Mixer grinders can hold great power within a household. They make it so easy to prepare the hardest and most delicious homemade meals that it's almost impossible to go back. Many different kinds of mixer grinders are available in the market, and choosing the right one may be harder than you think. This section will help you learn more about mixer grinders to make a wise purchase decision.
How To Choose the Right Mixer Grinder
Mixer grinders are appliances that pulverize and combine ingredients. Typically they are used to make spice mixes, pastes, and other semi-complex foods essential for quality home cooking. If you want to crush some fruits effectively to start a sauce or create a batter for some Indian dosa, a mixer grinder is for you. With so much variety available in the market, choosing a mixer grinder that would satisfy all your needs can get quite confusing. You must consider the following factors to ensure you're getting the best bang for your buck.
Number of jars
The number of jars you need mostly depends on how big or small your family is and how much food preparation you need to do at a given time. If you’re a small family, a mixer grinder with just two jars should be enough for you. However, for a bigger family, you will need a heavy-duty mixer with at least three to four jars to work more efficiently.
Blades and abrasives
A mixer grinder comes with abrasive materials and several blades that serve their purpose. These include a slicing disk, shredding disc, dry grinding blade, and wet grinding blade. As the names suggest, a slicing disk is used for slicing fruits and vegetables, a shredding disc is used for shredding cheese, fruits, and vegetables, and a wet grinding blade is used for grinding wet food items like drinks and pastes. Having access to these blades is ideal, but most mixer grinders don’t offer them all, so you need to check if the ones you need are included in the package.
Motor speed
Some mixer grinders have different motor speeds that help you choose the right consistency or thickness. It is always advised to go for mixer grinders that offer varying speeds. This feature makes it easy to control the blade’s speed so that your food is not over-processed and can be made to your liking. Keep in mind that the tougher the food you are grinding, the stronger the motor you will need.
Specific use
Some mixer grinders specialize in specific grinding techniques. One common one is wet grinding, Restauranteur Brian Nagele says, "[w]et grinding is the process of using liquid to help mash or grind large food particles into a paste or slurry. This technique makes certain foods more mixable." If you enjoy Asian cuisines, a specialized wet mixer grinder may be the best choice for you. Consider what recipes you like and if you'll need a special grinder.
Sharpening Mixer Grinder Blades
After prolonged use, it becomes necessary to sharpen your mixer’s blades so that they continue to do a great job of chopping away your food. This can be done by following the steps given below:
- Disconnect the jar from the motor base
- Wash the jar with warm water and leave it to dry
- Twist the blades in a counterclockwise motion and remove them from the jar
- Use warm water and soap to wash the blades properly
- Get a sharpening stone and run the edges of the blades along its length
- Once you’ve sharpened the blade, put everything back together
Taking Care of a Mixer Grinder
It is crucial to care for your appliances so that they continue to serve you for a longer time without any issues. It is really easy to care for your mixer grinder if you just follow some rules religiously. Rule 1: One rule is to add water to the jar after using and turning on the grinder so that the water is mixed with all the batter left in the jar. You can then throw out the water. This makes it very easy for you to wash your mixer later. Rule 2: Placing the jars upside down for drying after you have washed them is also a great way to ensure that all water is dried and does not leak into any components. Rule 3: If you want to clean your mixer grinder, unplug it from the socket before cleaning it with a wet cloth. Then you may use a dry cloth to wipe off the moisture on the machine before plugging it back in.
