Cyril the exploding spice grinder

Martin and I like to cook. To make authentic Goan food, in fact most Indian food, you need a spice grinder to fresh grind masala (a mix of spices). Also we like soup – for which you need a blender.

Enter Cyril – an Eagle Grinder and Blender – purchased on the spur of the moment, for the princely sum of about £10. He’s a fearsome beast. Imagine the scene. First time out, we load the blender jar with a hot carrot soup preparation. We study the sketchy instructions and then the lid and think ‘well it’s got to fit, surely?’ No securing lugs, nothing but a tight fitting rubber ring. Thought we should hold the lid down just in case. So we gingerly turned Cyril on to the slowest of three speeds. The monster burst into life. Martin stood no chance. The force of the explosion lifted the lid – carrot soup on the walls, the ceiling, and most crucially all over Martin.

We have learned to treat Cyril with a great deal more caution. He actually works very well – it’s just that the lid seal doesn’t work when the liquid is very hot. And Alison did cover the floor with coffee beans when she forgot to put the lid on the spice-grinder part altogether. It’s ‘mind your fingers time’ because as soon as the power’s on and he’s plugged in, he’s live (none of these wussy health and safety fittings – you know, won’t work unless the lid’s on etc).

We’ve already had to conduct some running repairs but we hope he’ll last the course because we’ve become rather fond of him.