A high-performing blender can be one of the most impressive additions to modern and traditional kitchens.
These countertop appliances make tasty smoothies, soups, dips, frozen desserts, beverages, sauces, and beyond.
High performance blender can be intimidating to use- with so many settings, sizes, and types to keep up with.
Apart from unlocking its true potential, it is important to optimize the performance of your blender to create amazing and tasty meals seamlessly.
From making the tastiest smoothies and cocktails to creating a great breakfast shake, understanding the optimization process of high-performing blenders can give an edge to your overall cooking experience.
In this article, we will talk about things you can do to maximize the performance of your kitchen blender.
Steps To Maximize The Performance Of Your Blender:
- The Order Of The Food Matters- One of the most crucial things to remember when using a blender is to add the ingredients in the correct sequence. As a general guideline for your blender’s optimal performance, work your way from lightest to heavy. That means you should always begin with liquid (read the second point) and make sure it completely covers the blades. Be careful while handling a brand new blender as the new blades can be razor-sharp.
- Putting The Liquids First- Putting the liquid first will always help distribute the ingredients evenly in the blender jar. Then you can add fresh fruits, berries, or vegetables and finally add ice. This allows the blender to combine the liquid and create a vortex, pulling the heavy ingredients downwards like a bit of whirlpool. It also ensures that the solid food does not get trapped at the base of the compartment or between the edges. For instance, add enough oil or vinegar to make a salad dressing to slick the process.
- Chop The Ingredients First- To blend hard vegetables and fruits like apples or potatoes, chop them into smaller pieces before placing them in the blender jar. Also, Notably, you should slice the chopped ingredients to fit half the jar’s height. Hence, adding liquid first will help lubricate the process as blenders work like a tornado with the suction pull mechanism.
- Avoid Bubbles- The problem of cavitation, which occurs when your blender becomes stuck due to a large air bubble, can stop you in your tracks. Maintain a healthy balance between the ice (or other frozen food) and the liquid you are mixing to avoid lock-up. You may also dislodge it using the “Pulse” function. Start at a constant pace, then pulse two or three times for the fixings to dice the smaller pieces. Slowly up a little to achieve the uniformity and consistency you want from time to time. Before changing the pace settings, give the blender enough time to reach full speed.
- Use The Blender’s Tamper- If you make thick, creamy meals like hummus or nut butter in your blender, the blades may become locked and stop moving. On the other hand, adding additional liquid may interrupt the taste of your dish. Use the blender’s tamper in such cases. The tamper in blenders is a function that fits in the top of the blender and can be used to stir the food while it’s operating and make things move again. However, always remember not to shake or move the blender when it is still functioning as it can lead to dislodging of the entire blender, which might result in accidents. In this case, your blender’s insurance will not cover the damage.
- Hot Liquids Require Special Treatment- We always find it hilarious to watch a sitcom or a commercial where the blender shoots up liquids into the air due to mishandling. But it wouldn’t be so funny if the same thing happened in your kitchen, especially when your kids are around. Accidents related to blenders can be dangerous. While cold liquids can cause an explosion, hot liquids are more dangerous due to steam’s propensity to build up under the top. Hence, there are a few easy techniques to remember when mixing hot liquids. Firstly, do not overfill the container, and the best practice would be to keep it halfway. For safety reasons, it’s best to blend in smaller batches. Secondly, remove the center vent from the lid to allow steam to escape and drape a clean, lint-free kitchen towel over the top if any spattering occurs. Finally, start blending at a low pulse to release the intense hot steam pockets first, then reduce the speed to low and gradually raise it until you are sure the components are mixing smoothly.
- Do Not Over Blend- Blenders generate heat by the speed at which their blades spin, so use caution when mixing more delicate ingredients like homemade mayonnaise or delicate fresh herbs, lest you want to break them down too much or cook them. Stop the blender after you have attained your desired consistency, and if it separates after a while, whisk it back together by hand rather than in the mixer. Many blenders have an emulsion cup, which helps prepare salad dressings and marinades. Pour the oil into the blender cup, switch it on, and the oil will drip into the jar in a constant stream. Hence there will be no need to lift the lid or drizzle it in by hand.
- Wash and Dry Immediately- Wash your blender immediately after use so that the leftover ingredients wouldn’t leave a stain on the appliance. Use regular dish soap to clean your blender. Fill up the container with water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Turn it on at a low pulse, and it will clean it within no time. Go to rinse it well in the sink and leave it to dry. Never submerge the blender’s motor in water as it might lead to a short circuit.
Blenders are excellent appliances for the kitchen if you want a healthy lifestyle for yourself and your family.
Follow the above steps to ensure complete optimization of your kitchen blender and make healthy eating an exciting part of your life.