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.