Which blender model is better to choose and which characteristics are especially important?

Kitchen appliances greatly simplifies the life of any housewife. But you need to be able to choose it correctly, because in the shops there are many options that differ in price and functionality. The question often arises: which is better - a food processor or still a blender, which one to buy - submersible or stationary.

Blender advantages

The blender was invented long ago, almost a century ago. However, it was not widely used, as cooks preferred to grind and mix products manually. Used the unit for the preparation of cocktails and blending champagne, for which it is necessary to mix several types of wine.

But the device was not forgotten. And in the 70s of the last century, a food processor was invented on its basis. This multifunctional appliance was highly appreciated, and for a long time it occupied a leading position in the market of kitchen appliances.

Now, a blender is increasingly appearing in kitchens. The thing is that the number of adherents of a healthy lifestyle is increasing. In order to prepare a serving of healthy cocktail, it is much more convenient to use a compact unit than a bulky combine.

Not the last role was played by mothers who wanted to feed their babies not with ready-made jar products, but with soups and mashed potatoes made with their own hands. After all, there is no doubt in the quality of such food. But small children eat little by little; it is problematic to grind a small amount of product using a combine. And with gauze and a strainer, as they did before, hardly anyone wants to mess around. The blender is the best suited for this purpose.

Another plus of the blender is that it is quite compact, which means that it is easy for him to find a place in a small kitchen. In addition, it is easy to care for, as it is easy to disassemble and wash. And some models even have a self-cleaning function.

There are advantages to food processors. They are more versatile as they have more features. Most blenders will not be able to chop raw meat or chop vegetables for salad. But they are great for cocktails, mousses and, of course, baby food. Therefore, before buying, you need to assess your needs.

Types of Blenders

In the stores there are different models of blenders. You can choose an inexpensive option with a minimum of functions or purchase a more multitasking device. The price is affected by the capabilities of the blender, equipment, power and quality of the materials from which it is made.

There are three types of aggregates.

• Stationary. It stands on a table on a special stand, inside which is the engine, and on the body - control buttons. On top is a bowl with knives for chopping food.
• Submersible. It looks like a plastic or iron “leg” with a motor hidden in its handle. It is immersed in a container, which is why the name went.
• Combined. Combines the properties of both a submersible and a stationary blender.

To decide which device is best to choose, you should study their features. Different models have their advantages and disadvantages. It is necessary to decide for what needs the blender will be used.

Features of the stationary blender

The stationary blender resembles a jug standing on a stand. It does not take up much space, it depends on the volume of the bowl. Using it is very easy, although the instructions should be studied first. The ingredients are placed in a container, close the lid and press the button.Speed ​​should be chosen, focusing on the products that need to be crushed. Further, the unit will do everything itself, you can distract from it and start cooking another dish. When the cocktail or mashed potatoes are ready, they should be poured into an appropriate container, and the blender should be washed. If the model has a self-cleaning function, then it will not be difficult to carry out the procedure, and without risk of cutting yourself with sharp knives.

The disadvantages of this type of device include limited functionality. Not all products can be ground in such blenders. They are best suited for mixing liquids such as cocktails. Also, the unit copes well with soft fruits and vegetables, perfectly whips proteins. But it cannot be used for meat processing, as well as for chopping nuts and other hard foods.

When choosing a stationary blender, you should pay attention to its technical characteristics, which affect the quality of work and the duration of use.

• The bowl can be made of glass or plastic. Glass is preferable - it will last longer. Plastic containers gradually change color, absorb odors, it is not recommended to pour hot liquids into them. The disadvantages of glass include fragility. Plastic will not break, and it costs less. In addition, modern materials have increased wear resistance and can compete with glass.
• The volume of the tank also matters. It can be very small, 0.5 liters, or reach 2 liters. If you need to cook smoothies in the morning for one person, then a small bowl is enough. For a family of several people you need to purchase something more spacious. It should be remembered that the jug cannot be poured to the edges, so that the volume indicated by the manufacturer is reduced by approximately 100 ml.
• Another important characteristic is power. It ranges from 200 to 800 watts, affects the speed of work and the quality of grinding. For a bowl of large volumes, it is better to choose a higher power.

In modern appliances, a self-cleaning function is usually present. It greatly simplifies the care of it, so you should make sure that the function is indeed declared for the model you like.

What is a hand blender

Submersible blender has its pros and cons. It is more compact than stationary, especially if special containers for grinding products are not included in the kit. Any housewife will surely find some dishes that are suitable for this purpose, which will save space. The “leg” itself can be stored in a kitchen drawer or hung on a wall on a special stand.

An even more important plus - the hand blender has advanced features. For him, more nozzles are provided, so some models are even able to replace the meat grinder. With the help of the unit, it will be possible to grind greens, onions and garlic, beat whites and cream, make a delicious smoothie and smoothie.

The use of this device has its own characteristics.

• You must hold it in your hands and constantly press the button. The process is organized this way for security reasons.
• If you need to process a large number of products or to obtain the desired effect, you need a long whipping, then the hand simply gets tired.
• It is important to be careful when chopping and mixing hot foods. Start work at a low speed so as not to get burned by flying splashes. This does not apply to special bowls that are closed by lids.

Tip

The instructions for the selected blender model indicate whether it is possible to wash parts in a dishwasher. It is worthwhile to know that with this method of cleaning, the life of the plastic bowl is reduced.

But you can use a blender in any capacity, not necessarily included in the kit. The main thing is that it be roomy enough. This will prevent the content from splashing.It is also with such a device that it is convenient to grind to a uniform state ingredients even in small quantities, which is very appreciated by mothers with young children.

If the question arose, how to choose a hand blender, then you should pay attention to the following characteristics.

• The “foot” of the device can be made of plastic and stainless steel. The second option is preferable. The metal is more durable, it is less susceptible to damage. The plastic gradually darkens, it may start to smell unpleasant. There are reviews that after several years of active use pieces can be rolled away from it.
• The higher the power, the less time the grinding process will take, which means that the hand gets tired less. It is not recommended to choose a device with power less than 400 watts.
• On modern blenders, usually at least two speeds. But it is better if there are more of them, because for different products the optimal speed is different.
• Well, if the handle is rubberized: it does not slip.

The versatility of a submersible blender depends on its configuration. The simplest and most inexpensive model has only a metal or plastic leg with two-bladed knives at the bottom. To simplify the work in the kitchen, manufacturers offer various nozzles. For example, a whisk for whipping dough. True, he is unlikely to cope with a thick test, here you can not do without a mixer. A special chopper bowl with a knife inside is used to chop onions or chop meat to the state of mincemeat. It is also convenient to crack ice. There is also a vacuum pump for pumping air out of special food storage containers. This allows you to increase their shelf life.

There are wireless blenders. They allow you to move freely in the kitchen, in addition, they can be used even if there is no electricity. But they are heavier than ordinary ones, as there are batteries in the case. They need to be charged from time to time, this process is quite lengthy. There is a risk of encountering a situation where you need to grind something, and the charge at the device has run out.

If you know how to choose a device and what characteristics to pay attention to, it will turn out to choose the most suitable model. If you need to purchase a not very expensive blender, it is better to save on the number of speeds and nozzles than on the power and material of the leg.

Combined Models

Combined blenders combine the advantages of both stationary and submersible models. They can be considered universal. The package includes a shaker, that is, a stationary device, immersing the leg and the chopper bowl. There are usually other nozzles. Therefore, using the unit, it is easy to prepare both a cocktail and minced meat. Its cost is slightly higher than other models, but there are more functions.

What brand of blender to choose

It is important to determine not only the type of blender and equipment, but also the manufacturer. After all, only a quality device will last a really long time and will do the job well.

The most positive reviews have the following brands of equipment.

• There are no doubts as blenders from this German company. She offers models with many features. Especially successful is the Multiquick series with stainless steel knives. A variety of operating modes will allow you to mix a cocktail, finely chop vegetables or whip cream. The manufacturer also offers wireless blenders. Stationary models look very stylish and fit into any interior. They have strong bowls made of glass or good plastic.
• An international concern that produces the most diverse equipment. Blenders of its production are very light and powerful, the hand will not get tired in the process. The durable bowl of stationary models can withstand even high temperatures, any products will be crushed very quickly.
• Another German manufacturer offering reliable household appliances, which is likely to last for many years.This brand produces the quietest models equipped with special four-blade knives. They quickly and accurately grind even hard foods. In addition, in the kit, the manufacturer offers various nozzles, including for chopping ice and nuts, chopping meat into minced meat, and even measuring cups. Cooking with such an apparatus will be a real pleasure.

These three brands can be considered the leaders in sales of blenders. But their price is appropriate. In equipment stores, equipment of other brands is presented, which also proved to be quite good, but their cost is less. These are Tefal, Moulinex, Kenwood, Vitek and others. You can choose models of these brands for every taste: from the simplest to multifunctional.

In any kitchen, a blender is useful. Which one to choose depends on your needs. Someone needs only a daily smoothie, while others often prepare complex dishes for a family of several people. You need to know what details to pay attention to get high-quality equipment. Before buying, it is useful to study reviews about the model you like.