Blender Buying Guide
A blender is a valuable addition to any kitchen. For home cooks, who like to try new smoothie recipes, make soups or puree vegetables, there are different types of blenders available offering a variety of functions. Follow this guide to choose the blender that best fits your needs.
Types of Blenders
Hand Blenders
A handheld immersion blender, as the name suggests, comprises of a handle and a mixing wand that can be plunged in the beverage or food container to blend or puree the contents. The hand blender is convenient when you want to blend shakes and smoothies, mix sauces and mixes, or puree soup right on the stove.
Single-Serve Blenders
When you need to whip up a quick smoothie or a shake that's just enough for one person, a single-serve blender comes in handy. With a personal blender, you can avoid the hassle of using a full-size blender and get fast results. Many single-serve blenders come equipped with a portable mixing cup and a travel lid, which is convenient for taking beverages with you on the go. Most blenders offer one-touch operation for ease of use.
Full-Size Blenders
Full-size blenders are the full-featured models that are ubiquitous on kitchen countertops. Countertop blenders vary in pitcher capacity, speed, power and settings. These appliances can handle a wide range of blending jobs, from helping with light food preparation to making heavy-duty smoothies and shakes.
Blender Features
Wattage
Most countertop blenders range between 300 and 700 watts. Typically, a blender with a 450-500 watt motor should be sufficient for your everyday blending tasks. Hand blenders range between 150 and 300 watts. When shopping for a hand blender, look for one that offers around 200 watts of power.
Pitcher Capacity and Type
The pitcher capacity you pick depends on your individual needs. Generally, countertop models offer five to eight cups of capacity. Pitchers are available in steel, plastic or glass. If it is in your budget, choose a steel or a glass container as those are more durable. The only downside of a steel pitcher is that you cannot look inside to track your blending progress.
Speeds
From the 3-speed blender to the 16-speed blender, you will find that blenders offer a range of blend speeds. Multiple speed settings can offer precise results for a variety of blending tasks. However, a 3-speed blender can deliver equally consistent results. Look for a pulse setting when you buy a new blender.