What is a blender?
Blenders are a handy, time-saving kitchen appliance that can mix, puree or blend ingredients using a sharp, motorised blade. Far more efficient than mixing by hand, the rapidly spinning blades make light work of smoothies and milkshakes, or pulverising your baby’s meals during the early stages of weaning. If the model is suitable for hot liquids, you can even creating soups and pasta sauces packed with hidden veg.
Whether you opt for a personal, portable blender, a handheld stick blender or a jug blender, a blender can be used for both small and large quantities, including iced drinks, ice creams, pancake batter, bread dough, sauces such as hollandaise and mayonnaise, pesto, hummus and other dips.
Depending on the model, some make crushed ice, grind coffee and spices, make nut butters and will even mince meat. Check before buying that yours will do what you’re hoping for, but you might be surprised at just how versatile it is.
Is a blender the same as a food processor?
Whilst they’re similar, a blender and a food processor are not the same thing.
A food blender is generally recommended for liquid-based foods and drinks, such as soups and smoothies. In contrast, a food processor is suitable for dry ingredients like breadcrumbs and chopped vegetables.
It’s worth noting, however, that many modern, premium blenders are now capable of doing both. Generally, the more you spend, the sharper the blades and the faster the motor.
What should I consider when choosing a blender?
The right blender for you will ultimately depend on your lifestyle, cooking methods and the quantities of food you intend to create. Here are some key things to consider when making your choice.
Capacity: If you’re hoping to serve up soup for the entire family, a 500ml capacity isn’t going to cut it. On the other hand, using a large two-litre jug blender solely for one morning smoothie may be a little overkill. Consider your lifestyle and how you intend to use your blender before choosing between a handheld, personal or jug blender based on your needs.
Speed settings: Some blenders feature one fixed speed, while others have a boost button or variable speed settings for greater control. For the perfect texture, consider blenders with multiple speed settings. A pulse function can also be handy for thicker or sticky ingredients, such as jam or peanut butter.
Automatic settings: If you’re a little less confident in the kitchen, some blenders offer pre-sets for smoothies, soups and ice, ensuring you don’t over blend and leave unpleasant lumps behind.
Power (watts) and RPM: Generally, the more you pay, the more powerful the motor is and the more efficiently you can power through your ingredients. The higher the wattage, the more capable they are of accommodating hard or frozen ingredients such as nuts and ice.
Extras: What accessories are included? Extras can consist of everything from blade attachments to storage containers, recipe books and even connectable apps. If you plan to create smoothies, a cup and a travel lid can also be a really useful addition.
Cleaning: Many jug blenders now feature an auto-clean function, where you simply add water and washing-up liquid before pressing 'clean'. Also, check whether any parts are dishwasher-safe, and whether the jug and blades come apart easily to get that last bit of stubborn banana out at the end – the same applies to handheld and personal blenders.