Buying a Blender
A blender can have many uses in a kitchen and can be replied heavily upon once a kitchen is equipped with one – the possibilities will stretch as far as your
imagination.
Available Blenders
Although buying a blender may seem like a
simple task, in reality there are many models
available depending on the needs of a kitchen.
Like any kitchen item, consider the options
available carefully before a purchase is made.
There are two basic types of blenders - the
jug/jar counter blender and the stick model which
is also called a hand or immersion blender, but there are various
blenders included within these two main categories. The first
decision when buying a blender is to decide which of these two
types will meet your needs.
Counter, Stand and Kitchen Blenders
Counter, stand and kitchen blenders have a
stand-alone design with a jug/jar to blend the
foods in. Common uses include blending
pancake batter, sauces, puddings, dressings,
smoothies, frozen drinks. They are great for
crushing ice (with a proper blade) or making
smoothies, although they are awkward for
blending hot foods or larger capacities. They are usually more
expensive than stick blenders. Some counter blenders with more
specifications can even chop, cut, and process hard foods and
allow you to make soups.
Hand Blenders
Hand blenders come either corded or cordless
and are submerged into the food. They use a
hand-held operation and are very useful for
pureeing or blending small batches right in a
bowl, or taking lumps out of the gravy by blending
in the hot roaster. Some hand blenders come
with chopping accessories which increases their
Research Blender Options
When it comes to making a blender choice, research special
commercial blender features. Most commercial blenders have the
ability to blend, puree, chop, mix and whip a variety of ingredients to
make drinks, soups, sauces, dressings, gravies and more.
Blender Speeds
Commercial blenders have speeds ranging from 700-19,000 rpm,
so look at various brands and models to gauge the average
combination of features. Seek out blenders via specialty kitchen
supply stores that offer special features, such as electronic
programming abilities and automatic shut-off.
Watch Demonstrations
As well as doing research online, why not do a bit of window
shopping or even go to in-store demonstrations to see a blender in
action. Many kitchen supply stores will offer a demonstration to see
how different commercial blenders function.
Ask Advice and Read Reviews
When it comes to buying kitchen equipment and blenders, don’t be
afraid to ask for advice from other kitchen professionals. Another
way to judge the popularity of an item is to take a look at online
reviews to see what people have said about the various products.
Blender Materials
Other points to consider include measuring the space allocated for
the blender; deciding on a metal or plastic base - metal is more
durable and keeps the appliance steadier when it is in use, but
generally costs more.
function as a handy food prep tool. These blenders are best for
small batches. The cordless models offer lots of convenience,
portability and are easy to store. But they have limited function and
care needs to be taken when cleaning them.
What is a Blender Needed For?
When it comes to making a decision between a
counter blender and a hand blender, there are
still further choices to make. If buying a counter
blender, what is it needed for? If it is for mixing
drinks and making smoothies, then opt for a bar
blender. Yet if the blender is going to get a lot of
use, a heavy duty blender will be required, so opt
for a kitchen blender. Stick and hand blenders include a range of
shaft lengths, blades and tools – again consider what the blender
will be used for. Think about the uses of the blender before
spending money on one for a kitchen.
Blender Settings
Check the number of settings available and
decide which most closely fit the kitchen needs
and look for special features on the lid that will
make it possible to add ingredients while the
blender is running. The average blender boasts
between 300 and 600 watts of power.
Blender speeds range between one and 24
speeds. The lowest speeds are most suitable for light batters and
for adding dry or solid ingredients into liquids. Higher speeds on
blenders are designed for stiff mixtures. Probably the most useful
speed a blender can have is the ‘pulse’ speed, which lets you start
and stop the motor in short bursts. This gives a greater degree of
control over the blending process.
Jug Material
Other considerations include choosing between a glass,
polycarbonate or stainless steel jugs.
Glass Jugs
Blenders with glass jugs are generally more stable, but also more
expensive. Glass is the ultimate choice; it may be a bit heavier
compared to plastic and stainless steel counterparts, but it is
guaranteed to be more durable than any of them. You can use and
reuse these glass jugs for a long time. Plus, you can also see and
monitor what you are processing. They can also handle tough
functions, such as ice crushing without scratching.
Stainless Steel Jugs
Stainless steel is a good second choice after glass, and although it
can be an attractive choice, but it stops you being able to see what
is happening in the jug. Stainless steel jars are appealing most
appealing for mixing frosty milkshakes and frozen cocktails
because the steel retains cold temperatures extremely well.
Stainless steel, unlike glass or plastic, is also virtually
unbreakable.
Polycarbonate Jugs
Polycarbonate jugs allow you to see what is happening within the
jug and is a tough material. Although it has high impact-resistance,
polycarbonate has low scratch-resistance and so a hard coating is
applied to polycarbonate eyewear lenses and polycarbonate
exterior automotive components.