Your blender is without doubt one of the most versatile instruments in your kitchen, however that doesn’t imply it’s invincible. Whereas it’s designed to deal with quite a lot of duties, there are specific issues you need to keep away from tossing in to forestall injury, or worse, a kitchen catastrophe. Let’s discover a number of objects you need to maintain far-off out of your blender to make sure it lasts for the lengthy haul.
1. Ice Cubes: The Blade Wrecker
Tossing ice cubes into your blender may seem to be a good suggestion when making smoothies or frozen drinks, however except you might have a high-powered mannequin, you’re risking injury. Ice cubes are extraordinarily onerous, and common blenders can wrestle to interrupt them down. Over time, this will boring and even chip the blades, making your blender much less efficient.
To stop this, use crushed ice as an alternative or go for frozen fruits to attain that thick texture. For normal blenders, all the time add a liquid to assist the blades transfer extra simply. Excessive-powered blenders are designed to deal with ice higher, however even then, it’s smart to offer your machine a break from time to time.
2. Scorching Liquids: A Scalding Hazard
Mixing scorching liquids is a recipe for catastrophe. When scorching meals or liquid is positioned in a blender and the lid is closed, steam builds up, inflicting stress that may blow the lid proper off, sending scalding liquid flying throughout your kitchen.
As an alternative of placing scorching liquids in your blender, permit them to chill first. In the event you usually mix soups or sauces, think about using an immersion blender, which lets you mix scorching liquids straight within the pot with out transferring the contents and risking burns or spills.
3. Espresso Beans: Not for Grinding
Utilizing a blender to grind espresso beans may sound handy, nevertheless it’s not preferrred. Espresso beans are robust and may shortly boring the blades of an everyday blender. Plus, blenders don’t grind evenly, which means you’ll find yourself with a mixture of positive grounds and enormous chunks.
Spend money on a devoted espresso grinder for a extra constant outcome, or take into account shopping for pre-ground espresso. In the event you’re in a pinch, you’ll be able to grind espresso beans by hand utilizing a mortar and pestle, however by no means throw them within the blender except you’re ready to boring your blades.
4. Potatoes: A Gluey Mess
Blenders and potatoes simply don’t combine. While you mix potatoes, the starch in them can grow to be overworked, turning the potatoes right into a gluey, sticky mess. That is removed from the fluffy mashed potatoes you had been seemingly hoping for.
To keep away from this, use a potato masher or ricer to attain a creamy consistency. In the event you completely should use a blender, do it in brief pulses with added liquid, however be cautious to not overdo it, otherwise you’ll find yourself with a starchy catastrophe.
5. Dried Fruit: Powerful to Mix
Dried fruits are a tasty addition to many recipes, however they are often extremely robust in your blender. Their chewy texture may cause the blades to get caught or break, and the robust fibers in dried fruits make them troublesome to course of.
If you wish to mix dried fruits, soak them in water first to melt them up. It will make them simpler to mix and cut back the pressure in your blender. It’s also possible to chop them into smaller items earlier than mixing or use a meals processor, which is best fitted to robust elements.
6. Complete Nuts: Crush Earlier than Mixing
Nuts are nice in smoothies and sauces, however they are often too onerous to your blender to course of of their entire kind. Like ice, entire nuts can boring the blades or trigger the motor to pressure, particularly in case you’re mixing giant portions.
Earlier than including nuts to your blender, take into account chopping them into smaller items or utilizing a meals processor. In the event you’re making nut butter, a high-powered blender is a greater choice, however all the time mix the nuts with some liquid to assist the method alongside.
7. Non-Meals Objects: Keep Protected
This could go with out saying, however by no means put non-food objects in your blender. Utensils, rags, and different objects may cause critical injury to the blades or motor and pose a security threat. If one thing unintentionally falls into the blender, all the time unplug it earlier than making an attempt to retrieve the merchandise.
Be aware when mixing, and all the time double-check that the blender jar is free from non-food objects earlier than you flip it on. Guaranteeing your blender stays away from overseas objects will maintain your kitchen gadget operating easily for years.
Preserve Your Blender Clear to Keep away from Harm
It’s important to maintain your blender clear to forestall injury over time. Meals residue and grease can construct up across the blades and motor, inflicting put on and tear which may go unnoticed till your blender all of the sudden stops working.
Make a behavior of cleansing your blender instantly after use. Fill it midway with heat water and a drop of dish cleaning soap, then run the blender for a number of seconds to wash the blades and jar totally. Rinse properly, and your blender can be prepared for its subsequent activity.
Defend Your Blender and Your Pockets
Your blender is a kitchen workhorse, nevertheless it’s essential to know its limitations. By avoiding sure elements, you’ll not solely defend your blender from pointless injury but in addition guarantee it continues working effectively for years to return. Be aware of the objects you set in, and all the time observe greatest practices for cleansing and upkeep. Your blender – and your pockets – will thanks for it!
Investing in Specialised Kitchen Devices
What are your experiences? Have you ever ever unintentionally broken a kitchen equipment through the use of it incorrectly? What did you study from the expertise? How usually do you suppose folks misuse their blenders with out realizing it? What widespread kitchen habits may be placing home equipment in danger? Would you take into account investing in additional specialised kitchen devices like meals processors or immersion blenders to protect your common blender for extra delicate duties? Why or why not?
