It goes without saying; a blender is a must-have piece in every modern kitchen. However, not all blenders are the same. There is a huge range of options to pick from in the market. This means that when approaching your purchase, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the choices. You will need to consider several crucial factors before making your final decision. For instance, you will want to look at how it works, the features, the design, and its capacity among other things. To make your blender shopping experience less of a hassle, here are a few tips to guide your choice as you seek to take your blending experience to the next level.
1. Purpose
As earlier stated, there are several different types of blenders, each with its own set of functions, cons, and pros. They range from kitchen blender systems to blender bottles, immersion blenders, combo systems, and single-serve blenders. Some are better at making coarse smoothies whereas others are great for blending think mixtures in bulk.
Of course, the regular kitchen blender may not suffice when you need to make food for your baby while on the go. Highlighting options for the best blender for puree foods, Kelly Hartigan reviews a few contenders based on budget, power, design, and ease of use. He also emphasizes how baby blenders also come in a diverse range of shapes and sizes. The bottom line is that before making the purchase, you should consider what you intend to use your blender for.
2. Capacity
The size and capacity of a blender matter when selecting one. If you want one for making soups and smoothies for many servings, buying a full-sized blender will work perfectly for you. The capacity of one blender differs from the other. They range from the standard size to individual servings holding at least 8 to 20 ounces. If you intend to blend large amounts of ingredients, it’s advisable to buy a blender with a huge capacity – preferably three liters or more.
3. Easy to Use and Clean
If you are so much into smoothies, cleaning your blender will be the order of the day. While buying a blender, it’s important to ensure that the model of choice is easy to clean. You don’t want to encounter hard-to-reach places that frustrate you when cleaning the blender, especially around the blades. A blender with removable parts is easier to clean. Its blades, jar, the lid should be removable and easy to assemble once they are dry. Also, you may want to ensure it is dishwasher safe.
4. Glass or Plastic
How can you tell whether the blender you have eyed for purchase is first-rate? The material of a blender is one of those main determinants. Glass material is always a favorite for many. Why? It has loads of advantages. It’s easy to clean and repels odors, and hardly develops stains, unlike plastic. Glass is also heavier, hence more stable on the surface compared to plastic models. This means that it is less likely to tumble while performing its work, unlike the plastic model. Nonetheless, your glass blender should be thermal shock-tested. This makes it shatterproof.
5. Functions
A blender is supposed to save you time and effort while adding convenience to your life. Whether you are mingling berries, bananas, or mangoes for a smoothie, a good blender should give you a soft creamy perfection. Buy a blender with multiple functions. You don’t want to buy a piece that blends fruits but can’t chop or grind. It should be all-rounded to serve a variety of functions.
6. Blades
The most important part of a blender is the blades. They carry all the work of breaking the solid ingredients into minute pieces for easier ingestion. Buying a blender with a high-grade blade is key. The reason being, it’s more corrosion resistant. The blades should be removable for superior cleaning and proper storage. This ensures they do not retain moisture, which ends up eroding them. Taking care of your blender will ensure it serves you longer and more efficiently.
7. Wattage
If you love treating your taste buds with a glass of fresh smoothie every morning, a blender can be a worthy investment. Power can be quite expensive, especially while you are using a high-voltage machine. If you are power-conscious, choosing an energy-efficient blender should be a priority. If you opt for a high-performance unit, it blends fast but consumes more power. In simple terms, it all boils down to your ingredients and preferences. If your blending recipes entail softer ingredients like papaya, tomatoes, bananas, and berries, buying a lower-powered blender is advisable.
In addition to these, some more factors to consider include:
- You budget
- Warranty
- Blender design and color
- Blender size
A blender is a multifaceted appliance that every modern kitchen should have. Especially if you are a fan of fresh juices and smoothies, it is one of those pieces of equipment you cannot do without. Blenders make our lives less stressful, meaning that they deserve careful thought before making a purchase. Hopefully, the few tips above will help you choose the right blender for your needs.
