Finding the Right Blender for You - An FAQ

Blenders are among the most common kitchen appliances in America, found in almost every household across the country. Their primary purpose is to mix foods together by liquefying them using a powerful motor and a sharp blade. This technique can be used to produce purees from vegetables like carrots or tomatoes, to combine two liquids that would otherwise be difficult to combine, or even to do things like crush ice or crush nuts into butters.

A classic blender consists of the "jug," usually made of glass or plastic, and the base, which houses the motor. The bottom of the jug often has stainless steel blades, which are driven by the motor located in the base of the unit. The base contains the controls to adjust the speed and power of the blades. The top of the jug generally has a tight-fitting lid that usually has a removable flap so that you can add ingredients as your blender bends.

A hand-held blender is basically a large wand with blades on the end. This type of blender can be inserted by hand into a bowl full of ingredients and can mix them right there. Cleanup is generally easier with a hand-held blender you'll find them being employed in the production of batters and smoothies. They are generally not suitable for heavier-duty use.

Blenders vary in both price and quality fairly dramatically. Cheap blenders, often with underpowered motors, flimsy blades, and made from poor-quality materials, can run as little as $30 dollars. Those looking to save a few bucks, however, should be warned! Cheap blenders tend to wear out very fast. Their small motors get over-taxed doing simple tasks and their plastic jugs often crack and leak.

More expensive blenders have programmable features, are made from stainless steel, feature powerful motors, and can last for years even with heavy use. Though even these blenders vary in price widely ($50 -$400), they are often simply made better especially when you stick to major brands like Blendtec, Oster, Vita-Mix, and Cuisinart.