Comparison Philips Viva Collection HR 3556 stainless steel vs Philips Viva Collection HR 2166 white

The working volume of the shaker supplied with the device.

For more information about such containers, see "Shaker (travel bowl)". And on the one hand, the actual capacity of the shaker directly depends on the volume, on the other hand, its dimensions, as well as the requirements for engine power. However, in most models, this indicator ranges from 300 to 700 mL, less often up to 1 liter — these values are considered optimal, taking into account the specifics of the use of shakers.

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.

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".

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.

The number of travel shaker bowls supplied with the appliance.

These bowls are supplied exclusively with blenders of different types (see "Type of device"). A shaker is a capacity, most often in the form of a tall glass, which can be removed from the device, tightly closed and carried with you without fear of pouring the contents. In such capacities, two lids are usually used: a working lid with chopping knives (a bowl with such a lid is placed on the blender with the bottom up), and a “travel” lid, which can be equipped with a valve for easy drinking. Shakers are very popular among smoothie lovers: they allow you to prepare your favorite drink and take it with you without fiddling with pouring from a bowl to another capacity.

— Blending arm. A blending nozzle is a long rod-like attachment with a protective cap at one end, containing a bladed knife. It can be attached to a conventional mixer, essentially turning it into a blender.

— Wide blending arm. A blending nozzle, or blending arm, is a long rod-shaped attachment with a protective cap at one end, housing a bladed knife. The wider width of the blending arm allows for faster blending and easier processing of larger quantities of food products.

— Beaters for whisking. Whisking nozzles for liquids such as cream, eggs, and batter, are commonly found in modern mixers as a standard attachment.

— Kneading hook. Special nozzles in the form of thick wire spirals, designed for kneading thick dough.

— Knife for chopper. A cutting-type attachment with blade knives attached to the bottom of a cylindrical shaft and turned at a 180-degree angle to each other. It is used for grinding ingredients of different hardness in the blender jar. The cutting elements of such knives can have both straight and serrated blades.

— An ice pick. An ice pick is a specialized tool for crushing ice, nuts, and frozen fruits/berries. Its serrated blades make it easier to break the solid structure of ice without dulling the blades. I...t is commonly used with powerful blenders that come with a glass or metal chopper bowl. Although not all blenders include an ice pick, it can be purchased separately along with a heavy-duty chopper bowl main function crushing ice and other hard ingredients.

— Knife for kneading dough. The kneading knife is ideal for making yeast dough with a less dense structure in small quantities. It can also be used for mixing and whipping creams. Typically, this type of knife is made from durable plastic that pulls the mass rather than cutting it like steel. For larger volumes of dough, it is recommended to use a specialized hook attachment instead.

— Disc for shredding/slicing. A slicing disk is a circular attachment with slots that function as blades when rotated. This feature enables it to rapidly and uniformly slice fruits and vegetables into thin pieces, making it particularly useful for processing large quantities of food.

— For dicing. This attachment is designed to cut fruits and vegetables into small, uniform cubes. It is particularly useful for preparing salads and traditional soups.

— For puree. This is a plastic attachment typically used for creating smooth purees and thick blends from fruits and vegetables.

The presence of a sieve in the delivery set of the device.

— Pulp sieve. Typically found in conventional blenders, this device is a vertical tube with fine mesh walls that fits into the bowl and sits atop the blade. Its primary function is to separate pulp from fruit and vegetable juices: produce is placed inside the tube, the blade crushes it, and the juice is filtered through the mesh into the bowl while the pulp remains inside the tube.

— Cappuccinatore (frother). This device is specifically designed for creating milk foam and is used only with specific appliances (refer to "Device type - Foamer"). It typically consists of a bowl with a foaming mechanism at the bottom, rather than a nozzle, and is often not detachable.

Other types of nozzles, in addition to those described above, can be supplied in the kit.

The substance that the jar of the countertop blender is made of (refer to "Device type"), or the material of the blender attachment (refer to "Nozzles"). The most widely used materials are:

— Plastic. Plastic is a popular choice for blender jars due to its low cost, lightweight, and sufficient strength for kitchen use. Its transparency allows for easy monitoring of the product being blended. However, plastic is prone to scratching, which can cloud the bowl and reduce the device's appearance. Scratches can occur from everyday use or rough cleaning with abrasive products.

— Glass. Glass blender jars are transparent and allow for easy monitoring of the contents. They are more resistant to scratches than plastic and do not lose transparency during use. Cleaning them harshly does not affect their transparency, and any cloudiness can be easily removed. However, glass is heavier, more expensive than plastic, and is more sensitive to impacts. A glass blender jar can break from a fall that plastic could withstand.

— Metal. Metal blender jars are durable and stylish, often surviving falls without damage. However, they are less convenient than plastic because their opaque walls make it difficult to observe the blending process. Metal is also more expensive than plastic, making it less commonly used, mainly in high-end devices.