What to choose - a mixer or a blender: what are they for, what is the difference between them, advantages and disadvantages + reviews
The mixer is known to almost any housewife, since the first simple models of this device were common in Soviet times.
The blender is an improved version of the mixer, and it appeared on the market relatively recently.
The names of these devices are taken from English words, the meanings of which are almost identical: "mix" and "make a mixture."
In fact, a mixer and a blender are completely different devices that differ in different functionality and are used in different situations.
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What is a blender for?
The working element of the blender are rotating sharp steel blades. Thanks to this design, the blender easily grinds fruits and vegetables, it can be used to crack ice, nuts or crackers.
The grinding capacity depends on the power of the device, in addition, blenders are of manual and stationary type.
A hand blender is similar to a mixer, as it consists of a handle with control buttons and a nozzle with steel blades, which is immersed in a container. Some models come with a special bowl for shredding products, or an additional nozzle - a whisk for whipping liquids.
A stationary blender is a container with a container inside which there are rotating steel knives. To use such a device, you should place the necessary products in a glass, close it with a lid, turn on the blender at a given power, after which the ingredients will be crushed in a few seconds.
Like any device, a blender has some advantages and disadvantages.
Its advantages:
- grinds raw, cooked fruits and vegetables, as well as hard foods;
- has a high speed;
- able to grind products to a homogeneous consistency;
- with additional attachments, it can perform many actions.
Flaws:
- mixed products are devoid of airiness;
- due to high speeds, the blender heats up quickly and often requires a break in work;
- makes a loud noise;
- the submersible type is able to grind only some of the products, so it must be constantly directed.
What is a mixer for?
The difference between a mixer and a blender is that the first ensures the mixing of products thanks to rotating whisks made of durable metal.
Such a device allows you to mix and beat liquid products, so it is used for whipping eggs, cream, creams, dough and making cocktails.
Mixers vary in performance, and are also divided into manual and stationary devices.
A hand mixer is a device with a handle and a whisk attachment. When working, it is immersed in a container with products. It is great for whipping and mixing liquid ingredients, but this device will not cope with more solid ingredients.
A stationary mixer, like a blender, consists of a container placed on a body with control buttons.It is used in the same cases as a hand mixer, the difference is only in convenience, since such a device frees your hands.
Typically, a stationary mixer is equipped with a special bowl, the volume of which is up to 2 liters, a whisk nozzle and a special nozzle for kneading thick dough.
It can be noted that the power of a hand mixer is usually 400 watts, while a stationary one can reach up to 700 watts. Accordingly, the speed of the hand-held device is almost 2 times less. This can be both a disadvantage and an advantage, since at low speeds the product mixture is better saturated with air.
The popularity of the mixer is due to the following advantages:
- allows you to get an airy and lush mixture;
- suitable not only for whipping liquid components, but also for kneading dough of different consistency;
- does not overheat during operation, so it can be used for a long time;
- provides fast and convenient whipping.
Of course, the device has its drawbacks:
- not suitable for grinding ingredients;
- will not cope with an excessively thick or solid product;
- the scope is limited to liquid and semi-liquid components;
- makes noise during operation.
The disadvantages also include the fact that a stand mixer takes up a lot of space (which is not always convenient in the limited space of kitchens), but the same applies to a stationary blender.
What's the Difference?
In the process of cooking, it is often necessary to beat, mix or grind various products, and it is worth noting that both a mixer and a blender can be used for many operations.
To figure out which device should be used in each case, you can use a special table of the most common operations with products.
| Type of transaction | Blender | Mixer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stationary | Manual | ||
| Shredding vegetables/fruits | Yes | medium | No |
| Puree making | Yes | medium | No |
| Chopping nuts/breadcrumbs | medium | Yes | No |
| ice pick | Yes | medium | No |
| Cocktail preparation | Yes | medium | medium |
| Beating whites / yolks / eggs | No | medium | Yes |
| Making homemade mayonnaise | No | No | Yes |
| Pancake batter | medium | medium | Yes |
| Thick sour cream dough | No | medium | Yes |
| Dough for pies | No | No | Yes |
What is better to choose?
It is best to have two appliances in the kitchen at once, designed for different operations. If the circumstances are such that it is necessary to choose one thing for the house, then you should first evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each device.
First of all, you must decide which dishes are most in demand in your family. For example, if you like to cook pastries or a variety of desserts, then you definitely need a mixer. If you have a small child, or you often prepare mashed dishes, then a blender is perfect.
It must be understood that the mixer is used for mixing and whipping liquid components, but it is not intended for grinding. The blender, in turn, is able to grind not only fruits and vegetables, but even nuts or ice.
The mixer cannot perform the functions of a blender, while the blender in some cases successfully replaces the mixer, it can be used to whip cream, eggs or sauce, prepare homogeneous cocktails or smoothies.
Mixers tend to be less powerful, so even with blade attachments, they won't make as good a mixture as higher-capacity blenders.
Mixer and blender - 2 in 1
The cardinal difference between the main purposes of a mixer and a blender led to the appearance on the market of combined devices, for example, blenders with a mixer function.
In addition, you can find sophisticated combines that not only chop and whip food, but are also able to squeeze juice, chop meat, grind coffee and cereals, etc.
The most common are 2-in-1 mixer-blender devices, but sometimes there are even 3-in-1 models. As a rule, they are compact in size, do their job well, and their cost is quite acceptable and will not become a hole in the family budget.
Devices "two in one" equally perform the functions of both a mixer and a blender. This is very convenient, because you can immediately chop vegetables, mix them in the required consistency, make mashed potatoes, add beaten egg white - the variety of operations is limited only by the availability of products in the house.
The simplest hand mixer-blenders consist of the following parts:
- housing with control unit;
- chopper attachment with steel blades, which is used as a blender;
- whisk attachment for whisking liquids.
At the other end of the lineup are serious devices with high power, significant performance and increased bowl volume (up to 6-7 liters). As a rule, such devices are used in large families, where they often cook a wide variety of dishes.
Their disadvantages include the following points:
- high cost (up to 10 thousand rubles);
- loud noise during operation;
- significant energy consumption;
- complexity of operation.
In some devices, power is distributed unevenly depending on the functions performed. In addition, a large appliance can weigh up to 10 kg and requires a permanent place in the kitchen, which is not always convenient in a limited space.
Most often, budgetary small models are used, which quickly gained popularity in the kitchen goods market. They are easy to use, have sufficient power, high quality and inexpensive.
The capabilities of such a two-in-one appliance are enough to satisfy the needs of an average family if you need to beat eggs or prepare vegetable puree from time to time.
Consumer reviews
Below are consumer reviews about what they use - a mixer or a blender:
Unable to get users reviews: Internal error
Conclusion and Conclusions
A blender and a mixer are completely different devices, although at first glance it may seem that they perform the same functions.
In fact, each of these devices is used to perform specific culinary tasks. The choice between a mixer and a blender should be made based on personal needs. In addition, do not forget about devices that combine the capabilities of these two units.
Useful video
The view tells what is the difference between a blender and a mixer:
I used the mixer in Soviet times and in the 90s, until more advanced household appliances appeared. Now the mixer is in the cupboard and is used only for grinding spices and making powdered sugar. I do everything else in a food processor and with the help of a submersible and stationary blender. All this technique saves me a lot of precious time and allows me to cook delicious, varied and healthy food.
Now, of course, there are many different devices that facilitate work in the kitchen and improve the quality of cooking. And among all the variety of devices you need to choose the one that best meets your needs. And despite the fact that many devices are supplied with nozzles for different functions, all the same, not all of them will not perform them efficiently. Therefore, I use a blender for chopping food, meat, vegetables, nuts. For whipping, making creams, for example, I use a bowl.
I inherited from my mother-in-law a KRUPS mixer, which is 30 years old. In this mixer, apart from the electric wire, nothing has changed. I won't part with him for anything. It still works well. I whip creams, eggs, dough, cocktails with them. But, of course, I also have a modern blender, with which I grind boiled vegetables and fruits, and raw ones too. It is also an indispensable thing in the kitchen. These are my real helpers.
I had more than one mixer. But I have never used a blender. Now the stores are full of quite budget models of submersible blenders. But they are mostly without glasses. I can easily submerge the mixer in any container.But what about blender? Does it require special utensils or can it be ground in any saucepan like a mixer? I don’t want to spend money on a model that has such a glass without the need.