How to choose a blender

A blender is a kitchen equipment that opens up a lot of possibilities for the housewife. Before purchasing a unit, you should carefully study all the information about existing models and the criteria for their selection.

Blender: description, functions, tasks

A blender is a device that combines a food processor and a mixer. It has knives to chop food and can mix. He is able to mix products of different hardness. He can break ice. It differs from a food processor in its compactness. It will take up less space in the kitchen. And its cost is much lower. The device operates from the network. It is necessary for mixing products, for whipping or chopping.

Functions and tasks include preparing mousses, creams, puree soups, and sauces. You can make pate, grind ice and prepare delicious cocktails.

Types of blenders and their uses

There are these types of blenders:

1. Stationary. Works independently.You can prepare cocktails, purees, sauces and creams in it. It is quite inconvenient to grind small amounts of food with it. To use, simply press a button. You don't need to hold a blender in your hands to prepare anything;
2. Submersible. It is an elongated device that resembles a stick. There is a knife at its end. To use it you need to hold it in your hands. In addition to blending, it does a great job of chopping small amounts of food. This type is popular when preparing food for children;
3. Combined. Combines the two previous types. You can remove the device and use it separately or mix something in its own bowl. It will cost more than a regular blender. It is worth purchasing only in a set with attachments for various types of cuts.

How to choose an immersion blender

To make the right choice, it is recommended to pay attention to the following parameters:

1. Wire length. An immersion blender has to be held in your hands, so this indicator significantly affects ease of use. Check that the specific model is long enough to allow you to move freely around the kitchen;
2. Power. The indicator varies from 140 to 1200 W. With a power of up to 250 W, it is worth choosing only for preparing baby purees. If you are going to crush hard foods and ice, choose a device with a minimum power of 650 W. Models with an indicator of over 1 thousand W are suitable for preparing dough;
3. Additional attachments. There are a huge number of them. There must be a “leg”, which is an attachment with knives. The kit may also include a whisk, mill, chopper bowl and vacuum pump;

Reference! Take inventory of your kitchen before purchasing a blender. This will help you decide on the required number of attachments. If you have a coffee grinder, then there is no need for a mill. Having a food processor eliminates the need to use a grinding bowl. If you have a powerful mixer, then you do not need a dough attachment.

4. Switching speeds. The maximum number of speeds for a submersible model is 24. But no more than 5–7 speeds are considered optimal. It’s good if you can change the speed using a smooth regulator;
5. Noise and weight. The submersible model will have to be held in your hands at all times. If a device is too heavy, you will quickly get tired and it will be uncomfortable to work with. Check whether the weight of the model suits you. Ask the store to include your chosen option. If you hear an unpleasant hum, you shouldn't buy it. Using such a blender will be uncomfortable due to the noise;
6. Additional little things. The complex may include a stand and a special wall mount that makes it convenient to store the blender. Using a measuring cup, it is convenient to measure the required amount of food. And the rubber handle allows you to hold it comfortably and firmly in your hands.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of an immersion blender include:

1. You can quickly grind small quantities of products;
2. Multifunctionality of the device;
3. Small dimensions allow you to store it conveniently. Takes up little space.

Among the disadvantages are:

1. Not suitable for making cocktails;
2. Many models require regular rest;
3. It is difficult for them to chop large portions of food.

How to choose a stationary blender

When choosing a stationary blender, you should consider the following indicators:

1. Power. For many models this figure is 500–900 W.There are blenders with a power of 1300 W. It is worth buying models with an indicator of 750-900 W. They will be able to work efficiently and for a long time;
2. Knives. The more blades there are, the faster it will chop food. If the blades are curved they will mix more thoroughly and more evenly than a knife with straight blades. Choose those made of stainless steel;
3. Volume of the jug. The maximum volume of food that can be prepared at one time depends on it. The size of the jug can be from 1 to 2 liters. A larger volume should be chosen when preparing soups and cocktails for several servings;
4. Base. What matters is its weight and width. The higher these indicators, the more stable the device will become during use. This is especially true when using high speed. The legs of the base should be made of rubber. This will make the blender even more stable;
5. Material. The jug is made of glass, plastic, metal and composite material. The latter option is the most preferable due to its quality, lightness and stability. However, its cost is high. The base is made of plastic and stainless steel. The latter are more expensive, but are more durable and reliable;
6. Speed. The indicator varies from 1 to 30. The higher the speed, the faster the products will be crushed. Choose blenders with 4-6 speeds. Such models can cope well with most tasks;
7. Control Panel. It is easier to care for a sensory one, but this model will cost more. Mechanical control is more familiar and convenient for many housewives.

Advantages and disadvantages

Among the advantages of the stationary model are:

1. Processes products independently. You just need to download them, select the speed and press the button;
2. You can easily crush ice;
3. The jug has a special spout through which it is convenient to pour cocktails.

The disadvantages of this model are:

1. They are larger in size than submersible models;
2. Not suitable for chopping vegetables;
3. You cannot chop small quantities of food. It will simply spread over the walls of the device and the knives will not reach them.

How to choose the right blender for your home - a universal option

When purchasing you should pay attention:

1. Choose a bowl equipped with a spout. This will make it more convenient to drain the prepared mixture;
2. It is advisable to choose models with a rubber, soft power button. This option is more convenient;
3. Stationary models should be purchased with a self-cleaning function;
4. Choose models that are equipped with protection against voltage surges and overheating.

How to choose a blender for baby food

A blender-steamer is an excellent device for preparing baby food. You can not only chop food in it, but also cook it. Steamed food is filled with vitamins and microelements necessary for the baby.

A mini blender is suitable if you are only going to prepare food for your little one. A convenient option of small size and power allows you to prepare one serving of puree for a child.

When choosing a model for preparing baby food, consider:

1. Plastic parts should not come into contact with food;
2. It would be better if there were several speed modes;
3. Availability of different attachments. Choose those that are made of metal. They are more durable than plastic ones.

Which blender is suitable for smoothies?

When choosing a suitable blender for smoothies, consider the following parameters:

1. It is better to buy a stationary or combined model. Having a bowl is quite important.An immersion blender may not make a homogeneous mixture of products with different hardnesses;
2. The power of the model must be at least 800 W. A device with a turbo mode is best suited for smoothies;
3. The model's knives must be of high quality. Therefore, choose a reliable and well-known manufacturer;
4. The device should have a bowl with a large volume. At least 1.5 l. It doesn't have to be made of glass. After all, only cold products are used for smoothies.

Which blender is suitable for meat?

For meat, you must choose a device with a power of at least 600 W. When using a stationary blender, you must first cut the meat into pieces. There are models with a built-in function for preparing minced meat. However, a stationary device will finely chop food and not turn it into minced meat.

Immersion models allow you to quickly prepare minced meat. You just need to download the prepared product and wait a few minutes. In this case, it is worth grinding the meat in small portions. This will avoid getting lumps in the minced meat.

What to look for when choosing. Expert advice

Experts say that there are a number of important parameters that you must pay attention to when choosing a blender.

Power

The functionality of the device depends on this parameter. The stronger the power, the more capabilities the blender has. At 200 W the device can cope with soft projects. If you are going to grind harder food, you should choose more power. A blender with a power rating of 600 W or more will cope even well with ice.

Material from which the bowl is made

The bowl is made from metal, plastic, or a combination of materials. In the first case, you get a durable container that is easy to care for.A metal case will cost more, and it is quite heavy. A plastic bowl will cost less and is lightweight. But you cannot grind hot soup in it. The housing will not withstand high temperatures and will become deformed. In the combined version, the bowl is made of metal and its handles are plastic. The average value of weight and cost makes this model optimal.

Bowl volume

This figure can vary from 300 ml to 2 liters. The choice depends on how much and in what quantity you are going to cook. More often there are models with a bowl volume of 1–2 liters. If you plan to prepare cocktails and smoothies, choose a container of maximum volume.

Speed ​​modes

Different foods need to be crushed at different speeds. There can be up to 12 modes in one model. The speed switch can be stepped, there is a turbo mode and an impulsive one. Turbo mode helps protect the motor from overheating, which extends the life of the device.

Care and cleaning

The advantage of the model is that it is easy to disassemble and wash. This will make caring for her much easier. Some stationary devices have a self-cleaning option. You need to fill the bowl with warm water and press the clean button. Simply place the immersion blender in water and turn it on for a couple of seconds. The main thing is to do everything carefully so as not to cut yourself on the knives.

Conclusion. Conclusions from the article

When choosing a blender, regardless of its type, you should take into account the power, the presence of attachments, weight, speed modes and the material from which the device is made. The capacity of the bowl is also important. It's worth starting from individual preferences. Cooking in a blender is easy, and caring for it is not difficult.