Batter Blaster: Weakness in Blogging Revealed
Published by Jason March 9th, 2008 in DIY, Food, Gadgets. Share This
I was making my preprogrammed assault on the local Molly Stone’s Market and when reaching for some range-frei, zero chemicals added eggs I saw Batter Blaster: the pancake batter that comes in an aerosol can. I had read about this on several blogs I follow and figured, ‘Lets give it a try!’ Even as I made that decision I was trying to remember who had said anything positive about the Blaster.
Now each of these blogs had written about ye old Batter Blaster several months ago. One, treehugger, over a year ago. I’d seen the name Batter Blaster in 3 places I trusted and none of them had negative connotations. One of them was Dethroner’s own King-in-Chief, Joel.
Boing Boing Gadgets: Joel on the Batter Blaster
Boing Boing: David on the Batter Blaster
TreeHugger: Jasmine on the Batter Blaster
If you read these blog posts, not a single one of them has anything stronger to say than our own Joel “I’m sure it’ll be a big hit.” Each blogger simply shares that the stuff exists — Joel and David provide some anecdotal reason it ought to be good, TreeHugger asks for your opinion. However, I’ve now been “touched” by this brand in 3 blog locations and for some reason left thinking I should buy this product; and I did.
Each of these sources was sharing something they thought looked fun and not offering any concrete guidance — but 2 of the 3 made it sound as if it SHOULD be good. As I generally trust and can rely on them; when I saw the product it registered as a high percentage choice.
High percentage chance to to get bland waffles and pancakes is what it is! This stuff is garbage. If you have ever made your own pancake or waffle batter and know what it looks, smells and tastes like, be prepared for disappointment. I’m a big fan of just taking Bisquick, adding a shot of Grand Mariner and calling it a day. That simple, 3 minute process makes flawless pancakes and waffles that taste fantastic. Trust me, try the Grand Mariner — ignore the aerosol. As you spray your Batter Blaster all over the waffle iron, you’ll notice it isn’t smooth and doesn’t flow nicely from the center out. The batter from the aerosol is fluffy and oozes. It has too much nitrous or whatever they use to pressurize the can in it and rises as it exits the can. This gives you the impression of a fluffy nice waffle or pancake, but as the gas separates from the batter you end up with thin and rubbery.
Yes, folks — after a batter blast I was left with a flacid waffle.
Why is it so popular for bloggers to spotlight things they haven’t tried? Is there some justification that says “I can write a moderately positive piece on some product, sight unseen, so long as I don’t directly endorse it.”? I see this all the time with other products and while none of these 3 blogs told me to go buy the product, I am left feeling like the positive associations created a false recommendation. Its that multiple brand touches associated with something you trust builds affinity ‘thing.’
Am I nuts? Maybe I am just an easily duped American.
I’ve actually used it for pancakes and it’s decent. Have not tried in a waffle maker, which might bring different results.
The “simple 3 minute” process you describe does not include washing up an extra bowl, the fork you might use to wisk the mix, etc. And while yes that’s an easy enough process, you can look in your fridge and see the yellow can and think “I’ll have a pancake right this minute” which never happens with dry mix.
I might sound like a dick here, but let’s call a spade a spade. Bloggers aren’t trying to give consumer-reports quality reviews here. Their main motivation is to post something interesting that people might want to see or link to. Often that’s stuff they have never tried and thus can’t really endorse, but if it sounds cool they want to cover it.
I’m going to agree with jb on this one.
here’s the thing: we all write about products everyday in our blogs — some days just looking for content to check the box for the day — and hope to find products that, if not amazing, are at least amusing. i don’t know what sort of money dethroner is bringing in, but i’m pretty sure most of us don’t have the budget/income to actually purchase all of the products that we talk about… so we make snarky comments and leave it for you to do the consumer testing when the manufacturer won’t provide samples for review (case in point, batter blaster — their reps never bother to reply to email inquiries). thanks for finally dispelling the myth though!
Shaking the can for a bit like the directions suggests, I have found, greatly improves the over all experience. No wussy half shake or two… but a full minute of full on up an down get the whole can moving. Then, just like E-Z cheez, point it directly down towards your cooking surface.
Mom’s down home scratch made waffles and pancakes it is not. Good for a quick no mess breakfast or late night snack - absolutely.
Sadly only a single retailer carries it here in Detroit, so it’s tough to come by since the initial launch.
-bp
I thought Joel was pretty clear that he was just posting about a hilariously named product.
Bob: So, you have to do “a full minute of full on up an down” to get the batter blaster workin’ right? Not too bad.