What to choose - a mixer or a blender: what are they for, what is the difference between them, advantages and disadvantages + reviews
The mixer is known to almost any housewife, since the first simple models of this device were common in Soviet times.
The blender is an improved version of the mixer, and it appeared on the market relatively recently.
The names of these devices are taken from English words, the meanings of which are almost identical: “mix” and “make a mixture”.
In fact, the mixer and the blender are completely different devices that differ in different functionality and are used in different situations.
Content
What is a blender for?
The working elements of the blender are rotating sharp steel blades. Thanks to this design, the blender easily grinds fruits and vegetables, it can be used to chop ice, nuts or crackers.
The grinding ability depends on the power of the device, in addition, blenders are manual and stationary type.
A hand blender is like a mixer, as it consists of a handle with control buttons and a nozzle with steel blades, which are immersed in a container. Some models come with a special bowl for shredding products, or an additional nozzle - a whisk for whipping liquids.
A stationary blender is a body with a container, inside of which there are rotating steel knives. To use such a device, place the necessary products in a glass, close it with a lid, turn on the blender at a given power, after which the ingredients will be crushed in a few seconds.
Like any appliance, a blender has some advantages and disadvantages.
Its advantages:
- grinds raw, boiled fruits and vegetables, as well as solid foods;
- has a high speed;
- able to grind products to a uniform consistency;
- in the presence of additional nozzles is able to perform many actions.
Disadvantages:
- mixed foods are free of air;
- due to high speeds, the blender heats up quickly and often requires a break in work;
- makes a loud noise;
- the submersible type is able to grind only some of the products, so it must be constantly directed.
What is a mixer for?
The difference between the mixer and the blender is that the first one provides the mixing of products thanks to the rotating beater made of durable metal.
Such a device allows you to mix and whip liquid products, so it is used to beat eggs, cream, creams, dough and making cocktails.
Mixers vary in degree of performance, and are also divided into manual and stationary appliances.
Hand mixer - a device with a handle and a nozzle in the shape of a whisk. When working, it is immersed in a container with products. It is perfect for whipping and mixing liquid ingredients, but this device will not cope with harder components.
The stationary mixer - just like a blender, consists of a container placed on the body with control buttons. It is used in the same cases as a hand mixer, the only difference is convenience, since such a device frees up your hands.
Typically, a stationary mixer is equipped with a special bowl, the volume of which is up to 2 liters, a whisk nozzle and a special nozzle for mixing thick dough.
It can be noted that the power of a hand mixer is usually 400 watts, while a stationary mixer can reach up to 700 watts. Accordingly, the speed of the handheld device is almost 2 times less. This can be both a disadvantage and an advantage, since at low speeds the mixture of products is better saturated with air.
The popularity of the mixer is due to the following advantages:
- allows you to get an airy and lush mixture;
- suitable not only for whipping liquid components, but also for kneading dough of different consistencies;
- during operation does not overheat, therefore it can be used for a long time;
- provides fast and convenient whipping.
Of course, the device has its drawbacks:
- not suitable for grinding ingredients;
- It will not cope with an excessively thick or solid product;
- the scope is limited to liquid and semi-liquid components;
- makes noise when working.
The disadvantages include the fact that the stationary mixer takes up a lot of space (which is not always convenient in the limited space of kitchens), but the same applies to the stationary blender.
What is the difference?
In the process of cooking, there is often a need to beat, mix or grind various products, and it is worth noting that for many operations you can use both a mixer and a blender.
To understand which device should be used in each case, you can use the special table of the most common operations with products.
| Type of transaction | Blender | Mixer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stationary | Manual | ||
| Vegetable / Fruit Shredder | Yes | medium | not |
| Mashed potatoes | Yes | medium | not |
| Crushing nuts / breadcrumbs | medium | Yes | not |
| Ice crack | Yes | medium | not |
| Cocktail making | Yes | medium | medium |
| Beating Proteins / Yolks / Eggs | not | medium | Yes |
| Making homemade mayonnaise | not | not | Yes |
| Pancake batter | medium | medium | Yes |
| Thick sour cream dough | not | medium | Yes |
| Pastry dough | not | not | Yes |
Which is better to choose?
It is best to have two appliances in the kitchen, designed for various operations. If the circumstances are such that it is necessary to choose one thing for the house, then you should first evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each device.
First of all, you must decide which dishes are most in demand in your family. For example, if you like to cook pastries or a variety of desserts, then you definitely need a mixer. If you have a small child, or you often cook mashed dishes, then in this case a blender is perfect.
You need to understand that the mixer is used for mixing and whipping liquid components, but it is not intended for grinding. The blender, in turn, is able to chop not only fruits and vegetables, but even nuts or ice.
The mixer cannot function as a blender, while in some cases the blender successfully replaces the mixer, it can be used to whip cream, eggs or sauce, to prepare uniform cocktails or smoothies.
Mixers, as a rule, have less power, so even if there is a nozzle with knives, they will not make such a good mixture as more efficient blenders.
Mixer and Blender - 2 in 1
The cardinal difference in the basic purposes of the mixer and the blender led to the appearance on the market of combined devices, for example, blenders having the function of a mixer.
In addition, you can find sophisticated combines that not only grind and whisk products, but also are able to squeeze juice, chop meat, grind coffee and cereals, etc.
The most common devices are “2-in-1 mixer-blender”, but sometimes there are even 3-in-1 models. As a rule, they are compact in size, do their job well, and their cost is quite acceptable and will not become a hole in the family budget.
Two-in-one devices equally perform the functions of both a mixer and a blender. This is very convenient, because you can immediately chop the vegetables, mix them in the required consistency, make mashed potatoes, add beaten egg white - the variety of operations is limited only by the presence of products in the house.
The simplest hand blender mixers consist of the following parts:
- housing with control unit;
- a chopper nozzle with steel blades, which is used as a blender;
- whisk nozzle, necessary for whipping liquids.
At the other end of the lineup are serious devices with high power, significant performance and increased bowl volume (up to 6-7 liters). As a rule, such devices are used in large families, where they often like to cook a wide variety of dishes.
Their disadvantages include the following points:
- high cost (up to 10 thousand rubles);
- loud noise during operation;
- significant power consumption;
- complexity of operation.
In some devices, power is unevenly distributed depending on the functions performed. In addition, the overall device can weigh up to 10 kg and requires a permanent place in the kitchen, which is not always convenient in confined spaces.
The most commonly used budget small models that quickly gained popularity in the market for kitchen products. They are convenient to use, have sufficient power, high quality and inexpensive.
The capabilities of such a two-in-one appliance are quite enough to satisfy the needs of an average family if you need to beat eggs or cook mashed potatoes from time to time.
Consumer Reviews
Below are consumer reviews of what they use - a mixer or a blender:
Conclusion and Conclusions
A blender and a mixer are completely different devices, although at first glance it might seem that they perform the same functions.
In fact, each of these devices is used to perform specific culinary tasks. The choice between a mixer and a blender should be based on personal needs. In addition, do not forget about devices that combine the capabilities of these two units.
Useful video
The view tells what the difference is between a blender and a mixer:
I used the mixer in Soviet times and in the 90s, until more advanced household appliances appeared. Now the mixer lies in the cupboard and is used only for grinding spices and making powdered sugar. I do everything else in a food processor and using a submersible and stationary blender. All this technique saves my precious time significantly and allows me to cook tasty, varied and healthy food.
Now of course there are many different devices that facilitate the work in the kitchen and improve the quality of cooking. And among the whole variety of devices, you need to choose the one that will most satisfy your needs. And despite the fact that many devices are equipped with nozzles for different functions, all the same, not all of them will not perform them efficiently. Therefore, I use a blender for chopping and products, meat, vegetables, nuts. For whipping, preparing creams for example, I use a misker.
I inherited from the mother-in-law got the mixer KRUPS, which is 30 years old. In this mixer, apart from the electric wire, nothing was changed. I will never part with him. It still works well. I beat them cream, eggs, dough, smoothies. But, of course, I also have a modern blender, with which I chop boiled vegetables and fruits, and raw ones too. He is also an indispensable thing in the kitchen. These are my real helpers.
I had more than one mixer. But I have never used a blender. Now the stores are full of quite budget models of hand blenders. But they are mostly without glasses. I calmly immerse the mixer in any container. But what about the blender? Does it require special dishes or can you grind like a mixer in any saucepan? I don’t want to spend money on a model that has such a glass without the need.