Q Can You Use A Blender As A Food Processor
While its technically possible to use a blender as a food processor, users likely wont get the results theyre looking for. Blenders puree foods rather than chopping them, so while using a blender can occasionally replace a food processor, its best to either own one of each or to use one of these blender food processor combo appliances.
Best Budget Commercial Blenderwantjoin Professional Blender
At under US$100, this WantJoin blender has features youd expect in a more expensive model, including a 2200-watt motor, a self-cleaning function, a timer that shuts off automatically between 15 minutes, and three different settings for making the perfect smoothies, crushing ice, or pureeing hot liquids. There are also an additional five untimed settings too.
Its 68-ounce container is BPA-free and designed to withstand high temperatures without cracking. One enthusiastic customer wrote, Seems like a great budget alternative to a Vitamix, and is just as powerful.
The Best Smaller High
Also available at Blendtec.
The BlendTec is significantly smaller and lighter than either of its competitors, which can be a big deal for smaller kitchens. My Vitamix, for instance, wouldn’t sit underneath the cabinets in my old apartment. The BlendTec had no problem. It’s also the best crusher out there, if turning ice into snow is your game, and it performs on par with the Vitamix for soups and smoothies.
True, the blender jar drips when you try to pour from it and the lack of a tamper means that you have to stop it more frequently to scrape down the sides when making things like nut butter, but those are minor flaws in an otherwise superb product.
Price at time of publish: $400.
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Blendtec Total Classic Original Blender For Hot Liquids
Award:BEST CAPACITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: Forged steel blades capable of heating up soups by friction, plus a large 90-oz blender jar, make this a good choice for making chili, bulletproof coffee, protein beverages, and more for the whole household.
Pros
- Not as easy to use as some countertop blenders
- Lacks food processor or a heating element
This powerful blender comes with six pre-programmed modes, including options for cold ingredients, hot ingredients, soups, and smoothies, plus a fine range of manual controls with ten variable speed options so you can fine-tune the blending process and get the ideal texture.
This Blendtec blender also benefits from tough, forged steel blades said to be ten times stronger than the more commonly found cast metal blender blades. It spins fast enough to heat up liquids by friction and can work well as a milk frother when blending hot coffee beverages and protein drinks. For more milk frothing and coffee blending options, you might also like our best vacuum blender list.
The Best Budget Smoothie Blender: Oster Blender Pro 1200
The Oster Blender Pro 1200 is a great blender if you don’t have a lot of money to spend but still do not want to cut corners on the quality of the machine. You would think that since the blender is so affordable, it would not be able to handle most blending tasks the other blenders can do. But the Oster Pro 1200 is still able to create a delicious smoothie or perfect puree with ease.
The blender comes with a very powerful 1200 watt motor which makes it capable of blending dense foods to create purees, soups, and smoothies. It is equipped with 7 different speeds including three pre-programmed settings for common blending applications. The blender also has a large capacity container with a volume of 6 cups. Unlike any other model on the list, the Oster pitcher is made of tempered glass, meaning it’s less likely to scratch, warp or break with repeated usage. It’s also dishwasher safe.
Reason #1 to Choose the Oster Instead: 10X Warranty
Even though the Nutribullet is still very affordable, the Oster Pro 1200 blender is a better deal overall, considering what it can do. In addition to the lowered product cost, the Oster Pro 1200 blender comes backed with a 10-year limited warranty which blows the Nutribullet’s warranty out of the water. The Nutribullet comes with a 1-year limited warranty. This could be a game-changer down the road and may sway you in your decision-making.
Reason #2 to Choose The Oster Instead: Low-Cost Ice Crushing
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Our Blender Testing Methodology
We consulted Erika Wong, PureFish’s in-house registered dietitian and nutritionist, who also worked as a counselor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Her biggest concerns when choosing a blender are power , speed , and simplicity. Too many buttons or settings corresponding to specific foods can become confusing, especially when you vary ingredient amounts. “Simplicity is key, and the control panel needs to be easy to use.”
The Super Q Commercial Grade Quiet Quick Super Blender With Noise Suppression
Overall Rating: 10/10
The Hummer of blenders. This beauty is the best machine you could ever buy for your coffee shop. It makes reasonably little noise and you dont have to blend for a long time because its so powerful that just a few seconds leave your drinks well blended, smooth, and foamy.
For such a high-endmachine its size is relatively small, making it a good addition for tightworking spaces.
Cons
Expensive But truly worth it if you have the funds available! If you dont like high-maintenance machines, buy this blender and never worry about a blender ever again.
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Hamilton Beach Quiet Shield Professional Blender
For some people, noise concerns are one of the most important factors when it comes to purchasing a new kitchen appliance. If quiet operation is of utmost concern to you, then the Professional Quiet Shield Blender from Hamilton Beach is worth taking a look at. At 2.0 peak horsepower, its definitely not the most powerful blender on the market. It also doesnt have a very large blending capacity at a meager 32 ounces, not large enough if preparing for a family. However, the quiet shield cover that surrounds the blending container when in use really helps to contain the noise and reduce the noise of operation. This is great for anyone living in an apartment or sharing a space with other people.
With a respectable five-year warranty, you would expect this blender to have a long lifespan. Unfortunately, it stopped working after only a few weeks. It was quickly replaced without any headache since it is covered under warranty by Hamilton Beach, but its still an extra hassle.
- Short lifespan means you might need the warranty
How Do You Care For A Blender
First and foremost, follow the directions from your blender’s manufacturer.
The most important part of cleaning a blender is making sure to take everything apart, including the bottom and blades. Moisture has a habit of finding its way into any and all crevices, followed by bacteria and mold.
Depending on the materials of your blender, you may be able to wash its parts in the top rack of your dishwasher, but it’s generally best to hand-wash them .
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Waring Commercial Mx1100xtx Blender: Budget Pick
Waring Commercial specializes in manufacturing industrial-grade blenders which are high-powered models. Among these, the Waring MX1100XTX is one such blender that comes with a much more comfortable price point than other commercial blenders.
The Waring Commercial MX1100XTX Blender is an extremely powerful blender with a 3.5-peak horsepower motor, a stackable container, very aggressive blades for blending, and an overall design for smoother consistencies with your beverages and easier controls. This is definitely not the prettiest machine, but it sure gets the job done.
What Can You Use A Blender For
Blenders can be used to blend, smooth or pulse a variety of foods depending on the type of blender you need. For example, if you just want to make simple smoothies and soups then a straightforward blender with not too many features and functions will be suffice. If, however, you want to smooth-out hot soups or pulse small, hard ingredients such as nuts then you will need to look out for the blender spec which talks about this capability.
Blenders can also be used for making a healthy drink on-the-go. Portable and one-cup blenders cater for this. You’ll often find that they are also much easier to clean than the larger countertop blenders, simply because there are fewer components to it.
If you’re strapped for countertop space then a blender can sometimes even be used as a food processor. When we investigated whether or not can a blender be used a food processor we found that hybrid blenders that come with a food processor attachment could be a solution to most food you’d be wanted to make.
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Should You Buy A Refurbished Blender
You can buy a refurbished model. Making the purchase directly from the blender manufacturer will result in a better experience, including a warranty and customer service. Some sellers, such as Vitamix, offer what they call reconditioned blenders, which are inspected and certified before they’re sold. Youll generally save at least $100 with a gently used blender like this.
These babies can do so much more than purée soup. With top models boasting a horsepower of 2, you can pulverize even tough foods, like nuts, into a silky-smooth sauce. If horsepower doesnt mean anything to you, consider that 2 hp translates to roughly 1,490 watts.
Ninja Ss101 Foodi Blender
Cons
- Problems with power settings
If youre looking for smooth, thick smoothie bowls, then this powerful model will get the job done. It provides 14 ounces of capacity to make a couple of servings at once. Youll love how easily it powers through different mixtures, including those with ice or less liquid. Unfortunately, some consumers do report having problems with the power settings. Some people have said that their model stopped working after only a few uses.
Youll also be able to make other foods, such as nut butter, frozen drinks, soup, and more. The SMARTTORQUE technology provides 1200 watts of power, more than enough to blast through any ingredients you add to the mix. There are six different functions prebuilt into this blender. That allows you to have one-touch access to blend, pulse, smoothie, extraction, bowl, and spread modes. This provides precision control over the type of mixture youre blending.
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Differences Between Commercial And Residential Blenders
Price
First of all, residential blenders have a more appealing price tag for any restaurant or bar owner. While the initial investment can be considerably lower, it is important to note that most blender brands will void their warranty if a residential blender is used in a business setting.
Durability
Commercial blenders are designed for heavy use. Daily usage of more than 50 times is no problem for a quality blender of this category. Safety features concerning blade speed, overheating, and water infiltration are associated with commercial blenders.
The motor has a proper ventilation and cooling system that helps prolong the life of the device while also ensuring good performance. Commercial blenders typically use parts that are made from stronger materials that are easier to maintain. They can be disassembled and reassembled as many times as necessary and can be cleaned multiple times a day without the fear of damaging them. The typical plastic clutch drive of a residential blender is replaced with a steel one that helps the device withstand longer workload sessions.
Versatility
Warranties
Blenders produced for home use usually have significantly longer warranty plans. This is due to the fact that they are used with less frequency than commercial blenders and they will deteriorate at a slower rate. Heavy duty professional blenders are built to last for the full warranty period at the maximum strain.
Where to Buy Commercial Blenders ?
Best Blender For Coffee Business
When youre in charge of a coffee shop you realize just how important having a good blender is. Getting any blender just to get it over with will eventually need to unnecessary messes, chunky drinks, and unsatisfied customers.
Your blender might not be a vital player when it comes to coffee, but it still is very important for making about one-third of your drink menu.
You dont have to go through all the tedious work of researching what blender is the right choice for you, weve compiled a short, practical guide to some of our best blender for coffee business so that you can make an easy choice.
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Blendtec Stealth 885 Review Best Commercial Blender
This is one of the quietest blenders on the market. We ranked the residential version as our favorite quiet blender because of its amazing power and low noise. The 885 stealth is the commercial version and it is used in smoothie shops throughout the world. Many consider this model the best commercial smoothie blender currently available.
The award winning Stealth 885 uses Blendtecs stealth design which is a proprietary sound damping and air flow design along with the noise dampening sound enclosure. This blender is a good choice if you dont want to disturb customers at the bar or want to reduce the noise levels in the kitchen.
It is designed to blend a drink in 14 seconds and has a uniquely designed ergonomic handle for easier strain-free pouring.
Positives:
Negatives:
- No tamper which is useful for food prep.
Overall Opinion: The Blendtec Stealth 885 is a proven workhorse of a blender that has been well tested in commercial kitchens for many years. This blender is QUIET, we mean very quiet. It has amazing customizable controls that allow you to download specific blending programs across all your Stealth blenders if you have multiple units.
The Stealth 885 is not just for drinks but is also designed as a commercial food blender. There are very few negatives for this blender and is our top choice for an overall professional blender.
Why Should You Buy An Easy Clean Blender
If youve just spent the past thirty minutes making delicious breakfast smoothies for the family, the last thing on which you want to spend added time is cleaning. Investing in an easy-to-clean blender will reduce the time you have to spend on clean-up.
Is an Easy Clean Blender Worth Buying?
- You need to serve a large crowd: Most easy-to-clean blenders have large pitchers with a wide base and straight edges. These blender jars generally start at 48 ounces in capacity and go up from there, making it easy to make large batches of food.
- You want a blender that will last: Durability is essential because pitchers and bases can crack, and your blades can dull over time. Most high-performance models offer BPA-free Tritan plastic jars instead of glass because the latter tends to shatter when used on a high-speed blender. Stainless steel and extractor blades are also a must-have. They are less susceptible to rust, and consumers find them much more convenient in the cleaning process.
- You want something easy to maintain: Blenders with a self-clean feature will simplify your life when it comes to clean-up. If you find such models are out of your price range, look instead for models that are easy to disassemble and can be thrown in the dishwasher.
Why an Easy Clean Blender Might Not Be For You
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Hamilton Beach Tempest Commercial Blender Review
Without a doubt one of the most popular blender brands is Hamilton Beach. The company offers a LOT commercial blenders and they separate them into bar blenders and high-performance blenders.
Among the commercial high-performance blender models, the Hamilton Beach Tempest HBH650 is a popular model. It is designed as a beverage blender.
This design is perfect for bars more so than restaurants because it has specific features to make life easier for bartenders and it doesnt do the best job of processing whole or tough foods.
The Hamilton Beach Tempest has some unique design features with a container sensor, unique wave-action blending container, and overheat protection.
Positives:
- Not designed for use in the kitchen and food prep.
- No programmable speeds
Overall Opinion
The Tempest HBH650 is a good blender and Consumer Reports said it performed very good in overall performance but we did read a couple complaints from users who had issues with it. The Hamilton Beach Tempest has some nice features as a beverage blender, but we prefer one of our top choices above for reliability and high volume usage.
Hamilton Beach Smoothie Smart Blender
Hamilton Beach Smoothie Smart Blender. Image via Amazon.
The Hamilton Beach Smoothie Smart Blender is a great affordable option, coming in between $45 and $74.
This compact 700 W blender wont take up too much room on your kitchen counter, coming in at 14.5 inches tall, with a 40-ounce glass pitcher.
The design and use are incredibly simple with 5 different speeds reflected through buttons such as mix/milkshake and pulse/crush doing exactly what they describe. There is also an integrated spout for pouring without removing the lid.
Some of the downsides are that the blender takes a bit more time to get a smooth consistency than other models and doesnt work well for very hard solid foods if you were hoping for something multi-functional.
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What Size Blender Do You Need
A few compact blenders offer trouble-free cleaning, but most self-cleaning functions and wide bases are found in full-sized, professional blenders. Usually, this means your pitcher will sport a 48-ounce container or larger. Some brands offer additional jars and other accessories, like the WildSide+ container sold by Blendtec, which boasts a wide motor base and blunted blades for a quick blend and an even easier clean-up.