How Does a Blender Work?

Most Americans with a kitchen have a stationary blender, not always the best blender, which is sometimes called a mixer. In 2019, approximately 25.8 million blenders were sold over retail channels in the United States. The motor is activated when the consumer presses a button on the blender. The motor then powers the rotation of the sharp blades connected to it. The blade sticks up into the plastic or glass jar, rotating against the components. This rotation causes the blades to chop up the ingredients. After the initial impact of the sharpened metal edges, the motion propels the blades, unleashing shearing forces that pull the water down towards the blades. The kitchen appliance then further reduces the contents through a phenomenon called cavitation. Users may use one of a few different speeds to enable blending, chopping, or pureeing solid foods.

Parts of a Blender

• The housing contains the motor, and it is where the food container and blades connect to this part.
• The blender motor provides the power needed to turn the blades and blend the food.
• The blades cut the food as it moves around, propelled into motion by the motor turning the blades.
• The food container, or blender jar, is the detachable part that you place food in. The food container connects to the motor and contains the blades in a detachable manner.

You can also opt for special blenders like the best food processor and blender combo, designed to make drinks and chop solid foods. These features may also mix in liquid ingredients, such as frozen drinks, water, or juice. So, how many watts should a blender have to perform all these tasks? Well, it depends on how fast or how easy you want these tasks to be. Moreover, if you’re expecting one of the top quiet blenders, you’ll have to look for a specific model.

How Are Immersion Blenders Different?

An immersion blender, also known as a stick blender, hand blender, or wand blender, does not have its own blending jar or a pitcher like a regular blender. Instead, the rotating metal blade is affixed to the end of the blender itself, and the cook pushes the blades into the ingredients. Depending on the type of blender, various blenders can be used to puree, liquefy, and emulsify food items. To use an immersion blender, the user holds down a switch for the entirety of the time that the mixing and blending are occurring. Brands named these devices “immersion blenders” because the blades and tip of the blender become immersed within the food being mixed. If you’re after a full countertop unit, you’ll want to check out the best blender with a glass jar.

Immersion blenders mix large volumes too large for the pitcher of a countertop blender, smaller amounts of ingredients that may not have easily blended in a standard blender, or hot ingredients, such as those for soup. As a result, these devices have significantly fewer uses than their countertop counterparts. However, the handheld appliance is particularly useful for chopping up nuts or making small amounts of salad dressing. Additionally, if the horsepower of a blender is important to you, an immersion blender may not be the right fit because they are more suitable for light blending. Now that you know how blender parts work together, check out our page on how to use a blender to get the best results.

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