Blenders
Blenders have been a staple of most commercial and residential kitchens, and are a favorite wedding present. However, what is more notable is its perennial role in the contemporary lifestyle. The blender is a 20th century invention that first took a glimpse of the limelight in 1922.
Over the years, this handy kitchen device has witnessed so many changes in style (and lifestyle) but has changed little in function. Some modifications to the original model did ensue to make it a better kitchen mate, but the primary function of blenders, since inception, is to puree food.
Blenders essentially have a simple upright structure that remained unchanged for many years. The top flask features a lid to seal in ingredients while the motor is churning. The interior bottom of the flask or pitcher has spinning blades that is powered by the motor at the base. Blender flasks are attachable to and removable from the motor for easy dispensing of contents and cleaning.
Originally, blenders were used to blend sofa fountain drinks but its continued existence and excellent performance in the kitchen caused this device to evolve into versatility, and continuously regarded a culinary necessity. A blender is a mother's best friend, too – which extends its use to smooth natural ingredients for baby food. The blender's ability to crush ice makes it popular for making mixed drinks, fruit shakes, milk shakes, dressings, and smoothies. Blenders are good in what food processors fail at.
Choosing Blenders
Consumers often commit the mistake of buying just any blender because they have only one function anyway. What sets one blender above the other is the durability of its motor. A good blender can last for 20 years, so a durable brand that is a few dollars more expensive than an off-brand model can give your money's worth.
Blenders generally come in two types, countertop blenders and hand blenders. Countertop blenders are perfect for making smoothies, milkshakes, and ice-based drinks but they can be utilized to smoothen soups or puree ingredients required in some recipes. Hand blenders, also known as immersion blenders, are chiefly used for pureeing soups and sauces. Most models include attachments, which when attached, make immersion blenders useable for other tasks such as emulsifying salad dressings or whisking.
Important features to look for in a countertop blender are:
Capacity. A normal capacity blender can contain between 4 and 7 cups. Choose blenders with larger capacity to satisfy your thirst and avoid overflows.
Power. Look for higher wattage. A minimum of 350 watts is reliable enough to ensure powerful blending.
Speed. Blenders are built for speed for the best results. However, it is in your discretion to choose 15 speeds. The highest speed in most blenders in the same power range is about the same. Instead, look for 7-10 speeds while a pulse button is also very handy.
Design. Unless your blender sits on the kitchen countertop unused most of the time, performance should precede appearance. A sturdy base, easy-to-clean parts, and solid construction are very important features for a blender.
Material. Blender carafe may be made from plastic or glass. The former is lighter but is not as sturdy as the glass version, and is not scratch-resistant. Some blenders even have stainless steel carafe, which makes it impossible to see the inside.
Attachments. The number of attachments determines the number of tasks your hand blender can do. Many hand blenders come with attachments useful when whisking and chopping.
Safety. Some attachments can be sharp so find a model that can be used, cleaned, and stored safely. Also, find a brand whose parts are dishwasher safe.
Storage. Some models of hand blenders feature hooks or wall brackets to easily store them on countertops.
Blenders are a staple in any kitchen, so that taking care of them will lengthen their life.