Kitchen Blender
A blender is one of the most versatile kitchen tools. It serves a number of purposes. However as in all kinds of equipment, it needs to be properly maintained to ensure its prolonged usefulness. Here are some of the things you have to remember to keep your blender working as well as it did when you first bought it.
Before using your blender, make sure that you are completely aware of what it is specifically designed for. Do not attempt to put in objects that are beyond its capacity to chop. It is a good idea to slice the fruits, or whatever it is you want to put into the blender, into smaller pieces before placing them inside.
Also, remember that blenders differ from food processors. Unlike them, they are not specifically designed to chop. Blenders work best with liquids and soft solids. As can be judged from the name, they are mostly used to blend or mix different components.
When using the blender to make shakes, smoothies, or other beverages that contain ice, it is a good idea to use pre-crushed ice. If this is not available, be sure to add liquid along with the ice. This makes it easier for the blender to chop the ice into smaller pieces. It also protects the blender’s blades by lessening the impact of the ice on them.
While using the blender, make sure that you let the motor rest at regular intervals when running it on high. Blender motors are not designed to run continuously for long periods of time. It should be enough to let the motor rest a minute for every two minutes that you run it.
After using, make sure to clean the blender properly. Disassemble its component parts before doing so. Make sure that no food is left on the blender. Use dishwashing soap to get rid of any residue. If the blades can’t be separated from the jar of the blender, pour in a small amount of warm water mixed with soap. Then, run the motor on low. This will ensure that the undersides of the blades will be cleaned as well. After rinsing the lid, the jar, and the blades thoroughly, be sure to dry them completely before storing.
Some blender blades need to be replaced after a certain period of time. If your blender’s blades need replacing, be sure to do so immediately. Attempting to use the blender with dull blades will cause undue stress on the blender’s motor, and it may even affect the quality of the food or drink that you are blending. It is also a good idea to check if there are other parts that need replacing. You should refer to the maintenance manual that comes with the blender for this kind of information.
