Blender: Do’s and Don’ts

Most households cannot imagine a life without blenders. Are you one of them? It has become a necessity of modern kitchens nowadays since it opens the door to so many meal possibilities and new cooking ideas. From fruity milkshakes and smoothies to mouth watering salad dressings and creamy soups, there is a long list of recipes that a blender can whip up in a matter of seconds.

Taking care of your blender and following some tips will not only give you a safe blending experience but also extend the life of your blender. Here are some do’s and don’ts that you should keep in mind while using your blender:

Blender Do’s:

1. Secure the lid in place before blending. If you blend without the lid, there is risk of food splattering in the surroundings which will not only waste food but will also result in a huge mess on the kitchen counter. To spare yourself of all the extra clean up, always blend with the lid on and also remember to hold the lid down while blending.
2. Cool hot ingredients for about 5 to 10 minutes before blending them. The reason is that blending hot ingredients will create steam which may risk burning your skin when you remove the lid. Hot ingredients can also result in the wearing down of the blades.
3. Clean the blender immediately after each use. If you leave it to clean later, food will dry on it making the cleaning process a lot more difficult than it has to be. The easiest way to clean your blender is to fill the blender jug halfway with water and add a drop of liquid detergent to it. Secure the lid in place and blend for a couple of seconds. Drain the soapy water and rinse with warm water.

Blender Don’ts:

1. Don’t use utensils inside the blender for scraping or mixing while the blender is running. This action can harm the blades and may result in cracks in the glass walls if you are using a glass jug. Turn the blender off and let the blades stop completely before you put a spoon or a fork inside the blender.
2. Don’t use attachments with your blender that are not manufactured by the same company that produced your blender. If you use attachments from different companies, they might not be fully compatible with your blender and may cause harm to it. For example, if you use a jar that is larger than the one that came with the blender, you may add more liquid than is prescribed for that blender which could result in overworking of the motor.
3. Never immerse the base of the blender in water. If you want to clean it, simply wipe it with a damp cloth. If there are food stains that you want to remove, add a drop of detergent to the damp cloth before wiping it off.
4. Don’t ever put your hand or fingers inside the blender while it is still running. You need to be careful since the blades of the blender are very sharp and doing so might cause you harm. Not only will it cause you harm but also the blades and the motor of your blender.
5. Don’t forget about the pulse option. This option is often suitable for most blending tasks. You can also use it in the initial blending stage when you need to break down frozen or hard ingredients. If it is still difficult to break down the ingredients, it may help if you add a little liquid.