Blenders are a must in any kitchen

Blenders are one of the most useful appliances to have in the kitchen. They can be used to make shakes, fruit smoothies, malts, frozen drinks, and even soups. Statistics show that several housewives look at a blender as an effective ice-crushing device too.

It is therefore not a surprise to see the market flooded with blenders. Each comes with its own special features, making selection very difficult. Some of the points that must be kept in mind when purchasing a blender are:

1. Pulse Button: Look for a pulse button as this allows you to control the actual procedure of mixing. You don't end up squishing ingredients into an overtly blended liquid.

2. Speed Dial: This can be adjusted between high and low speeds depending upon the ingredients to be mixed. The speed options range from three to 16 although most blenders have a speed dial of ten. The speed depends on the kind of food that you want to blend. For instance, you can go for low speeds if you want to blend beverages only.

3. Power Wattage: Look for a blender with 300 to 500 watts of power.

4. Container Fabric: You can choose from glass containers which are stable albeit heavy; plastic containers which are a notch below glass because they have a shabby appearance and are more difficult to clean; or stainless steel containers which look good and are stable, but it's impossible to keep an eye on the blending process within.

5. Finally, you must always choose a blender that's easy to maintain and clean. The wide-mouth variety with the detachable blade is the best option. The bigger the mouth, the easier it is to load and unload the contents. Also, you might want to opt for a blender that gives you the touch pad option, as it's easier to wipe down compared to gnarly knobs and rotating dials.