As you read through all of the information and consumer reviews on kitchen blenders, you'll find 17-20 different major features listed for each. These include such things as the capacity of the blender jar, the number of engine speeds available, the type of material the jar is made out of, the level of power present in the motor, whether the components are dishwasher safe or not, whether a warranty is offered, and the color of the blenders. You'll also find that the weight and size or dimensions of blenders will vary greatly as do the types of displays, the control panels, and the types of attachments. So with all of the information out there in blender reviews, which 3 features should you really focus on to make sure you get the best kitchen blender for your home.
Engine Power
First you need to look at how much power the engine has. Blender power is measured in watts, or if the blender is powerful enough, in horsepower. Most of the machines we've seen on the market range from about 250 watts for a small personal blender up to 3 horsepower or 2,237 watts. The more power in the engine, the more force is generated to the cutting blades and the easier and faster it is to blend a wide range of tough ingredients. One powerful blender, the Blendtec Total blender, films videos of its blender blending crazy things like golf balls and iPhones. At 2 horsepower, with stainless steel blades, it can blend almost anything to dust.
While you may not need to blend your iPad, having enough power to take care of those big chunks of ice is essential. You want your smoothie to be smooth after all. Although a powerful blender is more expensive than a weaker one, it will more than pay for itself in time saved (it blends faster) and hassle (no pieces of unblended fruit in your milkshake).
Number of Blender Speeds
The speed of the blender refers to how fast the cutting blades spin. Blenders will offer anywhere from a single speed all the way up to 14 speeds. Just one or two speed blenders are very easy to operate and are often very durable because of the simple design. Many consumers say that they like the simplicity and really don't need more than a couple of speeds for what they use the blender for.
If you like to have a lot of options though, and will be using your blender to blend a variety of ingredients, then a multi-speed blender is the way to go. It's nice to be able to start at a slow speed and then ramp up the power as you need. You don't want your smoothie blended at the same speed as your chunky salsa. Multiple speed blenders give you a lot more control.
Container Material and Capacity
Blender jars come in 3 types of materials, glass, plastic, and polycarbonate. There are pluses and minuses for each. Glass blender jars are very sturdy, strong, and can withstand a variety of temperatures, and are dishwasher safe. They tend to be heavy though and will crack if you drop them.
Plastic containers won't crack when you drop them and are very light. This makes them ideal for high volume commercial settings like smoothie shops and restaurants. Some plastic containers though are not dishwasher safe, and they may crack if subjected to extreme temperatures like boiling soup.
Polycarbonate blender jars try to combine the best of both plastic and glass containers. They are sturdy and won't crack, can handle extreme temperatures, and are dishwasher safe. They are also lightweight and easy to move around. The only thing is that these are the most expensive of all of the blender jar types. If you can afford them though, they are the way to go.
By looking at these three important blender features and reading detailed blender reviews you will be sure to get the best blender for your home.
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