What is a blender actually for?

[emsyj]

Serious question. We received a Dualit blender as a wedding present and I'm sure it was very expensive but I have no idea what it is for, and I am contemplating getting rid of it. It's been in the cupboard for 5 years now, so tell me - do I need it? What's it for??

Oh, don't. You can make smoothies with it, sauces and soups. Why not look online for some ideas?

I have a hand blender that I use for soups and sauces - the end goes in the dishwasher, no mess and no bother. The Dualit thingummy needs taking apart and cleaning - I can't be arsed! I don't like smoothies... Thanks LadySybil, it's definitely going!

I make batches of curry sauce in mine. Not advisable if your children want to make strawberry smoothies in it afterwards.

I'm actually going to making some home made soups this afternoon, my blender will be working hard today, going to do a lentil, Leek and Potato and Beetroot.

I have a Kenwood and the bloody thing leaks (I lost the seal and the replacement one is shit).

I'll buy it from you if you want to sell it!

I use a hand blender a lot.

Top tip - do not try to make hummous in either unless you have a lot of liquid.

Sweetcorn puree - just blend sweetcorn with a bit of low fat marge and salt/pepper. Children and fussy eaters love it.

I use a hand blender for most things.

I have a foodprocessor which came with a blender/grinder that I have only used for grinding up linseeds, so far. I am keeping it (in the back of the cupboard) in case I need to grind/blend things that are too small for the processor and need a lid on. It might be useful for grinding nuts for a nut roast, but I haven't made one for years...........

You can have it for free Lady if you live near me (north west).

Oh, sadly not (east midlands) but I'd be happy to pay for postage

OK, it's yours - can you PM me your address? I'm away this weekend so you will have to be a little patient whilst I sort out some packaging stuff and then I guess it will be best to send via courier? Or is normal post okay?? I don't want the glass jug to break, I can wrap it in lots of bubble wrap but I wouldn't like it to get jiggled around too much!

Really? Oh, THANK YOU!!

I'll pay for a courier, how's that sound? I'll send you a PM.

Thank you

No problem, it's a whole kitchen cupboard that can now be put back into use!

Oh, bravo mumsnet! Everyone's a winner!

Is anyone in need of a leaky Kenwood Smoothie machine? Works fine if you're near a sink. Doesn't like milk

We have recycling bins for small electrical items - Do you have a local facility?

I think it's time yours was given a new life now! It may come back as a sexy sleek ultra cool kitchen accessory.

I've started using my blender - which must be well over 25 years old now - a lot recently, having belatedly discovered that tomato based sauces are much nicer if the toms are blitzed first. But its started leaking.... are hand blenders the way to go nowadays? (it'll still work as a grinder).

Nope, it's miles away

It would make a lovely plant pot A bit leaky though.

Maybe it's the seal, Errol?

I have a veg phobic teenager who will drink veg if it's in a smoothie, I buy bottles with spinach and kiwi and he happily necks those but they get expensive. I'd like to make pasta sauces (with very hidden veg), and chicken soup (with hidden veg) but I can't put hot things in my kenwood

Aww! Poor Kenwood! Still I could think of worse things than retiring as a plant pot

I'd have to seal the hole at the bottom somehow. Shame no one needs an extra jug.

My mates kids refuse to eat veg so he blends them up and then adds gravy to them and blends it all together. His kids haven't noticed. They think they're just getting gravy.