Choosing a blender

Blenders make short work of mixing up ingredients for smoothies, shakes and salad dressings. Many models can also double as food processors, grating cheese and chopping vegetables. Food processors do a better job of pulling together dough and can replace kitchen tools such as a mandolin for thin slicing. Unlike a food processor, however, blenders can chop ice and puree soups. Multifunction blenders can handle tougher jobs, such as making baby food, full-fiber juice drinks and nut butters. They're more expensive and noisier, however, and may not be necessary for the average household.

Here are some other things to know before you buy a blender:

  • Check for a pulse. Blenders that possess pulse buttons quickly blend in short bursts. This feature is more effective at blending thick or dry mixtures, can be effective for crushing ice and can prevent over-processing.
  • Opt for a removable blade or a dishwasher-safe jar. Blenders with non-removable blades are harder to clean, but with some models, you can put the whole jug in the dishwasher.
  • Keep in the features in check. Don't get obsessed with speed. Experts say that three blender speeds are enough.
  • Look beyond price. Expensive blenders don't always perform well. In fact, some $200 blenders receive low marks in some professional reviews.
  • Pass on push buttons. The tiny nooks and crannies between these buttons can be very difficult to clean. Instead, opt for dials, touchpads or switch controls, which can be wiped down more easily.
  • Consider the container. Tapered blender jars funnel food down to the blades, yielding more uniform results, while plastic pieces can scratch, becoming repositories for odor, bacteria and stains. Glass jars are heavier but breakable, while most polycarbonate pitchers are shatterproof.
  • Go for style. Because many blenders remain on the counter, styling and colors that suit your kitchen may be a factor in selection. Size should also be considered, because some tall blenders may not fit under or in your kitchen cabinets.
  • Think about how you'll use it. What you plan to make in your blender plays a part in the product you ultimately buy. For instance, are you buying a blender for the occasional margarita? Make sure you select one that handles ice well. Plan to blend several fruit smoothies a day? You'll need a heavy-duty model.

Usage tips

Blenders can be noisy. One way to muffle the noise is to drape a kitchen towel over the top of your blender.

Although many blenders are labeled dishwasher safe, experts recommend hand washing whenever possible so that you don't risk shrinking or warping the rubber gaskets in the dishwasher. You can quickly clean a blender by filling the jar halfway with hot water and adding a drop or two of dish soap. Run the blender for a minute, and then discard the water and rinse out the container.

Be careful, however, whenever putting hot liquids into a blender. Putting hot liquid in a blender, closing it and turning it on can cause pressure to build in the pitcher unit. Too much pressure, and the top may blow off, causing hot liquid to explode all over you and the kitchen. To avoid this, only fill the blender half way with hot liquids. You may also choose to open the feed hole in the cap and cover tightly with a kitchen towel when blending. This will allow steam to escape.

No matter what you're blending, try not to overfill the jar. Leave some space at the top of the container for ingredients to move around. The initial burst of power from the blender tends to push ingredients up and out of the pitcher, and this extra space can provide users with more control. Add ingredients one at a time, pulsing after each addition.

Other quick tricks to ensure better blending include: keeping cheeses very cold and cutting them into smaller cubes before adding them to the blender for grating; adding at least a cup of liquid to aid in the processing of ice; and pre-chilling metal or glass blender containers to help cold beverages (margaritas or milkshakes) stay frozen.

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