Blenders, regardless of the type, are a must-have for every kitchen. What’s better than an appliance that lets you put a lot of edible things in, and gives them back in a homogenized form?
They come in different types that cater to different personalities; both home cooks and fitness junkies will find a blender that fits their needs, but which one is right for you? In this article, we’ll show you the different types of blenders and how to pick one.
Immersion Blenders
Immersion, stick, or handheld blenders are called so because you insert them in the bowls, pots, or whatever containers that fit your food best, as opposed to having to blend your food in their jars.
They are the unsung heroes for the smallest jobs, such as making pesto, vinaigrettes, dips, mayonnaise, whipped cream, scrambled eggs, smoothies, milkshakes, soups, and more. The fact that you can blend hot ingredients with these compact blenders is insane.
They’re very easy to clean and store. Some of them are cordless for even more portability, or attachments to make things more versatile. Plus, since they’re so compact, they don’t cost much either.
Countertop Blenders
Countertop or full-size blenders are a staple item in every household, and for many good reasons.
They can process the majority of food types and can play a big part in every single meal you have on a daily basis.
The variety of options is endless; they come in different sizes, constructions, speeds, and functions. They tend to handle harder, larger, and thicker ingredients better than their handheld counterparts. Also, their lids help eliminate the risk of messiness.
It is safe to say that they need countertop space or a considerable amount of storage space in your cabinets. Also, they’re pricier than immersion and personal blenders because they’re more powerful and larger.
Personal Blenders
Also called “single-serving blenders”, are the true 21st-century blenders. As the name suggests, you go for these when your capacity needs are around 18 to 25 ounces. Of course, they don’t take much counter space and can be stored in small cabinets.
Also, they don’t consume much power, with motors of around 200 to 700 and more, depending on whether you want the blender to just make smoothies or you want it to crush ice, grind coffee beans, and other heavy-duty blender tasks. Plus, they’re pretty affordable.
Personal blenders are the most convenient for smoothies and protein shakes because their blending jars double as your drinking cups that have their own caps with drinking sprouts, so you can take them on the go. We dare you to find a better option for a healthy lifestyle.
High-Performance Blenders
While everybody can benefit from having any blender from the types above, not everyone needs the level of seriousness that high-performance blenders bring to the game.
Capacity? The highest; it is usually within 64 and 90 ounces, so definitely don’t get them for small servings. Power? Their motors start at 1000 watts, which save you a lot of time by working quickly through large batches. Plus, the very sharp and robust blades that accompany these beasts can power through the toughest foods with ease.
In addition, there’s no limit to what you can do with a high-performance blender. You can grind seeds and nuts, cook hot soups, crush ice cubes, chop larger food, pulverize tough cores, mix some sticky dough, whip up ice cream, and so much more.
They’re the most expensive blenders that you can have at your house, and their bulky construction takes a lot of countertop space, as well.
How to Pick a Blender
Storage
The blender you need depends heavily on the amount of storage or countertop space that you have.
If you’re really tight on space, go for immersion and personal blenders; they can be stored in most, if not all, cabinets.
In case you have a decent amount of countertop space, go for a countertop blender.
However, if you’re lucky to have a lot of countertop space, then you’ll enjoy a high-performance blender.
Power
Power affects how fast a blender can work, which, in turn, affects the quantity and type of food that a blender can power through.
A 250-watt personal blender can give you the tastiest smoothies, but expecting it to grind coffee beans or meat is overly ambitious.
However, the more powerful a motor is, the noisier it can get. So, if loud noises are a no-no in your kitchen, go for low-or medium-powered blenders.
Controls and Features
The controls and features one looks for in a blender differ from one person to another.
Variable speed settings are a must-have for many people because they make you in control of the speed and consistency. That being said, they can be overwhelming to others, who end up settling for blenders that have no speed setting or the basic low, medium, and high.
Many people always look for the pulse function, which is essential for pureeing and any type of blending that needs your precision.
Some blenders allow you to choose the “type” of blending that you want that depends on the food you’re blending, instead of speed.
High-powered blenders have the highest number of features and functions; they come with special attachments that allow them to chop, grind, cook, crush, and more.
Cleanup
Since you’ll definitely need to clean your blender, think about how it makes the cleanup easier. You can look for removable blades and dishwasher-safe parts. Immersion and personal blenders are a breeze to clean, so opt for either if you hate handwashing your appliances.
Final Thoughts
Whatever you need and whatever you’re looking for, there’s a blender out there that meets your demands. So, think about the types that we’ve discussed, and consider the features that matter to you the most.
Happy blending!