Handheld blenders are a familiar appliance in every household, especially for home cooks. However, knowing which foods are suitable for blending and which are not is essential for the longevity of your appliance and your safety. Let’s explore nine types of food that you should avoid blending with your handheld blender to prevent any regrets later on.
1Porridge and Hot Soups
Porridge and Hot Soups
Avoid blending hot porridge or soups with your handheld blender, especially if they are still boiling. The high temperature combined with the blender’s fast-spinning blades can create a significant amount of pressure, potentially causing the blender to reverse and become a hazard to those nearby. It’s best to let the food cool down for about 10 to 15 minutes before blending, and remember not to fill the blender more than halfway. Always hold the lid securely in place to prevent any accidental openings.
2Potatoes
Potatoes
Potatoes are starchy vegetables, and blending them can cause the machine to become clogged and even lead to motor failure. In some cases, it may result in electrical shorts or explosions. Instead of blending, use a fork or a masher to achieve the desired consistency without risking any damage to your appliance.
3Dried Fruits
Dried Fruits
Handheld blenders, especially those with lower wattage (under 500W), may struggle with the tough, fibrous parts of dried fruits. These fibers can get stuck in the blades and cause damage to the appliance. Soaking the dried fruits in water beforehand can help soften them and prevent any harm to your blender.
4Large Ice Cubes and Frozen Foods
Large Ice Cubes and Frozen Foods
Using a handheld blender to process large ice cubes or frozen foods can be detrimental to the appliance, especially if it has a small motor and is not designed for this purpose. The blades may wear out quickly, and the food may not be adequately blended. It’s advisable to crush or grate the ice and frozen foods before blending to extend the lifespan of your blender.
5Whole Spices
Whole Spices
Handheld blenders are typically not designed for grinding whole spices, as the blades are not suitable for this task. Attempting to do so may lead to motor failure or damage to the appliance. Invest in a dedicated spice grinder or use a mortar and pestle to achieve a finer consistency for your spices.
6Crab and Foods with Hard Bones
Crab and Foods with Hard Bones
Blending crab or meats with hard bones, such as pork, can quickly dull the blades of your handheld blender and even lead to motor failure or electrical shorts. For crab, manual pounding is the best method to extract the meat. As for meats with hard bones, consider mincing or chopping them by hand to achieve the desired consistency without risking damage to your blender.
7Coffee Beans
Coffee Beans
Coffee beans, like other dry goods, are not suitable for blending with a handheld blender. The blades are not designed for this purpose and may quickly wear out, resulting in a loss of flavor and aroma in your coffee. Invest in a dedicated coffee grinder or use a dry goods grinder for better results.
8Flour
Do Not Blend Flour
Never blend flour in your handheld blender. The fine particles can clog the blades and cause the motor to fail. Opt for a dedicated dough mixer or mix by hand to ensure safety and achieve the best results for your flour-based recipes.
9Sharp Objects While the Blender is Running
Do Not Insert Sharp Objects While Blending
Never insert spoons, forks, or other sharp objects into the blender while it is running. This can be extremely dangerous, as the blades may strike these objects, leading to damage, motor failure, or even electrical shorts. It also poses a risk of injury to your hands. Always turn off the blender before checking or stirring the contents, and then restart it once you’re done.
We hope that these tips will help you use your handheld blender more effectively and safely. Thank you for reading!
Frequently asked questions
Blending hot liquids can create pressure due to the high temperature and fast-spinning blades, which may cause the blender to reverse and become a safety hazard. It is recommended to let the food cool down for a while before blending, and never fill the blender more than halfway.
Potatoes are starchy and can cause the blender to become clogged. This may lead to motor failure, electrical shorts, or even explosions. Using a fork or a masher is a safer alternative to achieve the desired consistency.
The tough, fibrous parts of dried fruits can be challenging for handheld blenders, especially those with lower wattage. These fibers can get stuck in the blades and damage the appliance. Soaking dried fruits before blending can help prevent this issue.
It is not advisable to do so, especially if your blender has a small motor. The blades may wear out quickly and may not effectively blend the food. Crushing or grating the ice and frozen foods beforehand is recommended to extend the lifespan of your blender.
No, handheld blenders are typically not designed for this task as the blades are not suitable for grinding spices. Attempting to do so may lead to motor failure or damage to the appliance. A dedicated spice grinder or mortar and pestle is a better option for a finer spice consistency.
Blending crab or meats with hard bones can quickly dull the blender’s blades and lead to motor failure or electrical shorts. Manual pounding is recommended for extracting crab meat, while mincing or chopping by hand is suggested for meats with hard bones to avoid damaging your blender.
Coffee beans are not suitable for blending with a handheld blender as the blades are not designed for this purpose. Grinding coffee beans with a handheld blender may lead to a loss of flavor and aroma. Investing in a dedicated coffee grinder or using a dry goods grinder will provide better results.
The fine particles of flour can clog the blender’s blades and cause the motor to fail. It is recommended to use a dedicated dough mixer or mix by hand for safety and better results in flour-based recipes.
Inserting spoons, forks, or sharp objects into a running blender is extremely dangerous. This can cause damage to the blender, motor failure, or electrical shorts. It also poses a risk of injury to your hands. Always turn off the blender before checking or stirring the contents.
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