Buying guide: these blenders make the best smoothies
3.12.2019
Translation: machine translated
Blenders are probably the most practical small kitchen appliances. They grind, mix and puree fruit, vegetables and much more in just a few seconds. In this overview, I've divided blenders into several categories, so that you can find your new favourite appliance.
You already have a mixer plongeant and you're wondering why buy a blender on top of it? It's simple: blenders are much more powerful, and their blades are bigger and sharper. Depending on the appliance, you can grind almost anything, from hard fruit and nuts to ice cubes. The only drawback: most models make a lot of noise. They easily reach 80 - 90 decibels, so they're about as noisy as an impact drill.
Speed, fill opening and cleaning
Aside from that, they save a lot of time in the kitchen. There are plenty of models to choose from. Find the one that best suits your daily routine. The first question you need to ask yourself is what exactly you want to do. Do you mainly want to make smoothies? Or does the appliance need to be powerful enough to crush ice cubes for cocktails or sorbets?
In general, it's best to opt for a blender with a powerful motor and a high number of revolutions per minute. For delicious, creamy smoothies, the speed can never be high enough. Just make sure that the blender has non-slip feet so that it doesn't move around on the worktop when running at maximum speed. A lid with a fill opening that can be closed may seem unnecessary at the time, but in my experience, it's really handy to be able to add ingredients afterwards. Models with removable blades are the easiest to clean. Ideally, the container and blades are dishwasher-safe. If you want to prepare baby porridges in the blender, make sure the container is made of BPA-free glass or plastic so that no unwanted substances get into the baby food.
Everyday smoothies
A blender turns fresh vegetables, herbs and fruit into a creamy smoothie very quickly. Here, appliances are distinguished primarily by their size and power. There are blenders that blend directly into a gourd. Perfect for anyone who wants to drink their smoothie on the way to work. But these models are generally only suitable for one person.
If you want to make larger quantities of smoothie, you need a blender with a large enough container. The norm is around 1.5 litres. More expensive appliances usually also offer automatic programmes for certain applications. One is, of course, for creamy smoothies, while the other, for example, blends ice cubes using an impulse function (the blades rotate alternately fast and slow). With cheaper blenders, you have to control the speed of the blades manually using a regulator.
Vacuum blenders are special variants of blenders. The idea behind these models is that less oxygen reaches the ingredients. Why is that? Because fruit oxidises when it comes into contact with air. A bit like rusting metal. If you cut up an apple or an avocado and wait a while, they'll turn brown. The precious enzymes contained in fruit and vegetables are sensitive to oxygen and are destroyed by oxidation. Blending without oxygen should counteract this phenomenon and preserve the enzymes in fruit and vegetables.
Versatile blenders
As well as smoothies, blenders can also make cocktails, dressings, sauces, waffle batter, sorbet, crushed ice and even peanut butter. If you want a machine that can do all this, you need a very powerful model. As well as a powerful motor, top-quality blades are a must. These versatile appliances may be noisy, but they blend ingredients perfectly.
Among the all-rounders, the top-of-the-range models are more likely to be in the higher price segment, but they really do meet all expectations. They even have a special soup programme that purees ingredients and reheats them at the same time. This function is very handy, especially if you're short on time.
Stefanie Enge
Autorin
Most of the time I'm living between bits and bytes, testing alternative Android operating systems and trying to make my life smarter with Open Source technology - always with a focus on privacy and data protection. When I'm not testing cool gadgets, I'm developing video games, writing stories and playing the accordion.