5 Different Types of Blenders and Their Uses (with Pictures)
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Nicole Wells
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For whipping up smoothies, the quality of your blender is vital to achieving the right texture. Blenders vary in speed, blades, and functions, which can be confusing if you’re not sure what you need. We’ve broken down several blender types below to help you learn more about your options so that you can find the best blender for your needs.
Functions To Consider When Buying a New Blender
Not all blenders are made the same, and you may wonder which features you need. For starters, if your blender has a metal container, make sure it’s stainless steel. Always ensure your blender parts are dishwasher safe to keep them as clean as possible. Speed control is useful, as well, especially if you need to start with a slow pulse to break up large chunks of ice or fruit. Consider capacity, too. If you want a quick individual serving, a single-serving blender is fine. However, if you prefer to blend in batches, you may need a larger kitchen blender.
The 5 Different Types of Blenders
The 5 Different Types of Blenders1. Kitchen Blenders
A countertop kitchen blender will be handy for bulk blending or thicker mixtures. While they have more parts to clean, they’re also more versatile and have a larger capacity. Most come with variable speeds for chopping and liquid purees, and you can add almost any ingredient and get a smooth blend. In this category of blenders, we recommend the Ninja Smart Screen CT650.
- 1000 watts of power to crush through tough ingredients like ice and frozen fruit
- Intuitive Touchscreen– easy to clean, longer lasting, more intuitive compared to blenders with Mylar buttons
- 72 oz.. Total Crushing Pitcher – Blast through everything from ice to whole fruits in seconds for frozen drinks, ice cream, smoothies...
2. Single-Serve Blenders
These are typically compact, high-powered blenders meant to make a single-serving smoothie or shake. When you are done blending, simply tip the container over, attach a spout lid, and it’s ready to drink. They are powerful enough to crush ice and frozen fruit and compact enough to take up only a small space on your countertop. In this category, we’re in love with the Ninja personal blender.
- 700-watt power pod with Pulse Technology
- Nutrient & Vitamin Extraction extracts hidden nutrition from whole fruits and veggies
- Frozen blending -crush through ice and frozen fruit for cold drinks and smoothies
3. Blender Bottles
This is the simplest way to blend and a quick way to mix protein powders and nutrition shakes. A good blender bottle should have a leak-proof lid and a small whisk ball to aerate and mix the contents. You won’t have any luck blending anything chunky in them, however. They’re strictly meant for quick powder blends. For more power, try an electric bottle. They are handheld bottles with chargeable bases, and they can blend powder into a delicious froth with the push of a button.
Our favorite blender bottle is the BlenderBottle ProStak System:
- Postal system adds storage capacity for powders, pills, supplements and more
- Includes 22-ounce capacity Blender Bottle, 150 cc jar, 100 cc jar, pill organizer and Patented Blender Ball wire whisk
- Interlocking jars can be used with or without the Bottle; expand capacity with additional jars sold separately
4. Immersion Blenders
A handheld blender isn’t great for reducing large chunks, but it works well for a quick electric blend. It’s ideal for blending soft fruits, veggies, yogurt, protein powders, and nut butter. Throw your ingredients into a wide-rimmed glass or Mason jar, push the blender to the bottom, and start mixing. The best part is that they don’t have many parts to disassemble and wash. They’re perfect for busy mornings when you’re trying to rush out the door.
We recommend the Braun MQ505 Multiquick Hand Blender:
- The MultiQuick 5 has been voted as America's Test Kitchen's top pick in the Immersion Blenders Category
- Patented PowerBell System Ultra-hard stainless steel blades and a unique bell-shaped blending shaft reduce suction and draw food inward...
- SplashControl Technology The unique floral bell shape and the position of the blades inside the bell virtually eliminate splashing,...
5. Blender Combo Systems
Here’s where you get into professional territory. Some blender systems combine a blender, food processor, and mixer. But they don’t have to be reserved for professional use. A blender that performs multiple functions can save you money and counter space. You may even be able to blend frozen cocktails, make dough, or extract fresh juice with the right model.
If I were to choose a Blender Combo System, then I would go with the Ninja Mega:
- POWERFUL CRUSHING: The 72-oz. Total Crushing Pitcher pulverizes ice to snow in seconds for creamy frozen drinks and smoothies with a...
- FOOD PROCESSING: 8-cup food processor bowl provides perfect, even chopping and makes up to 2 pounds of dough in just 30 seconds.
- 4 VERSATILE FUNCTIONS: All 4 functions – Blend, Mix, Crush, and Single-Serve – utilize 1500 watts of performance power to truly...
Conclusion
Whatever your intent, there’s a blender on the market that will fit your needs. We’ve arranged the blenders on our list from least to most expensive to give you an idea of which type will meet your budget. Single-serving blenders can be handy and great space savers, and their mid-range price point is hard to beat.
Now that you have some blender knowledge under your belt, it is time to decide which blender is best for you. Just remember to consider the capacity and functionality before you choose.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
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