Do You Really Need a Countertop Blender?

Countertop blenders are popular kitchen appliances that can make your life much easier and tastier by allowing you to create everything from smoothies to salsa in your home.

While countertop blenders are convenient, the question remains: Do you need one? Sure, you can use it to make smoothies, hot soups, or sauces, but if you don’t make these things regularly, maybe it’s not worth the space it takes up in your kitchen cabinets!

If you already have a blender that gets the job done, why would you want to spend more money on another? We’ve outlined the pros and cons of having a countertop blender, so read through our guide before making your final decision.

What is a Countertop Blender?

A blender is an electric machine that blends the food items and makes some delicious recipes. These blender machines are designed for chopping, puréeing, and liquefying foods for cooking or preparation purposes.

They’re capable of blending dry ingredients and liquids, and some latest models come with advanced features such as automatic sensors that detect container size. These auto shut-off mechanisms turn off when they reach capacity, etc.

They come with these main parts:

A base (which includes motor, settings, on/off switches)
Container with lid
Different sets of blades
Mixing or pushing rod

Check out a list of best blenders we have tested and reviewed with their pros and cons.

Why are They Called Countertop Blenders?

The first part of their name, COUNTERTOP, comes from their size because these machines are large enough to take up your entire counter, so they do not need to be stored away in cabinets or drawers.

Often, these blenders are portable enough to be carried from room to room when needed, but these are bulky and heavy; that’s why they mostly remain on a fixed area like a countertop.

How to Use a Countertop Blender?

The process of making smoothies or sauces with a countertop blender is so easy, and you need to follow the steps written below:

First of all, you need a blender and fresh ingredients that you want to blend.
Assemble all your things on the same countertop near the blender; it will help you work smoothly.
Wash and peel your fruits and vegetables with water.
Always remove seeds and pith from fruits and veggies to avoid any bitterness.
Assemble the blender, fix the container on the power base, add the ingredients, and place the lid tightly.
Always cut the big ingredients into small pieces, like an apple in 3-4 pieces.
Don’t overfill the container, always leave 25% space empty. It will help smooth blending without clogging.
Now run the blender slowly, then gradually increase the speed. You may also utilize the pulse function according to your needs.
If the mixture does not circulate, use a tamper to stir or press the components.
If there are air bubbles, stop the machine, mix the contents with a spatula, and restart.
After blending, pour the smoothies or sauces into a separate bowl or jug.
Now it’s time to enjoy your meal.

Check out a complete guide on how to use a blender.

Reasons to Buy a Countertop Blender

You might want to consider buying a countertop blender for several reasons. Some of these reasons include:

You want to make smoothies, shakes, and other meal replacements on the go.
You’re looking for an easy way to add vitamins, minerals, and other health-beneficial ingredients to your diet.
You want to make healthy snacks and desserts without spending time in the kitchen.
You want to create healthy smoothies, soups, puddings, and sauces without having to use expensive equipment or ingredients.
You’re seeking for a quick and simple approach to prepare wholesome meals for your family and yourself.
In the event that you would want to cut down on the amount of time you spend inside the kitchen for preparing meals.

Based on these reasons, it’s clear that a countertop blender is a valuable tool that can help you achieve many goals in life. Check out our buying guide for the best affordable blenders, if you are contemplating making a purchase.

Features of a Countertop Blender

The thing to remember with countertop blenders is that they’re essentially small appliances in their own right. They have quirks and features, just like anything else you can put on your kitchen counter. Some shining features of these machines are below.

The Versatility of a Countertop Blender

A countertop blender can be used for more than just smoothies. A countertop blender is an essential tool if you’re looking to make soups, dips, or sauces.

One of its best features is that it can prep ingredients while your main dish is cooking on your stove or in your oven; add small batches of food into the blender so you won’t lose heat as quickly and preserve your meals’ flavor and freshness.

Power of a Countertop Blender

These machines are quite powerful. The average blender’s power ranges between 300-1000 Watt, while a high-powered blender comes with 1000+ Watt. This means you can blend thicker ingredients that might not blend in a regular blender.

If you’re making smoothies with berries or peanut butter, for example, you might want to go with a countertop model.

Size

Countertop blenders are often quite large, which is great if you plan to use them daily or have space for them. If not, there are handheld blenders that can handle just about any blending job, but they don’t come with all countertop options.

That said, countertop blenders range in size from around 30 ounces to more than 80 ounces (for high-performance versions), so it’s important to know exactly how much capacity you need.

The smaller ones make sense for those who drink smoothies occasionally and want the convenience of an appliance with them at all times; the larger ones are better suited to those who love smoothies and soup daily.

Accessories

When you buy your blender, get some accessories with it. Mostly they come with a lid with a center cap, a tamper to push the ingredients, and a spatula to stir the ingredients in the jar. Not only will these be beneficial in using your appliance, but they can also greatly extend its life and functionality.

You can also buy another container or bowl according to your needs.

Bowls – Since you’ll need something to put your ingredients into before blending them, the most basic option would be a bowl.

Container – If you know what type of blending container might work best for the type of food you are going to use this for (i.e., soup vs. salsa), then it would be worthwhile to invest in one that is specific for that particular food item.

Different Settings

Even if you’re only going to make smoothies, you may want to consider a blender with multiple speeds. There are various speeds for different uses. The first-speed setting is typically used for prepping ingredients and blending lighter ingredients, while larger items like carrots or pieces of fruit can be blended on higher settings.

Most blenders have one speed, high. That’s useful for blending ingredients into the liquid. If you’re trying to do something more specific, like grind spices or make the dough, look for a blender with low and high speeds and pulse capability.

Blades of Countertop Blender

While most blenders have similar features—including variable speeds, stainless steel blades, and BPA-free plastic pitchers- blade type often sets them apart. Two popular blade types are straight (sometimes called regular) and serrated (also known as Tritan).

Straight blades are better for blending thicker ingredients like smoothies or soup, while serrated blades cut through ice cubes better. So, this feature is also remembered when buying a blender.

FAQs

Both are useful kitchen appliances. A blender is an electric tool that can smash or blend things and produce a final product that can be drunk. At the same time, a food processor is a kitchen appliance that produces final products that can be eaten by slicing and grating the food ingredients.

Choosing a kitchen appliance might be overwhelming because of the many possibilities available. If you don’t know what makes one product different from another, making a purchase can seem like a real gamble. That’s why we have made a complete guide on blender vs food processor, which will answer all your questions.

Both are electric kitchen appliances, but their primary functions are different.

Blender is used to blend the different things, change their initial appearance, and convert them into liquid or powder form. While a mixer works differently, it mixes up different things, combining them into a single thing. The mixer doesn’t crush, puree, or blend the ingredients; it just mixes up.

Good point! Many people wonder if they need to purchase a countertop blender when they can get by with a hand blender. Everything relies on your budget and intended use.

Hand blenders are useful for blending small quantities, while countertop blenders are ideal for kitchens because they have large containers that hold more.

Some models come with multiple containers that allow you to do more than blend beverages. You can also grind coffee beans or chop ingredients for salad dressings or sauces.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a kitchen gadget that can save you time and simplify your culinary tasks, a countertop blender is a perfect option! Some of the reasons to buy a blender include making smoothies, soups, and other beverages without having to use a food processor or using less healthy ingredients.

Here, we’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions about blenders, including how to use them and their features.