Comparison Kenwood Blend-X Pro BLM 800WH white vs Smeg BLF01SVEU gray

The volume of the main bowl supplied with the device.

For more information about the main bowl, see "Capacities". And the amount of product that can be loaded into the device at a time directly depends on its volume. On the other hand, a capacious bowl has the appropriate dimensions and cost, and also puts forward increased requirements for engine power. Therefore, you should choose according to this parameter, taking into account real needs. And also you should consider that for stand mixers with a bowl, in most cases, the volume means the total size, and not the useful one. The bowl must be filled less than 2/3 during cooking (here it is already individual and you need to look at the instructions for the product).

The rated power of the device, in fact, is the power of the engine installed in it.

The higher this indicator, the more performant this model is, the more suitable for “heavy” work and the more applications can be provided in the design. For example, in the case of mixers (see “Appliance type”), a power of up to 250 W is considered good for liquid products; for more solid tasks, like kneading tough dough, you should pay attention to more powerful models. Detailed recommendations on optimal power can be found in special sources.

Note that powerful devices are usually equipped with more durable nozzles that can withstand high loads.

The maximum speed of rotation of the working part of the nozzle, which the device can support. The maximum speed mode is designed for grinding and mixing solids. When the special “Turbo Mode” is activated, the maximum speed is switched on for a short time, which allows the blender/mixer to chop nuts, dried foods and much more. Additionally, the maximum speed is activated in the pulse mode, which is used for crushing ice.

The number of speeds of rotation of the nozzles provided in the mixer / blender.

The presence of several speeds allows you to adjust the operating mode of the device to a particular situation. For example, a liquid omelet can be whipped at high speed, but it is better to choose a slower mode for kneading dough. The more speeds provided in the device, the more versatile it is, the more accurately it can be configured for a specific task. In simple household models, from 3 to 6 settings are usually provided, in the most advanced devices their number can reach two dozen.

A control that allows you to smoothly change the speed of rotation of the mixer nozzles - for more precise adjustment of the speed and setting the optimal mode for different products. With step speed control, a situation may arise when a higher speed value is already too high, and a lower speed is not yet enough. Stepless control avoids such situations.

Automatic cooking programs provided in the design of the device. Classic blenders and soup blenders are mainly equipped with such programs (see "Type").

— Soup. The traditional soup program is designed to cook soups where ingredients must be cut into small pieces rather than mashed or pureed. This program ensures that the ingredients are cooked properly. In a soup blender, it's possible to cook soup without unloading the chopped products, whereas regular blenders only offer chopping capabilities.

— Cream soup. The cream soup program is specifically designed for puree soups where ingredients are thoroughly ground and contain a significant amount of liquid. Unlike mashed potatoes, cream soup has a smooth texture, which is achieved through this program. It's important to note that puree soups can be served both hot and cold, with hot soups requiring a soup blender and cold soups being suitable for regular blenders.

— Puree. The puree program is specifically designed for cooking various purees, particularly fruit and vegetable purees, which are thicker than cream soups and require more power to cook due to the lower liquid content. These dishes can be prepared using either raw or pre-processed ingredients, making them suitable for both soup blenders and regular blenders.

— Steam cooking. The steam cooking program is exclusively available in soup blenders and is designed to cook various products using steam. This meth...od of cooking is considered healthier than classic boiling water since it preserves more nutrients, making it a more advanced and healthier cooking option for certain foods. Steam cooking requires a heater, and therefore, this program is only available in soup blenders.

— Sauces.The sauce cooking program is available in some blenders, and since there are many types of sauces, it's important to specify which types of sauce the program is designed for.

— Milk porridge. The cereal and milk cooking program is exclusively available in soup blenders and is designed for cooking dishes that involve milk. One of the main considerations when cooking with milk is to heat it carefully to prevent burning and spillage, and this program takes that into account.

— Smoothie. The smoothie program is designed to prepare thick drinks made from fruits, vegetables, or berries mixed with juice and other ingredients such as milk or nuts. These drinks are both tasty and healthy, as they are easily digested and retain a high level of nutrients. The consistency of a smoothie is typically similar to juice with pulp or cream soup, but it must be liquid enough to drink through a straw since it is a drink.

— Ice pick. The ice crushing program is specifically designed for breaking down ice into small pieces, but it can be tough on blender blades due to the hardness and density of ice. Therefore, this program often uses a pulsed mode to effectively crush ice without damaging the blender's blades.

— Self-cleaning. This programme is designed for cleaning the blender from food residues and dirt. It is activated by pouring warm soapy water into the device and turning on the programme, which effectively washes out residues from all parts of the bowl. This is a convenient alternative to hand-washing the container in the sink.

In addition to those described above, modern blenders may provide other programs — for example, "baby food" or "warming up".

The substance that the jar of the countertop blender is made of (refer to "Device type"), or the material of the blender attachment (refer to "Nozzles"). The most widely used materials are:

— Plastic. Plastic is a popular choice for blender jars due to its low cost, lightweight, and sufficient strength for kitchen use. Its transparency allows for easy monitoring of the product being blended. However, plastic is prone to scratching, which can cloud the bowl and reduce the device's appearance. Scratches can occur from everyday use or rough cleaning with abrasive products.

— Glass. Glass blender jars are transparent and allow for easy monitoring of the contents. They are more resistant to scratches than plastic and do not lose transparency during use. Cleaning them harshly does not affect their transparency, and any cloudiness can be easily removed. However, glass is heavier, more expensive than plastic, and is more sensitive to impacts. A glass blender jar can break from a fall that plastic could withstand.

— Metal. Metal blender jars are durable and stylish, often surviving falls without damage. However, they are less convenient than plastic because their opaque walls make it difficult to observe the blending process. Metal is also more expensive than plastic, making it less commonly used, mainly in high-end devices.

A special section in the body of the device for storing the power cord. Often such sections are also equipped with devices for uniform winding of the wire — these devices prevent its bending and possible fractures. The cord section is especially useful if the mixer is used relatively rarely and is left idle for a long time outside the kitchen.

The weight in this section can be confusing, since manufacturers do not indicate the mass of the main working tools of the equipment. Accordingly, the greater the number of accessories in the kit, the greater the total weight and this parameter will be necessary only at the time of purchase in order to understand how many extra kilograms you will have to carry home.