Overview

Blenders come in various types and styles, each offering unique features. From compact portable blenders to high performance models, the options can be overwhelming. Kitchen Warehouse offers a range of brands including Vitamix blenders, KitchenAid blenders, and BlendJet portable blenders, catering to different needs and budgets.

Understanding your needs

Before diving into the specifics, it’s crucial to assess your kitchen habits. Are you a smoothie enthusiast, or do you need a blender that can handle tougher ingredients like nuts and ice? Consider the size of your kitchen, how often you’ll use the blender, and the types of recipes you want to explore.

Setting priorities

When selecting a blender, consider factors like power, capacity, and ease of cleaning. If you’re prioritising convenience, a portable blender or cordless blender might be ideal. For those who need versatility and power, investing in a high performance, full sized blender could be worthwhile. If you’re often catering for larger groups or families a full sized blender might be a better option, whereas a stick blender is suitable for couples or small families. If you don’t have much storage space, a stick blender or portable blender will be much easier to store than a full sized blender.

Types of blenders: Categories explained

• Portable/personal blenders: Compact and rechargeable, perfect for on-the-go smoothies and shakes when you’re at work, the gym or school. They are usually a small capacity, ideal for individual servings of smoothies or protein shakes but not suitable for larger tasks like soups.
• Stick blenders: A stick blender, also known as a hand blender or immersion blender, is one of the handiest, versatile and easy to use small appliances you may ever own. As the name suggests, this is a handheld blender which resembles a stick or a wand, with a central control button on the stick which powers the appliance and enables the user to control the speed. They usually come with a range of different attachments for mashing, pureeing, chopping, whisking and more.
• High performance blenders: These are powerful machines capable of handling everything from crushing ice to making nut butter. The extra power and capacity allows you to create smooth and consistent textures for recipes such as smoothies, soups, sauces, and batters. They are designed to handle larger quantities of ingredients and can not only crush ice but they easily blend tougher ingredients like nuts and seeds, large, hard vegetables and fruits and can even emulsify liquids, making them a versatile tool for both everyday and more complex culinary tasks.

Pros and cons

• Portable blenders: Great for travel and small kitchens but lack the power for heavy duty tasks like chopping and blending hard vegetables.
• Stick blenders: Versatile and space-saving with multiple attachments, but usually small capacity and they can struggle with tougher ingredients.
• High performance blenders: Powerful and durable for larger, more heavy duty tasks, but bulkier and more expensive than portable and stick versions.

Key features to consider

Material and build quality: Stainless steel blades and durable plastic or glass jugs are essential for longevity. High performance models often feature multiple speed settings and pre-programmed functions, offering more control over your blending tasks. Smaller models are good for small tasks like chopping small quantities and pureeing dips and sauces.

Ease of use and maintenance

Consider how easy the blender is to assemble, use, and clean. Some models have dishwasher safe parts, while others require hand washing. Also, think about storage—some blenders come with cord storage or compact designs for easy stowing.

Brand and price comparison

Popular brands like Vitamix, KitchenAid, and BlendJet are known for their quality and reliability. Vitamix blenders are considered top-tier, offering unmatched performance but at a higher price point. KitchenAid provides a balance of quality and affordability, while BlendJet specialises in convenient and budget friendly portable blenders.

When choosing a blender, consider your cooking habits, kitchen space, and budget. Prioritise features like power, capacity, and ease of cleaning to find the perfect fit. With brands like Vitamix, KitchenAid, and BlendJet offering diverse options, there’s a blender for every need.

FAQs

What is the best blender for making smoothies?

The best blender type for making smoothies is a high performance blender. These blenders are equipped with powerful motors and durable blades that can easily crush ice, frozen fruits, and fibrous vegetables, resulting in a smooth and creamy texture. Brands like Vitamix and Ninja offer high performance blenders that are particularly popular for making smoothies due to their ability to blend ingredients quickly and efficiently without leaving chunks or inconsistencies.

Are portable blenders powerful enough for ice?

Most portable blenders are designed for convenience and lightweight use, which means they typically have less powerful motors compared to full sized or high performance blenders. While some high quality portable blenders can handle small amounts of ice, they may struggle with larger ice cubes. For best results, it's recommended to use crushed ice or smaller ice cubes with portable blenders, and to avoid overloading them with too much ice at once. If you regularly need to blend ice or frozen ingredients, a full sized or high performance blender would be a better choice.

How do I clean my blender?

Many blenders have dishwasher safe parts, but hand washing with warm, soapy water is recommended for longevity.

What is the warranty on blenders?

Warranty periods vary by brand and model, so check the product details for specific information.

Can I blend hot liquids?

Some blenders are designed for hot liquids, but always check the manufacturer’s guidelines to avoid accidents or damage to your blender.