TIPS TO USE YOUR BLENDER EFFICIENTLY
Having the right blender in your kitchen can make all the difference. A good blender can make preparing everything from blended drinks to puréed soups quick and easy. We want to provide you with some tips to get the best use from your blender.
USE THE LID CORRECTLY
We have all made the mistake of forgetting to put the lid on the blender before hitting the power button. If you’ve done this before, you know that it is messy and frustrating. Putting the lid firmly on the blender before starting it may seem like a no-brainer, but it is surprisingly easy to forget this step. Most modern blenders have lids that enable you to remove the center so that you can add ingredients while the blender is running. This option is great for blending solid ingredients because you may need to add extra liquid during the blending process to ensure a smooth and even blend.
USE THE PULSE BUTTON
What is the real intended function of the pulse button anyway? You can certainly use the pulse feature to chop ingredients before blending them, but the pulse button was actually designed to help dislodge food that gets stuck in the blade. When using your blender, it suddenly starts to shudder or make a loud grinding noise, it is probably because something is stuck in the blade. Turn the power off then hit the pulse button a few times to dislodge the stuck ingredients, then go back to blending.
VENT THE STEAM WHEN BLENDING HOT INGREDIENTS
Most blenders can be used to blend hot ingredients, but you need to be careful when doing so and check the instructions if you can. For one thing, the hot ingredients could cause the blender to heat up so be careful when touching the main jug or vessel. Second, blending hot ingredients will produce steam and that steam needs to be vented or your food will erupt out of the blender, causing a big mess and potentially burning you. If your blender has a removable filler cap in the middle of the lid, remove it when blending hot ingredients to prevent steam buildup. If you are worried about ingredients coming out the top of the blender, you can cover it loosely with a towel as you blend.
CLEAN YOUR BLENDER PROPERLY AFTER EACH USE
Depending what model you have, cleaning your blender can take a bit of time. If you don’t do it properly after each use, however, you will have food buildup on the blade and in the blender housing which could affect future performance and unwanted odours. Your best bet is to rinse the blender carafe with hot water immediately after emptying it and to rinse the blade as well. Some blenders can be dismantled so that the blade chamber untwists from the carafe, making it easy to remove all food particles.
Understanding your blender and all of its extra features will mean you get the most out of your blender and ensure it is well kept and lasts you a long time. Read the instruction manual when you open up your blender for the first time to ensure that you understand all of the safety features as well as the special functions. Keeping the tips listed above in mind will also help you to make the most of your blender.
