How to choose and use a blender
“Buying a blender is
A blender was one of my first countertop appliances, proudly displayed in my first apartment.
That’s more years ago than I prefer to calculate at this point. Even now, though, as I’ve acquired many (too many?) more appliances and gadgets, a blender — that original one did eventually burn out — still earns its keep, and cabinet space.
I’m not the only fan. You’ll find no greater evangelist than Tess Masters, aka Blender Girl, the blogger and cookbook author who says on her website that “the blender is the greatest culinary gift that we have been given since fire and spoons.” Masters does not come to play.
Whether you agree or are perhaps a little less intense about your love for this handy appliance, here car, are some tips on buying and using it.
Buying
if you use it
“Buying a blender is like buying a car, particularly if you use it all the time,” says Masters, who also serves as the global ambassador for KitchenAid blenders. You have a lot to choose from, in terms of capabilities and price. Consider how often you intend to use the blender, as well as what you want to make in it. Like Masters, America’s Test Kitchen time,” says Tess Masters, aka Blender Girl. groups blenders (focusing on standard countertop, as opposed to immersion or personal here) in three tiers:
Inexpensive/entry-level ($60 to $99): If you’re mostly thinking about smoothies, sauces and the occasional frozen drink, an inexpensive blender is probably fine, although it typically won’t last as long.
Mid-priced ($100 to $300): Moving into the mid-priced models will give you smoother results and let you break down tough, fibrous foods, as well as make nut butters.
High-end/high-power ($400 to $700): These blenders (Vitamix being the most well-known brand) may come with additional features, such as heating soup and juicing. ATK found that some of them — fancy screens, presets and specialty features (blender ice cream, anyone?) — did not pay off.
Regardless of the scope of your needs and budget, there are features to assess across the board. A blender works by creating a vortex that continuously sucks food down to the blade. ATK says that a narrow jar, as well as ribs on the inside of the jar, facilitate that. Wider jars need to be scraped down more often, cause the food to ricochet more off the sides and create frothier purees. Look for buttons and controls that are easy to use and clean. Take into account weight, both of the base and jar; plastic is the lighter option. Weight is especially important if you plan to store your blender somewhere other than the counter. If you do want to leave it out on the counter, measure the space under your cabinets and look at the appliance specs. Consumer Reports says models 17 inches and shorter will fit under most standard 18inch cabinets — at least if you plan to store it assembled.
What to make
A blender “levels the playing field in the kitchen,” Masters says, letting you produce quick, easy food with very little time or skill. “I think it’s a really, really great tool to empower novice cooks and children and people who aren’t particularly confident in the kitchen.”