Buying guide for Best Hand Blenders
1. Motor
The first feature you should consider before buying a blender is the capacity of the motor.
The motor comes with different powers and rpm. The right option for you will depend on your usage. The higher the wattage, the more productive your blender will be. For simple usages like blending smoothies, juice, and purees you will need a motor with around 100-200 Watts.
For intermediate usage like kneading, whisking, chopping, and crushing you will require a motor with 300-600 Watt.
For heavy usage like crushing of ice, grinding cereals you will require power equal to or above 700 Watts.
The motor also plays an important role in assuring the safety of the users. Some blenders heat up quickly which can cause serious effects. That’s why some brands come with heat protection material that will ensure safety and vitality.
Another factor that matters are the number of revolutions the blades complete every minute. This signifies the speed of the blender. More the rpm, the faster your job will be done. But higher rpm mostly causes spilling of food from the container.
2. Design
The design of the blender affects the following features.
- Portability
- Attachments
- Storage
When the body of your blender is broad and widespread, it will create disturbances while blending contents in a smaller bowl. Look for a blender that has a slim and elegant design to use them with vessels of any size or shape.
The attachments that come along with the blender determines how portable the product is. Some blenders come with varieties of blades and whisks that aid in different purposes. The blades are of different kinds. There are specially designed blades that can be used for making smoothies, and purees.
The body of the blender also infers the space it will occupy. Some blenders come with a wall-mount that is great to organize your kitchen space.
3.Cost
Hand blenders are usually cheaper than mixers and food processors. Even the higher ends don’t exceed 5,000 rupees. In that case, it is advisable to look for a blender that can replace all the functions of an expensive food processor. If you are on a budget, consider looking for blenders that perform simpler functions like whisking, beating eggs, and pureeing.
If you don’t mind spending a little extra then go for high-end blenders that can knead and even crush ice cubes.
4. Weight
The weight of the blender is the most important characteristic you should look for after the motor. The weight of the blender will affect your usage to a greater magnitude. Look for blenders that are lightweight and portable. Cordless blenders are mostly heavier compared with those which have the cord in them. It is most likely that you will be using only one hand to hold the appliance. In that case, the weight of the blender should not exceed 3kgs.
The corded blenders are more efficient compared to the cordless one. But the area of usage and your kitchen space should be considered before opting for one.
5. Material
The shaft and blade material will determine the time and precision of blending.
The shaft material is usually made of steel or plastic. The plastic ones are not durable compared to the metals. They might be the reason for overheating in some blenders.
It is advisable to look for blenders that are made of metal or alloys.
The material of the blade must be sharp enough to chop and cut heavy ingredients. It must be made of rust-free or stainless steel to prevent corrosion of the blades.
The next detail to look at is the material of the motor. Mostly the motors of the blenders in India are made of copper that ensures heat protection.
6. Battery
Battery power comes into consideration only for a cordless blender. The battery power determines the durability of the product. Some higher-end blenders have battery time up to 15 minutes which is ideal for one-time usage. Make sure that the battery time is not less than 5 minutes because even a basic blending task will require 2-3 minutes. The type of battery you use also affects the efficiency of some blender. In that case, you will have to experiment with different batteries to find the right one.
7. Detachable accessories.
Most of the high-quality blenders come with an eject button that easily detaches all the accessories without any complications. The detached accessories must also be made in such a way that it doesn’t cause any hindrance while cleaning.
Directions to use a hand blender
- Clean the blender immediately after use. This will prevent the accumulation of residues and the growth of fungus.
- Prefer blenders with a longer length to ensure thorough mixing of ingredients from the bottom when blending larger quantities.
- Never blend hot ingredients. Doing so might cause spilling of the extract that might cause burns.
- Don’t leave your appliance untouched for a longer time. This might cause the battery to lose its power. Use it often to ensure the good functioning of the product.
Frequently asked questions
1) Are hand blenders better than food processors?
Both blenders and food processors are beneficial in their ways. Hand blenders are effective in blending large quantities of liquid components like smoothies and soups.
Fold processors are preferably used to grind solid particles like grains, spices, and cereals.
2) How to clean the blender?
After every usage, detach the blade or whisk from the blender and rinse them immediately with soap if needed. Make sure you completely dry all the parts before the next use.
3) How long will a hand blender last?
It depends on the quality of the material. The metal body is known to last for a longer time. However, some issues like leakage, breakage might reduce the life of the device. Most of the products have overheating issues that will adversely affect the life of the appliance.
4) What extra accessories you can purchase for your blender?
To increase the efficiency of your blender, you can consider a couple of options. Many varieties of blades and whisks are available in the market. Make sure you get your desired blades that meet your desires.
There are specially designed hooks for kneading and chopping. Some whisks are made in such a way that provides moderate and stiff peaks while whisking fresh cream.
Conclusion
With a wide variety of hand blenders available in the market, make sure that you consider all the features mentioned above to select the right one for your kitchen.
Hand blenders are largely used by moms, housewives, students, and chefs to make cooking fun and easier. From performing simpler tasks like making smoothies to the complicated one like preparing cookies and cakes, hand blenders are used extensively by everyone.
With the best hand blender, you can prepare restaurant-style foods at the comfort of your home. To purchase the best hand blenders in India, check the list of our favorite picks available in the market.
