There are some baseline features we think you should consider, which we outline here. ![]() To see how well premium, full-sized, personal, and immersion blenders perform in our tests, see our blender ratings.ĭecide which features are most important to you, but keep in mind that paying more for a blender doesn’t necessarily get you more features. To gauge the noise level, CR blends 1 cup of water and takes an average decibel reading over 30 seconds. Our durability test involves crushing seven ice cubes (four for personal blenders) without liquid for 1 minute on the highest setting. We measure a machine’s convenience by how easy it is to use its controls, clean its base, and remove and replace the blade-among other factors. In our purée test, we blend veggies and other ingredients in boiling water, operating on the manufacturer’s recommended speed (or high) for 15 seconds-three times per model. (The lower the score, the bigger-and more irregular-the ice chips.) A blender that garners a top-level score in our ice-crushing test serves up ice that looks uniformly like snow, while a very good score tells you the ice is more like a snow cone. “When a blender earns an excellent score in our icy-drinks tests, the drinks have a smooth, consistent texture,” says Larry Ciufo, a test engineer who oversees CR’s blender testing.įor our ice-crushing tests, we use another set of sieves to separate the big chips from the finer bits. In our lab, we make batches of nonalcoholic piña coladas and use a series of sieves (with diminishing mesh sizes) to evaluate smoothness and thickness. If you already know what you’re looking for, you can read about the best personal blenders we’ve tested, the most reliable blender brands, the best blenders for your buck (or even those that are specifically $100 or less), or dive right into our blender ratings.Ĭonsumer Reports tests blenders on how well they make icy drinks, crush ice, and purée, as well as on convenience, durability, and noise. We’ll also cover the different blender features you might want to consider, as well as how Consumer Reports tests blenders to identify those that might be best for your needs and budget. ![]() In this buying guide, we’ll talk about the different types of blenders you can buy-from full-sized blenders to immersion blenders. Also important is your budget-some plastic personal blenders can cost as little as $20, while those multifunction, premium glass blenders can cost more than $600. A higher price typically means better performance. From there, we look at each blender’s convenience, durability, and the amount of noise it makes to determine its ratings. When we test blenders, Consumer Reports assesses how well these machines craft icy drinks and crush and purée ice. Today, Consumer Reports’ tests have found that the small appliance is a lot more versatile than it was at its conception: The best blenders are great for making smoothies, soups, and even homemade nut butters. But if you want it chunky, you can use an immersion blender.The first blenders, designed for whipping up malted milk, hit kitchen counters in the 1920s. “We also use a Vitamix blender for smooth and creamy soups. ![]() “For mashed and sweet potatoes, you want to whip them up so they’re not mushy,” he says. “For example, we use the stick blender for aioli, a garlic mayonnaise emulsion that we infuse with roasted pepper and herbs for more flavor.”īut Falcon says immersion blenders aren’t the best choice for superfine purées, so he uses a full-size Vitamix blender for soup bases and a mixer for mashed potatoes. ![]() “An immersion blender is efficient for big batches of sauces, hummus, vinaigrettes, and some soups,” says Jose Luis Falcon, executive chef at Elia Mediterranean Restaurant in East Rutherford, N.J., where he makes up to 20 liters of sauce at a time. Stovetop use: Blending directly in a stock pot eliminates the need to transfer hot liquids, like soup, to a countertop blender. If you hit the road for Thanksgiving, you can pack an immersion blender to help whip up the gravy at dinnertime.Įasy storage: Their small size makes immersion blenders easy to stash in a kitchen cabinet or drawer. Portability: Handheld blenders travel well. Jar-less, they’re also easy to clean compared with other blender types. Convenience: Immersion blenders fit in the palm of your hand, with simple controls operated by the press of a button.
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