Types Of Blenders

A blender is an essential kitchen appliance that makes the mixing process easy. Whether you are mixing fruits or vegetables, having a good blender in your kitchen will make your work easier. You can make smoothies, sauces, juices and mix any food. This makes them versatile kitchen appliances because you can use them for various purposes.

With their versatility, you will come across different types of blenders you should know of before buying the right one. Many people have the standard blender in their kitchen, which works well for many mixing tasks. Depending on how you intend to use your blender, you can opt for a smaller or more powerful model.

In this guide, I will take you through the different types of blenders and their uses you should know. If you have more information about these types of blenders, you will have an easy time picking the right one.

Different Types Of Blenders

If you are a beginner looking forward to buying a new blender, then you will learn more in this guide. I have explained different types of blenders in detail to help you compare them. The most common types of blenders include the following:

1. Countertop/Full-Size Blenders:

This is the most common blender type you will find in many kitchens. Like its name suggests, you need to place the blender on your countertop or table and then connect it to a power source. Countertop blenders are big, and they can contain up to 2 liters. Their large size is perfect for blending large amounts of food.

A countertop blender is safe to use because it has lid that seals tightly to ensure no air gets in. Additionally, they don't budge, which enhances their safety. Compared to hand blenders, countertop blenders have more power, making them perfect for crushing fruits and vegetables quickly.

These blenders are used to make juices and smoothies. The only problem when you are dealing with a countertop blender is when blending liquids. These blenders do not allow steam to escape, so you will need to keep opening the lid when blending hot liquids to allow steam to escape.

Pros:

• They have a large capacity of up to 2 liters.
• The blenders work well when crushing ice.
• Work at high speed so you can use any ingredient.
• They are easy to clean and use

Cons:

• The blenders are loud when operating.
• Their large size takes more countertop space.
• You need to open the lid when blending hot liquids.
• Blending foreign objects can break the glass or damage the blades.

2. Hand Blenders/ Mixers:

These are popular types of blenders you can find in many kitchens, and their size is small. While they are small, the blenders are powerful and can handle frequent use. Hand blenders or mixers have many attachments to help you use them for different purposes.

The blenders are lightweight hence portable, so you will not have trouble carrying them to various places. Since they don’t have jars, handling them is easy.
The main use of this type of blender is beating eggs when you use the right attachment. They also do well when whipping cream, dough, and other uses.

Pros:

• Very lightweight because they do not have a cutting blade.
• They are easy to work with, and cleaning is also easy.
• Economical solution for bakers and storage is easy.
• Seeing ripples with a hand mixer is easy, and it takes less time.

Cons:

• Lack of cutting blades means you can’t use them to make the smoothest batter.
• You have to chop your raw ingredients before adding them to the mixer.
• Most hand mixers cannot work well with heavy dough.

Read Also: 5 Best Blenders Under 50 – In-depth Reviews With Buying Guide

3. Immersion Blenders:

Immersion blenders have a unique design where the blades are connected to a handle that looks like stick. These blenders have no pressure buildup and work better with hotter liquids, unlike countertop blenders. Therefore, they are safe for making soups.

Cleaning immersion blenders is easy because they don't have jars. You are only required to clean the blade, and you are done. Immersion blenders are best used for hot liquids and soups, and they also work well with seed-free smoothies. However, they don’t have much power, so the smoothie texture is not smooth.

Pros:

• You will not experience pressure buildup from the hot liquids.
• They are safe to use, so no worries about third-degree burns.
• Cleaning immersion blenders is relatively easy since most of them are dishwasher safe.

Cons:

• They have an exposed blade; hence you have to maintain the pressure on the button to work.
• Easy to use but can be tricky for people with little hand strength.

4. Single Serve Blender:

These are personal blenders that are popularly made by Nutribullet, Magic Bullet, and Ninja range. You can find them in different capacities, but they are made to make single-serve drinks.

The blenders work in a unique way where you need to fill the blender jar and then turn it upside down and then insert it in the base of the blender. You can use them to make smoothies or chopping ice, frozen fruits, and creating smooth drinks. Additionally, you can use blenders to make baby food and pureed food.

Pros:

• A high speed turns the ingredients quickly to make smooth liquids.
• Safe for children to use because the blade is insider the container.
• Require little space, and they are easy to carry wherever you go.
• Efficient, especially when you need to prepare a quick smoothie.

Cons:

• They can leak if you have not attached the blade properly.

5. Commercial Blenders:

These are blenders that resemble countertop blenders, but their construction is stronger. The blenders are designed with a powerful motor and sharper blades so they can handle almost anything. These strong blenders are durable, and they are tough to move around since they are not designed to carry various places.

Commercial blenders have a larger capacity to hold larger volumes compared to countertop blenders. Therefore, you can use them to make large amounts of food or blend in food corners and restaurants.

Because of their high power, commercial blenders handle all tasks that other blenders cannot. They are versatile and work well in making thicker sauces than other blenders. So, if you intend to run a food service, a commercial blender can be a great pick.

Pros:

• They are durable and have a powerful motor.
• The blenders have a large capacity to hold more food or blend.
• Feature a stronger construction than other types of blenders.
• Great for heavy users who want to prepare robust ingredients.

Cons:

• Their high power comes with a high price tag.
• Most of them are self-cleaning, but you still need to clean sticky syrups with a brush. 

6. Stand Mixers:

You can also call them cake mixers because this is the primary reason they are used for. They resemble hand blenders and mixers, but they have more power. Stand mixers are designed to mix cake batter, and they come with various attachments, which makes them versatile in your kitchen.

For instance, with the whisk attachment, you can use it for meringues. You can also choose the standard dough hook to prepare bread or cookie dough. You can find options to add pasta cutting tools, blenders, or food grinders in other models.

Pros:

• A stand mixer is a great investment if you are a serious baker.
• They have a powerful motor to mix sticky or heavy dough.
• They feature variable speed to help you adjust the required speed.

Cons:

• The mixers can be heavy and bulky. 
• Their large size makes them take more countertop space.
• Stand mixers can be difficult to clean.

Types Of Blender Capacity:

Blenders have different capacities, and the most common capacity in many modern IBC blenders is 3500 liters. This means that they can hold a batch of 1200-1400 kg. Some stationery blenders have larger volumes, but their height cannot exceed 4000 liters because of their height.

The size of the blender is measured in volume capacity like cubic feet. If you are blending powders, you will not get good results if your blender is too full or too empty. It is great to maintain a range of about 35-65 percent of the total capacity.

A blender's working capacity is determined half (50%) of its volume. For instance, if the actual capacity is 2 ft3, then its working capacity will be 1 ft3.

Blender Jar

When choosing a blender, you need to think about the type of jar that you want. The jar material doesn’t necessarily determine the blender's performance, but it comes with its benefits and drawbacks. The following are the most common types of blender jars you can choose.

A) Plastic Jar Blender:

Plastic jars are common in many blenders because they are sturdy and cheaper. Additionally, plastic jars are lightweight, which makes it easy to move your blender to different locations.

You need to check the type of plastic jar your blender has to avoid low quality plastics which have an awful smell when blending. Plastic jar blenders might not be ideal for making curries because you need to clean them thoroughly to prevent staining and smell.

B) Glass Jar Blender:

Glass is a better option, but it is not common in many blenders. It doesn’t have any lingering smell like plastic, and this is a great option if you want to blend types of food a plastic blender cannot. Additionally, cleaning a glass blender jar is easier since it does not stain.

The main concern with glass jars is that they are fragile. If you don’t handle them with care, they end up breaking easily. Glass jars are also not ideal for crushing ice because you can damage the glass.

C) Stainless Steel Jar Blender:

Some blenders also have metal jars, but their use is limited. They are a great choice if you want something durable, sturdy that cannot break or dent easily. Blenders with stainless steel jars are expensive, and they last longer.

The jars do not stain, and you will not experience a lingering smell when blending. While these jars are sturdy, they make the most noise compared to other jar types.

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs

Q: What blenders do Starbucks use?

A: Starbucks has used the Blendtec blender for many years. However, they switched to the Vitamix with time, which was purposely made to suit their needs. If you visit ant Starbuck today, you will find the Vitamix Blending Station Advance, a quiet machine.

Q: What blenders do chefs use?

A: Many chefs love the Vitamix brand, which common in many kitchens and the Food Network. You can also find other chefs who prefer other blender brands like Blendtec and Oster, among others.

Q: Are expensive blenders worth it?

A: Expensive blenders are worth it if you plan to use your blender every day. If your blender also handles heavy-duty takes like blending frozen fruits, leafy greens, and making nut butter, you need a powerful one for those tasks. Therefore, you can invest in a high-end blender like the Vitamix model, which will be worth the purchase.

Q: Why are blenders so expensive?

A: Blenders are expensive because of how they are made. They contain aircraft-grade stainless steel, which is a durable material. On top of that, the blenders are sharpened to provide long-lasting use. The premium manufacturing process and the quality components make the cost more money, making the blender's final price high. 

Q: How many watts should a good blender have?

A: The watts in blenders vary, so you need to know how you intend to use your blender to get the right wattage. A good blender should have 600 watts which will work well regardless of what you want to blend. However, you can also find more powerful blenders than that.

Conclusion

By now, I hope you understand the different types of blenders that you can come across. These blenders differ in terms of usage, cleaning, and other aspects. If you have the right information about the different types of blenders and their uses, you can choose the right one to enhance your cooking experience. 

The most important thing that you should consider when buying a blender is your intended purpose, budget, space, and durability. Always choose a quality blender that gives you value for money.