What is a high speed blender?
The high speed blender has been on the market for some time now, but due to the high price, we first encountered them mainly in the professional kitchen. Fortunately, these high speed blenders or power blenders are now a lot more affordable and so the device is increasingly getting a permanent place in the kitchen of the home chef.
Why do you need a high-speed blender?
There is a short answer to that: the power and high speed. High speed blenders have a very powerful motor that effortlessly blends fiber-rich and hard ingredients into a silky smooth liquid.
Kale, spinach, dates – all can be whipped into the creamiest, smoothest puree you’ve ever tasted with the high speed blender. Smoothie lovers love the power blender because it allows them to add more fiber and therefore even more nutritional value to their drinks and chefs love the high speed blender because it ensures the fine texture of their soups and sauces.
Do you like to drink smoothies made from fiber-rich ingredients, do you want to blend nuts or do you use the blender a lot in general, then the high speed blender certainly has advantages for you. Even when you are ready for a new blender and a high speed model falls within your budget, you would do well to opt for a super powerful model.
How do you know if a blender is a true high-speed blender?
There are two main differences between a regular blender and the high speed blender. First of all, the blender jar is made of super strong plastic or special tempered glass. Very robust and heat-resistant materials have been chosen, because the friction and force in the blender jug are so powerful that simple plastic can offer insufficient resistance.
A second striking feature of the power blender is that the device will have a motor power of roughly between 1000 and 1500 Watts. That’s about the same as a microwave or a vacuum cleaner. It is important to choose a technically well-designed device, because design is more important than an enormous engine power. A poorly designed blender with an extremely powerful motor will simply malfunction.
What parts does a high speed blender consist of?
- Base – the unit containing the motor on which you tighten the jug.
- Jug – The large glass or plastic container in which the ingredients are blended.
- Knives – The metal blades at the bottom of the jar
- Lid – The lid with which you close the jug of the power blender.
- Dosing Cap – A small cap in the lid that allows you to add liquid ingredients to the mix, such as oil. Always keep the lid closed while blending, unless you want to add something liquid.
- Spatula – A plastic pusher to push ingredients into the blender when the blender is running. Do not lose the spatula as it is specifically designed for the appliance. Do not put a wooden spatula or other object into the blender when it is running. Incidentally, not every type of high speed blender comes with a spatula.
How to use a high-speed blender
The high speed blender is a super handy device, but there are some tips that will help you get the most out of these power blenders.
You and the blender need to work together
Don’t think that everything goes smoothly with a blender. Sometimes you will have to shake or wiggle the machine a bit to make sure everything mixes well. Especially with the somewhat thicker mixtures. It is therefore always a good idea to try out some recipes first to learn how the power blender works and how to get the best result. There are of course plenty of recipes to choose from, from smoothies to nut milks and be sure to check out what happens when you crush ice in the high speed blender.
Fill the blender jug correctly
If you want good results, do not fill the jug in a random way, but place the ingredients in the right order in the jug. Liquid first, then the powders, then the solid ingredients, then ice. This sequence ensures that the blending goes smoothly, without you having to stir the mix yourself in between. Also, fill the jug no more than two thirds and with hot ingredients no more than half.
Check the speed of the power blender
Most high speed blenders are equipped with a dial that allows you to set the speed. Of course you always start with the lowest speed and then you always run the device at a slightly higher speed. If you always start the device on the highest setting, it requires a lot of effort from the motor. When you start on the lowest setting, the ingredients will splash around much less, so you rarely have to scrape the mixture off the rim of the pitcher with a spatula. On the other hand, you don’t want the blender to run on the lowest setting for a very long time, because this is not too good for the motor either.
In other words, start at the lowest setting and gradually increase the speed. Blending time should not exceed one minute for most ingredients. For the somewhat thicker pastas, it is best to work with a pulse; mix several times in succession. If the blades rotate, but the ingredients are not blended, two things can be wrong. Either there is not enough food in the blender for the appliance to do its job properly and then you will have to add ingredients or there is too much air in the blender jar. Then use the spatula to push the food closer to the blades.
Some ingredients are best soaked first
Some high-speed blender recipes require you to pre-soak the ingredients. For example when we are going to blend nuts to make a sauce or nut milk. A power blender is perfectly capable of turning a smooth puree or paste from hard ingredients. However, it may be better to soak them first. Soaking will not only provide an even smoother and more even result, but also help your body to absorb the nutrients better.
Safety tips for using high speed blenders
The motor of a high speed blender is so powerful that switching on the appliance can sometimes be a bit rough and the lid can come loose if it is not tightened properly. Even when you put your hand on top of the lid. To avoid clutter in the kitchen: always check that the lid is tight before switching on the blender.
No boiling liquids in the blender jar
The blades in a high speed blender spin very quickly. So fast that the contents are heated even further by the high-speed rotating blades. Therefore, make sure that the contents of the blender jar is no warmer than 50 degrees Celsius when blending. Even when you make soup in the power blender. The steam from the hot liquid can increase the pressure in the jug so that the lid can be pushed off the blender during blending.