Blenders Buying Guide

Dying to learn how to make those Starbucks  drinks right in your home? Well with a blender , you can!  Blenders can be made out of plastic ,glass , and stainless steel . They provide an easy and quick way to fully mix liquid or soft food  ingredients together without making a mess. Since the blender is such a classic kitchen appliance, you may be needing one for your home. With so many on the market, how can you choose? One of the most important things to consider is how you plan to use your blender. See our tips below and happy blending!

All Liquid Diets

All liquid diets  are a popular weight loss  option among dedicated dieters. The philosophy behind the all liquid diet is to limit your caloric intake  by having you take your nutrition  in healthier doses via liquid. Liquid diets are often prescribed for patients who are on their way to surgery or for morbidly obese individuals. People on liquid diets drop their caloric intake dramatically, which can cause quick weight loss. However, your metabolism  lowers to compensate for your reduced intake, so people who have success with the diet then return to their regular eating habits often report regaining the lost weight. The best solution seems to be a mixture of healthier eating  and liquid diet. Consult your physician before getting on a liquid diet, then buy an awesome new blender  to get started.  

Buying Tips

• If you're a smoothie  nut and love to have one every morning, look for a blender that can handle a heavy workload. You might even want one that has a built-in spigot  for easy dispensing.
• Do you want a blender just for the occasional margarita  party? Get a bar blender ! You probably don't need a workhorse, but if you entertain large crowds, capacity is going to be important.
• One downside of many blenders  is noise level; fortunately some products use different types of technology to quiet their motors.
• As with most appliances that last a long time, buy the best one you can afford; a good blender can last for 20 years or more, which definitely gives you your money's worth.

Quick Picks

Black & Decker BL10450HB Crush Master 10-Speed Blender with 42-Ounce Glass Jar, Black  The Crush Master is designed to blend and chop just about any type of food and gives you 10 speeds of power with a high performance blade. An easy-pour spout on top provides the utmost convenience.	Oster Core 16-Speed Blender with Glass Jar, Black  The Oster16 speed blender features an all-metal drive for powerful performance, a five-cup, scratch resistant glass container that's dishwasher safe, and easy to use controls to help you make the perfect shake.	KitchenAid KSB560OB 5-Speed 56-Ounce Blender, Onyx Black   KitchenAid's five speed, 56 ounce blender give you lots of blending options and long-lasting power.	Oster 4093 Classic Beehive Blender, Chrome  One of the highest-ranked blenders currently on the market, the Oster Beehive Blender features a classic design mixed with muscular performance and reliability.	Hamilton Beach 51101B Single-Serve Blender with Travel Lid, Black  Compact, powerful, and very portable, the Hamilton Beach single serve blender is great for people who want to keep up their diet while at the office.

Smoothie Operators

There are two main types of blenders available. It's good to have both on hand, but if you are looking to just get one, this comparison will help you decide which suits your needs.

Countertop Blenders  These are useful for making smoothies and ice-based drinks such as margaritas and milkshakes . However, they can also be used for blending soups  and for pureeing ingredients for use in other recipes.  These models can usually hold between four and seven cups and run on a power source of 350 Watts and up. Be sure to consider your speeds when shopping; these models typically come in seven to 10 speeds.

Hand Blenders  Also known as immersion blenders,  these are mainly used for pureeing soups and sauces, although with a handful of attachments they can be used for a wide variety of tasks such as whisking  and emulsifying salad dressings .  Most of these models take up less room and are easier to store as well as dishwasher safe.  Also, many hand blenders are cordless for mobile use and can be recharged in between blendings. If you find that you need a tool that will perform smaller chopping jobs as opposed to large scale liquid drinks, then this model may be for you.

Popular Blends

Now that you have your blender, it's time to consider one very important question - what should you make? See below for some popular blends that will keep you happily mixing.

Iced Mocha Shake 3/4 cup milk 1 tsp. vanilla  3 tbs. sugar  3 tbs. Mocha Flavored Instant Coffee  mix 1 cup crushed ice Combine all ingredients till smooth for a caffeinated frozen treat! Serves 1.	Banana Smoothie 1 banana 1/2 cup milk 1 carton of yogurt Blend for 1-2 minutes and you'll have a creamy, delicious treat that's good for you too! Serves 2.	Margaritas  12 oz. Tequila  4 oz. Triple Sec  8 oz. lime juice  4 cups crushed ice Pour all ingredients into a blender and mix well at a high speed. Don't forget to rim the glasses  in salt  before pouring! Serves 4.	Blueberry Lemonade 1/3 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice  2 cups water 2 cups blueberries  1/2 cup sugar Combine all ingredients until smooth. Pour through a wire-mesh strainer  and into a pitcher , making sure to discard fruit solids. Serve over ice and garnish with lemon. Serves: 4

Related Buying Guides

Food Processors	Kitchen Mixers	Juicers	Meat Grinders	Coffee Grinders

External Links

• Blendtec.com: Blender recipes galore!
• Drinksmixer.com: An abundance of drink recipes and how much to make for your party.  

International Resources

For this resource in your home country, please see: NL: Blenders Shopgids