Summertime is blender time!

On the summertime kitchen counter, (next to the ice cream maker), is our blender. In less than sixty seconds, a blender creates cold relief in all flavors and styles; it’s an indispensible tool for summer. Becoming comfortable and adept with your blender is accomplished easily with a few of these tips and tricks:

Blenders Need Liquid – To operate, a blender needs liquid to create the tornadic motion that forces food chunks to come into contact with the whirring blades. Use 1/2 – 1 cup of liquid to get things moving.

Blenders Crush Ice – Use a blender (or a ice crushing machine) to crush ice. Fill the carafe two-thirds full of ice, add about 1 cup of liquid, and let the blades work their magic.

Always Use a Cover – You only need to forget this step once. The blender blades effectively move liquid and food very fast. The lid keeps all the contents safely inside the carafe. Remove the center cap insert to add ingredients during blending.

Blender Safety – As with any appliance, take proper safety precautions. Position the blender securely, check the assembly, always use the lid, and NEVER poke at the food in the carafe with a utensil while the blades are whirring.

Year-Round Usefulness -- Of course, a blender’s usefulness extends all year long in soup and sauce making, on-the-go breakfasts, and a host of other tasks.

Small blades plus a dynamic shape give blenders their magic

Choosing Blender Features – A good blender will perform well and last for many years. Today’s blenders are more powerful and durable than older units – it may be time to update your appliance. Consider these features when choosing a blender:

Carafe Size – Choose a blender whose jar size matches your needs. Blenders are available from 42 - 56 ounces. Remember, blenders are so fast that it is easy to do multiple batches in succession; you may not need the largest size.
Comfortable Controls – Blender operations may be designed with a dial, touchpad, or buttons. Practice operating the controls to see that their operation is comfortable for you.
Non-skid Base – Blenders with “non-skid feet” will help keep the appliance in place during use while protecting your countertops.
Multiple Speeds – A variety of blender speeds are helpful when matching the tool to the task. However, a blender with dozens of speeds is not necessarily superior to a blender with just a few choices. Professional bar blenders are content with only “low” and “high” speeds.
Durable Motor – The blender’s power comes from a durable motor. Check the warranty available for the unit.
Ease of Cleaning – To be used frequently, an appliance must be easy to clean. Practice disassembling and reassembling the blender to ensure that it is a comfortable process for you.

Vitamix - 7 year warranty

Specialized Blending Machines – Cousins to the standard blender, these appliances are also workhorses in the kitchen

Professional Bar Blenders – These blenders are built with durability and frequent use in mind. They often have only two speeds, high and low. The bases are quite sturdy, the cap doubles as a one-ounce measure, and the carafe is thick and strong.

Margaritaville – Billed as a “frozen concoction machine,” and not just for margaritas, this appliance shaves ice and blends ingredients in one easy cycle. Add ice to the top reservoir, ingredients in the receiving jar, and press a button.

Vitamix – This appliance series does everything a standard blender does, but more. Some models are designed for dry ingredients. Grains can be turned into flour, and bread dough mixed and kneaded in many of these machines.