Best Blender For Pureed Foods

Blenders are a great way to get that smooth texture you’re looking for when it comes to pureeing food. Whether you’re making homemade baby food, smoothies or sauces, purchasing a good quality blender is the first step in getting the consistent results you need.

But, before you make your final decision on which one to go for, there are some important factors to consider.

Capacity

Whatever you’re planning on using your blender for, it’s usually a good idea to think about the amount of food you’re planning to make in one go.

If you’re a fan of batch cooking, and would like to make a large jug of pureed food that you can use throughout the week or freeze for a later date, then a blender with a larger capacity would be a good option. However, if you prefer to blend using new and fresh ingredients each time, then a smaller capacity blender would probably be best.

Power

Some ingredients are tougher to get to a smooth consistency than others and, as such, require a blender with a good amount of force behind it to get the best results. When it comes to looking at the power of your blender, take some time to consider what sort of food you’d like to puree, and how much force it will take to get it to a liquid state.

Anything from 200 watts upwards will give you a smooth blend, but bear in mind the higher the wattage, the louder your blender will be, so if you’re after a quiet machine you might want to lean more towards the lower end of the wattage scale.

Speed Settings

The speed that the blades spin with will ultimately determine how smooth the blend is, and will also affect the final texture of your puree.

Also read: BEST BLENDER TO PUREE FOOD FOR ELDERLY

A blender that offers multiple speed settings will allow you better control over the consistency and, although a blender with only a couple of speed settings will still give you a perfectly smooth blend, it may take a bit more time to reach your desired texture.

Some blenders have preset speed settings as well, which allow you to choose a blending programme and walk away, meaning you can get on with something else and not have to monitor your blender.

Extra Accessories

Most people want to buy a blender to puree baby food, or to make delicious smoothies in. However, once your child has grown enough to start eating solid foods your blender doesn’t have to be stored away in the cupboard to never be used again.

It’s worth looking to see what else you can get for your money, and many blenders now come with extra accessories that help take the hard work out of some of the more menial kitchen tasks. Whether it’s chopping, grinding or even whisking, a multifunctional blender could be a real timesaving piece of equipment for years to come.

Size

Before finalising on your blender choice, give some thought to your current kitchen layout, and the available space you have within it.

If you have a larger kitchen with plenty of countertop space, then a freestanding blender that can be left out all the time shouldn’t be too much of an issue for you. However, if you’re a little bit short on space, then perhaps it would be worth getting a smaller blender that you can store away in a cupboard when it’s not in use.

Stick blenders, also known as hand or immersion blenders, are also a great choice for anybody with a smaller kitchen as they can be left out without taking up too much room, or can be placed in a draw for easy access when needed.

Durability

Also read: Best Blender for Pureeing Food: 3 Top-Rated Models

Blenders can be a big investment, so you’re going to want one that lasts. Before committing to one you like the look of, think about the material the base and the accessories are made of.

A good, solid plastic base will give you years of use without any issues. However, if it gets dropped or accidentally knocked off your countertop, it could crack or lose a chunk. A blender with a metal base is likely to be more durable and won’t break as easily.

Give some thought to the material that the blender’s jug is made of as well. A glass jug will most likely be dishwasher safe, but may smash or crack if dropped. A plastic jug may be more durable than a glass one, but you should make sure that it is BPA free as this guarantees no chemicals or toxins will leach from the plastic into your puree.

Cleaning

Blending and pureeing foods can be a messy business, and the last thing you need is to be cleaning every little crevice of your blender’s jug that your mixture may have gotten into.

We would recommend looking for a blender that has dishwasher safe removable parts. This will take all of the hard work out of cleaning it, and will also sterilize it, so you know it’ll be safe and clean to use next time.

Some blenders also come with a ‘self-cleaning’ mode, which allows you to fill the jug with warm water, add a drop of detergent and hit a button that lets the blender clean itself. Definitely a great feature if you don’t have a dishwasher.

Price

Give a bit of thought to your budget when you’re buying a blender as well. They can range in price quite drastically, and a more expensive one may not necessarily give you anything extra that a lower priced one could.

Also read: 5 Tools For Making Perfect Puree

Ultimately, if you’re on a budget, it’s worth considering what you want from your blender and finding one with those features that won’t cost you too much. Make sure you’re paying for what you can get from the blender, and not just paying for a brand name.

Warranty

If you can find a blender that comes with a guarantee, it’s always worth going for that option. Blenders can be expensive, so you’ll want to make sure that you’re covered if something goes wrong with a part, or if it breaks entirely.

Some blenders come with warranties that go all the way up to 10 years, which doesn’t only mean that you’re covered for a long period of time, but shows that the brand is confident in its product in the first place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I puree food in my food processor?

Food processors are designed for chopping, grating and slicing food. If you’re looking to create pureed food, then a blender will give you a smooth, liquid consistency that you’re unlikely to achieve with a food processor.

What’s the difference between a freestanding blender and a stick blender?

A freestanding blender is usually one unit with a jug attached that can be placed on a countertop. They do sometimes include extra accessories, such as a chopping bowl, but the blender unit remains the same. A stick blender, or hand / immersion blender, is placed into a bowl or pan, and purees the food within that container.

How easy is it to clean a blender?

Generally blenders are easy to clean, and more often than not have removable parts that can be placed in a dishwasher. Some even come with self-cleaning modes which takes all the hassle out of making sure it’s ready to use next time.

Do blender blades need to be replaced?

Your blender’s blades should last you a long time, as long as you’re properly maintaining your machine. You won’t really need to worry about sharpening them, but if they were to break or become damaged, you should be able to get a replacement from the brand either under your warranty or at a small expense.