Power
The rated power of the device, in fact, is the power of the engine installed in it.
The higher this indicator, the more performant this model is, the more suitable for “heavy” work and the more applications can be provided in the design. For example, in the case of mixers (see “Appliance type”), a power of up to 250 W is considered good for liquid products; for more solid tasks, like kneading tough dough, you should pay attention to more powerful models. Detailed recommendations on optimal power can be found in special sources.
Note that powerful devices are usually equipped with more durable nozzles that can withstand high loads.
Number of speeds
The number of speeds of rotation of the nozzles provided in the mixer / blender.
The presence of several speeds allows you to adjust the operating mode of the device to a particular situation. For example, a liquid omelet can be whipped at high speed, but it is better to choose a slower mode for kneading dough. The more speeds provided in the device, the more versatile it is, the more accurately it can be configured for a specific task. In simple household models, from 3 to 6 settings are usually provided, in the most advanced devices their number can reach two dozen.
Smooth speed control
A control that allows you to
smoothly change the speed of rotation of the mixer nozzles - for more precise adjustment of the speed and setting the optimal mode for different products. With step speed control, a situation may arise when a higher speed value is already too high, and a lower speed is not yet enough. Stepless control avoids such situations.
Pre-installed programs
Automatic cooking programs provided in the design of the device. Classic blenders and soup blenders are mainly equipped with such programs (see "Type").
— Soup. The traditional soup program is designed to cook soups where ingredients must be cut into small pieces rather than mashed or pureed. This program ensures that the ingredients are cooked properly. In a soup blender, it's possible to cook soup without unloading the chopped products, whereas regular blenders only offer chopping capabilities.
— Cream soup. The cream soup program is specifically designed for puree soups where ingredients are thoroughly ground and contain a significant amount of liquid. Unlike mashed potatoes, cream soup has a smooth texture, which is achieved through this program. It's important to note that puree soups can be served both hot and cold, with hot soups requiring a soup blender and cold soups being suitable for regular blenders.
— Puree. The puree program is specifically designed for cooking various purees, particularly fruit and vegetable purees, which are thicker than cream soups and require more power to cook due to the lower liquid content. These dishes can be prepared using either raw or pre-processed ingredients, making them suitable for both soup blenders and regular blenders.
— Steam cooking. The steam cooking program is exclusively available in soup blenders and is designed to cook various products using steam. This meth...od of cooking is considered healthier than classic boiling water since it preserves more nutrients, making it a more advanced and healthier cooking option for certain foods. Steam cooking requires a heater, and therefore, this program is only available in soup blenders.
— Sauces.The sauce cooking program is available in some blenders, and since there are many types of sauces, it's important to specify which types of sauce the program is designed for.
— Milk porridge. The cereal and milk cooking program is exclusively available in soup blenders and is designed for cooking dishes that involve milk. One of the main considerations when cooking with milk is to heat it carefully to prevent burning and spillage, and this program takes that into account.
— Smoothie. The smoothie program is designed to prepare thick drinks made from fruits, vegetables, or berries mixed with juice and other ingredients such as milk or nuts. These drinks are both tasty and healthy, as they are easily digested and retain a high level of nutrients. The consistency of a smoothie is typically similar to juice with pulp or cream soup, but it must be liquid enough to drink through a straw since it is a drink.
— Ice pick. The ice crushing program is specifically designed for breaking down ice into small pieces, but it can be tough on blender blades due to the hardness and density of ice. Therefore, this program often uses a pulsed mode to effectively crush ice without damaging the blender's blades.
— Self-cleaning. This programme is designed for cleaning the blender from food residues and dirt. It is activated by pouring warm soapy water into the device and turning on the programme, which effectively washes out residues from all parts of the bowl. This is a convenient alternative to hand-washing the container in the sink.
In addition to those described above, modern blenders may provide other programs — for example, "baby food" or "warming up".
Capacities
Types of capacities that the device was originally equipped with.
In addition to
the main bowl, the package may include
a bowl for chopping,
a coffee grinder,
a measuring cup and a
travel shaker bowl. All of them are described in detail in this list, with the exception of the shaker — see a separate paragraph below about it.
— Main bowl. The main capacity of an appliance is called the general purpose bowl, and its design varies depending on the type of device. It can be a deep bowl for stand mixers, a jug with knives at the bottom for countertop blenders, or a chopper jar with removable knives for hand blenders and choppers. However, not all appliances come with a main bowl, and in some cases, users are expected to choose their own container.
— Bowl for chopping. Capacity with removable knives is an essential component for chopping products. This container is typically referred to as a grinding bowl, and when it's included in a grinder's delivery set, it's considered the main bowl. However, some devices have a grinding bowl as the main bowl, and knives are a necessary part of its structure.
— Grinder (for coffee). The coffee grinder container is specifically designed for grinding coffee, nuts, spices, sugar, and other products. It usually contains knives similar to th
...ose in blenders, but is distinguishable from the main blender container due to its much smaller volume.
— Measuring cup. The measuring capacity is a transparent glass with a scale that enables the user to measure specific volumes of liquid and bulk products. The accuracy of the scale may vary, but for regular use, it's typically sufficient.Weight
The weight in this section can be confusing, since manufacturers do not indicate the mass of the main working tools of the equipment. Accordingly, the greater the number of accessories in the kit, the greater the total weight and this parameter will be necessary only at the time of purchase in order to understand how many extra kilograms you will have to carry home.
