Blenders

Guide Note

A blender is a machine used to finely chop, mince, or puree food items. It works well with completely dry powdered food and liquid or mostly liquid foods. With heavier semi-solid foods, such as dough, its better to use a food processor. Blenders chop food very fine; for a coarser chop use a food processor or chop manually.

Fast Facts

1. Common uses: Pureeing, juicing, chopping, mincing food items, and crushing ice
2. Price range: $13 to over $1000
3. Invented: 1922
4. Inventor: Stephen Poplawski
5. First commercial blender: Waring Blender, 1938

History

It is beleived that blenders were invented by English engineer Oliver Johnson Schofield in 1921. However, the blender instead was patented by Stephen J. Poplawski as a drink mixer.

Buying Guide

Their are two classes of blenders: countertop blenders and handheld immersion blenders.

Immersion blenders are cheaper starting at about 13 dollars. These are really convenient for blending in a pot or in a glass to save on dishes and when you are in a rush.

Countertop blenders are more powerful. Unlike hand held blenders, these are capable of crushing ice and more. The higher the price the greater the durability and power. Some have alternate attachments and features, such as miniature food processors (Cuisinart PowerBlend Duet, $80) and digital recipe databases (Westinghouse Intelliblend, $40).

Top Brands

• Cuisinart
• Viking
• Braun
• Oster
• KitchenAid
• Magic Bullet
• Hamilton Beach
• BonJour