The Basics: Blenders

Blenders have been around for nearly a century and are still at the top of our household "must-have" list. It's no surprise that they have withstood the test of time. Even with all of the new gadgets and gizmos available for the kitchen, we have yet to find a product that does a better job mixing liquids and solids, quickly and cleanly.

There are two categories of blenders: traditional blenders and immersion blenders. Traditional blenders still consist of a power base, which supports a tall container or jar with blades at the bottom. The jar, also called a "carafe," is most often made from glass or plastic; however, a few manufacturers offer stainless-steel carafes as either standard or optional accessories. All traditional blenders also include a removable plastic jar lid to keep the contents from splashing out the top.

A variation of the original blender is the stick or immersion blender, which has gained popularity in recent years. Immersion blenders are all-in-one blending tools that consist of a slim power base, attached to a long metal shaft with a mixing blade at the end. Immersion blenders are so named because you immerse the blade into the ingredients (rather than the other way around), then press a button to set the blade spinning. These units are designed for light-duty blending and cannot handle the more arduous task of crushing ice. They do offer the advantage of being able to work in any deep pot, bowl or cup you have available.

Blenders are often compared with mixers and food processors. The three appliances, though similar, perform vastly different functions. Plain and simple, mixers are much better tools for tasks that involve aerating, or increasing the volume of batters by incorporating air into the mixture. Blenders on the other hand, are designed to whisk liquids at incredibly high speeds, crush and grind solids and reduce them to small particles or blend solids into liquids. They can also be used to incorporate powdery mixes into liquids to make pancake batter, for instance, but don't have the same ability to incorporate air into the mixture. Food processors are best for tasks such as chopping dry solids or kneading thick bread dough. They can also perform tasks the other two can't, such as slicing or shredding produce and cheeses.

Although mixers and immersion blenders are handy for stirring or mixing cake batters, gravies and puddings, they simply aren't up to strenuous tasks like crushing ice or other hard food item. For these, the traditional blender can't be beat. The blender carafe with its whirlpool design and added power not only crush the ice, but also protect the user from flying ice particles and splashes. The blender also shines when it comes to thoroughly combining liquids with solids (for example, when making soup or tomato sauce).

Carafe blenders vary by model, with the primary differences being in materials and construction, power rating, type of controls and specialty features. Because many consumers purchase blenders primarily for their ability to blend frozen drinks and thick smoothies, many models now come with ice-crushing and pulse settings. A number of models have added dispensing spouts on the front of the carafe to deliver drinks directly into glasses for serving. Blenders have also gotten more stylish in recent years, so you will find models in all different colors, styles and sizes to "blend" in with today's modern decor.

One or two manufacturers produce cordless blenders, which are usually less powerful than corded models but offer the convenience of being able to transport the unit to the deck, patio or wherever they are needed. Another option is the combination blender/food processor. This unit comes equipped with two attachments: a traditional blender carafe and a compact food processor bowl with chopping blade. While not capable of performing all food processor functions, this unit nonetheless earns points in overall versatility.

A newcomer to this category is the personal blender, which is essentially a smaller capacity machine with a specially designed blending cup instead of a carafe. These models let you blend a single serving of your favorite drink, then flip the cup over and take it with you. The cup is typically designed with a drink-through lid and a tapered base that can fit into the cup holder of your car.

On the other end of the power spectrum is the industrial-strength blender, which can actually liquefy fruits and vegetables to make instant soup in seconds. These units have an impressive amount of torque and can manage a laundry list of chores -- from turning ice cubes into a snow-like consistency, grinding herbs and spices or juicing produce in an instant.

Blenders range in price from about $30 for a basic unit to $500 for an ultra-powerful high-end model. Combination units cost between $80 and $200.

Blenders usually carry 1- or 2-year warranties. Higher-end units are backed by slightly longer warranties.

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How to Shop

When choosing a blender, you'll want to consider several factors. Obviously power and performance should impact your decision. Other key factors include materials and construction, type of controls and overall appearance.

Before going shopping, assess your needs. If you plan to use your blender on a daily basis, you may prefer to leave it on the counter rather than store it away in a cupboard. In that case, appearance might factor more strongly into your decision.

You should also consider the types of blending tasks you'll perform most. Almost all blenders are capable of tackling the usual blending chores, however if you intend to crush ice or make frozen drinks on a regular basis, you'll want to invest in a more powerful high-end model. Likewise, if your blending needs are relatively simple, a basic model should satisfy your requirements. Other decision factors include the carafe style and size, number of speeds and type of controls.

More and more manufacturers are offering rugged construction with increased power. Other options worth looking for include separate ice-crushing and pulse controls, and special dispenser spigots and stirring sticks that are specifically designed to make and dispense smoothie drinks.

Be aware that the more power and features you add, the higher the price tends to be. On the higher end models, you are more likely to see niceties such as touchpad controls, extra functions or buttons and specialty features.

Before you go shopping, also consider these factors:

Materials and construction: The most common and least expensive housing material for blenders is plastic. Higher-end models are now made using stainless steel and other metals, some with gleaming finishes. These are typically heavy and quite sturdy on your countertop but often cost considerably more.

Because the blender is one appliance that is likely to occupy counter space, rather than being relegated to a storage cupboard, many consumers are more concerned with appearances. As a result, you'll find numerous options from low-profile models to fancy bases with digital display panels. Blenders are available in standard colors (white and black) as well as some specialty colors and finishes.

Carafe: Blender carafes come in plastic, glass or stainless steel, and range in size from about 40 to 64 ounces, with a few models falling outside the norm. Each has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages.

Glass carafes are durable and will not discolor. Glass containers are often preferred over plastic because they won't discolor or absorb odors. They can also handle tough functions, such as ice crushing without scratching. Glass jars are heavier than plastic, which lets them sit securely on the base without rocking, but it also makes them heavy to lift. Remember, jars that are heavy empty are doubly so when filled to capacity, so if lifting heavy weight is an issue, you may want to opt for the lighter plastic material. The obvious disadvantage to glass is its tendency to chip or break if mishandled.

Plastic carafes are the least expensive of the three types, and have the advantage of being lightweight and break-resistant. Plastic may scratch or discolor over time, and certain types of plastic will absorb the odors of foods that are blended so it is important to thoroughly wash the jar immediately after each use. Some manufacturers, such as Oster, produce a durable polycarbonate jar, which is more resilient than traditional plastic but just as lightweight.

Stainless-steel carafes are the most expensive of the three options. These jars are appealing for mixing frosty milkshakes and frozen cocktails because the steel retains cold temperatures extremely well. Stainless steel, unlike glass or plastic, is also virtually unbreakable. The only drawback to this type of material is it prevents you from seeing the contents of the jar so you need to lift the lid to check on the blending progress.

The newest additions in this category are the thermal carafes -- these are basically plastic jars with double-walled sides, which are designed to keep frozen drinks cold for up to six hours.

Most carafes, whether glass, plastic or stainless steel, are similarly designed with a narrow base that tapers up to a wide mouth, which facilitates adding ingredients and cleaning. Many carafes have easy-to-read measurement markings, which help you gauge the appropriate amounts when adding ingredients.

Speeds and Power: Blender speeds range between 1 and 24 speeds. The lowest speeds are best suited for light batters and for incorporating dry or solid ingredients into liquids. Higher speeds are designed to tackle stiff mixtures -- which are often loaded with ice and food particles. As a general rule of thumb, the greater the number of speeds, the less noticeable the transition between speeds. This is not necessarily a case where more is "better." It is simply a matter of preference. Probably the most useful speed a blender can have is the "pulse" speed, which lets you start and stop the motor in short bursts. This gives a greater degree of control over the blending process.

The average blender boasts between 300 and 600 watts of power. An ultra-powerful newcomer by Vita-Mix blasts away the competition with more than 1,300 watts of power and a price tag to match. Many lower-wattage models often do an adequate job with basic tasks but are not up to the challenge of blending thick frozen cocktails.

Controls: Although controls vary from model to model, the most common is a set of pushbutton controls that adjust the speed gradually -- from low to high. Other options include slide control levers or variable-speed dial controls. Some higher-end models also offer touchpad controls with digital display panels.

The standard buttons are labeled either numerically or with names corresponding to their respective functions (i.e., stir, mix, blend). The buttons are often combined with a low/high switch, which basically doubles the speed of each button to provide twice the number of speeds. Extra buttons, such as ice-crush and pulse are useful to achieve an evenly blended mixture.