Someone once gave you a blender, or did you buy yourself such a device, and now it just stands alone on the shelf, not even unpacked? You are not alone in this situation. Quite often, a blender ends up on the shelf because it’s simply not clear what to do with it. The puree can be crushed with a masher. You don’t have a child to cook food for him. You don't like cocktails. And he doesn’t seem to know how to do anything else. But that's not true.
In fact, a blender is a very functional device that really helps simplify the preparation of many standard dishes. He makes not only puree, but also minced meat, soup, pate, sauce and various mousses. You can also crush ice using this miracle device. And given that today there are many different models of these devices, you can use them to prepare a complete lunch or dinner. In addition, everyone will be able to choose exactly the unit that will be convenient and useful to them. In this article, we will carefully understand what blenders are needed for, what types of appliances exist, what are their pros and cons, and how to choose the ideal unit for your kitchen. So take out your blender, blow off the dust and read our article. We are sure that you simply will not be able to stop using it.
What is a blender for?
So let's start with what this notorious blender does. This device combines a mixer, food processor and puree masher at the same time. It is very compact and mobile. So you made puree in one operation, and in another you are already whipping the whites for meringue. It can be assembled and disassembled very quickly.
He is practically irreplaceable. If you have one blender, then you won’t need anything else from equipment. It perfectly grinds food, helps prepare various emulsions, mousses, purees, whip drinks, and also crush ice.
Do you have a whisk attachment included with the unit? Forget about the existence of a mixer. You won't need it. In addition, as a rule, mixers are quite heavy. But there is no blender. It's very light. Of course, not as fluffy, but still lighter than a mixer.
And if you have knives for it, then you can easily make minced meat with it. And there is no need to assemble, and then disassemble and wash the meat grinder.
You can also use it to make a wonderful, homogeneous pate from any liver. Just press a button and in a couple of minutes you already have a wonderful mass. They are indispensable for making sauces. The most varied: from mayonnaise to pesto.
And if you decide to switch to proper nutrition or just like various smoothies, then, except for a blender, no one can cope with the task of preparing a gentle and tasty drink.
Still don't understand why it is needed? Well, then read on. Let's start with the history of the device and end with modern types of devices.
Noise level
The more powerful the motor and the higher the speed of the blender, the higher the noise level. Usually the maximum value is indicated in the specifications.
Dependence of noise level on blade rotation speed in Haier blenders
According to interstate sanitary rules and regulations (MSanPiN 001-96), the noise level of household appliances “for the mechanization of kitchen work (combines, coffee grinders, mixers)” should not exceed 85 dB(A). Most blenders meet these conditions.
History of the electrical appliance
In order to understand why a blender is needed, let’s dive into the history of the device. It will be clearer this way.
The blender appeared much earlier than almost all household appliances that many housewives have in their kitchens today. Before him, only meat grinders appeared. These are the ones that are screwed to the table, you start turning a huge handle, and you get minced meat. They appeared in the 19th century in America. And later they migrated to us. And only 25 years after them, in 1922, the first blender was born. Again in the United States of America.
Stephen Poplawski is considered the inventor of this device. He did not make it so that today we could grind food with it. He needed it to mix water, carbon dioxide crystals and syrup. Simply put, he wanted to use it to flavor soda fountain drinks. We know them as soda with syrup.
The first devices looked like a bowl on a special stand with a rotating propeller blade. And all they knew how to do was mix. Well, in principle, this is exactly what they were developed for.
And what is very interesting: they were immediately delighted not by the children, who could not live without sweets, but by the bartenders. And that's why. At that time there was Prohibition in America. But people wanted to drink. And this influenced the fact that in most establishments alcohol was sold in non-alcoholic cocktails. This was done to hide the sale of the forbidden drink from the police. Imagine what it’s like to constantly shake a shaker to mix a cocktail for each visitor. And all the visitors wanted a drink. This is precisely why the invention caused such joy among bartenders, who by that time had already managed to pump up their hands a little with shakers. They rushed to buy the invention with such excitement and zeal that they promoted it almost to the scale of a national idea.
But this is not the end of the story. 10 years after this, another American citizen, Fred Osius, refined Poplawski’s idea and became the creator of the stationary blender as we know it now. That is, he expanded the capabilities of the original invention, equipping it with special knives for chopping, chopping and pureeing products.
Further development of the unit continued in Switzerland. In the 50s of the last century, Roger Perinjac received a patent for a device that we call a hand or immersion blender. Then he called it “bamyx”. It is a combination of French words that mean whisking and mixing. Then he demonstrated it during an exhibition in Hannover. After that, it began to be used all over the world, using the immersion blender to chop, puree and grind a wide variety of foods.
He was immediately appreciated by professional chefs, and he appeared in each of them in the kitchen. Without it, modern dishes would definitely not be as interesting.
And then it was refined and improved, coming up with various attachments. And now we have a universal device that can replace almost any appliance in the kitchen.
Broccoli soup
This very tender creamy dish is not only tasty, but also healthy. And the recipe for its preparation allows you to understand why you need an immersion blender. For a large head of broccoli you will need a glass of light cream, 2 onions, a clove of garlic, 750 ml of milk or broth. You also need cheese (100 grams), blue mold is ideal, but regular Dutch cheese will do just fine, a little salt and butter, and herbs.
Place a saucepan with a thick bottom on the fire. Melt the butter, fry the peeled and chopped onion, as well as chopped garlic. The vegetables should become soft. Broccoli, disassembled into inflorescences, milk or broth, is also sent there, and then boiled for about 20 minutes. At the end, add salt, cream and cheese to the soup, boil for another 10 minutes, remove from heat and, after cooling a little, beat with a blender. Serve with slices of fresh bread, garnished with herbs.
Types of blenders
Today there are two types of devices: submersible and stationary.
The first ones look like a kind of handle on which you can put completely different attachments. The most popular among them is the attachment with knives. It can grind any food. You can also put a whisk or even two on it. Then there is no need to buy an additional mixer. It is perfect for processing vegetables, fruits, preparing sauces and purees, whipping egg whites or making dough.
Devices of the second type, which we have received since the last century, look like special stands with bowls. They are just as functional as the previous ones. These devices easily cope with crushing ice, crushing and much more. Their main advantage over the previous option is that they stand on their own. You don't have to hold them in your hands all the time. But their functionality is the same as in submersible ones. But there are problems with mobility. If you can carry a small one around the kitchen and not even notice it, and you definitely won’t get tired, then you will have to put this one in one place and work only there, because dragging it from place to place will be inconvenient.
Stationary blender
The stationary blender must be placed on the table in a place where it will be convenient for you to use it. It will be quite difficult to move it, so you need to immediately take care of its location.
From the very beginning, it was invented to mix different liquids, and therefore was also called a shaker. It must have a stand that serves as its base. Another part of the unit is installed on it. As a rule, it has rubber feet to stand firmly on the table and not slip on it while working. Inside this stand there is a motor, and outside the device is equipped with control buttons. As a rule, they are plastic, but there are also steel options.
But the part that needs to be put on the stand is intended for storing food. It is also usually plastic or glass. And inside this bowl is equipped with special knives on a removable disk.
Now let's list the functions of this type of blender:
- Preparing cocktails, mixing and whipping ingredients.
- Making puree by chopping.
- Grinding of any products.
But these are the main capabilities of the device that manufacturers write about. If you use your ingenuity, you can use it for completely different and sometimes unpredictable purposes.
Now let's move on to studying the functions of the submersible device.
Immersion blender
An immersion blender is a handle shaped like a bat, which has a thin leg equipped with a special attachment with knives. This handle is needed to make it comfortable to hold the device while working. There are also control buttons on it, and on top there is a cord that connects the device to power. This is if the unit is electric or battery-powered. It is usually plastic or steel. Some immersion blenders can be equipped with special rubberized inserts.
The next part of the device is the leg. She, in fact, is immersed. The leg can also be plastic or steel. It specifically provides for the possibility of attaching knives or various attachments. Chrome-plated steel is used to make chopper knives. Thanks to this, their service life is significantly increased.
If you have a basic set, then with this immersion blender you can do the following:
- Prepare puree.
- Chop food.
- Chop greens.
That is, in the basic configuration the device is intended only for various types of slicing of various products.
But if you purchase an additional whisk (most often it is already included), you will be able to whip egg whites into a thick foam, prepare creams, sauces, cocktails and anything else you can think of.
Separately, you can buy a special attachment for making purees from different products. It is made in the form of a fine mesh with additional knives. This allows you to grind the product very thoroughly until it is homogeneous and airy.
You can also get a special pump for vacuuming. Of course, not everyone needs it. But it produces vacuum quite effectively and, accordingly, increases the shelf life of products.
Some people like the immersion device better than the stand blender. And all because it is much lighter and more convenient to use, and you can also buy different attachments for different purposes.
Baby food
Parents of the 70s, 80s and even 90s of the last century remember very well what it cost them to prepare the first complementary foods for their babies. Vegetables, meat, and soups had to be cooked first, carefully choosing only the best products. And then all this was manually ground through a metal sieve. And all just to treat your child with a teaspoon of puree. They grated apples using a fine grater, damaging their fingers and nails. And in the end, they ate most of the mass themselves (the good stuff shouldn’t go to waste). Some dared to buy ready-made puree, although who knows what was actually put in there. And all because they didn’t know how to use a blender. More precisely, they basically didn’t exist then.
In fact, everything is extremely simple: you need to cook the food, add a little salt, and then grind it in a blender. It will take literally a minute - and the puree is ready, be it meat, vegetable or fruit. By the way, porridge can also be chopped in ready-made form.
Areas of use
A blender in the kitchen is at the same time a meat grinder, a chopper, a mixer, and a food processor. That is, you don’t need to have 4 different devices, you can replace everything with one compact device. It is very comfortable.
The main purpose of these units is domestic use. But sometimes they are also used by professional chefs in the kitchens of restaurants and cafes. They need them to prepare delicious desserts and snacks.
This device can be safely used for chopping raw or boiled vegetables, and you can also easily grind meat and fish in a blender.
Please note that what you use the device for will determine how it should work. For example, if you need to grind dry or hard products, then always let the device rest. Because if the motor runs continuously, it will get very hot and burn out from overload.
You can use an immersion blender not only to process products in the bowl that comes with it, but also in any other container that seems convenient for you.
But be careful. If you use a shallow bowl, you'll splatter pieces of processed food all over your kitchen.
Do not puree the soup immediately after removing it from the stove. Of course, the blender is not afraid that it is hot, but the knives can quickly become dull during such work. The same should be done with a stationary device. The material from which it is made can become dark when hot, and there is no way to clean it off.
How to choose the right device
Whatever type of blender you choose, do not forget about the general rules. It is necessary to select the power, taking into account what the blender is needed for.
If you are only going to grind soft products, then a model with low power will do. And if you plan to work, for example, with raw meat or ice, then focus on models with high power.
In any case, the choice is quite wide. The power of various models ranges from 200 W to 1000 W.
It is also better to choose a device with a large number of speeds. Basically, the number of speeds for blenders ranges from 2 to 5. It is advisable to have a turbo mode, designed to increase the operating speed for a while. Pay attention to sound insulation. You don’t want to make a lot of noise in the kitchen in the morning and wake up the whole family.
It is of great importance to have an automatic shutdown function in case of overheating or improper operation. The variety of knives indicates the greater efficiency of the device, since with the correct selection you can significantly reduce the time you use the device.
So, we figured out what the device in question is used for, and came to the conclusion that using a blender in the kitchen greatly simplifies the cooking process for housewives. Therefore, if you still decide to purchase this household appliance, arm yourself with our advice and feel free to go buy the model you like.
Methods of application
A kitchen blender is definitely needed in the kitchen, because it is a real treasure for any housewife. It makes the job easier and significantly reduces the cooking time for most dishes. The submersible device is designed for beating, stirring, chopping and grinding. Of course, first of all, young mothers will be able to appreciate all the delights of this device. As soon as they start feeding their baby, they need to turn all the products into the most homogeneous and fluffy porridge. This is a rather labor-intensive process, given that children can eat up to six times a day, and their menu must be varied. Therefore, mothers simply cannot do without a blender. It is needed for pureeing all kinds of fruits, vegetables and meat.
Another very convenient way to use a blender is to beat egg whites. All housewives know firsthand how difficult this process is. And sometimes even very great efforts do not give the desired result. Yes, and the hand falls off after some time while whipping it all up. But for a blender, a lush and stable protein mass is a mere trifle. Thanks to this unit, you can prepare any, even the most complex cream, and meringue will no longer be a problem. In addition, a whisk is convenient for mixing different fillings for cakes.
If you like to make homemade preserves, then a blender will become your faithful assistant. He will carefully process all the necessary vegetables, fruits and berries. And your jams, for example, will become the same as those made by famous chefs.
And preparing pate will no longer be so long and laborious. Just threw the liver into a blender. Whoosh! And everything is ready.
In addition, it is very useful if you need to grind cereals, nuts, coffee beans or spices.
But remember that you must give the device a rest during such operations. It works for 1 minute, rests for 1 minute.
In addition, blenders will help you in preparing pureed soups, mousses, curd desserts, baking dough and many other dishes. And it only takes a few minutes to make the perfect puree if you have the right attachment.
Main functions
If we consider the simplest option without additional attachments, then this device has only 3 tasks: chop, beat, mix. Undoubtedly, the question may arise about why you need a blender if you have a meat grinder and a mixer. With their help, you can grind products or beat them into a homogeneous mass. Mixing by hand works well too.
Of course, every housewife must decide for herself whether a blender is needed in the kitchen. But no cocktail made by hand will turn out so smooth and tasty. Especially if the ingredients include solid components (ice, fruits or berries). A meat grinder is a good and necessary thing, but it will never make puree. And not a single mixer in the world will make the curd mass for a royal cheesecake or the filling for an open pie so homogeneous.
Precautionary measures
When using any household appliances, and a blender in particular, you must be extremely careful and carefully follow all operating instructions, since there is a possibility of injury and other damage. This is especially important for those devices that constantly interact with food. And in a blender it can be wet and sometimes greasy. To ensure that the blender brings only benefits and does not harm you, manufacturers have specially drawn up rules for its proper use. They must be included with the device. But if you have lost them or you don’t want to plunge into the world of boring technical language, then we will tell you everything here.
If you have an immersion blender, then under no circumstances immerse it in food more than halfway up the stem. Be careful that splashes or pieces of processed food do not get into the unit’s motor.
Be sure to unplug the device from the outlet as soon as you finish using it. Remove the nozzle and rinse under running water. You can wash the immersion blender and, in particular, the attachment, using a mild detergent. Then dry each part thoroughly.
Never connect wet parts to the handle of the device. This way you will permanently damage the device.
If you need to clean the handle where the motor is located, do it with a damp cloth. Just gently wipe the part with it. And make sure that moisture does not get on the motor. Otherwise, your device will stop working and you will just have to throw it away.
And a little childish advice: do not stick your fingers in to remove a stuck piece from under the knife while the device is on.
If you have a stationary model, to wash it, pour cool water into the bowl and start the device. In a few seconds everything will be cleaned, and you just need to pour out the dirty water. After this, the bowl should be rinsed a little more and dried completely.
Do not wash the stand under any circumstances; this is dangerous for you and your device. All you can do if it gets dirty is gently wipe it with a damp cloth. But before doing this, be sure to unplug the device from the outlet.
Use the device according to the power it is capable of. That is, don't try to squeeze more out of it, you'll just overload it. Be sure to let him rest and cool down. This is especially true when you are grinding hard products. Some models are equipped with a special auto-shutdown, which is triggered if the unit overheats.
Despite the fact that a blender is a chopper, put only chopped products into it, remove seeds and stalks from them.
Do not try to chop greens with a stationary unit. It's just not designed for this type of work. These devices must be loaded at least halfway so that they function normally and are not overloaded.
Pay attention to what material the body is made of. If it is plastic, then be very careful with it. Excessive load and falls can ruin it. But if the body is metal, then it cannot be cleaned with powder and hard sponges. Otherwise, scratches will appear.
Advantages and disadvantages
The design of a blender has advantages and disadvantages.
The advantages of the device include:
- Functionality This is what seduces you when choosing an immersion blender. Using different attachments allows you to expand your options in the kitchen.
- Size Compared to the same stationary blender, an immersion blender is much more compact. It is also convenient to take to outdoor events.
- No need to purchase additional dishes. You can use an immersion blender in any container. But remember - choose higher walls so as not to splash the kitchen.
- Easy to use It doesn't take much effort to figure out how it works. The attachments are changed easily and quickly, and their care is very simple.
- Adjusting the Position There are some exceptions to chopping or beating foods. So with an immersion blender you can easily adjust the angle of inclination.
about the disadvantages of an immersion blender:
- You need to hold it in your hands. At first glance, such an insignificant minus. But if you whip cream with an immersion blender... You'll have to try.
- It is difficult to obtain a uniform consistency. The human factor plays a role here. If you can load ingredients into a stationary blender and it will automatically grind the contents, then with a submersible blender you need to carefully monitor the process so as not to miss anything.
- Doesn't always cope with hard products. This is more a question of attachments. We have already described which attachment is needed and why. But if they can’t cope, it’s better to purchase special-purpose equipment. For example, in a coffee shop it is better to use a coffee grinder to grind beans, rather than a blender with a glass.
Features of cooking with a blender
We have already figured out what can be done with a stationary blender. For example, he can easily and instantly prepare fruit puree. Now we’ll tell you how to properly handle this device so that the cooking process is as fast and convenient as possible, and the device does not break after the first use.
If you have an immersion kitchen blender, then follow these rules:
- Use the deepest bowl if you don’t want to work with the bowl that comes with it and then scrub the entire kitchen (even the ceiling) of food pieces.
- Make sure that the products you are going to process cover the cutting part. Otherwise, the device will not be able to do anything with them.
- Products should not be hotter than 70 degrees. Otherwise, the knives on the unit will quickly become unusable.
- Remove seeds, stems and skins from food. They can get stuck in the knives and damage the device.
- Use attachments as intended for maximum performance without risking your health or the integrity of the device.
If you are the owner of a stationary unit, then here are some tips for you:
- Use the size chart on the cup of the device. She's not there for beauty. If you underload or overload the device, it will break.
- Cool the food before placing it in the unit to 40 degrees. Anything hot threatens to render your device unusable.
- Be sure to close the lid, otherwise all the contents will end up anywhere but inside the blender. And, of course, these products will not become crushed.
How to use?
Be careful when using an immersion blender. First, keep in mind that the device is not omnipotent. Bones and too hard foods should be removed before chopping. Blenders have at least two rotation speeds. To find the right speed, follow the empirical path - start with the minimum and work your way up.
The equipment is very simple to operate. Powered by mains, fits comfortably in the hand, easy to operate. To avoid unpleasant situations, immediately use dishes with high walls so that food does not scatter throughout the kitchen.
