Blender Buying Guide
Written by admin on January 31, 2010 – 8:48 am -The Basics: Blenders
Blenders have been around for nearly a century and are still at the top of our household "must-have" list. It's no surprise that they have withstood the test of time. Even with all of the new gadgets and gizmos available for the kitchen, we have yet to find a product that does a better job mixing liquids and solids, quickly and cleanly.
There are two categories of blenders: traditional blenders and immersion blenders. Traditional blenders still consist of a power base, which supports a tall container or jar with blades at the bottom. The jar, also called a "carafe," is most often made from glass or plastic; however, a few manufacturers offer stainless-steel carafes as either standard or optional accessories. All traditional blenders also include a removable plastic jar lid to keep the contents from splashing out the top.
A variation of the original blender is the stick or immersion blender, which has gained popularity in recent years. Immersion blenders are all-in-one blending tools that consist of a slim power base, attached to a long metal shaft with a mixing blade at the end. Immersion blenders are so named because you immerse the blade into the ingredients (rather than the other way around), then press a button to set the blade spinning. These units are designed for light-duty blending and cannot handle the more arduous task of crushing ice. They do offer the advantage of being able to work in any deep pot, bowl or cup you have available.
Blenders are often compared with mixers and food processors. The three appliances, though similar, perform vastly different functions. Plain and simple, mixers are much better tools for tasks that involve aerating, or increasing the volume of batters by incorporating air into the mixture. Blenders on the other hand, are designed to whisk liquids at incredibly high speeds, crush and grind solids and reduce them to small particles or blend solids into liquids. They can also be used to incorporate powdery mixes into liquids to make pancake batter, for instance, but don't have the same ability to incorporate air into the mixture. Food processors are best for tasks such as chopping dry solids or kneading thick bread dough. They can also perform tasks the other two can't, such as slicing or shredding produce and cheeses.
Although mixers and immersion blenders are handy for stirring or mixing cake batters, gravies and puddings, they simply aren't up to strenuous tasks like crushing ice or other hard food item. For these, the traditional blender can't be beat. The blender carafe with its whirlpool design and added power not only crush the ice, but also protect the user from flying ice particles and splashes. The blender also shines when it comes to thoroughly combining liquids with solids (for example, when making soup or tomato sauce).
Carafe blenders vary by model, with the primary differences being in materials and construction, power rating, type of controls and specialty features. Because many consumers purchase blenders primarily for their ability to blend frozen drinks and thick smoothies, many models now come with ice-crushing and pulse settings. A number of models have added dispensing spouts on the front of the carafe to deliver drinks directly into glasses for serving. Blenders have also gotten more stylish in recent years, so you will find models in all different colors, styles and sizes to "blend" in with today's modern decor.
One or two manufacturers produce cordless blenders, which are usually less powerful than corded models but offer the convenience of being able to transport the unit to the deck, patio or wherever they are needed. Another option is the combination blender/food processor. This unit comes equipped with two attachments: a traditional blender carafe and a compact food processor bowl with chopping blade. While not capable of performing all food processor functions, this unit nonetheless earns points in overall versatility.
A newcomer to this category is the personal blender, which is essentially a smaller capacity machine with a specially designed blending cup instead of a carafe. These models let you blend a single serving of your favorite drink, then flip the cup over and take it with you. The cup is typically designed with a drink-through lid and a tapered base that can fit into the cup holder of your car.
On the other end of the power spectrum is the industrial-strength blender, which can actually liquefy fruits and vegetables to make instant soup in seconds. These units have an impressive amount of torque and can manage a laundry list of chores -- from turning ice cubes into a snow-like consistency, grinding herbs and spices or juicing produce in an instant.
Blenders range in price from about $30 for a basic unit to $500 for an ultra-powerful high-end model. Combination units cost between $80 and $200.
Blenders usually carry 1- or 2-year warranties. Higher-end units are backed by slightly longer warranties.
Tags: blender review, Blenders, Braun blender, kitchen appliances
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