Device type
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Hand mixer. Mixers are kitchen appliances designed for mixing and whipping liquids. They are equipped with beaters and may come with additional nozzles. Hand mixers are held in the hand during use, making them more compact and easier to store than stationary mixers. However, they may not be as convenient for long-term use and tend to be less expensive.
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Stationary mixer. Stationary mixers are a type of mixer that comes with a stand-base for stable placement on a table or counter. This eliminates the need to hold the device while in use. However, the size of the bowl that can be used may be limited, and some models may require the use of a specific bowl. Some models also allow for the mixer to be removed from the stand and used as a hand mixer. Stationary mixers tend to be more expensive and bulkier than hand mixers, but they offer more convenience and stability during use.
— Stationary mixer (non-removable). A variation of the mixers described above, which cannot be separated from the stand and imply only stationary tabletop use.
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Immersion blender. This is a simpler version of the previously described blenders, which doesn't include a bowl. It's a handheld appliance with a blender leg-shaped nozzle that can be used with any container. However, it may not be very convenient for long-term use, unlike immersion blenders, which offer more versatili
...ty in terms of container size. Also on sale there are immersible blenders without nozzles.
— Blender. Devices used mainly for chopping various products, mashing, crushing ice, etc. The blender consists of a base, which houses the motor and control electronics, and a bowl with a paddle knife located above it. The bowl is usually made removable; this makes it easy to drain (or unload) the resulting product, and also facilitates washing.
— Soup blender. This type of blender not only blends ingredients but also has cooking functions. It typically comes with a variety of preset programs to expand the range of dishes that can be prepared. However, the amount of food that can be produced is limited by the size of the bowl, which is usually around 1.7 liters.
— Chopper. Choppers are similar to blenders in terms of their function and usage (as mentioned earlier). The main difference lies in their design: the bowl is typically situated at the bottom of the device, and it can only be removed by taking apart the top block and axis with the blades. While choppers are less convenient compared to blenders, they are smaller, simpler, and more affordable.
— Chopper (manual, mechanical). A manual chopper doesn't require any electrical connection to function. It relies on manual labor to shred, chop, and mix ingredients within the bowl, utilizing knife blades for these processes.
— Vegetable cutter. These devices can be thought of as mechanized kitchen graters that are primarily intended for processing vegetables. They come with different attachments for grating, chopping, and slicing food, which is much more convenient than using traditional manual graters. Additionally, they are often safer to use, as they are designed to prevent fingers from coming into contact with the blades, unlike conventional graters where there is a risk of injury when working with small food pieces.
— Frother. Frothers are primarily used to create frothy foam, especially when making milkshakes or cappuccino. They can either be stationary, with a container attached to a base that houses a whipping nozzle, or portable, resembling immersion blenders (as described earlier) without a regular container.
— Frother (manual cappuccinatore). A manual frother is a device used for creating a high and fluffy crema, typically for milkshakes and milk-coffee drinks. It consists of a bowl and a special disc whisk designed for this purpose. Unlike electric frothers, manual frothers do not require a power source and are operated by hand.
— Mixer for cocktails. These are variations of the stand mixers discussed earlier, specifically designed for making milkshakes and similar cocktails. The primary function of these devices is to whip foam, usually from milk and dairy products. They typically feature a metal bowl that can safely accommodate crushed ice, and are designed with a high support leg and glass holder for stability.
— Portable blender. A small, low-power blender designed for making single servings of cocktails is available in a compact model. It comes equipped with a built-in battery pack, enabling it to be used in locations where a 220 V power supply is not available. Portable blenders are also equipped with USB or microUSB connectors, making them ideal for travel, hiking, or extended trips.Power
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.
Number of speeds
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.
Turbo mode
Turbo mode allows you to significantly increase the speed of rotation of the mixer nozzles for a short time. In this way, unevenness in the whipped product can be quickly and efficiently eliminated, which is especially valuable at the end of whipping. However, note that the turbo mode can only be turned on for a short time, otherwise there is a risk of overheating of the motor.
Nozzles
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Blending arm. A blending nozzle is a long rod-like attachment with a protective cap at one end, containing a bladed knife. It can be attached to a conventional mixer, essentially turning it into a blender.
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Wide blending arm. A blending nozzle, or blending arm, is a long rod-shaped attachment with a protective cap at one end, housing a bladed knife. The wider width of the blending arm allows for faster blending and easier processing of larger quantities of food products.
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Beaters for whisking. Whisking nozzles for liquids such as cream, eggs, and batter, are commonly found in modern mixers as a standard attachment.
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Kneading hook. Special nozzles in the form of thick wire spirals, designed for kneading thick dough.
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Knife for chopper. A cutting-type attachment with blade knives attached to the bottom of a cylindrical shaft and turned at a 180-degree angle to each other. It is used for grinding ingredients of different hardness in the blender jar. The cutting elements of such knives can have both straight and serrated blades.
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An ice pick. An ice pick is a specialized tool for crushing ice, nuts, and frozen fruits/berries. Its serrated blades make it easier to break the solid structure of ice without dulling the blades. I
...t is commonly used with powerful blenders that come with a glass or metal chopper bowl. Although not all blenders include an ice pick, it can be purchased separately along with a heavy-duty chopper bowl main function crushing ice and other hard ingredients.
— Knife for kneading dough. The kneading knife is ideal for making yeast dough with a less dense structure in small quantities. It can also be used for mixing and whipping creams. Typically, this type of knife is made from durable plastic that pulls the mass rather than cutting it like steel. For larger volumes of dough, it is recommended to use a specialized hook attachment instead.
— Disc for shredding/slicing. A slicing disk is a circular attachment with slots that function as blades when rotated. This feature enables it to rapidly and uniformly slice fruits and vegetables into thin pieces, making it particularly useful for processing large quantities of food.
— For dicing. This attachment is designed to cut fruits and vegetables into small, uniform cubes. It is particularly useful for preparing salads and traditional soups.
— For puree. This is a plastic attachment typically used for creating smooth purees and thick blends from fruits and vegetables.
The presence of a sieve in the delivery set of the device.
— Pulp sieve. Typically found in conventional blenders, this device is a vertical tube with fine mesh walls that fits into the bowl and sits atop the blade. Its primary function is to separate pulp from fruit and vegetable juices: produce is placed inside the tube, the blade crushes it, and the juice is filtered through the mesh into the bowl while the pulp remains inside the tube.
— Cappuccinatore (frother). This device is specifically designed for creating milk foam and is used only with specific appliances (refer to "Device type - Foamer"). It typically consists of a bowl with a foaming mechanism at the bottom, rather than a nozzle, and is often not detachable.
Other types of nozzles, in addition to those described above, can be supplied in the kit.Pusher
The presence of a pusher in a countertop blender. Such an accessory allows for more thorough mixing through the top opening in the flask for refilling the ingredients by pushing the processed mass closer to the knives. Also, the
pusher will allow you to get rid of non-ground pieces adhering to the walls of the flask. In some models, it is made as a spatula, which is designed specifically for mixing.
Blending arm material
The blending arm consists of a tube with a bladed knife located at one end. Specified for
immersion blenders(see “Device type”) and other devices equipped with the appropriate attachment (see “Attachments”). Usually there are such options:
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Plastic. Plastic is a popular material for blending arms because it is lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to manufacture in various colors and even transparency. It is susceptible to scratches and less strong than metal, but this is not critical as blending arms are not subject to significant stress. Overall, plastic is a convenient and widely used material.
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Metal. Metal blending arms are strong and scratch-resistant, giving them a solid appearance. However, they are heavier and more expensive than plastic ones, making them more commonly used in premium blender models where design is as important as functionality.
Section for cord
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.