What to look for when buying a blender and how to choose the right model for the home
The question of choosing a blender is of interest to modern housewives who prefer to have a variety of appliances in the kitchen.
Various types of devices of leading domestic and foreign manufacturers are widely represented on the Russian market.
To choose the best option, you need to determine the real needs for the number and range of prepared dishes.
It is important to determine the main criteria and select the most high-quality model.
Content
- 1 Why do you need a blender and the principle of its action
- 2 Species and their brief description
- 3 Which is better - submersible or stationary?
- 4 How to choose a good model for the house?
- 5 What options should I look for before buying?
- 6 Rating TOP 5 best blenders
- 7 Conclusion and Conclusions
- 8 Useful video
Why do you need a blender and the principle of its action
In essence, a blender is a smaller food processor.
At first he thought about how apparatus for mixing liquid and soft products (primarily for the preparation of cocktails), and therefore the name itself comes from the word "mix".
Modern devices combine the functions of a blender as a mixer, mixer and grinder (coffee grinder). They easily cope with operations such as mixing, whipping, cutting and grinding products of different hardness and consistency.
With their help, cocktails, smoothies, mashed potatoes, mousses, creams, dough and many other dishes are prepared.
The working capacity is filled with the processed product. The nozzle is driven into rotation, involving the entire mass in motion. Depending on the type of nozzle and speed of rotation, the necessary operation is provided - cutting, mixing, grinding, whipping.
Species and their brief description
Depending on the method of introducing the working body into the processed mass and providing power, blenders are divided into the following types:
- Submersible structure. It provides for the location of the working body in the upper part of the container with the product. Such a blender is a body with a built-in electric motor. The shaft is brought out from below, and the necessary nozzle is fixed on it. The body is equipped with a handle for holding in the hand. The device is manually inserted from above into the tank with the processed mass and is rotated.
- Stationary option. His working body is located in the lower part of the tank.The blender consists of a base (case) with an electric motor and a bowl, which is installed on the base. The motor shaft is introduced into the bottom of the bowl, and nozzles are fixed on it. A lid is mounted on top to protect against splashing. Such a blender is stationary mounted on the table, and after switching on it does not require direct human participation in the process. The operation is provided in automatic mode.
- Combined type. Some modern appliances combine the above options. In fact, this is a stationary chopper, but additionally there is a submersible blender for mixing and whipping.
Which is better - submersible or stationary?
Correctly choosing the right type of blender will help a comparison of the main parameters. Such an analysis is carried out in the table.
Comparison of the submersible and stationary design of blenders:
| Characteristic | Submersible type | Stationary type |
|---|---|---|
| Power | Devices with a power range of 200-1400 W are produced | Up to 2.5 kW. The power is higher, which ensures the grinding of products of any hardness and the preparation of significant volumes. |
| Functionality | The main purpose is whipping and mixing the mixtures. Can grind not very hard foods. Bad for making cocktails. | Provides grinding products of high hardness (nuts, coffee, ice, etc.). You can cook liquid dishes (soup puree). Not suitable for whipping. |
| Working volume, productivity | Servings less than 200 ml can be prepared. The disadvantage is the restriction on the maximum volume (most often - 1 liter) | The minimum serving is 250-300 ml. There is the possibility of preparing significant volumes when using large bowls (2-3 l). Productivity higher than submersible models. |
| Convenience in work | Plus full process control. Possibility of using non-standard capacity. Minus - the need to hold in the hand and constant participation in the process. | Automation of the process, the absence of the need for direct human participation after inclusion. Process programming. |
| Dimensions and weight | Small dimensions and weight of the device | The increased sizes. Storage space required |
| Care | Ease of care. Only nozzles that are easily removable are washed. | For washing, complete disassembly is necessary. This disadvantage is eliminated by the presence of a self-cleaning function. |
| Reliability | Solid ingredients can cause wear and damage to nozzles. Limited engine protection. Substantial dependence on proper use. | Increased reliability and durability. Guaranteed engine protection. Automatic shutdown in case of improper operation. |
| Cost | Depends on power, but on average higher than for stationary models | Lower combined power-price. |
How to choose a good model for the house?
How to choose a good blender for home?
First of all, it should be understood that an increase in power, size and functional ability leads to a noticeable increase in the cost of equipment. When buying, you have to solve the main question - the maximum satisfaction of the request at the lowest price.
Do not save on reliability and safety. It is best to purchase products from trusted manufacturers and made from quality materials (especially knives and other attachments).
Another thing is functionality and performance. In this matter it is necessary to approach, proceeding from real needs. Do not pay attention to functions that are not useful, or the possibility of preparing dishes that are not useful.
Serving size should be consistent with family composition. So, the most popular apparatus for making cocktails, smoothies, creams, mashed potatoes, sauces, whipping cream and eggs for scrambled eggs, grinding minced meat and coffee beans.
Blenders are essential for athletes and young mothers. For lovers of travel, portable models are suitable.
With frequent use and preparation of food in large quantities, professional and professional devices are of interest.
What options should I look for before buying?
When choosing a blender, you should consider the main parameters that determine the reliability and capabilities of the apparatus.
For different models, they differ significantly, and therefore, before buying, you must carefully familiarize yourself with the technical specifications and operating instructions. The following selection criteria are commonly used.
Power
The performance and functionality of the device is largely determined by the power of its electric motor. It can fluctuate over a wide range from 120 W (portable devices) to 2.6-3 kW (professional devices).
When choosing, you can focus on such recommendations:
- using appliances up to 250 watts, you can make cocktails;
- power 220-360 W is sufficient for baby puree, mixing soft and liquid products;
- 350-650 W blenders cope with not too hard products - whipping, making pasta, jams, smoothies, minced meat, etc .;
- a power of 0.7-1 kW will be required for crushing ice and grinding coffee beans or walnuts;
- devices of the order of 1-1.2 kW cope with a batch of thick dough;
- at a power exceeding 1 kW, products of almost any hardness are crushed.
For most culinary activities, a power of 0.6-0.8 kW is quite sufficient. That is why, such blenders are most popular.
Speed mode
For the processing of different products, different speeds of rotation of the working body are necessary.
The minimum speed required for milkshakes and mashed potatoes. To chop nuts and vegetables, the average speed range is suitable, and the most rapid rotation is useful for dough and minced meat. In addition, the speed of cooking also depends on the speed mode.
For most operations, it is enough to have 2-3 speeds, but with an expanded assortment of dishes, devices with 5-8 modes are more suitable. Professional use requires more than 10 speeds.
Modern blenders can have up to 30 different speed modes. It is important that the speed has a smooth adjustment within the same mode.
Most blenders have the following operating modes:
- working, with adjustable speed;
- turbo mode - work immediately at maximum speed after turning on;
- pulse - periodic switching on and off of the device.
Knives and nozzles
The number of nozzles in the instrument kit determines the functionality. Good blenders have 3-5 different nozzles. For some of them, separate bowls are provided (2-3 containers may be included in the kit).
Knives require special attention.
The following nuances are taken into account:
- Number of blades. They can be from 2 to 6.
- The form. The simplest knives are straight and cut products well. High-quality grinding and uniform mixing provide curved elements.
- Material. Reliable knives are made of stainless steel.
Material
When choosing a model, you need to find out what the body and bowl of the blender are made of. The case can be plastic, metal or combination. Metal is more durable, but it is also more expensive than plastic. Modern plastics can be worthy of competition.
More important is the issue of bowl material. Glass or plastic can be used here.
The first option due to transparency, heat resistance, chemical inertness and high wear resistance looks preferable. However, glass is more expensive and fragile.
Plastic bowls can be quickly scratched, which spoils the look. They cannot be cooked from hot foods. In doubt and environmental cleanliness. In modern models, a new material is used - tritan, which can adequately replace glass.
Useful volume
The performance of the blender depends on the volume of the working capacity. If any vessels can be used in submersible structures, then for the stationary models the design of its bowl is important. It should be borne in mind that its usable volume is taken 150-200 ml less than geometric.
The volume of the bowl is selected based on the need for the finished product. Mini blenders have 150-300 ml containers. The most common appliances are equipped with bowls of 0.5-0.8 liters. Large families require a volume of 1-1.5 liters. In professional apparatus jugs up to 2-2.5 liters are provided.
Nozzle set
The blender kit may include such nozzles:
- Knives. These are the most common nozzles that come with all blenders. With their help, grinding, cutting and mixing of the product is provided. In a stationary device, they are fixed at the bottom of the bowl. For submersible models, a knife with a leg (made of plastic or metal) is used.
- Whisk. It is used in submersible blenders for whipping. The most high-quality nozzles are made of stainless steel wire.
- Puree nozzle. It is made of plastic and provides airiness and uniformity of mass.
- Chopper. This is a separate bowl in which a special nozzle is installed (chopper, graters, slices, nozzle for cutting into slices and cubes). Separately, such a type of grinder as a coffee mill grinder stands out. Such a bowl has a small volume (50-100 ml). The most common version of the chopper with a chopper knife.
- Ice nozzle. It is simply necessary for making cold drinks.
- Shredder. The nozzle is designed for fine cutting of fruits, vegetables, cheese, etc.
In universal devices, additional nozzles (hooks for dough, knives for figure cutting, etc.) can be provided.
When buying a blender, you should really assess the need for a large number of nozzles. They add value and complicate work. Standard knives can cope with the vast majority of work, and it’s enough to have a whisk and a mill to provide all the needs.
Additional functions
A number of blender models provide the following functions:
- overheat protection. This is a very necessary function, provided by the installation of special sensors, and an automatic shutdown system. It protects the engine from emergency operation.
- Vacuum mode. It consists in pumping air out of the bowl during certain operations with the product. This eliminates the oxidation of the ingredients with stirring and grinding. In a blender with this function, a special vacuum pump and a sealed container are provided.
- Self cleaning. This feature is provided in modern stationary models. It consists in cleaning the device after use by pouring a small amount of water.
In a number of installations, dubious additional functions are advertised:
- Noise suppression. It is needed at a noise level of more than 70 dB, and modern devices have much less noise.
- Steaming. In practice, it shows low efficiency and inconvenience.
- Wall mounting. Most often, such versatility is not needed.
:
Rating TOP 5 best blenders
In a huge sea of offers it is very difficult to navigate. In order to choose a truly optimal option, one should take into account the rating of the best models. It is compiled according to numerous customer reviews and expert evaluations of specialists. Below is the TOP 5 for 2019.
Bosch MSM 87165
One of the leaders in the rating is the Bosch MSM 87165 blender. This submersible has a power of 0.75 kW.
The number of speed modes - 12. The adjustment is smooth. The control is mechanical. The volume of the glass is 0.6 l. Weight - 1.8 kg.
pros
- Ease of controls;
- a large number of modes;
- a sufficient number of nozzles (including for mashed potatoes);
- high durability of knives.
Minuses
- claims on the length of the power cord;
- significant mass.
This device is especially noted for the high build quality and reliability.
Braun MQ 5037 WH Sauce +
Buyers give one of the first places in the TOP to the Braun MQ 5037 WH Sauce + blender.
This submersible has a power output of 0.75 kW at a maximum speed of 13,500 rpm. You can set 21 speed modes with infinitely variable speed control. The control is mechanical. The volume of the chopper bowl is 0.5 l.
pros
- high reliability;
- affordable price;
- large selection of speed modes;
- reliable chopper.
Minuses
- buyers do not report deficiencies.
Moulinex DD655832
The submersible model Moulinex DD655832 is well-deserved.
Power consumption - 1 kW. The control is mechanical. Set 10 different modes with infinitely variable speed. The volume of the measuring cup is 0.8 liters. Weight - 1.3 kg
pros
- increased power;
- all necessary nozzles included;
- reliable knives;
- quality chopper and whisk.
Minuses
- short cord length;
- significant mass.
A high rating ensures the reliability and safety of the device.
Xiaomi Circle Kitchen CD-BL01
Consumers and professionals highlight the Xiaomi Circle Kitchen CD-BL01 blender. It is a miniature stationary
250 W model at 24,000 rpm.
There is 1 speed mode with smooth adjustment. Includes 2 travel bottles of 0.3 and 0.6 liters. Options have no frills.
pros
- miniature and light weight;
- low cost;
- high rotation speed;
- reliability.
Minuses
- low power;
- only 1 mode.
Disadvantages limit functionality, but in its class it is a unique device. It is perfect for making cocktails and smoothies, preparing small portions of other dishes. The price is 1910 rubles.
Philips HR1679 Avance Collection
The recognized leader is the Philips HR1679 Avance Collection blender. This is a submersible model with power
electric motor 09.8 kW. Speed adjustment is smooth.
The chopper has a 2l bowl. A 1 liter measuring cup is provided. There are functions of chopping ice and dicing. The mill with a capacity of 0.3 l qualitatively grinds coffee beans.
pros
- multifunctionality;
- a large number of nozzles;
- high performance.
- proprietary speed control system.
Minuses
- no flaws were found.
A high rating ensures reliability and ease of management.
Conclusion and Conclusions
Currently, blenders have become real helpers in the kitchen.
The market offers a variety of models for every taste. It is important to correctly assess your own needs and opportunities, and based on them, choose the best option for the main criteria. Particular attention should be paid to the manufacturer of the equipment.
Useful video
Recommendations on how to choose a blender:
When choosing a blender, you need to look at the appearance. The presence of defects in the housing. The integrity of the braid of the power cord. Sharpening, and nicks on knives. Completeness, and the correct filling of sales documents. With the coincidence of all, there is hope for a long work of the blender.
Hand blender, it is better to take with a metal working part. It provides a longer service life, and less subject the product to breakage (fracture). The number of speeds also matters. Choose the best-known brands, as the engine and associated components are better developed. Pay attention to fake firms for famous brands. They make the name consonant with leading brands.
When I chose a bledder, of course, at first I paid attention to the fact that it would have a good appearance, its power and strength, considering what operations I will take off. And I chose Bork for myself, I liked the fact that it can even grind meat, which was important for me.
I have been fond of cooking for a long time, I make unique sweets from nuts and dried fruits. So, practice has shown that you need to take the most powerful blender possible, no less than 800 watts. A simpler one will fail quickly anyway. Plus you need a powerful bowl with thick walls.
I want to give myself a blender for the new year. I don’t have a big bag, on the basis of this parameter I chose a device. I even put one already in the basket in the online store. But then I came across this article and realized that my choice was bad. Better add a little money and buy a good and proven option in accordance with the recommendations.
In a short period of time, within six months, two hand blenders became unusable - it was Supra (something burned out) and Delta (Russian-made, which was offered to me instead of Supra). At Delta cutters (inserts) were erased. The plastic bowls went streaks and dimmed at both. But the stationary Bosh with a very thick shot bowl turned out to be of very high quality - I am not overjoyed. In general, I do not recommend a plastic bowl in any of the models.