We cut, chop and even cook soup: how to choose a blender for home?

Design features of blenders

There are several types of blenders that are fundamentally different from each other:

Classic. Such blenders consist of a lower working base, on which there are control buttons. The upper part is a measuring cup with a lid, at the base of which there is a knife. The principle of operation is as follows: the contents are poured into the bowl, the power is set on the case and the launch is performed. During operation, large pieces are lowered down, and thus the entire contents are crushed. The advantage of this design is that there is no need to hold the blender or press the start button during grinding — the device works autonomously without human help. And the rubber legs provided in the design of the device give it stability, so that the blender does not roll on the table. Such devices are great for making cocktails, smoothies, vegetable and fruit salads. Because of this, you have to spend more time on cooking, and accordingly, the consumption of electricity increases. The cost of standard blenders starts from $ 20, and depends on additional functions and attachments.

The most popular blenders of the classic type

Submersible. This manual type device consists of an engine compartment with buttons on it and a nozzle that is attached to the blender by a quick latch. Usually, a plastic or glass bowl is included with the device, in which all manipulations are performed. An immersion blender can also be easily whipped, crumbled and sliced in other containers. However, unlike standard models, submersible ones are difficult to cope with crushing ice. To do this, you need to separately buy a bowl with nozzles or immediately buy such a set, such as Philippe Ratek PR-FP1005 white . The undoubted advantage of submersible devices is the ability to work with nozzles for different tasks, for example, such as a mill (for coffee), a whisk (whipping creams) or for making puree. Also, the cost of the device is relatively low in comparison with other types. However, the working bowl always remains open during work, so it is impossible to avoid contamination of the kitchen.

Popular immersion blenders

Blender-soup cooker. One of the varieties of the classic blender, which additionally has a heating element, thanks to which you can cook the contents. Although pre-installed programs imply full-fledged cooking of soup, such blenders are more often used to heat dishes, such as children's fruit purees or juices. Usually such devices have a timer that will start the “loaded” bowl to work at the right time, for example, in the morning — the person has woken up, and the dish is ready. You can also cook vegetable stew in it, but it is worth considering that you will get a maximum of 2-3 servings, since the size of the bowl is not large. For full-fledged cooking of hot dishes, it is best to use a slow cooker.

Soup blenders

Shredder. The design of the device provides a bowl and the blender itself with a knife for cutting products. The name itself says that the device is designed for chopping vegetables and fruits (cooking salads, etc.) — it will not work to beat thick cream or sauce. The advantage is a closed bowl, so that the workplace always remains clean. It should be purchased if the user does not need other types of cooking. It is also much more compact than the others and, accordingly, takes up less space in the kitchen. The cost of shredders is approximately the same as for submersible models (it all depends on the manufacturer).

Shredder.

Criteria for selecting blenders

When deciding on the purchase of a suitable model, pay attention to the following indicators:

Power. For the preparation of smoothies, cream, ketchups and other liquid dishes, a device with a power of up to 400 watts is quite enough. For slicing vegetables, chopping nuts and chopping ice, it is better to take a model with a power of up to 1000 watts. If it is necessary to use the entire volume of the bowl with a size of 1.5 – 2 liters, for example, for kneading dough, it is better to stop at models with a capacity of over 1000 watts. Remember that the cooking speed depends on the engine power, so if it is important for you to cook quickly in the morning for several family members, then take a model with maximum power (up to 2000 watts).
The volume and material of the bowl. The choice of the volume of the bowl largely depends on the tasks set. For example, to prepare 1 kg of minced chicken, you need a bowl with a volume of at least 1 liter (taking into account the addition of additional ingredients to the minced meat). Also, the larger the family size, the larger the volume it is worth taking a food tank. Plastic bowls are relatively inexpensive and may remain intact when dropped on the floor. However, over time, the plastic becomes cloudy and loses its attractive appearance. Glass ones are more aesthetic, however, when falling, they beat and are more expensive in price.
The number of speeds. Due to the presence of several speeds in the device, it is possible to adjust the rotation of the knife for a specific product. For example, turning berries and juice into a vitamin drink is quite enough for 1st – 2nd speeds, but crushing ice is at faster speeds. At the same time, keep in mind that thick mixtures, for example, the dough cannot be kneaded at the "maximum", it is better to reduce the speed to 3rd – 4th (much depends on the power of the device). Some models have instructions indicating which speed is suitable for which dish.

Blenders with dicing attachment

Additional functions

The following functions may be useful for the hostess:

Pulse mode. In this mode, the engine operates in so-called "jerks", and not continuously. Thanks to this, he does not feel overloads during the grinding of ice, frozen fruits and berries, and other solid products. Manufacturers claim that pulse models last one and a half times longer (before the first major repair).
Travel bowl. This component is found in classic blenders, and has a tightly closing lid. In terms of functionality, they are similar to full-fledged bottles for water and cold drinks. Such bowls or glasses are convenient to use as a reservoir for juices or cocktails for athletes, students and working people.
Turbo mode. A function that allows you to increase the speed of rotation of the cutting knife, thanks to which the residual pieces are ground and the uniformity of the mass is achieved. For example, it is useful to use it when grinding products with seeds (grapes) or "finishing off" frozen fruit remnants. The ingredients are twisted in the usual mode, and at the end the user turns on the turbo mode for 5-10 seconds, and brings the mass to uniformity. Models with such a function are not cheap, so if you do not need it on the farm, it is better to take it without it.
Nozzles. In addition to standard attachments for grinding and mixing, the device can be equipped with additional ones, such as a wide blender leg (for submersible models to increase productivity), a whisk (for whipping cream, mayonnaise, omelette, etc.), a kneading hook (made of thick steel wire and has the appearance of a stick for mixing thick dough), a mill (for fine grinding of coffee or grinding sugar into powder), a nozzle for puree and a vacuum pump that pumps air out of the container with products, allowing them to stay fresh longer. Depending on the needs, the nozzles can be purchased separately or immediately purchased complete with the model.

Variants of attachments for the blender.

Conclusion

For most tasks, classic blenders with a power of up to 800 watts will suit the hostess. If you often have to crush ice and frozen foods, then pulse models from 1000 watts will be an excellent choice. The preparation of thick mayonnaise, sauces and ketchups is perfectly performed by immersion models. Also, decide in advance on the types of cooking in order to immediately purchase additional nozzles. If you have a baby and you want to cook him hot vitamin drinks, porridge or soups, then take a blender-soup cooker.