form infomercials, which are typically 30 seconds to 120 seconds in length. Infomercials...
, and sold on-line.
What It Does
The Ultimate Chopper is mainly used for chopping and preparing food in preparation of cooking. It is also used for mixing and whipping.What comes in the package
The Ultimate Chopper comes with the following items :- Power Base (600 watt motor, 750 watts peak power)
- Plastic blade assembly with two "German stainless steel" blades
- Chopping Cup (white plastic cup where the blades and the food ingredients set in)
- Clear interlocking lid (to prevent ingredients from splattering in the air, and to prevent the machine from running unless the lid is properly locked into place)
Optional Accessories
The Ultimate Chopper also has an optional accessory called the Ultimate Blender. The Ultimate Blender accessory is placed on the Ultimate Chopper's power base and can be used like any other blender.Bonus Items
When advertised on television, people who order the Ultimate Chopper receive a manual juice extractor for free. For the second version of the infomercial, a Miracle Blade III all-purpose knife was also included for free.Infomercial hosts
- The first Ultimate Chopper infomercial featured an AustriaAustriaAustria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n man named Horst Fuchs as the product demonstrator and Stuart PankinStuart PankinStuart Pankin is an American film and television actor.-Early life:Pankin was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and attended Dickinson College, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Columbia University.-Career:...
as the co-host. Since Fuchs was German and since the chopping blades were made from "German stainless steel", Fuchs claimed that using the Ultimate Chopper was as easy as "Eins, zwei, drei" (German for "One, two, three") and encouraged the studio audience to count "Eins, zwei, drei" along with him. Neither the Ultimate Blender accessory nor the Miracle Blade III "all-purpose slicer" knife were mentioned in this version. Also included the "Perfect Juicer" manual juice extractor. Aired 2002-2003.
- The second Ultimate Chopper infomercial was much in the same style as the first one, however Tony Notaro, aka "Chef TonyChef TonyAnthony "Chef Tony" Notaro is a successful infomercial pitchman. Since his beginnings in the 1970s, he has risen to become one of the most successful infomercial hosts in history.-Products:...
", now serves as the product demonstrator, and Pankin is replaced by Jenilee HarrisonJenilee HarrisonJenilee Harrison is an American actress possibly best known for her role as replacement blonde roommate Cindy Snow on the hit sitcom Three's Company from 1980–1982 and Jamie Ewing in Dallas from 1984–1986.- Early years :...
as the co-host. The Ultimate Blender accessory is mentioned, shown, and demonstrated in this version. In addition, this version also included a free Miracle Blade III "all-purpose slicer" knife. Also included the "Perfect Juicer" manual juice extractor. Has aired on television since 2003. In this infomercial, Chef Tony demonstrated the power of the Ultimate Chopper by chopping concrete into powder, however Tony said he was only doing it to prove a point.
Safety Recall
In 2005, a recall was announced for the Ultimate Chopper due to a malfunction in the interlocking lid assembly, which would allow the machine to run without having the lid properly in place, putting users of the product at risk of lacerations and/or fingertip amputationAmputation
Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma, prolonged constriction, or surgery. As a surgical measure, it is used to control pain or a disease process in the affected limb, such as malignancy or gangrene. In some cases, it is carried out on individuals as a preventative surgery for...
if consumers insert their hands into the food processor. Apparently 17 consumers issued safety complaints with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Consumer Product Safety Commission
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission is an independent agency of the United States government created in 1972 through the Consumer Product Safety Act to protect "against unreasonable risks of injuries associated with consumer products." The CPSC is an independent agency that does...
. Five of the complainants required stitches or surgery, and the other 12 received cuts or scratches.