Blender buying guide

A blender is an appliance that mixes or purees soft foods or liquids, making them the perfect countertop device for quick and easy tasks. While there is a certain amount of crossover between blenders and food processors, blenders often have a narrower structure with blades at the bottom that make great soups, smoothies, shakes and sauces.

What to look for when buying a Blender

There are a wide range of models available to choose from, ranging from budget options to expensive high-end units. Blenders with a glass jug are often pricier, but they are easier to clean, less likely to scratch and odour resistant. Plastic jugs are more portable, although they can be prone to cracking and scratching, as well as retaining the smell of foods blended inside. Stainless steel jugs might be a good fit for your kitchen and look sleek, however you may have problems seeing what’s going on inside when the appliance is blending. Hand blenders are also available, enabling you to puree foods right in the pan for extra convenience.

Types of Blenders

Blend and go with quick healthy breakfasts

Fresh smoothies full of vitamins and nutrients are a great breakfast on the go. Clever, compact blenders from Nutribullet, Nutri Ninja, George Foreman and Vitamix make blending quick and easy.

High powered blending performance

Top of the line blenders such as Vitamix have high-performance motors that can easily handle blending soups and smoothies through to perfectly crushing ice and nuts for healthy homemade nut butters.

Need a Blender but on a bit of a Budget?

If you’re after a new blender but have a limited budget there are many good options under $100. Kambrook, Nutribullet and George Foreman have well priced blenders that will easily blend fruit and veggies for healthy smoothies.

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Features of Blenders

If you’re still wondering how to choose a blender, examine the features included, with many top of the range models being akin to a good food processor.

• Touchpad control panels

• Settings for chopping, stirring, liquefying and other tasks

• Stainless steel blades for strength and durability

• Large base for sturdiness while switched on

• Hole in the lid for pouring in liquids and allowing steam to exit

Speed settings

Modern blenders can have around 16 speed settings, but most people should be able to cope just fine with basic options such as slow, medium and fast. However, if you fancy yourself as a culinary expert, you may find it is worth paying a little extra to refine your blending capabilities.

More tips for choosing a Blender

Why choose a Blender?

Blenders, juicers and food processors perform relatively similar functions. When is it best to buy a blender? If you just want to be able to make milkshakes, smoothies with frozen fruit and big batches of soup, and if you also want to make homemade nut butters and whip up cocktails with crushed ice go for a high-powered blender. Juicers just do one thing—extract juice from fruit and veggies, leaving the fibrous pulp behind in the juicer. If you want to be able to do more with one kitchen appliance, including having your everyday dinner ingredients chopped and sliced fast for you, a food processor might be a better option.

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