The Commercial Blender And Its Use In Cooking

A commercial blender is one of the most common appliances found in the kitchen. Sometimes called a liquidizer, this is a device that mixes food at high speeds in order to produce a liquid mass. Blenders are used for many different purposes such as to make purees out of vegetables like tomatoes, to emulsify liquids, or to crush ice to serve in mixed drinks and cocktails.

Usually blenders consist of a jug-like container with a removable lid, which is fixed on to an electrical mechanism. The jug has a series of blades protruding from the bottom. Depending on the make, these blades are generally constructed out of stainless steel. Recently a new type of commercial blender has appeared on the market - the hand held blender - which is a tube like device that has spinning blades on the tip of the tube. This blender is inserted into a bowl to get a similar effect. This is useful for mixing products like batter; however, it is usually not suitable for making purees or crushed ice.

A blender is not a food processor, and vice versa. Although these devices have many features in common, the main difference is that a food processor has many more functions and capabilities that enable it to shred, grate or slice different types of both soft and hard foods. On the other hand, a blender usually just mixes. There are many food processors which incorporate blender features into their design. As a result of this, blenders have dropped in popularity and subsequent production.

The commercial blender got a significant boost with the advent of the popular YouTube series "Will it Blend?" which featured many different items being blended on the Blendtec line of liquidizers. These items included whole chickens, iPhones, and marbles, and were usually reduced to powder. Other blenders have the ability to cook the products, as the speed at which the blades move produces enough heat to cook the item being blended.

Liquidizers vary in prices, depending on brands, features, as well as deals and discounts. Simple blenders with 30-50 ounce jars and two speed motors cost around $50-$100. These are fine for simple home usage; the more expensive models are usually used in bars and restaurants. These are high-performance models and usually have programmable modes, polycarbonate containers, are more durable and have noise reduction capabilities among others. However these can cost around $400 each.

Most home users prefer to spend less than this on a blender, but it should be advised that cheaper models can break down quicker with extensive use. A model which is both durable and cost friendly is usually the best, as opposed to one which can blend marbles.

Oster Blender Instructions

Over the years, Oster has manufactured several types of blenders. From the 1950s-style "beehive" to sleek contemporary-looking 16-speed machines, the use of an Oster blender has remained pretty much the same. The blender jar is also an included component of the Oster Kitchen Center. The blending jar of an Oster can be made from glass, plastic or stainless steel, and the base speeds will be set by either a dial or a digital touchpad. Oster blenders are available in several price ranges, and how the unit looks depends on the price paid for the machine.

   Setting Up

Setting up your Oster blender is straightforward. Place the gasket over the blade base and slide the blades into the bottom of the blender jar. Attach the screw-on connector and tighten. Place the jar into the base, and twist to secure it in place. Place the small feeder cap into the lid of the blender jar and twist until secure. The blender is ready to use.

Using the Blender

For best results, always place liquids in the blender before adding solid foods. Any uncooked foods should be chopped into approximately 1-inch pieces before you attempt to blend them. Soft, cooked food can be any size. Use the Pulse button to create milkshakes and smoothies. Pulse until the ingredients are combined the way you like them. Overblending can make shakes or smoothies too thin. Use the blender on high speed to crush up to six ice cubes at a time for mixed drinks, or add up to six cubes to drink ingredients for a frozen-type drink such as a daiquiri or margarita. You should not attempt to use your blender to whip egg whites, make bread dough or mashed potatoes. The blender motor is not strong enough for these processes and may burn out in the attempt.

Care of the Blender

The Oster blender should be cleaned after each use. This can be accomplished by taking the blender apart and washing each part in warm, soapy water. To reach residue beneath the blades, you may want to use a small toothbrush or stiff,painter's brush. Always let the blender parts dry thoroughly before reassembling the blender for storage. Moisture can allow bacteria to grow. If a piece of your blender becomes lost or broken, replacement parts can be ordered from the manufacturer for most models.

by G.K. Bayne

How to Make Mayonnaise in the Blender

When you need just a small amount of mayo for a special recipe, it is easy to whip it up in the blender using whole eggs, which makes it lighter than traditional mayo. You can even add things like minced garlic or chopped fresh herbs to spice it up a bit for an extra treat! Since the recipe makes only a small amount, you won't have left over mayo to worry about. This works great on sandwiches, or in dressings or potato salads. You will be very pleased with this delicious mayo made from scratch.

1. Frothy, well-blended egg, seasinongs and lemon juice 

Blend eggs, 1 ½ tbls. lemon juice, salt and pepper in blender 30 seconds or until frothy and well-blended.

2. slowly pour the oil into the blender

With the blender running, slowly pour in oil, making a very small stream - pour slowly, taking 2 to 3 minutes. Egg mixture will begin to thicken after half the oil has been absorbed. Stir in remaining ½ tbls. Lemon juice for more lemon flavor, if desired.

3. Store tightly covered in refrigerator

Use immediately or if necessary can be stored in the refrigerator, covered tightly, for up to seven days. Makes about 1/2 cup of delicious, light mayonnaise.

By braniac

How to Use a Blender

Chop nuts, puree soup, make a fruit smoothie. A blender is handy for these tasks and much more. Get the most out of yours by using it properly.

1. Choose a flat, dry surface on which to operate your blender.

 

2. Put the blender together. Place the blades in the retaining ring, then set the gasket over the blades and inside the ring.

 

3. Screw the retaining ring firmly to the bottom of the pitcher. Be sure the retaining ring is seated correctly or you will have a leak.

 

4. Set the pitcher onto the base and plug the blender in.

 

5. Put the recipe ingredients in the pitcher. Put lid on firmly.

 

6. Use the Ice or Chop setting to make milkshakes, smoothies or frozen drinks.

 

7. Make baby food by adding a small amount of liquid to a cup of fruit or vegetables and blending it for 15 seconds on the Puree setting. Five seconds on this setting also will smooth out lumpy gravy.

 

8. Take advantage of the Pulse setting to make bread crumbs, grate chocolate, chop vegetables and make cracker crumbs.

 

9. Add food to the blender through the secondary lid while the blender is running.

 

10. Clean the pitcher after each use. Put a little bit of dishwashing detergent in, add enough water to fill it halfway, put the lid on, and run the blender - with lid on - on a low speed for a few seconds.

 

11. Rinse the blender thoroughly. Take it apart and dry off the blades.

How to Fix a Blender

A blender works by having blades linked to a motor by a metal drive stud or a coupling. A motor on a blender is easily overloaded, because it is not typically designed for power but for speed. Read on to learn how to fix a blender.

1. Test your blender by unplugging it and turning the on-off switch to on. Use a volt-ohm meter by setting it on the RX1 scale. Clip the colt-ohm meter probes to the plug prongs. When you press the different switches on your blender, you should get a low reading. If you get an infinity reading, your switch is bad.

2. Remove the switch housing from the base housing by carefully lifting the lower corners of the decal or facing that surrounds the push buttons. Then remove the lower screws on the unit with a screwdriver.

3. Spray your electrical contacts on your blender with contact cleaner. Also, spray the openings and terminals in the back of the switch block. If the cleaning doesn't solve the problem, replace the switches.

4. Check the fuse on your blender by taking the unit apart enough to remove the wire connector joining power cord and the lead containing the fuse. Set your volt-ohm meter to RX1 and clip the probes to both ends of the lead. If the reading is high, replace the fuse.

5. Unjam the blade shaft by disassembling the drive as far as you can and strike the shaft against a wood block. Lubricate the parts with white grease.

6. Replace the jar coupling by holding the cap nut with taped pliers. Turn the coupling clockwise to remove it. If you need to replace the motor coupling, hold the motor shaft with pliers and unscrew the coupling. To reassemble after you have replaced the shaft or coupling units, follow these instructions backwards.

How to Buy a Commercial Blender

Juice and smoothies can be a wonderful addition to your diet because they are packed with vitamins and nutrients. A juice blender helps you mix up these healthy drinks. It's important to note that a blender is not the same thing as a juicer. A juicer removes the fiber from your fruit and vegetables, leaving you with only juice, but a blender keeps the fiber. If you are going to purchase a blender, you should look for a good one, since you'll be using it often.

 

1.   Look for a glass container. Some blenders come with a plastic container and others come with a glass one. The plastic varieties may be cheaper, but they don't always hold up over time and can sometimes retain the smells from the foods that you've blended.

2. Make cleanup a breeze with removable blades. You want a blender with a removable base because this makes it much easier to clean under the blades to remove all food debris. If you don't get all of the debris out when cleaning, it will start to rot and stink.

3. Consider the various speeds. Most blenders allow you to blend at different speeds, which can help you get just the right consistency. A high-speed blender will give you the smoothest drinks.

4. Count the number of people in your home. If you'll be making a large number of drinks, you want the largest container possible. Blenders with a square container tend to hold more. If it's just you drinking smoothies on a regular basis, you can stick with a small container.

5. Look for power and blade angle if you want to crush ice. Cheaper blenders typically leave larger chucks of ice because they don't have the power that more expensive blenders have. Additionally, blades that are at a variety of angles will crush more ice. If you use ice in your smoothies or want to make mixed drinks, consider a blender that's made for margaritas.

6. Imagine yourself cleaning the blender. A removable base makes clean-up a breeze. Some blenders feature a spout for pouring, which can be convenient when you aren't serving drinks all the time, but difficult to clean.

7. Pay the price you want. You can often purchase a basic blender at a discount store for under $20. Alternatively, you could also spend more than $500 on a top-of-the-line blender. Consider the features available with each type and what your family needs. Purchase the blender that's in line with your budget.

 By Maggie McCormick

Choose a Juice Blender Machine

Juice and smoothies can be a wonderful addition to your diet because they are packed with vitamins and nutrients. A juice blender helps you mix up these healthy drinks. It's important to note that a blender is not the same thing as a juicer. A juicer removes the fiber from your fruit and vegetables, leaving you with only juice, but a blender keeps the fiber. If you are going to purchase a blender, you should look for a good one, since you'll be using it often.

1. Look for a glass container. Some blenders come with a plastic container and others come with a glass one. The plastic varieties may be cheaper, but they don't always hold up over time and can sometimes retain the smells from the foods that you've blended.

2. Make cleanup a breeze with removable blades. You want a blender with a removable base because this makes it much easier to clean under the blades to remove all food debris. If you don't get all of the debris out when cleaning, it will start to rot and stink.

3. Consider the various speeds. Most blenders allow you to blend at different speeds, which can help you get just the right consistency. A high-speed blender will give you the smoothest drinks.

4. Count the number of people in your home. If you'll be making a large number of drinks, you want the largest container possible. Blenders with a square container tend to hold more. If it's just you drinking smoothies on a regular basis, you can stick with a small container.

5. Look for power and blade angle if you want to crush ice. Cheaper blenders typically leave larger chucks of ice because they don't have the power that more expensive blenders have. Additionally, blades that are at a variety of angles will crush more ice. If you use ice in your smoothies or want to make mixed drinks, consider a blender that's made for margaritas.

6. Imagine yourself cleaning the blender. A removable base makes clean-up a breeze. Some blenders feature a spout for pouring, which can be convenient when you aren't serving drinks all the time, but difficult to clean.

7.  Pay the price you want. You can often purchase a basic blender at a discount store for under $20. Alternatively, you could also spend more than $500 on a top-of-the-line blender. Consider the features available with each type and what your family needs. Purchase the blender that's in line with your budget.

 By Maggie McCormick

How to Choose a Blender

A blender is one of those essential countertop appliances. Used for making smoothies, shakes and malts, it also comes in handy for pureeing, chopping and even crushing ice.

1. Measure the space where you plan to store your blender. Pay special attention to height.

2. Decide on a metal or plastic base. Metal is more durable and keeps the appliance more steady when it is in use, but generally costs more.

3. Choose a glass or plastic jar. Blenders with glass jars are generally more stable, but also more expensive. A glass jar is also quite a bit heavier than plastic.

4. Check the number of settings available and decide which most closely fit your needs. A pulsing function is especially useful.

5. Look for special features on the lid that will make it possible to add ingredients while the blender is running.

6. Choose the color you want. Colors are generally available only if you choose a plastic base.

7. Study warranty and service options.

8. Before buying, read the manufacturer's instructions to be sure the blender has all the features you are looking for.