How to Select the Best Immersion Blender

These days most people have replaced their traditional blenders with hand held versions. There are a lot of reasons that you would do that but mostly it comes down to the fact that they are so much more convenient. If you are thinking about making the switch it is important that you take the time to do your research and learn how to find the best immersion blender.

The first thing that you are going to want to look at when you are selecting an immersion blender is what it is made out of. A lot of the cheaper ones are made of plastic which is not really a good choice. The main problem with plastic is that it is not very durable so your blender won't last for very long. The other problem is that as soon as you get any food on it the plastic will stain and you will never get it out. The best option is to go with stainless steel, this will ensure that you get years of use out of it.

The other big thing that you want to make sure of is that you choose one that is dishwasher safe. Amazingly there are a lot of them that aren't. Since the purpose of an immersion blender is to be used with food it has to be washed after every use. Not being able to put it in the dishwasher makes this a hassle. You will come to regret buying one that you can't put in the dishwasher.

Power is another important feature that you should be looking at when you are selecting an immersion blender. The more power you have the easier it will be to use. Ideally you should be looking for one that has at least 200 watts of power. This will ensure that you are able to use it on even the most difficult of foods. You will also find that the blender runs more smoothly and there will be less chance of getting splattered if you have lots of power.

One useful feature that is starting to appear on the better models is a chopping attachment. This allows you to use your immersion blender as a food processor getting rid of another appliance that you need. You will find that this makes it a lot easier to chop up foods since you can do it right in the pot that you are going to cook them in.

The Commercial Blender And Its Use In Cooking

A commercial blender is one of the most common appliances found in the kitchen. Sometimes called a liquidizer, this is a device that mixes food at high speeds in order to produce a liquid mass. Blenders are used for many different purposes such as to make purees out of vegetables like tomatoes, to emulsify liquids, or to crush ice to serve in mixed drinks and cocktails.

Usually blenders consist of a jug-like container with a removable lid, which is fixed on to an electrical mechanism. The jug has a series of blades protruding from the bottom. Depending on the make, these blades are generally constructed out of stainless steel. Recently a new type of commercial blender has appeared on the market - the hand held blender - which is a tube like device that has spinning blades on the tip of the tube. This blender is inserted into a bowl to get a similar effect. This is useful for mixing products like batter; however, it is usually not suitable for making purees or crushed ice.

A blender is not a food processor, and vice versa. Although these devices have many features in common, the main difference is that a food processor has many more functions and capabilities that enable it to shred, grate or slice different types of both soft and hard foods. On the other hand, a blender usually just mixes. There are many food processors which incorporate blender features into their design. As a result of this, blenders have dropped in popularity and subsequent production.

The commercial blender got a significant boost with the advent of the popular YouTube series "Will it Blend?" which featured many different items being blended on the Blendtec line of liquidizers. These items included whole chickens, iPhones, and marbles, and were usually reduced to powder. Other blenders have the ability to cook the products, as the speed at which the blades move produces enough heat to cook the item being blended.

Liquidizers vary in prices, depending on brands, features, as well as deals and discounts. Simple blenders with 30-50 ounce jars and two speed motors cost around $50-$100. These are fine for simple home usage; the more expensive models are usually used in bars and restaurants. These are high-performance models and usually have programmable modes, polycarbonate containers, are more durable and have noise reduction capabilities among others. However these can cost around $400 each.

Most home users prefer to spend less than this on a blender, but it should be advised that cheaper models can break down quicker with extensive use. A model which is both durable and cost friendly is usually the best, as opposed to one which can blend marbles.

Shopping for the Best Smoothie Blender

Summer season is almost here and the climate is going to start to get hot and humid. Perhaps one of the most refreshing drinks to prepare during the summer are smoothies. The only way to get smoothies are to pick some up from a smoothie shop or even much better, make them at home with a blender where you can set how much you want, what ingredients to include and you don't have to take a trip to a smoothie shop to get a revitalizing wholesome beverage. You will get great savings in the long run when you invest in a high quality blender that will have a wide range of other uses other than just preparing astounding smoothies. So you came here to find the best blender for smoothies, let's cover what to seek out when shopping for a new blender.

Capacity

The blender's capacity may vary from one to three liters. It may be best to get a bigger one if you have the space.

However, the first thing that you need to consider here is how much food you are going to blend at the same time. Some small blenders offer ease of storage due to its small capacity. Do not get these if you know you will be blending large amounts of ingredients.

Material

The material, specifically, the footing has to be strong. Make sure that the footing is dependable enough that the blender will not fall off the table while it is filled with ingredients and performing its duties. Stainless steel is the most effective material for this.

The containers may be glass or plastic. The ones made of glass are more substantial, and stronger but are more expensive than the models with plastic containers.

Features

Some blenders have a variety of attachments for several functions. You might have to change an attachment to whip cream or cut herbs. Make sure that if you needed these capabilities, the attachments take little time to detach and replace. Evaluate the difficulty of fitting another attachment by checking out other unbiased testimonials from buyers that have purchased the blender.

Some blenders also have an ice button which will be perfect if you need to crush ice. Also, there are blenders that have a small opening at the top to allow you to add small amounts of ingredients while blending.

Watts

This can differ from 500 watts for the smaller food processors to 1200 watts for the larger blenders. One with high wattage can blend quickly and easily. The only concern is that these blenders cost more.

How to Keep Blender Blades Sharp

One of the best ways to get more use out of your appliances is knowing how to take care of them. When it comes to chopping, pureeing and slicing, it helps to know how to keep blender blades sharp and unbent. How can taking these steps help you?

Less money spent on replacement parts Longer life span out of your appliances More efficient use means less power required A sharp blade slices faster and requires less recipe preparation time It really pays to know how to keep blender blades sharp and in ideal condition. There are a few steps you can take to maintain your blender. Rather than spending hundreds on a replacement, maintain the blades by:

Reading the manual do's and don'ts Know your blender motor's ability Never cram your blender over its recommended capacity Never use your blender to chop extremely solid or strong items it is not meant to chop Stick to the recommended settings for each use Many problems could be avoided when the manual is read and proper usage rules followed. You can easily learn how to keep blender blades in perfect condition with a few helpful tips from the manufacturer. Also keep in mind:

If the motor is hot, the blender should probably be shut off If the blades become stuck, the contents probably need shifted Blenders are meant for culinary use only An older blender may be more likely to break, so use with care If your model comes with a manufacturer's warranty and what that warranty covers You can learn how to keep blender blades in great shape by using your blender as recommended. Appliances will wear with time; however how long it takes for yours to break is up to how you use it!

Everything You Needed to Know About Hand Blenders

Hand blenders are also known under the names Immersion Blender and Stick Blenders. Some people also call them Bermixers, after a famous brand name. They were invented in Switzerland in 1950 by a man named Roger Perrinjaquet, and have been used in professional kitchens since around 1960. The last 30 years has since increased home usage of the appliance.

What is a Hand Blender? A hand blender is a kitchen appliance that is used to blend ingredients. Unlike a regular blender or a food processor - where the ingredients are put into a removable mixing bowl, a hand blender is handheld, with the ingredients staying in a regular bowl. The hand blender is then turned on, activating the blades, and is physically moved around the bowl, blending and pureeing the food as it goes. As well as increased portability, the main advantage hand blenders have over conventional blenders is the ease in which they can be cleaned. Most home hand blenders have a shaft of around 10-12 inches. Professional models can be up to double in size, and have more powerful motors.

What to Look for when Purchasing a Hand Blender The first thing you should consider when making a purchase is what you will use the hand blender for. More expensive versions have higher powered motors, which can cut through dry vegetables a lot easier than cheaper models. The way to compare the power is by looking at the wattage. You will find that top-end products can produce upwards of 400 watts of power. A cheap model may only produce 100-200 watts of power - this is fine for mixing shakes, batters and drinks, but may struggle with more solid foods. User friendliness can be a big issue. Some hand blenders have contoured handles for extra grip and comfort. Cheaper models may have a simple on/off setting, while more expensive items sometimes offer a range of speed settings, offering you more flexibility and control depending on what you are blending.

Size is another factor. The length of the shaft can vary between around 10 and 20 inches. You should bear this in mind if you only have limited storage space. If you are really stuck for space look for a hand blender which has a hanging hook at the end. It can then be hung up in a cupboard when not in use. It is also worth checking the cord length. If you have a large kitchen but limited plug sockets, then a 5ft or 10ft long cord may be a necessity. You should also consider what extras come with the product. Better models often come with more than one attachment, such as a whisk, and also often come with their own mixing bowl. If you plan to use the product on a regular basis you should also look at the length of the warranty included on it. One year should be included as standard, but the cheapest models may only have six months or less. The best thing to do when purchasing a hand blender is think about your requirements and shop around to get the best product to suit your needs, at the right price.

Vita Mix Blenders - Easy Homemade Drink - Mixing Flavors For All Parties and Special Occasions

Nutrition is the most important factor in choosing the food that you serve and that is the reason why Vita mix has been developing blenders that are capable of producing natural and healthy food for the whole family. Vita Mix blenders have been designed for the purpose of giving families a healthy food option that is fresh and home made.

There are a lot of varieties of Vita Mix blenders, but the most popular residential model is the 5200.

The Vita mix 5200 blender is built to outperform and outlast every blender that is out in the market today. Like all of their blenders, the 5200 is not just capable of producing healthy and nutritious food, but it is also durable and built with the highest quality materials available.

The 5200 blender features an Eastman Tritan™ copolyester container which is virtually unbreakable, chemical resistant and contains no BPA. The see through container lets you see the blending process from start to finish and has raised calibrations for easy ingredients measurement. The container can accommodate 64-oz./2.0 liters and the design forces the ingredients up from the blade and back down the center for consistent processing.

The Vita mix 5200 blender has variable speed control and can go from 11mph to 240mph, which is more than enough to facilitate a wide range of food preparation task. The high performance, cool running motor, specially designed for this blender, propels the blade for consistent results. The blender uses hardened stainless-steel blades with both hammer mill and cutting surfaces to break down the food and ice inside the blender to ensure smooth and consistent result.

The 5200 has a heavy-duty base that is made from fire retardant ABS plastic and thermal set polyester for safety and stability.

Vita Mix blenders are guaranteed to be made of high quality materials and advance technology that ensures healthy and easy to prepare meals for the whole family. So why look for something else, if nutrition for the family is what you are looking for then the 5200 blender is your best partner for a healthy and quality food for the family.

Choose the Best Pink Blender

If you are someone who cooks all day, then you will definitely want to get a good blender. You will not only want to get one that will get the job done, but you will also want to have one that looks good. Does a pink blender sound good to you?There are a lot of people who love to cook and when it comes to their blender, they will definitely want to have one that will match their kitchen and will also do a good job, for hey, what is a blender good for if it will only look good? We all know that women are a little more pretentious in regards to the things that they will like to buy and use and if you are also a woman and are tired in regards to the same boring and dull colors that you use blenders coming in nowadays, then how about getting a Pink blender?

There are many things that you will have to make sure to be aware of when you will buy a blender, so that the one you will choose will match the tasks you will put it through. In the last years, many companies have put out a lot of models on the market and this means that the customers will have a harder time finding one that will suite their needs and also their budget.

The first thing that you will need to consider when you will buy a blender is the power. This is something that will also make the price of the blender go up a lot or decrease, depending on the wattage. If the blender will have more power, then this means that the foods you will use to blend in it will be creamier and will be smoother to the taste.

The next thing you will need to take a look at is the blender's speed. But you should know that the power of the blender is more important than the speed, for you will not use all of the speeds of it most of the times. You will see that when you will cook, you will just need the first 2 or three speeds, which will be more than enough.

The blender pitcher is the next thing to look out for and you will see that the blenders will mostly have a capacity that will range between forty and sixty four ounces. It is recommended that you will always buy larger one, especially if you have around 4 family members.

Also, make sure that the blender you will buy will come with a warranty, so in case of anything going wrong, you will be able to get it repaired fast or get a new one.

5 Great Tips To Find The Best Blender For Your Money

Whether you're a home cook, a smoothie-shop owner, care about your health, or just big into DIY, a priceless addition to your kitchen is a quality blender. But just because it's priceless doesn't mean you want to pay any price for it.

Here are 5 great tips to help you find an awesome blender:

Power - This might not be the number one thing to look for in a blender, but it certainly does help with everything you might want to use it for. More power means you won't have to prep your foods as much when making a smoothie - don't chop your fruits into tiny pieces, just let the blender do it for you. And if your concoction is unusually thick, a powerful blender will be able to break right through it. Anything over 1HP should do well.

Blade design - All the horsepower in the world doesn't mean much if the blade design isn't good. The blades need to be able to create a vortex, pulling everything in the blender down into them to be chopped into a billion little pieces. It's also good to have blades that get close to the bottom of the pitcher, so that food pieces don't get stuck in that mystery zone between the blades and the bottom of the pitcher.

Has a plunger - Now, I know some of the high quality blenders out there claim that they don't need plungers at all. And if that were true, it would be great. But really, from what I've seen, no blender can really guarantee that it won't need some occasional josteling. Having a plunger that can jostel the food inside the pitcher while the blender is running is a huge advantage.

Can fit under cabinets - Having a blender that can't fit between a countertop and the cabinets overhead can be a real pain! I can't think of how many times I would have knocked over my blender if it didn't fit perfectly under my cabinets. And knocking over a blender while it's running would not be fun indeed.

Has a great warrantee - If you're going to get something you want to last for the long haul, you should really make sure it has a great warrantee. For our purposes, let's say it should have no less than a 7-year warrantee.

But What About The Price?

Right, the price! That's really the question here, isn't it? After all, if money was no object, it would be no problem finding a blender that satisfied all those requirements.

But finding one that will do that without breaking the bank is a different story entirely. That's where the Omniblend comes into play. By satisfying all of the parameters we listed above, and costing only $279 USD, this is truly the best blender for your money.

How to Use a Blender - Do's and Don'ts

A blender is a kitchen appliance used to mix ingredients or puree food. A blender operates via motor powered blades that rapidly rotate and chop, puree and mix foods. These appliances are an excellent kitchen tool that can save time and energy.

Blender Do's

Do use a continuous blend button or function when making drinks, cocktails, dressings, marinades and other foods and liquids that need mixing.

Do use the pulse button and function when blending foods that only need short bursts of power, like nuts and ice.

Do use the pulse button and function to blend drinks containing ice cubes or frozen fruit.

Do cut food into cubes, between 1 to 2 inches square, to achieve a smooth, even blended result.

Do fill the blender jar only 1/4 to 1/2 full when blending thicker mixtures or purees. This will help the motor and blades work more efficiently.

Do place liquid ingredients in the blender first, and then blend solid ingredients second, when using several different foods and liquids.

Do scrape down the sides of the blender jar with a spatula when blending thick or dry mixtures.

Blender Don'ts

Do not blend heavy mixtures for more than 10 seconds.

Do not run the blender continuously for more than 1 to 2 minutes.

Do not operate the blender unless the jar's lid is securely on top.

Do not place anything into the blender while the motor is running.

Do not use the blender jar as a storage container

Do not remove the blender jar from the base or housing unit while the it is operating. Always make sure the blender is off before removing the jar.

Do not overload your blender with too many ingredients in the jar at one time.

Best Blender for Crushing Ice

If you're researching the best blender for crushing ice, you probably already know that the Vitamix 5200 and the Blendtec Total Blender are not only considered the best blenders for crushing ice, but also two of the best blenders ever manufactured. The bottom line is that when it comes to crushing ice, you need a blender that can provide two things: a strong motor and finely crafted, durable blades. Choosing between the Vitamix and the Blendtec as the best blender for crushing ice is a difficult task, but there are some features and benefits that may sway your opinion in addition to the blender's ice crushing abilities.

If power were the only consideration for the best blender for crushing ice, then the Blendtec Total Blender would clearly steal the show. With an industrial grade motor that runs at 1560 WATTS, there isn't any food item you can put into this blender that it won't easily handle. This includes large and irregular pieces of ice. With the power of the Blendtec you can quickly crush enough ice to make all the frozen drinks or desserts you need, but it is a little loud. In a commercial kitchen or bakery this really wouldn't be an issue, but at home or in other quiet environments it might be. However, the Blendtec still remains in the running for the best blender for crushing ice not only because of its incredible power and speed, but also because it offers an automatic cycle feature where you can put the ice in, set the cycle and walk away- the Blendtec will automatically stop at the end of the cycle!

The Vitamix 5200 has been considered the best blender for crushing ice by many chefs and cooks for more than 30 years. While it might be a little less powerful than the Blendtec at 1380 WATTS, the motor of the Vitamix spins at an incredible 240 miles per hour, ensuring that any ice is thoroughly crushed in seconds. Additionally, the Vitamix offers heavy duty manual controls that allow the most extreme precision on the market. And while it might not have the automatic cycles that the Blendtec has, it is much quieter and therefore you don't need to leave the kitchen while your appliance is doing its job!

When considering the best blender for crushing ice, the warranty offered is critical- especially if you will use the appliance to consistently crush a lot of ice. The Blendtec offers a more powerful motor and one of the industry's best warranties: 3 years on the base and motor and a lifetime warranty on the blade assembly. The Vitamix is quieter and offers an incredible 7 year warranty that includes parts, labor AND shipping!

Either the Vitamix 5200 or the Blendtec Total Blender could easily be considered the best blender for crushing ice, but with all of their other features and benefits, both blenders would also be in the running for the title of best blender overall!

Care Tips For Your Personal Blender

Personal blenders suit a small kitchen with limited storage space and they are therefore very good choices for single people or those who live in a dorm kind of setting. You can use a blender for making delicious smoothies or even baby food when you purchase the best for your blending need. Besides looking at features such as capacity, speed, ease of operation, blades and settings, you must also know how to properly clean and use your blender. This is the only way your high quality kitchen appliance will be able to serve your needs for longer.

Cleaning tips

· Make sure you clean the blender immediately after using it. It is a simple way of avoiding caked-on residue that can be harder to clean.

· To ease the cleaning process, add warm water and a drop of dish washing detergent into an empty jar then blend. You can repeat and then run clean water to ensure that you thoroughly clean it.

· Wash the lid completely and only use a damp cloth or sponge for the base of the blender. Never immerse your blender in water or rinse under running water.

· For blenders that have cutting assemblies that are dishwasher safe, separate them from jar and wash in the dishwasher for a thorough clean.

· Always follow the care and use guide provided with your blender for the best and specific cleaning recommendations that will save your unit from damages.

Troubleshooting tips

· If you are experiencing blender leaks, tighten the cutting assembly on the jar, ensure that the lid with filler cap is tightly pushed down on the jar and gasket is not damaged, missing or twisted. If there are visible damages, then order a replacement or seek repair solutions if any are possible.

· For jammed blades, turn off blender and reduce load; you can do this by reducing size of chunks or adding enough liquid. If they still don't turn, unplug and unscrew jar base and check for any food buildup, wash blades and rinse before screwing back on and trying again.

· If you seem to be having trouble dispensing your food, check dispenser lever and ensure it is in the down position. For solid food or beverages that are ultra-thick, consider pouring from the jar instead. For any dispenser leaks, check seal rings and ensure they are in place on dispenser lever and spout.

Safety tips

· Never put cord, base or plug in water or near liquid to avoid electrical shock.

· Never leave the blender unattended, especially when using near children and unplug from outlet immediately you are finished using.

· Avoid any contact with the moving parts and never operate if the plug or cord is damaged.

· Be careful when handling the blades either during cleaning or assembling. They are sharp and can be dangerous if mishandled.

· Never use a chipped, cracked or broken blender jar. You should also avoid using cutting blades that are cracked, loose or broken.

· Keep utensils and hands off blender container when it is operating to reduce chances of getting injured or damaging the blender. A rubber spatula can be used, but it should also be used only when the blender is not off.

Creating a Perfect Mix With the Right Hand Blenders

If you are having difficulty using your big blender in making your favorite smoothie, then it is the perfect time for you to make the switch to high quality hand blenders. You will surely be glad that you made such a decision.

Popular stick blenders such as the braun hand blender are essential kitchen devices that are configured to be immersed into whatever you are presently blending. Some of these blenders come with separate containers, while other variants do not. If you are intending to buy the standard right blenders, make sure that you have a high-sided vessel in which you can blend your favorite smoothies.

This class of blenders comes in various wattages, within the 200W and above 700W range. You will have to be precise on the type and kind of blending that you desire and the results that you want to get. If you are using blenders primarily for smoothies, then you definitely would want to get one that is strong enough to give you the consistency of a perfect smoothie, although you may not need the power required to produce fruit or vegetable purees. A perfect choice for smoothies would be the 200-300W hand blenders.

A good pick for this kind of job would be a 200W braun hand blender that comes with a separate blending container. The blender must be configured in a way that will allow you to easily detach the power from the wand with a simple twist. This makes cleaning more convenient for you. This is an important feature of your blender, and you must be sure that it is present in the blender that you are planning to purchase. You must also remember that the wattage is just one of several factors that you need to consider when choosing the right hand blender. You must also take into consideration the sharpness and shape of the blades.

The good thing about these blenders is that it is an incredible device in the hands of a person who knows how to use them. Stick blenders can be used to mash or puree fruits and vegetables straight from the soup pot. You can also make assorted baby foods with it. In short, you can use hand blenders in making just about anything where small quantities are needed to be blended.

It is a powerful device only if you fully understand its limitations. For instance, even for blenders with higher wattage, users are warned not to use them to crush ice cubes since this can seriously damage the motor and blades of the blender. It is also important that you use your blender no more than a minute at a time to prevent the motor from overheating. A 200W hand blender can easily handle crushed ice. However, it is still incumbent upon you to check the instructional manual before you use it on crushed ice. It is also essential that you cut the power if the motor stalls. Failure to do so can seriously damage the motor.

The Benefits of Immersion Blenders in the Kitchen

Immersion blenders are one kitchen tool that is often forgotten. However, owning one means that you have the secret to making soups, sauces, smoothies and other liquid items with the flip of a switch. There are numerous benefits to owning an immersion blender. When used properly, you can turn the average kitchen into a gourmet kitchen and impress anyone with your blending skills.

Full Liquid Immersion

The biggest downfall of regular blenders is that you are often left with chunks of whatever you are blending because the blades only reach so far. Most foodies will agree that this can be very annoying when you want a smooth a creamy sauce, soup or smoothie. With the hand held blender you can insert it all the way into the liquid and still get the best blending results. In addition to that, by inserting immersion blenders all the way into the bottom of the substance, you reduce the amount of splatter. Finally, hand held blenders are perfect for wisking soups or sauces without putting extra strain on your wrist.

Portability

Generally when you need a blender you think of your big bulky machine that is heavy and does a less than perfect job. An immersion blender is small and compact. Many come with a wall mount for easy storage. If you are traveling for a holiday or event, packing your hand held blender is a breeze. Choosing the best immersion blenders for your needs will depend on your price range, feature preference and planned use. For the average kitchen chef, a low-end blender can be perfect, but if you plan to use your hand held blender several times per week, then it is best to invest in a high end model that will last longer and likely come with a warranty.

Quiet and Easy to Clean

Anyone who loves to cook and socialize knows that using a regular blender can be obnoxious. Most blenders are very noisy when running, however this is not the case with the best immersion blenders. These kitchen tools are quiet due to the hard plastic encased motor. One of the reasons that so many people prefer the hand held blenders is because they are easy to clean. Unlike regular blenders which require numerous parts to be washed, an immersion blender has a few simple parts that unattach and can be washed with ease.

Immersion blenders are the preferred choice for a kitchen tool by serious chefs. They make it simple, quick and easy to blend potatoes and other ingredients into mouthwatering soups and seasonings and milk into a savory sauce. Even the best immersion blenders can be found affordably priced at less than $100. It is always best to choose a model that comes with a warranty for the first year. While these tools are typically built to last, there is always the potential that the motor will wear out and need to be replaced. The hand held blender is the perfect tool to replace any traditional blender for mixing, chopping and pureeing ingredients.

Food and Drinks Blender Buying Tips

Almost every kitchen has at least one blender.  There are many different makes and models out there to choose from, and now there are even multi colored blenders that are affordable.

Most blenders are versatile small appliances that you can fit into any budget.  Blenders can do the job of several other kitchen tools such as a food processor, a juicer and even a coffee maker. This is due to the fact that blenders are powerful enough to mash vegetables and fruits and turn it into thick purees like a food processor. They can make juices, cocktails and smoothies like an ordinary juicer, too.  Another popular feature of a blender is that you can buy coffee beans and enjoy freshly ground coffee.  These are just a few examples of the endless list of uses for a blender.

Is it time to buy a new blender?  Do you already have one, but have it hidden away somewhere, and rarely use it?  Have you noticed that blenders are now coming in shapes and sizes to ompliment any kitchen?  This article is going to show you why you should be using a blender, and why you might consider buying another one if you already own one.

Blenders are used to create healthy food and drinks for you and your family.  If you are on a specific diet plan or have turned vegetarian, you will be amazed  by the usefulness of this small appliance. Now is a great time to buy a new blender.  Here are some tips on how to find a good blender.

1. You can never go wrong by choosing the best brands.

One of the best blender brands in the market year after year is the Oster. The company has the honor in the apliance field of having the name "blenders" often called "osterizers".  This is the same way that you often hear "tissues" called "Kleenex".  The Oster brand blenders are the top of the line, and might be the most expensive.  However, it is known for being sturdy, and worth the money.  Especially  if you are going to make shakes and smoothies, or protein blended drinks often. These drinks necessitate crushing hard ice to give them that extra special taste and texture.

If you are going to be  crushing coffee beans, the Oster blender will not have any problem with multiple uses. You can also use the blender to chop nuts for garnishes or to add to cooking.   If you are going to use the blender for mainly making purees or juices, and not crushing a lot of ice, you can probably settle for the cheaper brands that are also well suited for this purpose. While a cheaper blender will crush ice, nuts, and coffee beans, remember not to overdo it just in case.  Pay attention to how hard your blender is having to work to complete these tasks.

2. Do not buy a used blender

If you can avoid buying a used blender, you should.  Used blenders can last a long time, but you never know how much wear and tear it has on it, or how it was stored and taken care of. Your blender will be a well used appliance so getting a new one gives you the advantage of being able to exchange it if you are not completely happy with it.  However, if you are sure that the second hand blender has not been used often, then it will probably be a good buy, and you can learn whether or not you want to upgrade to a new one in the near future.

If you are going to buy a used blender you should check the product and make sure that there are no cracks in the container and the stainless steel blades are in good shape.  Check the seals on the blender, too, so you know that it is not going to leak, and make sure there are no oil leaks or grease built up around the base.

3. Get a blender powerful enough to meet your needs.

The amount of power a blender has will vary by the model and the manufacturer.  Not all blenders are the same. You will want to know if the type of blender you are considering will be able to crush a lot of ice, if you want to make lots of drinks that need it.  Remember there are a lot of blender types available, and get your questions answered before you buy.

Making purees, or crushing cooked veggies, or most raw veggies, won't need the same power requirements as a blender that you want to use for making peanut butter, or grinding a lot of coffee.

4. Pick the size of a blender that fits your kitchen.

There are different sizes of blenders now, and there are even different colors of the same model.  When you shop for a blender have an idea where you want to keep it.  Look for one that has the size that meets your storage needs.

To summarize, there are several blender choices available now including different sizes, power for a variety of purposes, and price ranges.  When you are ready to buy a new blender be aware of what you are going to want to use it for, and how often you plan on using it.  Blenders can and should be used daily to add to a healthy diet, and just making good food and beverages.

Cuisinart Stick Blender

When you're looking at this stick, I bet the thing that crosses your mind wouldn't be a state of the art blender. After all, you would expect a blender to be traditional looking, not something the shape of a stick.

But like they say, don't be fooled by this blender's outside appearance because when it comes to whipping things up, the Cuisinart stick blender can beat all competitor's by a handsome margin.

When you buy the Cuisinart stick blender, you don't just get a blender per se - the whole package comes equipped with stainless steel blade, a shaft which you can attach or detach according to the occasion, housing for the motor and a mixing beaker. Just all the things you need to ensure that your mixing and blending are done as perfectly as possible!

Unlike some other blenders, you will find that the Cuisinart stick blender has a handle that you can grip easily. No worries when it comes to holding on to things when you are mixing stuff. You will also love the mixing beaker because it gives you flexibility to mix anything and everything that you like - from shakes to sauces, it is all in your hands.

A great advantage of the Cuisinart stick blender is the fact that you can mix and blend things of all shapes and sizes without much fuss. Normal blenders would come with their own mixing bowls which are of a certain size. Now what happens if you want to blend a quantity which is more than the mixing bowl can allow. It would be a huge hassle to have to mix everything in batches.

Not to mention that way would be really time consuming as well. On the other hand, the Cuisinart stick blender gives you the flexibility to blend and mix as many items as you can, as long as you have a bowl large enough to blend it in, of course.

Another thing you should look out for with this Cuisinart stick blender is the user manual that serves as a guideline on the most appropriate usage for the items that you will find together with the blender. This information also includes cleaning instructions.

You will also find a recipe or two in the user manual which gives you a general guideline of how you would want to use the Cuisinart stick blender for your cooking purposes.

Of course, if you are not very familiar with the blender, there might be a few things you are not aware of. Basically, a rule of thumb when using the Cuisinart stick blender is to ensure that you turn it off before pulling it out of the mix, and only turn it on when it is fully covered by the ingredients that you are mixing.

That will really allow you to fully optimize the usage of the Cuisinart stick blender. And to top it off, this blender comes with a 3-year warranty so rest your uneasy mind!

Blender Food Processor Produced by Cuisinart

When it comes to blenders, nothing comes to mind as quickly as those in the Cuisinart range. There are so many choices and variables to choose from that you will be hard put to pick just because everything seems too good to be true. Whichever way you look at it, you are bound to find something that is just right for you.

One thing about the Cuisinart brand that many people might or might not be aware of - it has long been many professional chefs secret weapon because most of them have been known to use the Cuisinart blenders at one time or another.

As such, you know that you have their seal of approval because the Cuisinart blenders are just that excellent. Now, for the first time, Cuisinart blenders have been designed to be suitable for home use so that the chefs at home can have a go at this wondrous appliance as well.

Even though smaller in size to accommodate home use, the many functions of this blender has not changed in the least. If you are serious about cooking, the Cuisinart food processor is definitely something you want in your kitchen.

So now that you have decided to buy one, there are a few things which will help you capitalize on usage of the Cuisinart blender food processor. First off, how big is your immediate family i.e. the people that you cook for most frequently.

If you have a small family, then of course it wouldn't make sense if you bought the biggest capacity Cuisinart blender because at the end of the day, you wouldn't be able to get back in terms of the additional cost. Think of it in the sense that you must really understand your usage of the blender.

Now, in terms of costing, of course the Cuisinart blender costs slightly more than your average conventional blender. However, do think in terms of the range of things that the Cuisinart can do for you and your cooking as opposed to the mechanisms of a normal blender.

The Cuisinart blender helps you mix, blend, chop and slice - you just need to change the parts to achieve whatever you want in your cooking. No longer do you have to purchase all sorts of individual parts in order to do what the Cuisinart blender can do for you.

On top of that, you would have all sorts of replacement parts in your disposal. If any part of the Cuisinart blender fails on you, rest assured that you will be able to purchase additional or replacement parts easily.

As such, you don't even need to worry about how long the blender will last you because you no longer need to purchase a brand new blender if something fails. It is really simple - just replace the part of the blender which no longer functions properly!

If that still fails to convince you, how is this fact: purchase a Cuisinart food processor and get warranty for up to 3 years. Isn't that a great deal?

3 Surprising Foods You Can Make in a Blender

The Ninja blender 1100 is one of the latest kitchen appliances that every household should own, to help you create sensational dishes with ease. Many people own blenders, and never unleash their full potential. A superb quality blender can help to produce a large amount of surprising foods, which you probably did not realize were possible with a blender.

Whether you want to make delicious pizza dough, magnificent ice cream, or healthy and warming soup the Ninja blender 1100 can create them all. Using different blades and speeds, every single one of these surprising foods can be prepared and made with the help of the blender. Blenders are so much more than simply a kitchen appliance to create smoothies. They are versatile, affordable kitchen aides that will make your life easier.

Soups, Mmm Mmm Good!

Soup is something that everyone enjoys eating; however, many people think that it is far too complicated to make. You will surprise yourself at how easy it is to make fresh, healthy soup for all of the family with the Ninja blender 1100. By simply placing the chopped vegetables into the blender, and adding hot water you will be able to create delicious soup. If you require it to be thicker, adding pureed beans are perfect and full of flavor.

Blender Ice Cream

Ice cream is ideal for every situation, and can be easily mixed using the Ninja blender 1100 to create smooth, delicate ice cream for the whole family. The secret to the perfect ice cream is creating the ideal blend, and the Ninja blender 1100, can assist you. The added power in the blender will ensure that the ice cream is mixed perfectly. Once it is mixed the ice cream will need to be placed in the freezer, but can be served within 12 hours.

No-Knead Pizza Dough

Pizza dough is another fantastic item which can be made easily in the Ninja blender 1100. By using the specially crafted dough paddles, you will be able to knead the dough until it is the perfect consistency. Both the paddles and dough hooks allow you to make the ideal dough for your pizza without all the hard work traditionally needed.

The dough paddles on the Ninja blender 1100 are ideal for making large quantities of pizza dough and cookie mix. The Ninja blender 1100 is the ideal addition to your kitchen and will help you to create exciting and new ideas. Whether you want the perfect dough for your pizza, healthy smoothies, incredible ice cream or delicious cookies this blender is there to help.

Kitchenaid 5 Speed Blender Review

The KitchenAid 5 Speed Blender

Due to the line of brands and models that you can find in the market, looking for the one reliable blender that will perform and provide results like what you expect can be very challenging. For the lover of frozen concoction, he or she will do anything just to find the best product out there and the best way to achieve this is to look for a dependable product review and the KitchenAid 5 Speed Blender can be one of the most excellent choices.

What is with the KitchenAid 5 Speed Blender?

This model of blender has a durable feature and performs superior in its tasks. Without a doubt, the KitchenAid 5 Speed Blender is among the choices that you need to take a look at. This is not just made for crushing ice and creating frosted drinks but this can also make puree vegetables and create different blending tasks in the kitchen. You will be able to get the product you need in just a few seconds.

The KitchenAid 5 Speed Blender has high-quality materials guaranteed to deliver an excellent performance for any purpose you'd like to use it for. This has fantastic features that even children can use this blender safely. This also is available in different finishes and colors. The KitchenAid 5 Speed Blender is not an ordinary machine since you can select among great colors that will fit the theme of your kitchen. Moreover, you can even select a model that matches with the design of your kitchen. Just pick one among the array of choices that you have.

Another excellent feature of this is that you can easily clean this product. Cleaning this using the dishwasher can make this product immaculately spotless again. You don't need to detach parts because this blender can eliminate food traps on its own. This blender is also known for the Intelli-Speed technology which is one attribute to make that the product works fast and with consistency. This has a 0.9 HP motor blade that complements the pitcher in order to achieve the result of the Intelli-Speed system. You will only need a few minutes to get the results you need. These are great features of the KitchenAid 5 Speed Blender and any home will be happy to have this. The value of this product is between $95 and $120.

The product is 7.2 x 9 x 15.2 inches and weighs 11 pounds. The capacity of its jar is 56 ounces. The pitcher is made from polycarbonate which can be washed safely in the dishwasher and has a soft-grip handle that makes it easy to use. The blade has four levels with patented stainless blade. Through this design, airflow is regulated and results to fast and effective blending of ingredients.

Another great thing about the KitchenAid 5 Speed Blender is that this comes with one-year replacement warranty. The product works for chopping, crushing ice, mixing, pulsing, liquefying, stirring and pureeing. Again there are a number of colors that you can select from. The other features of this product include an ice crusher, pour spout and cord storage.

Despite of the fantastic features of the KitchenAid 5 Speed Blender, the customers complain of some things they have noticed in the product such noise when it is operated at top speed. Some customers complained about container leakage, but KitchenAid released a jar in 2008 in order to have a secure and stable design.

12 Simple Kitchen Tips To Save You Time, Effort and Money

We spend a lot of time in the kitchen...cooking, washing the dishes and other kitchen chores. Three times a day we prepare meals and have to deal with all the cleaning that comes with them. Oftentimes, we are faced with spoiled food. Some kitchen tips, which will save us some money, save us time and make the kitchen a safer place, come in handy. Here are some which anyone can adapt.

Preserving Food

It's always good to know of ways to prolong the life of and preserving food, cooked or raw. It will save you money and trips to the grocery or market because you can buy in bulk.

1. You can save yourself trips to the bakery if you buy bread for several days. Keep it fresh by storing in the freezer. It won't harden. Take it out of the freezer and allow it to reach room temperature before consuming. You'll find out that it's just as fresh as when you bought it.

2. Flour can also be kept in the freezer to prevent weevils from growing in it. It won't harden or become lumpy in the freezer.

3. When storing vegetables in the refrigerator, keep them fresh by wrapping them in towels. The towel will absorb the moisture which makes vegetables rot easily.

4. Keep onions in the refrigerator to avoid shedding tears when slicing them.

5. You don't have to throw away left-over tomato-based pasta sauce. Keep them in the freezer and they won't get spoiled. You can just heat it in the microwave when you want to serve it.

Cleaning

Cleaning all those kitchen utensils, gadgets and tools can be tedious; techniques that can hasten it provide relief.

1. Baking soda is a great aid in cleaning those greasy pots and pans. Add some to your liquid soap and see those grease dissolve.

2. When preparing a large amount of vegetables, spread old newspaper on your work table. Once you're done, you can just simply roll up the newspaper and save yourself some cleaning.

3. Fine sandpaper is a great way to remove stubborn stains from stainless steel pots and pans.

Safety

The kitchen is a place where accidents seem to always wait to happen. Keep it safer with these safety tips for cooking.

1. When frying food that will make the oil splatter, turn off the heat first before putting in the food. Turn it on again once you have placed the food in. I've had burns on my hands and face due to oil that splattered all over.

2. Overheated fat or oil is dangerous. Never heat oil in the pan for too long or leave and do something else if you don't want a flaming pan. Fires have started from burning pans.

3. If you got yourself a burning pan, the first thing to do is to turn off the heat. Never throw water into the pan. Cover the pan with its cover or a wet rag or towel.

4. Do not use a round-bottomed pan for frying because it is prone to tipping.

The tips given here may be simple but they can make kitchen chores a little easier and buy you some time for yourself or other matters that need your attention.

9 Tips to Use and Care For Your Kitchen Blender For Optimum Performance

If you've spent a fair amount of money on a blender you would want it to last a few years if not more and for it to give you top performance every time. Not all blenders are made equal and where one blender crushes ice better another might be good for just soups and mixing batters. As a general rule, if you have a jar blender that is 500 watts and above in power and with stainless steel blades it would satisfy most needs from pureeing and blending sauces to crushing ice. The rest they say is in the use and care of the blender.

Liquids First

Put in a liquid first followed by small berries or chunks of soft fruits, then chunks of harder fruits and veggies and lastly ice.

This allows the blender to whip up the liquid creating a vortex thus pulling in the chunky ingredients downwards like a little whirlpool. Once in motion the blades will take effect more efficiently making it less likely for food to get caught between the blades or between the blades and the bottom of the jar.

Start at Lowest Speed and/or Pulse First

Always start at the lowest speed and then pulse a few times to get the ingredients ripped into smaller pieces. Increase speed gradually until you reach the consistency you desire. Allow blender to achieve full speed before changing speed settings.

Always Cap the Lid with Your Hand

Hold the lid down with one hand even if the lid is firm and tight. The blender vibrates when working and unless the lid is locked or clamped on there is always the likelihood that it may come off and the mess can be disastrous.

Hot Liquids

Blend hot liquids with caution and ensure the inner cap of the lid is taken off for steam to escape and hold down the lid with a dish cloth in your hand.

Chop fruits and Vegetables

Chop fruit and vegetables before blending into sizes small enough that they fit the bottom of the jar.

Do Not Overwork the Blender

Blend a little at a time if necessary and do not over fill the jar of the blender or run your blender on for too long even on low speed because this will overwork the motor and cause it to burn. A blender is not meant for mashing potatoes, mixing stiff dough or grinding raw meat and such. It is meant for liquidizing food.

Do Not Shake Unit While Blending

Do not shake or move the jar of the blender or the whole appliance while it's working as this action will cause your blender to wear out prematurely and the warranty will not cover the damage as a result of such action.

Wash immediately

Wash the blender jar immediately so that the liquid does not form a crust. It will also leave less stain on a plastic jar. Wash by filling the jar half full with water, a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid and pulse for a few seconds. Sponge it down and rinse well after. Never immerse the motor component in water.

Dry the blender jar upside down on a drying rack to air dry naturally. This ensures that no water collects around the drive shaft and do not soak the jar over a long period as water may get into the bearing and will shorten the life of your blender.

Storing

Never store the blender jar with its contents in the freezer. This will damage the blades and jar. When the blender is clean and dry store the blender jar and lid separately or just place the lid lightly over the jar without closing it firmly. This maintains the best seal of the lid when in place during blending.

Cuisinart Blenders the Smart Power Blender

When people go out, and look for a blender there are many different things to take into consideration when trying to purchase a new blender. Many people look for different things when in the market for a new blender, and it just takes some shopping around to find the right one for you, and your family. The cuisinart blenders are great blenders made not only to be a great addition for your family, but also made in a way to be space saving, and help you complete more then one job.

Most blenders just do one thing, like made drinks, or made to blend dough, but with the cuisinart blenders there are many different attachments you can add to the blender to make it complete more then one job. You just need to do some research on the cuisinart blenders, and see if they would be right for you, and your family.

The best blenders have become very popular in the united states, since their initial introduction into the United States in 1973, the company was created from France. Nowadays you will see the cuisinart blenders in almost every commercial store in America, where you can find all different kinds of blenders.

The reason the blenders have become so popular in the United States is because not only the space saving qualities of the machine, but also people like how you can just use one machine, and complete a entire family meal. So if you look back on what we have said here, the cuisinart blender would be a great addition to your family, and you should give the company a try.

There are many different kinds of attachments you can add to the cuisinart blenders, like for instance different things like food processors, or maybe a meat grinder if you need one in your home. Many people purchase the blender because of these things, they like how they can complete an entire family meal with just one machine, and not have to switch between tools.

What's Best For You? A Counter Top Blender Or a Hand Blender?

Once you have looked over all of the options, read reviews and did your shopping, you have finally chosen to purchase your blender!

Now, one of the most important things you have to do is read the instructions and take care of this purchase so that it will last you for a very long time.

The measures that you will have to take for keeping your kitchen blender in its best condition depends on the type of blender you decided to purchase.

There are two basic types of blenders:

Your stationary counter top kitchen blender. You know, the kind that mom had when you were a kid? Yeah, I remember those days...oh, where was I? Oh yes, there are also hand blenders (also called immersion blenders).

The two are quite different regarding appearance and functionality.

Stationary blender would be useful if you intend to frequently cook mashed potatoes, sauces and mix cocktails. This device works independently, but it is quite lengthy compared to the blenders.

Immersion blender is useful for grinding and mixing vegetables.

It is compact, takes up little space in the kitchen, but it should be kept in the hands during work. Let us dwell on the specifics of each of these types of blenders.

Your stationary blenders are equipped with a jar normally glass or plastic and base on which it is attached, the blades rest in the bottom of the jar, some are detachable and able to be removed, while others have the blades affixed to the jar.

To use this type of blender one simply puts all the items into the jar, selects the desired speed and you are off and blending!

A stationary blender will give you a variety of soups, puree', sauces, and even make some baby food and batter, right up to chopping ice for mixed drinks.

The big feature with a stationary blenders is that they are equipped with automatic cleaning function. In this case, after the end of cooking, you will simply pour a cup of warm water and press the 'cleaning' button or whatever speed you desire.

Your blades will rotate, and water will wash the inner surface of the jar and blades. I still think you should wash them by hand myself, but some people that cleaning setting is enough for.

While an Immersion blender is different in design, it holds some of the same utility as a stationary blender.

The hand blender has an elongated shape and two-blades for mixing and grinding at the end of the blending rod.

This is a manual utensil that is immersed in a container of food, or whatever you want to blend or puree. Immersion blenders are very useful for chopping small quantities of products, including onions, garlic, herbs, and nuts. In addition, it can be used to mix mashed potatoes and sauces.

The care and cleaning of a hand blender will not take you long time - all the parts come right off, most of them are even dishwasher safe. The hand blender is generally used for smaller one or two person tasks while the counter top version is for bigger or harder to do jobs such as making smoothies and ice cold mixed drinks!

The Many Uses of a Hand Blender

Are you wanting to create a puree? It really is not likely that you will want to move the prepared produce onto that cutting board dice them up, put them in a special cup puree these more, and then from there pour once more, inside saucepan.

You can merely take a hand blender, put it in a pot, start and soon after a while your puree is actually prepared. A hand blender is also great to get little meals, whenever you need to prepare something scrumptious for you along with your kids.

A hand blender is a multi-functional device that can grind many items (including, onion, garlic, herbs, nuts), will be able to combine mashed potatoes, salsas as well as gravy, whip cream and best of all, make cocktails.

One of the best ways application for one is for small helpings, so it is normally fundamental in the preparation of baby nutrition. Such type of blenders are known as "stick blender", "rod chopper" or Immersion Blender - a gadget which appears to may resemble a pestle, with a nozzle made from stainless steel or even plastic.

The moment you turn it on from a button situated on the body. These rotor blades within the shaft crush the food. Normally sold in the form of set the blender commonly comprises of the actual hand blender itself, and (or) a knife, chopper, preparing cup, measuring container as well as wall bracket.

Technology does not remain still, the direction toward betterment resulted in the breakthrough of "multi-component" (also called "blender-mixer", or "vertical mixer"). In fact, this is hand blender with additional attachments.

There are plenty of popular brand names of which design hand blenders. The one which runs on re-chargeable battery power as an example originates from the recognized brand name Cuisinart with its Smart Stick Plus, By using this particular blender comfort takes on a totally fresh meaning. This hand blender brings together the latest wireless know-how and present day style, offering top independence and usability.

Hand Blenders like the one from Dualit turns into highly effective, convenient and crucial helpers in your kitchen. Thanks to its small size, they are easy to use, stow and wash. Blender comes with an motor capacity of 500 watts, variable speeds, a pulse options and incorporates Several attachments from the whisk, the mixers, a chopper and much more!

With it you are able to grind nearly every ingredients. As a result of its unique caps that ward off splattering, you may manage the power and make certain that all food will be left inside the pan.

The Safest Way to Use Your Blender

So you've decided to purchase your very own blender, you have chosen to purchase a very powerful little machine, with blades that can spin anywhere from 10 all the way up to 200 miles an hour or more. Choosing a kitchen appliance that can easily turn most vegetables and meats into a fine paste. Imagine what it could your fingers or other limbs if you happen to be using a carelessly.

While this can be a very useful tool, it is of course up to you, the consumer to make sure that this device is handled safely and properly. So I'm going to go over some of the most common ways to use the blender safely to help reduce injury and give you many years of blending joy.

Many of these should be common sense to most users, but they do bare repeating as some people believe they can take shortcuts and get the work done faster with minimal to no risk to themselves.

Before you fire up your blender, all of your product should be cut into pieces, do not fold or shove whole fruit or product in your blender. It only takes a few seconds, and this can save your engine a whole lot of wear and tear, keep your blade sharper, and stop things from flying out and possibly causing damage to you, your blender, and keep you from repainting your walls with citrus juice.

The fewer ingredients of the time you place in your blender the better, while your blender can work very well with up to three or four ingredients. If you start cramming 10 to 20 ingredients in at a time, you're bound to run into problems especially considering the jar is not very big, even 64 ounce jars which is one of the largest business cannot compare to the amount of mass that 25,000 carrot sticks takes up.

Many recipes for your blender contain some amount of liquid, this helps things blend consistently and to a very smooth fine consistency. If your ready to learn your basic blender safety we will move on:

- Always read your instructions before first using your blender.

- A Blender is generally intended solely for use in your kitchen.

- Do not leave your blender unattended in areas accessible to children, elderly, and people with disabilities can use this device only under supervision or with adequate training.

- Insurer that the operating voltage and the AC outlet are both matching and compatible.

- Do not ever for use or pour boiling liquid into your blender container.

- Do not use your blender if the carafe is loaded with only dry food or overloaded.

- Never use your unit while the bowl is empty or overloaded.

- Do not immerse your blender in water, do not get the power cord and plug in water or any other liquid, do not try to use your blender in shower, bathtub, or out in the rain.

- Make sure the power cord for your blender is not afraid, located near or in contact with water or sharp corners, make sure you your surface area that you are working on is dry.

- Do not use your blender if it is broken, has a damaged court, or sparks when in use. For safety reasons replacement and repair should only be done by qualified professionals please consult your manual for

warrantee and replacement information.

- For your safety only use accessories and spare parts, as well as attachments designed for your particular blender brand and model.

- Never use defective or damaged blender, if you have one, you should contact the manufacturer or customer service for the blender company.

These safety tips are not all inclusive, make sure to read the your instruction booklet for all safety warnings and precautions and safe handling usage. The biggest thing that will keep you safe when using a kitchen appliance such as a blender or any other dangerous utensils is common sense.

Do not be afraid of the instruction manual it's there for a reason, customer support and will always be happy to assist you in using your product and answer any questions you may have.