The modern kitchen is inhabited by many household appliances that help the hostess more quickly cope with the preparation of any culinary masterpieces. And the blender among them occupies a well-deserved place of honor. The simplest device for mixing gas pipes, which appeared about 100 years ago, has now become a functional technique that can work with any products. The possibilities of new blenders continue to expand: now they not only mix, chop and beat, but also know how to chop ice, cut food into pieces, knead the dough and squeeze the juice. This small device has the potential of a food processor, but surpasses its compactness and ease of operation.
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The best blender manufacturers - which company to choose
There is a huge assortment of blenders of various brands on the Russian market: European, Asian and even domestic.
In terms of quality and reliability, household appliances of the following companies are leading:
1. Philips
2. Bosch
3. Braun
4. Bork
5. Kitfort
These brands have the widest range of blenders - for every taste and budget. But they are invariably distinguished by good assembly, high-quality and safe materials of manufacture, as well as convenient control.
You can choose a specific model of these manufacturers in our ranking best blenders. In the meantime, we offer to get acquainted with the possibilities of modern technology in order to decide which helper will bring more benefits in your kitchen.
The principle of operation and the device blenders
A blender is an electric kitchen mechanism that can chop products, make smoothies, puree, beat mousses, and prick ice. In its case there is a small but powerful electric motor that rotates the shaft very quickly with knives-nozzles.
Depending on the design of the device (stationary or submersible), its appearance and equipment may vary. In the first case, the motor hides in the desktop case. A large glass is put on top of it, where the chopping knives are already located on the central axis.
In the submersible models, everything is literally turned upside down: the motor is in the body-handle, and already from it the leg with sharp blades goes down. Thanks to this design, the equipment of hand blenders is much richer.
In addition to standard knives, you can already find here:
- Corolla;
- Thick spiral hooks for kneading dough;
- Capacity with internal blades, similar to a glass of stationary model - only with the top drive.
Types of blenders
With the principle of the two main types of blenders, we have already met. But there are also combined models that combine the capabilities of both devices. This is almost food processors, but not so bulky.
Now consider in detail the features of all types of blenders - because each of them has its own sphere of application and works with a specific set of products.
Stationary (desktop)
It is from the invention of the stationary blender that the history of this device began. The main purpose of the tabletop unit is to mix liquid products (hence its second name “shaker”). It is distinguished from manual ones by a mandatory glass with an airtight lid and knives at the bottom. The machine usually comes with a set of nozzles designed for grinding and mixing different products.
In the process, such a device practically does not require human participation. He has no equal in the preparation of cocktails, smoothies, sauces, batter for pancakes and omelets.Sealed container reliably protects the walls of the kitchen from splashes, and the high speed of rotation of the nozzles makes it easy to get air foam. However, this does not mean that the mechanism will not cope with the breaking of ice, grinding nuts, cookies, meat or fish. A good inpatient may have many useful functions.
Pros:
- Quickly copes with a large volume of products (if there is an appropriate glass);
- Convenient to use - no need to keep on weight;
- In the presence of self-cleaning function there are no problems with washing;
- Thoroughly chops products due to the low location of the knives;
- Even in cheap models there can be several speeds;
- The price is lower than the submersible model.
Minuses:
- Dimensions and heavy weight will make the kitchen look for a separate place for a blender;
- You can not cook several dishes in turn, without washing the glass;
- Copes poorly with boiled vegetables;
- No nozzle-corolla.
Submersible (manual)
These devices are much lighter and more compact than stationary ones. With them, you can grind products in any convenient dish, although many models often come with their own high-sided containers to prevent splashing. Immersion blenders are suitable for grinding fresh and boiled fruits, vegetables, mashed potatoes and mousses in a small volume. And the whisk turns the unit into a full-fledged mixer.
Pros:
- Compact size and low weight;
- The ability to grind products in any dish;
- Suitable for cooking baby food in small portions;
- Easy to wash;
- Maximum simplified management;
- Relatively low price.
Minuses:
- During operation, you have to keep the blender on weight;
- It copes poorly with the grinding of solid products (ice, nuts);
- Low power;
- Short cycle of work (after 20-30 seconds a pause is needed).
Combined (universal)
Such models include a shaker (often several of them of different sizes), in the lid of which you can install an immersion blender and many different nozzles for grinding, beating and rubbing. If necessary, a handheld device is used as an independent device.
Combined blenders often come with additional vacuum cups, through the lid of which a special pump draws air out. As a result, products are stored in a glass longer. The universal mechanism is able to do everything that stationary and submersible blenders are capable of: chopping, mixing and whipping.
Pros:
- Completely replaces stationary and immersion blender;
- A rich set of nozzles in the kit;
- There is a vacuum pump and appropriate containers for storing products;
- Compact and easier to maintain than a food processor.
Minuses:
- Compared to other blenders, it is rather cumbersome;
- Very expensive.
Blender selection options
To buy a quality blender that will easily cope with their work in the kitchen, meet your needs and serve in good faith for many years, you need to pay attention to the following parameters:
Power of the unit and the number of speeds
The quality of the grinding and the cooking time directly depend on the power of the device. The same indicator affects the functionality of the device.
In stores you can find units with a power range from 200 to 2000 W:
1. For the preparation of cocktails or omelet mixes usually have a minimum power of 250 watts.
2. Grinding of solid and frozen products will require at least 600 watts.
3. Cope with a large amount of ingredients can only unit, issuing from 1 kW.
High-power blenders, as a rule, have several speeds (up to 24), which allows you to choose the optimal mode for each type of product. However, you should not chase the redundant functionality - for everyday use, any hostess will have enough 5 speeds. But pay attention to the ways of their adjustment: smooth switching of modes is more convenient and comfortable than a stepped one.
If you cook a lot and often with a blender, you will like other features.For example, the turbo mode will allow for a short time to increase the speed of rotation of the knives. A pulsed will give the opportunity to control the degree of grinding in the moments of the engine stop.
Some models of immersion blenders can be wireless and battery powered. However, for mobility and independence from the location of the outlet will have to pay a decrease in power (up to 180-400 W) and greater weight. It makes sense to choose such a device if you cook simple dishes in small portions.
Manufacturing material
Submersible and stationary blender cases are made of stainless steel or plastic. Metal is more durable and more qualitative than plastic, but much more expensive and heavier, which should be considered when buying a hand model. Nevertheless, the submersible leg should ideally be just steel - this will allow you to work not only with cold, but also with hot dishes (for example, when cooking soup-puree).
For the hospital is much more important material bowl. And although the glass is quite fragile, and the replacement of the glass is expensive, it is better to give preference to it. Plastic containers are not as environmentally friendly, they are easily scratched, stained with products and can also crack when crushing hard ingredients.
Bowl volume
This parameter is important when buying a stationary unit. Here you will have to build on the appetites of your family and the number of liquid dishes that you will be preparing in a blender. On sale you can find glasses from 0.3 to 2 liters. But remember that the usable capacity will always be lower than stated - by about 200–300 ml for large bowls and by 50–100 ml for compact bowls.
Noise level
Too loud sound of the engine is able to deliver considerable discomfort, especially if your kitchen is combined with the living room. The maximum permissible noise level of a household appliance is 70 dB, but it is better to find something quieter.
When buying a device, be sure to ask the seller in the store to turn on the selected model and hear if the sound of the working mechanism is acceptable for you. And families with small children will have to look for silent aggregates where the engine is covered with sound insulating gaskets.
Equipment
Cheap models of blenders are often equipped with only the main knives, choppers. Multifunctional devices from reputable manufacturers can boast of a much richer set of nozzles. All of them greatly expand the capabilities of even the simplest blender, but at the same time increase its cost (barely). So it makes sense to pay extra, but to purchase an instrument with the maximum number of useful attachments.
Manufacturers offer other additional devices complete with a blender - their main task is to make work with equipment more convenient.
Additional useful elements of the blender include:
- Stand or wall mount for storing an immersion blender;
- Measuring cup for the exact dosage of the components;
- Vacuum system - for stationary models.
Which blender to choose
Before choosing a blender, make a list of all the dishes that are in your family menu, as well as a list of appliances already in the kitchen that perform similar tasks.
1. If you already have a mixer, a powerful electric meat grinder or a whole food processor at home, you should not buy an expensive multi-function device with a bunch of attachments.
2. For those who love to make cocktails, smoothies, cream soups, nut cream and batter, a powerful stationary blender with a large bowl (1.5–2 l) and an obligatory self-cleaning function will do.
3. For cooking baby food, homemade mayonnaise, whipped mousses and chopping boiled vegetables, it is better to choose an immersion blender with a capacity of at least 600 watts. It should have a comfortable rubberized grip and metal leg.
4. The combined model will please the hostess, who likes to cook a lot and in a variety of ways, but hasn’t yet acquired electric kitchen assistants. A universal blender will replace most of the necessary devices, though it will take quite a lot of space on the table.
5. The wireless device will be indispensable if the electrical outlet is far from the desktop or you frequently experience interruptions in the light.
How much does blender cost
1. The stationary blender on mechanical control can be purchased at a price of 700 to 50 thousand rubles, on an electronic one - from 1500 to 70000.
2. Submersible units are sold much cheaper. Their cost varies between 300–20000 rubles, depending on the power and popularity of the manufacturer.
3. For wireless models, prices are slightly higher - from 1 to 24 thousand.
4. The combined blender will be the most expensive - you will have to pay at least 7,000 rubles for it.
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