The Best Blenders for the Elderly - Top 6 Blenders for Senior

Our bodies change as we age, therefore it is very helpful to be aware of what to pay attention to when buying a blender for a senior citizen. This can make a huge difference to the individual and their use of the blender. The right blender will be used more frequently and enrich the seniors' culinary experience.

These are the key things to be aware of and to take in consideration when buying a blender for an elderly person.

Light pitcher with good grip

As seniors get older they loose strength in their forearms so it is very helpful if they have a blender pitcher that is light weight and ideally one with a good grip. This becomes even more important when the pitcher is full, especially if the content is hot, e.g., hot soup. Glass might be preferable by many but it is much heavier and if it does tip over or drops it is more likely to brake. Hopefully not landing on someone's toe or feet, such unnecessary accidents can be avoided.

Easy to use and read controls

With deteriorating eyesight and diminished motor skills having simple and easy-to-use controls makes operating a blender much easier for seniors when the buttons and switches are clearly labeled and very straight forward.

Easy to remove lids

Blender lids need to fit tightly to prevent the contents from push out. However if they are too tight or do not have an easy way to take them off it can be very challenging and depending on the content, e.g., hot soup, also dangerous.

Easy to clean

If the blender's pitcher is light then this is already a big advantage. Glass blender pitchers are much heavier and can much easier slip out of the hand, especially when wet. One-piece pitchers are probably best as they do not need to be dissembled to be cleaned. The act of dissembling often requires a firm grip and some strength.

Cord storage

Many quality blenders have an area where the blender's cord can be tucked away. This ensures that no electrical cables are in the way on kitchen countertops. Less likely for anything to happen.

One-piece pitcher

The most difficult part for some seniors is the dissembling of a blender pitcher to clean it. Often this requires a firm grip and some strength when opening the bottom part to get to the blenders blades. If the blender is wet then this becomes even much more challenging.

Minimal control feature, straight forward

The less control features the blender has the easier it will be for a senior to operate. More controls usually mean smaller buttons and knobs, and smaller font to read. This way there is less confusion.

Stable and sturdy

The best blender for a senior is one that has a stable standing and will not tip over easily, or wobble across the kitchen countertop when in operation. Less accidents are likely to happen then.

Blender Reviews and Buying Advice

A good blender is an essential part of any kitchen, whether you're making smoothies and margaritas or pureeing summer tomatoes from the garden for homemade marinara. Despite the popularity of food processors and hand/immersion mixers, blenders are still the best choice for crushing ice, whipping up a smoothie or other frozen drink and pureeing soups. Use this blender buying guide to help you find the best blender for all of your culinary tasks.

Durability

When you're researching blenders, pay special attention to what materials the base and gear assembly are made of. Blenders with these components made of plastic and tend to get lower marks for durability. Stainless steel and other metal-based blenders hold up better over time.

What kind of jar the blender comes with (plastic, glass, polycarbonate or metal) also contributes to how long your blender will be of good service. Above all, pay attention to the warranty that comes with your blender just as you would with a more expensive purchase. Some manufacturers may offer only six months, while others offer up to six years of protection. Lastly, while many blenders are advertised as dishwasher-safe, delicate parts, like rubber gaskets, tend to break down more quickly. We recommend washing by hand as much as possible.

Power

Not all blenders are created equal and the way manufacturers advertise this is with wattage claims. Countertop blender wattage can range from 300 to 1,500 watts, but this isn't as important as they'd have you think. While it's true that the more wattage a blender has, the better it can work with hard substances like ice or large quantities of nuts, if you won't be using your blender for those things, you don't need to pay for the extra power.

For regular daily use, a blender with 300 to 600 watts should be fine. Similarly, blender speed options run the gamut from 2 to 16, but before you go spending the extra $50 for a fancy model with as many gears as Lance Armstrong's bike, some experts say that any more than three speeds is overkill. Regardless of how many speeds you think you want to have, you'll probably want your blender to come with a pulse button. The short bursts of speed and power it delivers aren't just for ice crushing anymore. Pulsing gives you more control over the ingredients you're working with and ensures you don't over-process.

Blender Jars

Blender jars are usually made of one of four different materials: plastic, glass, polycarbonate and metal. Plastic jars are the least-expensive option and their lightweight design makes them easy to handle when full. However, they're prone to scratches over time and may retain food odors. A good choice if all you're going to use the blender for is pesto, but if you'll be using the blender for a variety of recipes you'll want to consider other materials.

Glass jars are the heaviest and thus the most stable blender jars, a big advantage when it comes to evaluating durability over time. The only caveat is if you drop it and it breaks, you're out a blender jar. Glass jars are more scratch-resistant than plastic and won't retain odors or strong flavors.

The newest blender jars are made from polycarbonate, and manufacturers claim they're shatterproof. That's an advantage over glass blender jars, especially in a busy kitchen, but polycarbonate jars are so new that there's little information as to how well they hold up over time. We're not convinced that new means better, but if you want to try the latest and greatest in blender technology, you may be interested in blenders with polycarbonate jars.

Lastly, stainless steel and other metal jars offer the benefits of being lighter weight and more durable than glass or plastic. You'll pay extra for these benefits, so if sleek, shiny blender jars are catching your eye (or match your other appliances), keep in mind that you can't see through metal when you're blending, which makes checking for uneven mixing a challenge.

Regardless of which blender jar type you choose, you'll want to make sure it's also the right size and shape for what you'll be doing. If you're making anything in large batches, the more capacity the blender jar offers, the better. Jars that are tapered (tall and deep) are designed to funnel ingredients toward the blender blades for more even blending. Consider what you'll use the blender for most often and make your decision accordingly.

Noise

No question - blenders are noisy. Typically, the more power a blender has, the louder it's going to be when running (another reason not to choose a blender for wattage alone). If you think you've found the perfect blender and you're hovering over the "buy now" button, take a few minutes to read user reviews to see what they say about noise and keep in mind that noise a relative thing if only 1 out of 10 users says it sounds like it's breaking the sound barrier, you're probably okay. Blender noise may seem like a minor point, but it could make a difference in how often you'll actually use your blender.

Food and Drinks Blender Buying Tips

Almost every kitchen has at least one blender.  There are many different makes and models out there to choose from, and now there are even multi colored blenders that are affordable.

Most blenders are versatile small appliances that you can fit into any budget.  Blenders can do the job of several other kitchen tools such as a food processor, a juicer and even a coffee maker. This is due to the fact that blenders are powerful enough to mash vegetables and fruits and turn it into thick purees like a food processor. They can make juices, cocktails and smoothies like an ordinary juicer, too.  Another popular feature of a blender is that you can buy coffee beans and enjoy freshly ground coffee.  These are just a few examples of the endless list of uses for a blender.

Is it time to buy a new blender?  Do you already have one, but have it hidden away somewhere, and rarely use it?  Have you noticed that blenders are now coming in shapes and sizes to ompliment any kitchen?  This article is going to show you why you should be using a blender, and why you might consider buying another one if you already own one.

Blenders are used to create healthy food and drinks for you and your family.  If you are on a specific diet plan or have turned vegetarian, you will be amazed  by the usefulness of this small appliance. Now is a great time to buy a new blender.  Here are some tips on how to find a good blender.

1. You can never go wrong by choosing the best brands.

One of the best blender brands in the market year after year is the Oster. The company has the honor in the apliance field of having the name "blenders" often called "osterizers".  This is the same way that you often hear "tissues" called "Kleenex".  The Oster brand blenders are the top of the line, and might be the most expensive.  However, it is known for being sturdy, and worth the money.  Especially  if you are going to make shakes and smoothies, or protein blended drinks often. These drinks necessitate crushing hard ice to give them that extra special taste and texture.

If you are going to be  crushing coffee beans, the Oster blender will not have any problem with multiple uses. You can also use the blender to chop nuts for garnishes or to add to cooking.   If you are going to use the blender for mainly making purees or juices, and not crushing a lot of ice, you can probably settle for the cheaper brands that are also well suited for this purpose. While a cheaper blender will crush ice, nuts, and coffee beans, remember not to overdo it just in case.  Pay attention to how hard your blender is having to work to complete these tasks.

2. Do not buy a used blender

If you can avoid buying a used blender, you should.  Used blenders can last a long time, but you never know how much wear and tear it has on it, or how it was stored and taken care of. Your blender will be a well used appliance so getting a new one gives you the advantage of being able to exchange it if you are not completely happy with it.  However, if you are sure that the second hand blender has not been used often, then it will probably be a good buy, and you can learn whether or not you want to upgrade to a new one in the near future.

If you are going to buy a used blender you should check the product and make sure that there are no cracks in the container and the stainless steel blades are in good shape.  Check the seals on the blender, too, so you know that it is not going to leak, and make sure there are no oil leaks or grease built up around the base.

3. Get a blender powerful enough to meet your needs.

The amount of power a blender has will vary by the model and the manufacturer.  Not all blenders are the same. You will want to know if the type of blender you are considering will be able to crush a lot of ice, if you want to make lots of drinks that need it.  Remember there are a lot of blender types available, and get your questions answered before you buy.

Making purees, or crushing cooked veggies, or most raw veggies, won't need the same power requirements as a blender that you want to use for making peanut butter, or grinding a lot of coffee.

4. Pick the size of a blender that fits your kitchen.

There are different sizes of blenders now, and there are even different colors of the same model.  When you shop for a blender have an idea where you want to keep it.  Look for one that has the size that meets your storage needs.

To summarize, there are several blender choices available now including different sizes, power for a variety of purposes, and price ranges.  When you are ready to buy a new blender be aware of what you are going to want to use it for, and how often you plan on using it.  Blenders can and should be used daily to add to a healthy diet, and just making good food and beverages.

Immersion Blender - Making Homemade Soap

Using an immersion blender, for making homemade soap, speeds up the saponification process and saves lots of time. On top of cutting down on trace time, it can reduce separation problems within your soap. CAUTION! When you're making goats milk soap, you may have frozen chunks of milk to blend. Do not force your immersion blender down on any frozen chunks. You could break off the blade and damage your blender, permanently.

The best blenders are not always the most expensive ones. You don't need lots of fancy gadgets for making homemade soap. You just need something practical, powerful, durable, easy to clean and store. Find the one that fits your needs, comforts and desires the most. You can find the best blender for all of your soap making recipes! Having the proper soap making equipment can save you time, energy and money in the long run! There are hundreds of stick blenders available on the market. How do you know which is the best hand mixer for you? Let's look at some characteristics to find the best blender for you.

WEIGHT:

How heavy is the blender? If you're in the soap making business, you will want a lightweight blender. for mixing large batches of goats milk soap throughout the year. Working with a heavy blender, would be possible, but it could get tiresome if you use it frequently.

POWER:

Some stick blenders have an average of approximately.25 horsepower (hp) using 200 watts of power. Basic blenders have an approximate range of hp from.40 to.80 using 300 to 600 watts of power. The most powerful blenders have up to approximately 2.0 hp using 1500 watts of power.

Soap develops a thicker texture when mixing. You'll need an immersion blender with a powerful motor, but it doesn't need to be the most powerful on the market. You have to know how to operate the blender, for making homemade soap. Use it sporadically. If you leave it on continuously mixing soap, you will more than likely burn the motor out! If this happens, you will be back to hand stirring with a spoon, for many hours, indeed.

Battery operated blenders do not seem to stay charged for a very long time. They can be used but you'll need to remember to keep them charged in order to have the power needed to mix your soap.

BLADE:

Take a look at the blade on the blender. Is it made of stainless steel or is it plastic? Some say, the stainless steel blade holds up much better that the plastic. The hard plastic blades can crack, break, crumble or even melt while using them. Is the blade removable? Is it easy to clean? Can it be replaced easily?

BLENDING:

Does the blender have a smooth blend or is it hard to manage? Some say the suction power on blenders is too high, causing them to lose control and manageability. Never submerge the motor, (hand held portion), of the immersion blender in water or any type of liquid! This part of the blender should never get wet. Only submerge it, no farther than, the length of the wand.

POWER CORD:

How long is the power cord? Is it retractable? Having a long power cord gives you flexibility to move around your kitchen, or wherever you are blending. Having a retractable cord makes it nice a tidy for clean up and storage. You don't need to have a long or retractable power cord for making homemade soap. They're just convenient.

SIZE & COMFORT:

Does the blender fit well in your hand? Is it too big or too small to wrap your hand around? Is it too slippery to hold? Is the placement of the controls easy to reach? Most stick blenders fit the hand proportionately, but since you will be the one using it, size and comfort matters.

SPEEDS:

Some blenders have just one speed and others have variable speeds. As long as you mix your soap for the right amount of time, making sure all ingredients are thoroughly blended, having the variation of speeds doesn't really matter that much. Having faster speeds may decrease some mixing time. Having variable speeds is just convenient.

CLEAN-UP:

How easy is it to clean your immersion blender? Are the blade and/or shaft removable for easy access to clean? Are the blade and/or shaft dishwasher safe? Another easy way to clean your blender is to, first, TURN IT OFF or unplug it, then wipe off all of the excess glob of soap, submerge it into hot soapy water, turn it back on, then start mixing as usual. This helps to clean out the blade, shaft and underneath the guard. Also, you can always turn the blender off and just run warm or hot tap water over the blade and shaft, cleaning it in the sink. Be careful to keep water out of electronic controls and the motor. Never put an immersion blender into a dishwasher, but only the dishwasher safe, removable, parts!

COLORS:

Stick blenders come in lots of colors, white, red, black, blue, brushed chrome, etc... The black and brushed chrome do not show stains like the lighter colors do. It's all your preference.

SHAFT:

Is the shaft plastic or chrome? Some say the chrome shaft cleans up much nicer than the plastic ones, due to stains.

NOISE:

Is it quiet to operate? For some people, loud noisy blenders can be irritating, especially, if used frequently.

STORAGE:

Some blenders come with a wall storage bracket. You can mount the immersion blender on the wall for close, easy, access or hide it away in a pantry or storage closet, along with its other accessories.

EXTRAS:

Some blenders have extra accessories: whisk, beaker, chopping blade and more

SAFETY:

Always keep your hands away from the blade(s) when in use. Turn off or unplug your blender when it's not in use.

3 Key Facts You May Not Know About Kitchen Blenders

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.

Why to Buy a High Speed Blender? The More Powerful the Motor, the More a Blender Can Do for You

High speed blenders are able to perform certain tasks that "regular" blenders are not able to do, e.g., make nut butters, grind coffee beans, and create "really" smooth drinks.

For individuals who wish to consume more raw food high speed blenders are an essential cooking appliance. The two brands that are most used are Vitamix and Blendtec blender.

High speed blenders are the best blenders when it comes to making green smoothies. No more "sip and chew" or any fiber strings between your teeth. Tough leafy greens such as kale, collard greens and parsley blend thoroughly, making them into delicious green smoothies.

High speed blenders make the richest and creamiest smoothies. They are so addictive that you will make them every day. If not, you will be craving one.

Many nutrition specialists say that because the high speed blenders break down the food into tiny pieces they can be much easier absorbed by our bodies, giving us the most food value per unit of food. They blend so thoroughly that they break down cell walls, unlocking the maximum amount of nutrients, antioxidants and phytonutrients that you chewing alone can't do.

Some vegetables and fruits such as pineapples are fully utilized in a high speed blender since it is able to pulverize and puree the tough core, which is usually discarded. The pineapple's core contains most of the Bromelain. Bromelain is a powerful anti-inflammatory and digestive aid found in higher concentrations in the pineapple's core and only a high end blender can "unlock" this nutritional powerhouse.

There is less waste as entire vegetables and fruits can be utilized, such as apples and pair seeds, pineapple cores, leafy green stems, or the greens on top of a strawberry. Everything is pulverized and pureed into a rich and creamy smoothie, with no chunks or bits to chew.

With a high speed blender there is no limit to what kind of smoothies or other creations you would like to make. For example, you can make a hot soup in less than 3 minutes. Simply put your desired vegetables in the blender and add hot water, press blend and in about 45-90 seconds you will be pouring yourself a hot vegetable soup. The speed of the blender's blades not only completely chop up the vegetables, but also create heat through friction.

You will be expanding your food options and enjoying every new creation and the extra flexibility.

Generally high speed blenders last a very long time, some even say a lifetime. These are either professional blenders or commercial blenders. Most come with extended warranties. And if you use them often the return on investment is guaranteed.

Best Way to Clean Blender Pitchers? Clean Pitchers Are Important

Blender pitchers with non removable blades.

One piece blender pitchers, blenders with non removable blades, are generally seen as more difficult to clean. However, it really depends what you blend with your blender, and if you clean them straight after using them. If you only occasionally make for example peanut butter then this might not be too much of a concern for you. By the way most of the powerful blenders usually come with one piece pitchers.

If the blender's pitcher is wide enough it is fairly easy to reach the bottom with a brush or by hand with a sponge. Narrow pitchers might be a bit more cumbersome to clean only by hand.

If you did use your blender to make peanut butter or you did clean it straight after its use, try the following before attempting to clean your blender's pitcher by hand. Fill your pitcher ¼ full with warm water, add a few drops of detergent, place back onto the blender base, place the lid back on, and start your blender and run for about 30 seconds. This will pull off any if not all parts sticking to the walls of the pitcher. All you then need to do is rinse your pitcher and maybe wipe out before it is ready to perform the next task for you.

Blender pitchers with removable blades.

Blender pitchers that have removable blades do not need to always be taken apart to be cleaned after every use. It really depends what you blend with your blender, and if you clean them straight after using them. If you make for example a nut butter then it would be advisable to do so.

In general you can follow the same cleaning process as pitchers with non removable blades. Fill your blender's pitcher ¼ full with warm water, add a few drops of detergent, place back onto the blender base, place the lid back on, and start your blender and run for about 30 seconds. This will pull off any if not all parts sticking to the walls of the pitcher. All you then need to do is rinse your pitcher and maybe wipe out before it is ready to perform the next task for you.

Do NOT clean your blender's pitcher while it is on the blender's base, especially if the power cord is still plugged in.

Placing your blender pitcher in the dishwasher.

First make sure your blender's pitcher is dishwater safe. If you have a pitcher with removable blades dissemble it and place everything besides the rubber ring in the dishwasher. The rubber ring you will have to clean under running water in your sink and dry off with a towel.

When the dishwasher is done and all pieces are completely dry reassemble everything as per your blender's instruction manual.

Best Blenders recommends cleaning your blender's pitcher by hand. By doing so it will extend the life of your product and get better cleaned this way too. If you do find that over time the rubber ring stops fitting as well and the pitcher starts to leak, which is very common after a certain period of time, you can purchase a new rubber ring from the manufacturer.

If you have a pitcher with non removable blades place it in the bottom tray of the dishwasher face down, and make sure it can't tip over. Otherwise place on the upper rack. Best is to rinse prior.