What to Look for in Countertop Blenders

When you are looking at the dizzying array of countertop blenders you might feel overwhelmed. There are those that blend, juice and crush ice but some that go way beyond these normal functions. The more that they do, the higher the cost and the more complicated they seem to be. The more attachments that you have to deal with, the more chances there are to lose things or to break them. They can make storing and using the blenders so difficult that no one will even want to bother. You end up thinking it is just easier to go ahead and drive somewhere to grab a milkshake or smoothie.

You have to determine what the most important feature to you is. For some people, it might be price, especially people who are only interested in using their blender for the occasional shake or blended drink. For others, the blender is a large part of the cooking process and needs to be not only powerful and versatile but also easy to clean up afterward as well. The buttons should be easy to use, but should not have large parts that stick up because that will make them harder to clean.

The amount that you choose to spend for your blender might depend on how often you use it or how much value you place on the food products that you create for your family. If you want a professional grade blender, then you will have to spend extra money. There are a number of different sizes for the blenders that you have to choose from as well. There are even personal sized blenders that you can use to create a healthy smoothie - all in one cup. For the larger family, a larger blender is needed.

Storage or counter space is very important to consider as well. There are some that have the power and the blending capacity but a more space saving design. There are others that have attachments which may take up a lot of additional space. But if you are using your blender every day or at least several times a week, then it is worth allocating the counter space for. If you only use it once a month or just every now and then, go with a smaller unit or one that will easily tuck away.

The final consideration is your favorite name brands. Some people choose their appliances only by the name they are made under, while other people consider that to be less important. Whether they are for you or for gifts, countertop blenders can be a great addition to a healthy and fun kitchen.

What Exactly Is an Immersion Blender and What Can I Do With It?

What exactly is an Immersion Blender?

Also referred to as stick or wand blenders, immersion blenders are appreciated for their versatility and effortless clean up. They perform much of the work of three kitchen appliances: a regular counter-top blender, a food processor, and a hand mixer. Compact and easy to use, they will puree, mix, emulsify, liquidate, aerate, mince, whip, chop and grind. They are produced by well-known corporations such as Cuisinart, KitchenAid, Bosch, DeLonghi, Dualit, Waring and many others.

What can I do with it?

If you are exploring the web for this gadget, you probably already have a good idea of your purpose for buying an immersion blender. Most cooks use them to puree soups because of the mess and difficulty involved in ladling or pouring the hot soup from the pot into the blender. Another trendy use is blending protein shakes or smoothies. There are so many other great uses for this clever kitchen tool, such as:

• Puree your own baby food

• Blend salsa, gravy, puddings, and salad dressings

• Make mayonnaise, hummus, or even peanut butter

• Make applesauce

• Puree cauliflower as a substitute for mashed potatoes

• Milk frothing

• Make your own tomato sauce

• And many more!

The most common accolade of these gadgets is that they are quick and easy to use and clean-up is a snap. Many immersion blender owners feel that they now cook recipes that they didn't in the past for two reasons:

1.) Before, they didn't have all of the needed tools and the immersion blender now provides them with sort of a three- in-one

Or

2.) Because it is so much easier to use and clean, if they had to use a regular blender, food processor or hand mixer they would have chosen to cook something else that would not require making such a mess.

These kitchen tools come in a variety of colors, with the brushed chrome or stainless steel look being the trendiest. Some are cordless, but most have to be plugged in, both of which have their pros and cons. Some come with measuring/mixing beakers and attachments such as whisks and choppers. Some are multiple speed and others are one speed only. Immersion blenders focused on the needs of the home cook range in price from around $30 to $130 depending on the brand, features, and attachments. There are plenty out there to choose from, and are as simple or as complicated as the cook requires.

Smoothie Blender - A Useful Kitchen Appliance

As every dietitian recommends the addition of raw fruits and vegetables in your diet, it is a good idea to have a smoothie blender in your kitchen. It will allow you to make tasty smoothies in order to add fruit and vegetables into your diet. However, choosing the right smoothie blender will pose you a problem as there are hundreds of different models available at different prices.

When you are going to purchase your smoothie blender, one thing you need to think of is its size. If everyone in your household likes smoothies, you need to have a bigger one that also has a more powerful motor. But if you are the only one who relishes this health food, you could manage with a smaller one with a less powerful motor. The small ones are normally offered at low prices.

In case you want to make your smoothies when you are on the go, one good option is to use single service blenders some of the manufacturers offer. These come with two or more jars and the facility to drink off the jar. This will make things easy for you as you never need to wash one of those large smoothie blender jars. You will also save space.

If you like a powerful blender of a different type, look at the immersion blender. This is yet another powerful blender for which you never need a specific jar. You have the option to leave your ingredients in any jar and do the blending. This also will reduce your workload as washing this blender is also easy. Normally, blenders of this type are available with very powerful motors. It could be as powerful as 300 watts and the speed may reach 15,000 rpm.

Most of the smoothie blenders offer different features to make it easy to use them. Some of them offer a few jars so that you never need to wash the jar every time you make your smoothies. There are others that offer timers. This is a facility that will make it easy for you when you are working in the kitchen. Until your smoothie is ready, you never need to watch over your blender. Instead, you have the option to activate the timer, add your ingredients in the jar and place it on the blender. After switching on, you have the option to engage in any other work and come back to take your jar of smoothie away.

Waring Blenders Detailed

Waring blenders, just as any blenders out there are kitchen appliances which service the purpose of crushing, mashing, pureeing, mincing and liquefying food or beverages. Waring blenders are the most sought after, most trusted and best option for blenders out there as they have over 70 years of experience in the field.

The main parts of any blender are: housing, motor, blades and container. Their assembly implies a fan cooled electric motor which is placed within the housing through the use of vibration dampers. An output shaft connects the electric motor to the blade assembly providing the drive it needs. A rubber washer is usually in place to prevent water from coming in contact with the motor.

The original concept for blenders belongs to the polish J. Poplawski who came up with the design and manufacture for beverage mixers in 1919. As his concept was better and faster developed by Fred Osius with the financial and managerial help of Fred Waring the recognized father of the blender is Fred Waring, waring being a household name nowadays. The further developments conducted by J. Poplawski brought him recognition as the mixer's father.

The first name for the blender was "the osterizer".

Fred Waring and Waring Manufacturers divided their work in two segments as they service both household needs and professional needs. Aside from food and beverage blenders, Waring is renowned for medical innovations for substance blending machinery.

Waring started to build its name in 1936 and became successful in 1937 when the American markets were presented with a truly functional and affordable blending solution. Waring is the one to give the machinery the name blender.

The first improvements added to blenders were made by Waring who added the ice crusher and coffee grinder to the product and this increased its functionality and use and implicitly the demand for Waring products.

The most recent improvements regard diversifying the kitchen appliances patented by the waring corporation, the product lines being expanded to juicers, vortex blenders, cabinet blenders, fryers, slicers waffle makers, cordless wine opener and, two years ago, a popcorn maker and a yogurt maker.

Throughout time waring blenders changes their looks as to best match the trends in kitchen ware and kitchen design while maintaining the best performances at a minimum cost. Waring blenders have an important legacy to continue and as they are a well known brand they seem to maintain their position for quite some time now by incorporating all technological improvements and innovations in their design.

Food and Drinks Made Easy With Oster and Cuisinart Blenders

Choosing the best blender means it has to be tough, long-lasting and convenient to use. Oster and Cuisinart are brand names that guaranty first class performance every time. They dedicate their time, energy and research to provide customers with what they are exactly looking for.

Oster blenders are known for its quality and durability. It has millions of loyal users and followers because their products last for years. It is an excellent appliance for food preparation. They have produced so many models already but we mention here a few.

You can get the Oster Contemporary Classic Beehive Blender at $75. It has two speed settings to better control precision in grinding. The classic Beehive is resistant to scratch with a jar that can be cleaned in a dishwasher. It can serve up to five cups and has a stainless steel ice-crushing blade.

Oster also takes pride in another product, the Oster 14 Speed Blender with Food Processor. It has a first-rate mincing and chopping performance from its chopper blade or the reversible disc blade. This type of blender is convenient to use that can fill five cups. It has a scratch resistant and dishwasher-safe glass jar. The food processor has a three-cup capacity. You can pour in liquids as you use it with its food pusher and cover. This fine blender with food processor can also be put away conveniently with its cord storage. You can purchase this for only $46.38.

Oster offers another product, the Oster 14 Speed Blender minus the food processor. This costs $47.37. Having the same capacity and quality, this model includes a five-cup scratch resistant and dishwasher-safe glass jar. It also has a stainless steel ice crusher. It is designed with 14 possible speed options and brushed with chrome to look good on top of your counter. It also has cord storage so you can neatly put it away.

Cuisinart Blenders is another leading brand that equates to quality. Its PowerBlend 600 Blender features a 500-watt motor. It has a large capacity with a 56 oz glass blender jar where you can also pour in liquids through its clear 2 oz measure pour lid. Use its 7-speed touchpad controls to adjust its blending performance. You can pulse, stir, chop, mix, puree, liquefy and crush ice with it. Simply pack it away without the tangle of cords with its brilliant push-in cord storage. Buy this product for $59.95 with a limited 3-year warranty.

Food processors and blenders are good together with the Cuisinart SmartPower Duet blender/food processor. Its large capacity of 40 oz glass blender jar can prepare ice and frozen drinks for several people. The work bowl can handle a volume of 3 cups. This model is so easy to use with its electronic touchpad and 7-speed controls that has separate buttons for ice crushing and food processing. You can pulse, too, at any speed rate. The stainless steel chopping blade, reversible slicing/shredding disc and any removable parts are scratch resistant and dishwasher-safe. At $99.95, it comes with an Instruction and recipe book. Enjoy Cuisinart's 3-year warranty.

For quality and style, Cuisinart presents the SmartPower Premier 600-Watt Blender. You can buy this for $99.95 and enjoy its durability and flair from the cast metal and stainless case that has an embossed Cuisinart logo. Its special feature is the count-up timer that helps you keep up with the time indicated in recipes. The powerful 600-watt motor can crush ice with no hassle and can handle the roughest blending jobs with ease. You can serve your recipe to as many people as you want with its 50 oz glass jar capacity.

This particular model also features the Cuisinart easy-to-use push-button controls and an easy push-on cover with a removable measured pour lid. Enjoy Cuisinart's 3-year warranty service and explore new food ideas with the instruction/recipe book that comes with it.

Delicious Recipes For the Blendtec Blender

If you have been perusing blender reviews, you will have noticed that the Blendtec blender is among the highest quality blender in the market today. There are hundreds of delicious recipes you can choose from when attempting to eat healthfully using the Blendtec blender. Over time, you will find that your waist line begins to recede, and your overall fitness level gradually becomes higher.

Need a little extra energy? Why not blend up some of your own signature peanut butter. Blender reviews state that the Blendtec is one of the best blenders to create the smoothest, richest peanut butter in town. All you have to do is throw some peanuts into the blender, and hit the pulse button repeatedly for about a minute. During the blending process, you can mix up your peanut butter with a spatula, and continuously mix in butter until you have reached your desired peanut butter consistency.

Another delicious concoction which can be made by the Blendtec blender includes Tortilla soup. This soup, which is less than 100 calories per serving, incorporates tomatoes, carrot, onion, peppers, garlic, and taco seasoning. One of the best parts about the Blendtec blender is that you can create soups without having to warm them up on the microwave and on the stove. The longer you blend your soup, the hotter it will be. Therefore, you can simply throw your desired ingredients into the Blendtec, push a button, and you will instantly have healthy, hot, homemade soup. It doesn't get more convenient than that.

If you read through blender reviews, you will find that those who use these high powered blenders have joined together into their own community to promote healthy eating. Many blender users enjoy sharing recipes and stories. It is important to remember that you can use your blender for fun occasions such as a fun margarita night for a girls' night in. These blenders can help to create delicious, restaurant quality adult beverages which can be enjoyed by everyone! Don't forget, the Blendtec can also create delicious party dips such as guacamole, hummus, and salsa. Not only can you use the Blendtec blender to promote healthy eating, but you can also use it to facilitate a night of deliciousness and fun!

Why Use Blender? Top 6 Reasons For Using This Suite Of 3D Tools

First off, what is Blender you may ask? Blender is a suite of 3D tools used to create art, animations and games. But why would you want to use it?

1) It's Free. And I mean completely free. There are no costs whatsoever involved with Blender. No demos, trial versions or extra software necessary. Just download and install it, and off you go. Most tutorials and extra features are also free. There are dozens of websites that offer plenty of free information.

2) It's Open-Source. Open-Source means that the original source code of the program is freely available to anyone. This is very beneficial to us, however, as it means that hundreds or even thousands of people can help develop and improve Blender. This creates a very reliable and stable program.

3) It's Surprisingly Powerful. Normally you would associate "free" with programs that are junk, have viruses attached, or are just plain faulty. Blender is not like that though. It is capable of creating some truly wonderful art. It can also create animations and movies such as "Sintel", "Big Buck Bunny", or "Elephants Dream". There is even a game called "Yo Frankie". You, too, can learn how to create amazing art with Blender.

4) It Works On Any Operating System. Whether your computer is a Windows, Macintosh or my favourite, Linux, you can still install Blender on it. This means that as long as your computer is generally not more than 3 or 4 years old, you can run Blender. It will often work on computers that are even older.

5) It Has A Built-In Video Editor. This means that you can do even more using only Blender, instead of having to run different programs to do each task. By doing it this way, you can spend more time working with less confusion, as well as having better integration.

6) It Is Compatible With Other Programs. Not only can Blender do so much in itself, but it can also import and export other types of 3D modelling files. This means that if you have other 3D programs that you like using, you can use Blender at the same time.

Bonus: The Blender Community. What is the Blender Community? It is where anyone, generally Blender users, can ask for and provide help with difficulties that they may be having, show other people stuff they have made, and look at what other people are making. This is incredibly useful for you as there are literally thousands of other Blender users who would love to help you with anything you might want to know. You can Google "Blender Artists" to find more information about the Blender forums.

KitchenAid KSB560 Blender Review

If you are looking for a new blender, you will want the one that can best serve your needs. The blender should have enough motor power for all your kitchen uses. In addition, it should have all the functions available and be a stylish addition to the kitchen. The KitchenAid KSB560 blender could be a good candidate.

We have looked into the reviews of 1,002 users of the product. There are 696 people who gave the product four and five stars. That means around 70 per cent of the customers are quite happy with what they have bought.

Here are the Pros why you should purchase this blender:

The blender has five buttons to select different functions including stir, chop, mix, puree and liquefy.

The motor is 0.9 horsepower. This is strong enough for a blender which is used in a normal kitchen.

The pulse mode has 5 speeds.

It has an ice-crushing button. Ice crushing may be one of the tasks that shorten the blender's life. Having this can help you prolong the use of your blender.

The container is 56 oz. It is big enough to cover most of the jobs you might need to do.

The handle is made of non-slip rubber. You do not have to worry about losing grip and dropping the blender.

The product comes with 1-year hassle-free replacement warranty.

Here are the Cons why you might want to hold off on buying this KitchenAid blender:

A few customers found leakage after they used their blenders for a while. Although, the motor has no problem, they may have to replace the container to restore the function.

The blender has soft-start feature. This means it will gradually accelerate to the speed you want. Sometimes the process throws everything to the lid. You have to make sure that you have the lid on the blender when you are using it.

There are some complaints regarding the customer service of the manufacturer.

Conclusions: This KitchenAid KSB560 blender will cost you around US$100. The price may vary depending on the promotion. We think that it is a good example for this price level. However, you must not expect it to carry out heavy duty tasks that would be needed in a restaurant. For that level of use, you might want to look into a more expensive blender with more horsepower, made from more durable materials.

Since the product comes with 1 year warranty, you don't have to worry too much about the customer service. At least, you can enjoy the blender for at least a year with the warranty.

Kitchen Blender Brands

No kitchen appliance set is finished without the perfect kitchen blender. Choosing the right blender brand can sometimes be a difficult task. With top brands such as Oster, Cuisinart, KitchenAid, Black and Decker, and Hamilton beach, no wonder choosing a kitchen blender can be so confusing. A lot of these blenders and other blender brands will claim to be the best blender, this is not quite un-true but here are some important factors to key in before purchasing your blender.

Make sure the kitchen blender brand you are looking at is suitable for your blender needs. Some people need their blender for puree-ing baby food, while others maybe strictly be using it to crush ice in smoothies, or for drink making.

No matter the use for this amazing kitchen appliance, stainless steel blades and a high quality motor are what run the show. Too many times I have witnessed kitchen blenders dying because the motor simply could not handle the foods they were trying to blend.

Also, checking the power efficiency of the appliance will help with a better economic decision. If the blender you are choosing will be for simple blending functions, it is better to look for a powerless blender which conserves energy. Blenders for crushing ice, coffee beans, meets, or making smoothies should come equipped with a high powered, high quality motor and a good set of blades. Do this to avoid this kitchen appliance from breaking down.

A powerful, more swift motor and durable blades were made to handle the complex job. It even has more number of blades than the basic food blenders you normally see for better performance. Using blender flood is faster that other food blenders but because of its great speed function, it is not recommended to be used on some food preparations.

3 Surprising Foods You Can Make in a Blender

The Ninja blender 1100 is one of the latest kitchen appliances that every household should own, to help you create sensational dishes with ease. Many people own blenders, and never unleash their full potential. A superb quality blender can help to produce a large amount of surprising foods, which you probably did not realize were possible with a blender.

Whether you want to make delicious pizza dough, magnificent ice cream, or healthy and warming soup the Ninja blender 1100 can create them all. Using different blades and speeds, every single one of these surprising foods can be prepared and made with the help of the blender. Blenders are so much more than simply a kitchen appliance to create smoothies. They are versatile, affordable kitchen aides that will make your life easier.

Soups, Mmm Mmm Good!

Soup is something that everyone enjoys eating; however, many people think that it is far too complicated to make. You will surprise yourself at how easy it is to make fresh, healthy soup for all of the family with the Ninja blender 1100. By simply placing the chopped vegetables into the blender, and adding hot water you will be able to create delicious soup. If you require it to be thicker, adding pureed beans are perfect and full of flavor.

Blender Ice Cream

Ice cream is ideal for every situation, and can be easily mixed using the Ninja blender 1100 to create smooth, delicate ice cream for the whole family. The secret to the perfect ice cream is creating the ideal blend, and the Ninja blender 1100, can assist you. The added power in the blender will ensure that the ice cream is mixed perfectly. Once it is mixed the ice cream will need to be placed in the freezer, but can be served within 12 hours.

No-Knead Pizza Dough

Pizza dough is another fantastic item which can be made easily in the Ninja blender 1100. By using the specially crafted dough paddles, you will be able to knead the dough until it is the perfect consistency. Both the paddles and dough hooks allow you to make the ideal dough for your pizza without all the hard work traditionally needed.

The dough paddles on the Ninja blender 1100 are ideal for making large quantities of pizza dough and cookie mix. The Ninja blender 1100 is the ideal addition to your kitchen and will help you to create exciting and new ideas. Whether you want the perfect dough for your pizza, healthy smoothies, incredible ice cream or delicious cookies this blender is there to help.

Cuisinart Blenders the Smart Power Blender

When people go out, and look for a blender there are many different things to take into consideration when trying to purchase a new blender. Many people look for different things when in the market for a new blender, and it just takes some shopping around to find the right one for you, and your family. The cuisinart blenders are great blenders made not only to be a great addition for your family, but also made in a way to be space saving, and help you complete more then one job.

Most blenders just do one thing, like made drinks, or made to blend dough, but with the cuisinart blenders there are many different attachments you can add to the blender to make it complete more then one job. You just need to do some research on the cuisinart blenders, and see if they would be right for you, and your family.

The cuisinart blenders have become very popular in the united states, since their initial introduction into the United States in 1973, the company was created from France. Nowadays you will see the cuisinart blenders in almost every commercial store in America, where you can find all different kinds of blenders.

The reason the blenders have become so popular in the United States is because not only the space saving qualities of the machine, but also people like how you can just use one machine, and complete a entire family meal. So if you look back on what we have said here, the cuisinart blender would be a great addition to your family, and you should give the company a try.

There are many different kinds of attachments you can add to the cuisinart blenders, like for instance different things like food processors, or maybe a meat grinder if you need one in your home. Many people purchase the blender because of these things, they like how they can complete an entire family meal with just one machine, and not have to switch between tools.

One big product the cuisinart company is selling is the cuisinart hand blender, which has become more, and more popular every year. The cuisinart hand blender, is a very small, and space saving blender which is very effective when trying to blend small things, or in tight spaces. The machine runs on batteries, and can last about 15 minutes before needing to be switched. After you switch out the batteries however you have another 15 minutes to blend away at whatever you may need to do with the machine!

The Oster Classic Beehive Blender - What You Need to Know About This Blender

Have you been looking for a great blender? If you have and you like the look of the blenders that have been popular in the past, you may be interested in the Oster Classic Beehive Blender. This is a great model that offers a lot of power and versatility that make it enjoyable to use.

Many blenders these days are simply an attachment on a larger food processing unit. Because they are not a blender they lack a lot of the power and benefits that a specialized blender can give you. Often, kitchen appliances that try and do more than one thing at once are not very good at anything. The Oster blender is specialized and does what it does very well.

Unlike some blenders, the Oster blender has 2 speeds and 2 different functions. It can be run at high speed or at a lower speed and can be set to blend continuously or pulse the contents. This is good because most people do not tend to use multiple functions. They tend to find one or 2 speeds that they feel comfortable using and stick to those. It is good to be able to blend in small bursts or to set the blender to run constantly but few other functions are needed.

The power of this blender is formidable since there is a five hundred watt motor behind it. If you are hoping to crush ice quickly and effectively, it is going to take a powerful motor like that to accomplish your goal. Blenders with weaker motors may simply burn out before they can get the job done.

It can make creating tropical drinks much simpler than you can imagine if your only experience with a blender has been one with a weaker motor.

Talking to people who have used different types of blenders will be very helpful. They will be able to tell you the benefits and advantages of the blenders and talk about how they will best meet your needs. A professional will also be able to give you information and details about the blenders you are considering and which will best meet your needs.

A Review of Ninja Blender 1100

Ninja blenders have made a name for themselves for being a complete food processor that comes in handy in pretty much any operation in the kitchen. If you are looking for a blender that not only handles your processing tasks with ease but is also cost effective and reliable at the same time, then look no more as the Ninja 1100 Blender is the perfect appliance for you. The ninja 1100 blender can blend all kinds of drinks, chop things like peppers, celery or carrots, mince onions, puree tomatoes and can be used as a food processor. You can use this blender to make cocktail drinks, shakes, malts, cappuccino or mixtures that can go in chili or stews. If you love smoothies, make them yourself at home with the Ninja Kitchen System 1100 Blender. This easy-to-use blender has several functions and can help with many of your kitchen needs. Make everything from protein shakes and frozen cocktails to meatballs and bean dip with the Ninja 1100 Blender.

The Ninja 1100 Blender, named for its 1100 watts of motor power, has a 72-ounce pitcher that holds plenty of liquid or other products. If you want to do more than just mix up shakes, the blender comes with a dough hook, whisk and paddle. Make bread and pizza dough next time your friends come to dinner. There. s also a lidded processing bowl with a blade to chop and cut most types of food.

The Ninja 1100 Blender has a quality blade that is attached securely, which means that you won't have to worry about any accidents while you re blending fresh juice in the morning. The splashguard and no-slip base makes this blender practically foolproof. Every part of the blender is easy to wash, too, making cleaning up a cinch.

Possibly the best part of this blender is that you don't have to hold down one of the buttons to make it work. Simply press the button and walk away from the blender as it.s blending or processing your food. If you decide to use the blender to knead dough, you can depend on its electronic feedback motor that will use the perfect kneading rhythm on the dough.

Unfortunately, the Ninja 1100 Blender is on the pricey side, costing upwards of $160. The main drawback to this blender is that it can be used as a juicer since it does not get much juice from vegetables. Otherwise, though, this blender will knead, crush, blend and chop virtually anything you want. You can get rid of your food processor and depend solely on your Ninja 1100 Blender instead. Free up counter space and make more homemade meals with the Ninja 1100 Blender 6 or 4 blades that will let you handle any task with the greatest of ease. The powerful motor can handle the toughest of kitchen tasks with versatility. The multipurpose nature of the Ninja Blender 1100 makes it a highly popular product.

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 power

In general, the more power the blender the easier it is for elders as they do not need to chop up food items [as much] before putting them into the blender, e.g. carrots and apples. Also the outcome is usually much smoother and creamier, which results in less sip-and-chew results. This is important when making soups and vegetable drinks.

Best Blender for Crushing Ice

If you're researching the best blender for crushing ice, you probably already know that the Vitamix 5200 and the Blendtec Total Blender are not only considered the best blenders for crushing ice, but also two of the best blenders ever manufactured. The bottom line is that when it comes to crushing ice, you need a blender that can provide two things: a strong motor and finely crafted, durable blades. Choosing between the Vitamix and the Blendtec as the best blender for crushing ice is a difficult task, but there are some features and benefits that may sway your opinion in addition to the blender's ice crushing abilities.

If power were the only consideration for the best blender for crushing ice, then the Blendtec Total Blender would clearly steal the show. With an industrial grade motor that runs at 1560 WATTS, there isn't any food item you can put into this blender that it won't easily handle. This includes large and irregular pieces of ice. With the power of the Blendtec you can quickly crush enough ice to make all the frozen drinks or desserts you need, but it is a little loud. In a commercial kitchen or bakery this really wouldn't be an issue, but at home or in other quiet environments it might be. However, the Blendtec still remains in the running for the best blender for crushing ice not only because of its incredible power and speed, but also because it offers an automatic cycle feature where you can put the ice in, set the cycle and walk away- the Blendtec will automatically stop at the end of the cycle!

The Vitamix 5200 has been considered the best blender for crushing ice by many chefs and cooks for more than 30 years. While it might be a little less powerful than the Blendtec at 1380 WATTS, the motor of the Vitamix spins at an incredible 240 miles per hour, ensuring that any ice is thoroughly crushed in seconds. Additionally, the Vitamix offers heavy duty manual controls that allow the most extreme precision on the market. And while it might not have the automatic cycles that the Blendtec has, it is much quieter and therefore you don't need to leave the kitchen while your appliance is doing its job!

When considering the best blender for crushing ice, the warranty offered is critical- especially if you will use the appliance to consistently crush a lot of ice. The Blendtec offers a more powerful motor and one of the industry's best warranties: 3 years on the base and motor and a lifetime warranty on the blade assembly. The Vitamix is quieter and offers an incredible 7 year warranty that includes parts, labor AND shipping!

Either the Vitamix 5200 or the Blendtec Total Blender could easily be considered the best blender for crushing ice, but with all of their other features and benefits, both blenders would also be in the running for the title of best blender overall!

How Immersion Blenders Can Save You Time

Immersion blenders are a much have kitchen tool for anyone who wants to save time and money with food prep. This handy, powerful tool allows you to quickly chop, blend and puree any type of ingredients. From salads to soups to holiday stuffing, using an immersion blender will reduce the amount of dishes you need to wash, tools you need to use and time spent prepping meals in the kitchen.

The useful chopping feature of immersion blenders will eliminate the need for other types of food processors in the home. You can simply place all of your ingredients for a pie, salad, sauce or other recipe in a dish and insert the stick blender. These blenders quickly chop up any type of ingredient to the coarseness you prefer. Instead of putting each individual ingredient into a small food processor and having to continually refill and chop ingredients to get a recipe started, you can place all of your necessary ingredients into one large bowl and let immersion blenders do the work.

Making soups and sauces can be a lot of work and use a lot of utensils. With immersion blenders you can simply add all of your whole, cooked ingredients into a bowl or pot and let the tool puree and blend them into a masterpiece. The best part about a stick blender is that it can be fully submerged in liquids. This is because of the hard plastic shell that protects the motor parts.

Blender accessories help turn a regular immersion blender into an all purpose tool. You can use the stick blender with a metal canister to make fast and easy milkshakes or smoothies or attach it to a shopping cylinder to help dice up a variety of ingredients in one small, compact container. The wisk attachment is perfect for created frothy mixes or beating cream and sugar into delicious whipped cream for your favorite desserts during the holidays. Using an immersion blender will save countless hours of your time when prepping and making any type of dish. Other popular blender accessories include the beater attachment which turns any regular hand held blender into a hand mixer quickly. Immersion blenders typically carry more power than a normal hand blender as well which means faster mixing.

There are many reasons why an immersion blender should be a must-have tool in your kitchen. They are easy to clean, simple to use and can be used for hundreds of different purposes. Most people will agree that the time and money saved on using and replacing other tools in the kitchen is one of the best reasons to own one of these hand held blenders. The average blender is priced at less than $100 and most will come equipped with a manufacturers warranty. By replacing bulky kitchen gadgets with one of these you can save yourself the time it takes to move, wash and store other items while also reduce cooking prep time. These items even come with a wall mount for easy storage that is also easily accessible whenever you need it.

How Immersion Blenders Are Used

Immersion blenders are handheld, easy to use, food preparation appliances that can be purchased for as little as twenty dollars. These gadgets are popular for a number of reasons, but primarily because they can be used to make a variety of different foods taste better. Whether you're using them for soups or iced drinks, these blenders are essential for properly preparing a number of different food items.

The most common use of an immersion blender is to thicken soups. They work great at blending potatoes into soup bases, which helps the soup to become more creamier without using corn starch or flour. So you can make soups taste better without additional calories.

Beyond that, however, there are literally hundreds of different uses for these versatile tools including making baby food, hummus, whipped creamed, mayonnaise, and even smoothies. Whether you need to puree, blend, whisk, or froth, an immersion blender is the right tool for the job.

Best of all, many of these blenders come with replaceable heads that allow you to do even more. Some models, for example, include whisk and chopping attachments. While other models can be mounted to a wall, essentially replacing the need for tabletop mixers. A well-made blender can replace many of your smaller kitchen appliances such as milk frothers, traditional blenders, and even food processors.

Using an immersion blender is as simple as placing it down into a pot or bowl, immersing it into the food, and pressing the on button. Some blenders can immerse into liquid up to eight inches deep. These blenders are particularly appropriate when processing large quantities of food or when using tall pots.

Because immersion blenders are so lightweight and compact, they're much more convenient to use than traditional handheld mixers. Once finished, these blenders are also easy to clean up. For the majority of them, the blending head detaches from the motor and then it can either be rinsed under water or placed into a dishwasher. Since the blades are typically made from quality stainless steel, you don't have to worry about them ever rusting.

Unfortunately, many cooks today still view the immersion blender as an unnecessary gadget. This couldn't be further from the truth. Because of their versatility and ease of use, blenders are essential for cooks and budding chefs who prepare a wide variety of foods. Given the fact that they're so inexpensive and capable of performing many preparations that will replace more expensive kitchen gadgetry, buying a quality immersion blender is a great investment.

Fitted Kitchens - Fitted Kitchen Tips

The Work Triangle or The Work Area: One of the most important aspects of any fitted kitchen and its also one of the areas of planning that must involve the input of the cook or chef. There are three main appliances that will determine this area and these are, the cooker, the fridge and the sink or waste area. You may well ask why, well these when you think about it are the three most used places in any kitchen. If any of these areas are too far away from each other it can make using the kitchen to its full potential difficult. So the work area or the work triangle should be given the attention it deserves before proceeding to the other areas of choosing your kitchen, and that is your first fitted kitchen tip.

Available Kitchens: When you go to any showrooms today you will see a huge range of fitted kitchens displayed under strategically placed bright lights, and you think I must have one of these. A little advice, do not rush that decision, and that is your second fitted kitchen tip. One of the areas to check out is the kitchen carcass or the frame. This is where the doors are attached by hinges that will be used many times every day, and you certainly do not want to be adjusting doors in a few weeks after your purchase because some manufacturer decides to cut corners by using rubbish wood from framing, and the hinges and other fittings like runners become loose because the screws used for to attach such fittings are not gripping properly.

Maple Kitchens This is a very valuable hardwood timber, we have in North America the Sugar Maple while in Europe we have the Sycamore Maple. Butchers blocks and bowling pins are mostly manufactured from hard maple from North America and it has a beautiful decorative wood grain that is extremely popular when installing fitted kitchens in Ireland.

Ash Kitchens This wood is a tough hardwood and is used for making bows, fitted kitchens, electric guitar bodies and one of the famous sporting accessories the hurley stick. Hurling is a sport played by sporting warriors all over Ireland and is deemed to be the fastest spot in the world. Not for the faint hearted.

Oak Kitchens One of the hardwoods with a very attractive grain and is widely used for furniture making for centuries. It is also used for making whiskey and wine barrels and is one of the timbers used for the construction of timber framed houses. American Oak custom and fitted kitchens when manufactured and finished of to a high standard are just beautiful.

Knotty Pine Kitchens Pines are mostly grown in the Northern hemisphere and are extremely important in the commercial world and is widely used in the making of custom and fitted kitchens, windows and roofing and floors.

In-frame Kitchens These kitchens can be made of any wood and are simply manufactured by having the doors and drawers sit into the the frame rather than having them protrude like a normal kitchen. They are by far the best style of custom and fitted kitchens available to day. Leinster Woodcraft are specialist in this type of manufacturing and you can see their kitchens by visiting the links below.

Painted Kitchens These kitchens are where the kitchens are painted and can be refreshed over the years. A popular fitted kitchen is where the kitchen base and overhead units are painted cream with an Oak work-top to add contrast and style. Advice, look behind the lovely new kitchen door and ask questions, after all its your hard earned money your spending. Visit the links just right below this article to view images and get quotations.

Enjoy Your Smoothie Addiction With a High Quality Smoothie Blender

A smoothie blender has always been one of the most popular gadgets to have in any kitchen. Smoothies are delicious, healthy and they tend to last a lot longer compared to juices. Also, it tends to be cheaper compared to other products in the market. Thus, it is a lot better to invest on a good quality smoothie blender that offers the best possible results.

When choosing a smoothie blender, you need to consider its mobility and stability. Blenders with stable and heavy set bases tend to be more reliable for constant use. If you are going to use a smoothie blender, make sure that it has the right settings for a proper smoothie. 500 watts is minimum for a quality smoothie blender but you should get one that offers a lot more power than that. The purpose of higher wattage is that the blender can quickly and efficiently crush and blend solid components, and mix different, fruits ice and solids and not take too long to complete. You may use higher wattage for the blender but you definitely make faster shakes and enjoy the results immediately.

The smoothie blender should also have a durable glass pitcher with a larger capacity so that you can make complex concoctions without filling the entire blender. Durable glass is scratch proof and can handle force to ensure long lasting use for the blender. Also, glass tends to be easier to clean, compared to plastics. It is ideal if the brand you will choose offers replacement pitchers so that you can make several smoothies with quick results.

The smoothie blender is a very powerful and useful product that you can use not only for smoothies but also for those concoctions like cocktails and other unique liquid blends. It is very important to invest on a good blender especially if you always want a freshly made smoothie for workouts or for refreshments. What you use the blender for is as important as the choice of blender you will make. If you are always making unique concoctions, durable, long lasting and superior quality blenders that do not make too much noise would be your best option.

If you have kids, having this appliance is a great investment so that they can enjoy fruits and other healthy produce in a fun manner. Do your research and compare different brands and models that really fit your budget and your purpose.

Ten Ideas For Creating Food and Drinks in the Blender

Smoothies are a delicious example of a drink that can be made in the blender. You can be as creative as you like with the ingredients and experimenting with tastes and textures is a lot of fun. You can whiz up milk and fruit, mixed fruit with honey and much more. If you have a blender and you only use it occasionally for making a smoothie now and then, you are missing out on a lot of other ways your blender can help you.

Here are some handy tips on how to make the most of your blender.

1. You can make your own baby food using the blender. This works out cheaper than buying baby food, plus you will know exactly what goes into it.

2. Blenders can help you with cooking because you can use them to chop and puree your ingredients, which is a real time saver. Some people prefer not to cook because they don't have time but using a blender can solve this problem. You can liquefy, chop, blend and puree in a blender and they come in handy with a multitude of different recipes.

3. You can make nice sauces using the blender to chop ingredients evenly. This is a great time saver as well as being easier and safer than using knives to chop your herbs, vegetables or whichever ingredients you are using.

4. If you have family or friends coming for a visit, you can whip up spreads, dips and other exciting mixtures in the blender. You can even make a business out of it if you are good at creating culinary masterpieces. All it takes is some experimentation and practice.

5. You can grate hard cheeses such as Swiss and Cheddar in the blender. Cut it into cubes and add them through the feeder cap while the blender runs.

6. Make breadcrumbs in the blender. Use fresh bread for soft breadcrumbs or stale bread for dry breadcrumbs. Again, you should add the pieces through the feeder cap while the motor runs.

7. Your blender can grind whole spices, coffee beans, nuts and crackers. You can make delicious nut butters or spice butters in this way.

8. Use the blender to grind poppy seeds, grate fresh coconut, dissolve gelatin and reconstitute frozen fruit juice and dry milk.

9. You can puree hot soup in the blender. Only fill it half full and leave the feeder cap open for the steam to escape. Begin on a very low setting and turn it up gradually.

10. And of course, there are smoothies!

The blender was invented in 1922 by Stephen Poplawski to create soda fountain drinks. He placed a blade at the base of a tall container and the first blender was born. Of course, the blender has been developed more since then and a blender is a frequent sight in most people's kitchens these days. Blenders come in glass, plastic and steel.

You can get ready-made mixes for smoothies or make your own from scratch. Whether the sun is shining or it is a cold day, juices and smoothies always go down a treat. A blender is designed to add air to a drink, to make it frothy, which is why blender smoothies always come out so good. So if you have a blender and hardly ever use it, why not try out some of the above ideas!

What Blender Should I Buy?

If you are in the market to buy a blender, you may be surprised by the amount of choices there are. There are immersion blenders, counter top blenders, blenders designed to crush ice, blenders just for smoothies, blenders that are also food processors, etc. It can be daunting to pick one out.

So how do you choose the right blender?

The first thing you need to decide is what you are planning to use the blender for. Do you simply want to blend drinks or make smoothies or make green smoothies? Will you be crushing ice with it? What about the capacity to grind grain or mix dough? Many blenders today are combination blenders / food processors - is this something you would like?

Next you should take a look at your budget. Since blenders can run from $20 to $500, there is quite a choice.

Once you know your budget and your basic use of the blender, you can narrow down your choices.

Another thing to look at is the capacity. There are single serve blenders which are great if you are living alone, but not necessarily what you want if you are hoping to make smoothies for your family. Most other blenders will be about 4 to 7 cups. Some like the Blendtec offer 3 quart capacity. I recommend a larger size so that you do not end up overflowing the container.

Next, look at the wattage. The higher the wattage, the more powerful the blender. If you want something blended very smooth, then you want more watts. Those who want a blender for green smoothies will want a powerful blender in order to break down the greens adequately.

Various designs offer various perks. Do the blades come out for cleaning? Does the lid fit tightly? Can you add ingredients while the blender is blending? These options may help you choose one blender over another.

Finally, take a look at the size and design. Will it be on your counter or in your cupboard? Take a look at the height to see if it will fit where you want it. Do you like the color?

Taking a look at these various options will help you choose the blender that is just right for you.

If you are looking for a recommendation, then I suggest you take a look at the Ninja 1100 Blender. This kitchen system is extremely versatile and has many great reviews. It can handle crushing ice, making green smoothies and mixing dough. It comes with two containers that give you the option of using it more like a blender or more like a food processor - depending on what you are making.

A Review of Countertop Blenders and Immersion Blenders

There are two types of blenders; countertop and immersion which are also called handhelds. There are obvious differences between these two types of appliances. Understanding some of the these basic differences will help you decide which one best suits your needs.

Countertop Blenders

Countertop blenders have an electric motor in a base or housing upon which a jar or container is attached. The unit's motor powers the blades which are on top of the housing at the bottom of the container. Countertop blenders are more powerful than immersion units and are good at mixing and pureeing foods and liquids and chopping and crushing ice for drinks. These are the key attributes that shoppers should look for in a countertop blender.

Countertop blender's containers are made of glass, plastic, or stainless steel, and typically have a capacity of about 4 to 8 cups or 32 to 64 ounces. Glass containers are usually heavier and more stable than plastic ones. This means that the glass containers will be more stable, less shaky and also resistant to scratches. Plus, the glass allows you to see how the food is blending. Stainless steel containers are attractive but they obviously prevent you from seeing the blender in action.

Anywhere from 3 to 15 speeds are typically available on countertops. The speed controls can be touchpads, push buttons, dials and switches.

Immersion blenders

Immersion, or handheld, blenders are long, thin blenders that do not have their own container to blend food or liquid in. Instead, immersion blenders are held in your hand and placed into the food or drink that you are blending. Immersion blenders have rotating blades at the end of their shaft. Immersion blenders are used to puree, whip or chop foods and liquids in the separate containers that they are being cooked, simmered or mixed in.

Immersion blenders can be useful for mixing smoothies, milkshakes, and other powdered drinks. These blenders do not have the power, or number of watts, that countertop blenders do, thus, they cannot replace a countertop blender for chopping ice or mixing and pureeing several foods or ingredients. Immersion blenders are best at mixing foods and liquids that do not require a large amount of heavy ingredients to be blended together.

Options For Margarita Blenders - Review of Top Margaritaville Blender Models

The Margaritaville blender is a specialty of Jimmy Buffet himself. A Margarita blender features a classy two motors, one of the motors is used for shaving ice and the other one is used for blending. The blender has a 32 ounce glass jar that makes in one setting one to three drinks. The Margaritaville has more ups than downs. This one of kind blenders that makes restaurant quality shaved ice, is easy to use and clean, and also has pre-programmed drink settings.

Though one thing there is to make a person stand back and question this top of the line machine is the expense of a Margaritaville blender and the fact that it can seem lacking in recipes to the margarita enthusiast. Expense will however be no problem when taking in consideration of how easy this blender makes margaritas.

Top Three Best Selling Margarita Blenders

1. Margaritaville Battery Powered Frozen Concoction Maker

This Margaritaville Blender is battery operated and offers cordless operation. It has 18 volt pack and blends 80 drinks in one whole charge. Customer have rated it 5 stars on Amazon.com

2. Margaritaville Premium Frozen Concoction Maker

This Blender has four automatic pre-programmed drink cycles. It has front access controls and a drip free spout and was rated at 4 1/2 stars.

3. Margaritaville Frozen Beverage/ Margarita Maker

This Margaritaville has pre-programmed auto timing to ensure the consumer professional results every time. Blender is powder coated for many seasons of durability.

What to Look for in the Market of Margarita Blenders?

First, know what you want in a margarita blender. Here are some of the best Margaritaville blender reviews that you may consider among many others for your home or commercial property.

The Margaritaville Frozen Concoction Maker shaves ice and can blend up to 32 ounces of margarita. This Margaritaville blender has front access controls, a generous handle and a no worry drip free spout.

The next is the Margaritaville Bahamas 36 ounce Frozen Concoction Maker. This Margaritaville has 450 watts of power that blends up to as the name says 36 oz, no more and no less. This blender has a manual shave or blend option that is perfect for customized drinks.

If you need a Margaritaville blender for a big crowd, then the Margaritaville Tahiti Frozen Concoction Maker is perfect for you. This blender has three 24 ounce blending jars that create 72 ounces of frozen drink per cycle. It's capable of making six plus frozen drinks like the margarita, daiquiris, pina coloda, mudslides, mojito and smoothies.

Overall, the price range for a Margaritaville blender is in the range of anywhere in between $75.00 to $300.00. Do not let this break the deal when it comes to buying this brand of blender, be the judge with some positive and negative reviews on this margarita blender.

Finding mostly positive reviews on the Margaritaville Blender, let's start with the good consumer reviews of this worthy product. One very enthusiast husband was quite skeptical at first, he claimed "My wife bought me one for Christmas, I was definitely skeptical at first, until my first party. My neighbors and I loved it!"

The Margaritaville blender also got good acclaim from a very happy couple and they did not hold back when they said they absolutely loved it and have made several fantastic frozen concoctions since purchasing the blender. However, there will always be one or two sour complains in a group of happy margarita lovers, one consumer complained sorrowfully about too many parts and the expense of the contraption before giving a couple of warning to not purchase this product.ZZ

Smoothie Blender Review

A smoothie blender has become one of the most sought after kitchen appliance, especially as summer approaches. The Back to Basics SM700 Signature II Blender is an exceptionally reliable example of these products. One purchaser recently commented that his only complaint is that the SM700 smoothie blender took much too long to be introduced.

Unlike many kitchen appliances, this blender is one you will want to keep on your counter. The 56 oz glass blending container simply begs for ingredients to be added and smoothie blending to begin. The SM700 blender is easy to use and reliable in producing the required results. It's 600 watt blending/700 watt pulsing motor increase the versatility and reliability of this smoothie blender.

If you like to experiment with various flavors and fruit, nut, and other additions, get out your cape and magic wand now. This blender will produce whatever it is that you desire. Improved technology provides ingredients from sticking to the powerful blades of the SM700 producing a true smoothie, without unwanted clumps of delicious smoothie ingredients.

There is no need to pour delightful smoothies from the SM700 blender receptacle. This smoothie blender is equipped with a spigot that will easily dispense your smoothie as well as a variety of other iced drinks with great ease. One purchaser of the SM700 blender had only praise as he shared the reason for his purchase. He was curious as to how well the blender might work in making slushies. He noted that his SM700 Smoothie blender worked just as well (if not better) than similar and much more expensive blenders.

Summer is certainly not the only time one might use a smoothie blender. Many recreational therapy departments in long term care facilities offer special treats throughout the year. Those departments who have invested in the SM700 blender have been pleased by the ease in use and the texture of the smoothies that is best received by the residents.

Several therapists have reported that once they familiarized themselves with the blender, they began to experiment with various textures, tastes and ingredients. Resident's families are grateful for the addition of the SM700 blender to the recreation therapy departments.

Pediatric departments have reported purchasing the SM700 blender for those children who have had tonsillectomies and who appreciate a cold and soothing drink before they are ready to return to solid foods. This information has reached adult post surgical units where blenders are now kept humming and creating nutritional, easy to swallow, drinks for those adults who have never forgotten some of the perks of being childlike!

A growing number of hospice organizations encourage family members who are providing care of a dying loved one, to rent one of their smoothie blenders for the use of easy to make and refreshing drinks. Although, as the dying who are days from death, generally do not want solid foods, many of them find the cool and easy to swallow smoothie refreshing.

There is little that a family member must do in order to make a smoothie and those hospices that provide smoothie blenders have often chosen the Sm700 for its ease of use and the quality of the smoothie this dependable and affordable smoothie blender. The SM 700 Smoothie Blender is the choice of individuals and institutions who want the most ease in making the perfect smoothie.

Cuisinart Blenders Offer Something For All Kitchens

Cuisinart blenders come in many shapes, sizes, and power settings. With all of the information you can be sure to find one to suit your needs and improves your kitchen.

Cuisinart blenders are indispensable in a kitchen. Since Cuisinart is well known, their reputation precedes them and they have a variety of blenders for you to choose from. Their choice of different blenders is outstanding and the quality is great.

In the early 1900's the blender was invented because doctors were recommending malted milk drinks to their patients for health reasons. Soda fountains were very quick to see that they could concoct wonderful ice cream treats so they needed blenders. In 1937 the rage was drinking cocktails so blenders were in demand and became a household name.

After you have made your decision to purchase a blender you must decide what you want to do with it. Are you are only interested in making a couple of smoothies occasionally or are you interested in a blender doing all the work for you except washing the dishes. You can also find a 12-speed blender.

When are you going to use your blender? Are you going to be making those awesome cocktails? Blenders can be used to liquefy most solids. If you are making salad dressings or mayonnaise a blender will do this quite handily and in short time. You can also puree your creamy soups. It is capable of mixing and pureeing any food. It will crush ice, blend, chop, slice, or shred food.

There is a blender food processor now available called the Multitasker. You will find many wonderful features to use and some people are using it as their main kitchen tool. Since it is high-powered it can perform tasks that others cannot do. The lower powered basic blenders need some liquid to work properly. With this liquid the solids can be pulled down to be processed.

Home appliances that look professional and have an array of features are the blenders that Cuisinart offers. User-friendly control panels with one button for crushing ice are some of the features. A feature that is very popular is the simple cleanup because many parts are dishwasher safe.

Your decision to buy one of the Cuisinart blenders will be a very good one no matter the size or the power of the one you choose. Cooks will be very happy with the style and the array of features. You love those things that are easy to use and the blenders fit that mold. You will certainly find a place for them in your kitchen. Unfortunately there is no dishwasher feature!

The Ultimate Guide to the Best-Rated Blender

In a world where everyone wants more than a drink, blenders are fast becoming appliances of necessity in any modern kitchen. From making smoothies to crushing ice to pulsing vegetables, the uses of a blender are innumerable. Most brands come with ergonomic features and outstanding performance to help you get a perfect blend of food. In a bid to help you make an informed decision, here is a comprehensive guide to the best rated blender.

Top 3 Blenders Review

Before delving, into the types and buying guide, here is a look at the top 3 rated blenders and what they have to offer.

1. The Ninja Master Prep (QB900B)

Made by Ninja, a company that is synonymous with quality and excellent performance, the Master Prep boast of Patented Blade Technology that gives it the ability to crush snow, blend frozen fruits into velvety smoothies and evenly cut vegetables within seconds.

It features a 16 oz chopper bowl that lets you mix, chop, puree and dice consistently, and a 48 oz pitcher that ensures you achieve perfect frozen blending. In addition, this appliance comes with a 400 Watt Power Pod that swiftly toggles between the chopper bowl and pitcher making the it highly versatile. The one touch button on the Pod gives you total control and unswerving results every time you use this blender.

You don't have to worry about cleaning the machine while blending thanks to a wide, no-slip bases coupled with splash guards on the pitcher. To makes it even more convenient, the Master Prep comes with storage lids to keep your food fresh. All parts of this unit are easily removable and dishwasher safe, making the cleaning process a breeze.

2. The Magic Blend NutriBullet High Speed Blender

With well-thought features and specifications the NutriBullet is without doubt a top rate blender that will take your blending experience to the next level. Powered by a 600 watt motor, this machine can easily pulverize everything from fruits to vegetables to superfoods and protein shakes.

Made to be in line with the North America Electrical Standards, this the ideal blender for health conscious individuals. It is for those who want to make healthy and nutritious drinks that can help them fight disease, reduce joint pains and lose weight. The package comes with a pocket nutritionist and manual recipes to assist you on that front.

The NutriBulltet is compact in size, which makes it portable. It is also safe for kids and has a smooth texture that is appealing to the eye.In other words, this is the blender to buy if you want a healthy, fresh drink while on the go in a matter of seconds.

3. Cuisinart CSB-75BC Smart Stick 2-Speed Immersion Hand Blender, Brushed Chrome

Blending has never been easier thanks to the ergonomically designed Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender. With double blending speeds, this unit is designed to carry out an assortment of basic tasks. To activate it, all you have to do is press the Low, or High button depending on whether you want to pulse or blend.

The ease of operation has been this machine's main selling point more so when you consider all that is required to make smooth and full bodied recipe is a gentle up and down motion.

The Smart Stick is ideal for mixing and stirring all kinds of foods such as salads and sauces thereby extending its blending options. The handle offers a comfortable grip giving you enough control when blending. All parts are dishwasher safe and that by extension means ease of cleaning.

Types of Blender

There are two main types of blenders, namely

- Countertop Blenders - These generally have containers made of plastic, glass or stainless steel and have a capacity of 4 to 8 cups. Apart from mixing, they can chop, puree and crush ice. Most come with 16 speeds and have controls varying from programmable to dials to push buttons and flip switches. The Ninja Master Prep is an excellent example of a countertop blender.

- Handheld or Immersion Blenders - Just like the name suggests, these are handheld and are immersed in the food or drink you are preparing. Immersion blenders are ideal for mixing smoothies, powdered drinks and milkshakes. They are great for small tasks and come with blades and attachments that can be stored in drawers. A good example of an immersion blender is the Cuisinart Smart Stick.

How to Choose the Best Blender

A few factors come into play when choosing the best blender that will meet your blending needs including:

- Controls - Go for blenders that are programmable. Touchpads controls are not only easy to clean but eliminate guess work as well thus the best. Dial and push buttons are equally good as it is easy to change from one speed to the other.

- Customer Reviews - The best rated blender will attract positive customer reviews and high rankings. Be sure to go through customer reviews on online stores such as Amazon and hear what other have to say about the product.

Number of Speeds- The standard number of speeds is sixteen. Choose units that have will differentiated speeds for ease of use.

- Wattage - Most blenders will have a wattage of 300 to 1000 watts. While high wattage does not necessarily mean better performance, it makes a difference in immersion blenders than in countertops.

- Pulse Setting - Go for a unit that allows you to fine tune the blending time as this enables you to be more accurate on when to start and stop.

- Big Markings - Look for easy to read notches and the clearly visible measurement marks on the container.