Private Pilot Tested
By Lynne McCready

Just when you think you've seen and heard it all...ta-da!  Along comes the TailGator® gas blender. I first saw (actually, heard) this cool little item at the 1999 Reno Air Races, although it was tough to get a good look at it because of the crowd surrounding it.

The TailGator® is a 24-cc, two-stroke engine blender with an attitude.  No electricity is needed; just prime it, pull the starter and give it some throttle. This is no namby-pamby drink maker; this is serious fly-in, under-the-wing fun.  I did my field testing at the local airport, where everyone is always eager to help, hinder or otherwise participate.  I brought the accouterments to make strawberry smoothies with me, because this was a Sunday morning and I wasn't quite ready for a margarita just yet.  The TailGator® is a little bigger than a standard household blender and comes in a lovely (sorta) John Deere green.  The liquid capacity is about the same as a standard household model.  That is where the similarities end.

I found a flat surface to place the TailGator® on and then began making our smoothies.  First, plenty of crushed ice was needed.  I fed the ice through the hole in the lid.  The The ice was crushing at mach speed, and before I knew it there was enough ice for a room full of smoothies.  For each step I found it easier to shut off the blender than to keep it going; remember, this blender is as noisy as a weed-wacker.  Also, I wouldn't recommend this product's use in an enclosed area due to the carbon-monoxide fumes.  Once the blender warmed up, restarts were easy.  As soon as I got the ice situation sorted out and continued my mixing, the rest of the process went well.  The company is currently researching the possibility of suction footing.  Until then you will need to keep a hand on the blender at all times during operation.

This is just the thing for "Tim the-tool-man Taylor."  In fact, the TailGator® was featured on TV's "Home Improvement".  As people came to check out what the noise was, the crowd continued to grow.  Most of the observers couldn't believe what they were seeing.  Everyone loved the idea of a gas-powered blender.  It is certainly a slick idea, and for those who have to have their margaritas anywhere and anytime, it could be a lifesaver. At a list price of $295, it will be a tough choice to decide whether to get a TailGator® or one of those nice mail order aviator watches.  When I talked to the people at TailGator®, they said there have been many requests for other items based on the portable, gas-powered motor.  Hopefully, someday soon there will be a whole line of other gas-powered products we can take with us when we go camping!