EmailBlenders make short work of mixing up ingredients to make smoothies, shakes and even salad dressings. Many models can also double as food processors, grating cheese and chopping vegetables. But unlike a food processor, blenders can chop ice and do an excellent job of pureeing soups. Multifunction blenders can handle even tougher jobs, such as making baby food, full-fiber juice drinks and nut butters. They're much more expensive and noisy, 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 can be effective for crushing ice and can prevent overprocessing.
- Opt for a removable blade. Blenders with nonremovable blades are harder to clean.
- Don't get obsessed with speed. Experts say that three blender speeds are enough.
- Pricey doesn't mean perfect. Expensive blenders don't always perform well. In fact, some $200 blenders received low marks in some professional reviews.
- Pass on push buttons. The tiny nooks and crannies between these kind of buttons can be very difficult to clean. Instead, opt for dial, 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 and stains. Glass jars are heavier but breakable, while most polycarbonate pitchers are shatterproof.
- Looks matter. 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 your kitchen cabinets.
- Consider your needs. How you plan to use 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. That's because rubber gaskets in particular may shrink or warp 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.
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, so this extra space can provide users with more control. Add ingredients one at a time, pulsing after each addition.