Every kitchen needs a good blender, but you don’t need to break the bank to get one. There’s a wide range of affordable blenders for those who enjoy whipping up a breakfast shake or an occasional evening cocktail. If you’re looking for a high-powered muscle machine with all the extra speeds, you may need to spend a bit more, however. Here are some tips to consider when shopping for your blender.
Power – The higher the wattage, the more powerful the blender. You will want a blender with at least 350 watts.
Speeds – For most uses, you really only need a fast, medium and slow speed blender. The ability to pulse, which is often required in recipes, is also useful.
Capacity – A large size blender can be especially helpful when pureeing large quantities of soups and sauces. Most blenders range in size from 4 to 7 cups. Even if you are not pureeing large quantities, going with a large size is a good idea so you don’t have to worry about the blend overflowing the container.
Design – Features worth paying a little extra for include being able to remove the blades for cleaning, an extra-wide motor base to provide stability, a tight-fitting lid, and an opening for adding ingredients or letting steam out when blending hot sauces and soups. If you plan to leave your new blender on the counter, you might want to pay a little more for a sleek design.
Materials – Plastic blenders can be OK and will be lighter than glass, but after a while, the plastic scratches and can shatter. Glass and stainless steel are two better choices when buying a blender. The advantage of glass is you can see what you are working with, and with stainless you don’t have to worry about breakage.
