The controls are devilishly simple to get the hang of – there are five programmes at the push of a button, such as green smoothie, frozen dessert or soup (designed to heat up ingredients rather than blend already hot soup), plus a manual dial for ramping up through 12 speed settings and an LCD screen showing count up or count down times. If you're looking for an appliance that performs a wider variety of food preparation tasks - such as grinding and mixing up coarser ingredients - you might want to see our guide to the best food processors, although several high-end blenders can also easily assume the role of a food processor. Yes, it is very easy to use. The programs listed on the interface are self explanatory and very simple to use.

Power: Generally, the higher the wattage the better—it’ll provide faster blending and reduce your food prep time. Do note, however, that while higher wattage gives a rough idea as to how powerful the motor is, it doesn’t always equate to a blender being a better all-around model. 500 watts is generally powerful enough for a blender that's expected to do the typical tasks. If you're strapped for countertop space then a blender can sometimes even be used as a food processor. When we investigated whether or not can a blender be used a food processor we found that hybrid blenders that come with a food processor attachment could be a solution to most food you'd be wanted to make. Which blender is best for smoothies?Best of Gift: Galanz Digital [GLCB60ES210A] Hot and Cold Blender Key Features: 1000 Watts blender output, 8 Preset Programs, Borosilicate glass jar, Neat touch controls, built-in timer, and heating element This blender has a sleek and stylish modern design so would look attractive left out on a worktop. Alternatively, if you prefer to store it out of sight it’s a compact model that wouldn’t take up much cupboard space. We found the Beast Health Blender straightforward to operate and fantastic at blitzing fruit and vegetables into smooth drinks. Even better, the countertop blender has a built-in heating element if you’d like to melt chocolate or cheese into fondue. You could also use the feature to prepare hot recipes like soups, baby food, soy milk, and corn juice. The control panel even has the preset programs for them in case you’re trying to multitask. Both blenders and smoothie makers usually have a large base unit with several power settings or speeds to choose from. The chop program is a useful function – it pulses for 12 seconds and finely chops up ingredients like onion, garlic etc. Really handy when making soups and sauces. Saute

However, it’s not just noise suppression that made this blender an asset when we reviewed it– it’s also the breadth of programmes, versatility and efficiency. In the box you’ll find a good-sized two-litre jug with a lid that clips firmly into place, a 700ml cup with removable blades and a lid that you can use to blend shakes or smoothies, tamper, spatula, and a sleek silver base unit. Speed settings - Most models have at least two settings. Many sport a rotating dial to select your chosen speed while others have clearer, numerical settings. The more speeds there are, the more control you have.For all the pros and cons of these appliances, head to our full feature on Blenders vs. juicers: what’s the difference? How do I clean a blender?

If it’s a smoothie, juice, or icy drink, the built-in 1200-watt motor has more than enough power to handle it all. It even has four preprogrammed settings to perform the various cold blending functions, including soft and hard juicing. The following are summaries of the five hot and cold blenders that go beyond blending smoothies. They will help you understand the special abilities, as well as the main strengths and weaknesses of each. Hot and Cold Blender Brand I couldn’t see any minimum quantity requirements on the Ninja jug, or in their instructions, so I tested it out. Guess what? There are no minimum amounts – meaning you can absolutely make soup for 1 if you want to! I love having this option. Jam I made the strawberry jam recipe supplied in the book. I did alter it slightly because I couldn’t get hold of any fruit pectin – I could only find jam sugar in my local supermarket. Jug lids - Many have a strainer built into the lid to filter out any lumps when pouring. Some have a removable cap in the centre of the lid that allows you to add ingredients while it's blending.

Consider a premium blender (like a Vitamix) if you'll be frequently making big quantities and/or working with dry ingredients like grains, coffee beans or spices. Top-of-the-line models feature the most powerful motors, excellent build quality (to drown out the noise of said motors), and an array of pre-programmed features. But unless you plan to use your blender regularly for a multitude of tasks, there's no reason to spend a lot of money on one. Feel free to use leftover baked potatoes and make a loaded baked potato soup by adding all the ingredients to a soup pot and warming them and mashing them by hand. Leftover baked potatoes make a wonderful homemade potato soup. The Magimix Power Blender surrounded by ingredients to make a smoothie (Image credit: TechRadar) How to choose the best blender for you However all that power has to have a payoff, and that’s a bulky and weighty base. Together with the jug this blender weighs 6.93kg but it is still quite easy to move thanks to some well-positioned grooves on the side. It looks sleek from the front, but the base is 25cm deep, something to consider if you have limited worktop space available.

Preheat your air fryer on its hottest setting with the basket (or whatever you are going to cook the potato peels on) in for a full 10 minutes. The HB150UK from Ninja is a blender for all seasons. From smoothies to soup, you can cook and blend at the same time with this versatile 2-in-1 appliance. Programmes and Features In truth, Vitamix, Blendtec, and Breville all have a blender that can prepare cold desserts and warm soups. However, these machines use the friction from the spinning blades to generate the heat. So, it can’t cook your soup to a boiling temperature as with a True hot and cold blender that relies on a heating element. She tried the Nutribullet 01930 Smart Touch 1.85L Blender and is a huge fan, thanks to just how versatile it is in her kitchen. She uses it regularly for soups, smoothies and frozen margaritas, of course. How to buy the right blender for you Pat the skins dry and spritz with oil of your choice. I prefer canola or avocado oil because they don't impart any flavor. Season the strips lightly with salt and pepper (optional) and place them in the air fryer basket.The automatic clean programme on this blender is essential because the heating element in the jug means it can’t be submerged in water. I used the clean programme and it’s actually very thorough. You add water and washing up liquid and then it spends almost seven minutes heating and blending to get rid of all the residues. It still requires a bit of a rinse afterwards but for the most part everything gets cleaned off. Functions: Pricier models tend to come with more attachments and modes. We evaluated how useful they actually were and whether or not they justified the higher price point. A blender for one, this model has a small capacity and is only able to blend the contents of the single-serve jug.The Cuisinart Cordless On The Go Blender has a small blade and a single blending setting. If you're looking for an all-purpose blender then this probably isn't the model for you, however, if you are looking for a blender to regularly make drinks then this is a fab option. Ease of use: Was the blender easy to set up, put together, take apart and clean? Was it straightforward? Having never been a fan of soup makers, this Ninja might just have converted me. The chop and sauté functions keep the whole process contained in the jug and it makes a great soup while you put your feet up. The only downside for me is that the capacity makes just three portions of soup at a time. About this review, and the reviewer