Food Blenders & Processors

By Staff -- Foodservice Equipment & Supplies, 9/1/2006

Types: Early blenders were generally simple in style until about a decade ago, when manufacturers began to experiment with jar and blade designs. Blenders are typically used to produce mixed drinks and frozen drinks, such as smoothies and shakes. They are sometimes used in food preparation. Blenders have a single blade assembly at the bottom of their mixing containers. Portable immersion blenders have a removable blade affixed to their shafts, and endusers can use them with any food container. Food processors offer operators a quick and efficient method of cutting foods, usually produce items, by using interchangeable blades or discs to slice, shred, blend or ground products. A “blixer” is a hybrid of a blender and mixer, with the same design as a food processor, but such units run at speeds of up to 3,450 rpm, compared to a maximum speed of 425 to 1,725 rpm for regular food processors. Typical applications include emulsifying or liquefying foods without aerating or foaming the product, leaving them suitable for making soups, sauces and purees.

Capacities/Footprints: Blenders may have glass, stainless-steel or polycarbonate containers in sizes ranging from 32 oz. to 1 gal., and they normally take up less than 1-sq.-ft. of space. Tabletop food processors have bowls that range in size from 0.75 to 6 qts. and can occupy less than 1-sq.-ft. or up to 2-sq.-ft. of space. Floor-model processors can prepare up to 1,200 lbs. of vegetables per hour and have a footprint of about 2-sq.-ft. Countertop blixers typically accommodate between 3 and 6 qts. of product and take up roughly 2-sq.-ft. of space.

Energy Source(s): Blenders and tabletop processors require 120V AC power at 50/60 Hz, but some are available in 220/240-volt models. Floor-model processors require 60 Hz power, at 155 or 208/240V AC and may require 3-phase wiring.

Manufacturing Method: Blenders and processors have a power base that runs the mixing shaft. Depending on the size, these bases are typically constructed of either high-impact plastic or stainless steel. Removable bowls can be made of either heavy-duty plastic or stainless steel. Continuous-feed processors use cast-aluminum feed heads.

Standard Features: Blenders have either one-, two- or variable-speed configurations and motors ranging from 1/2 hp to 3 hp. Food processors usually come with a basic set of slicing/cutting blades. Many blenders now available come equipped with LCD controls and programmable settings to mix drinks. Large-size drinks require large-size blender jars, while sauces prepared in the back of the house do best with smaller models. Certain blender units, designed with coffee and smoothie shops in mind, have timers that allow staff to work with customers while drinks are mixed. Food processor motors range from 1⁄2 to 1 hp because they run at lower speeds than blenders. Blixers typically include see-through lids that allow for easy addition of ingredients.

New Features/Technology/Options: The newest food processor units shorten preparation time and allow operators to slice, dice and chop faster with more consistent results. One material now in use allows for easy washing without discoloration. A new continuous-feed food processor includes a pair of polycarbonate work bowls for either continuous-feed or 2 ½-qt. batch processing. The unit has two operation modes: pulse and continuous operation. It also has touch controls and six stainless-steel processing discs with metal hubs (thin, medium and thick slicing discs, fine and medium shredding discs, french fry/julienne disc). Options include additional polycarbonate containers, a wall-mount plate rack, an additional straight blade, honing stones, a serrated “S” blade, and a freestanding plate rack. Dicing, a capability traditionally reserved for larger food processors, is now an option on some smaller units. Also available are ice dispenser/blender combinations, which allow ice to be dispensed directly in pre-determined quantities into a blending container. Because of noise concerns, many blenders are now designed for placement in a cut-out section of a counter, several inches below the countertop. Similarly, some units now have optional plastic enclosures that encompass the entire machine, thereby reducing noise. They have also increased the horsepower on some models as high as 20 amps, which is more power than many home hand tools require. Preprogrammed cycles save labor and improve consistency and portion control. Units will not only automatically adjust their speed, they will also turn themselves off after a predetermined time. A timer with an auto shutoff stops over- and under-blending problems.

Key Kitchen Applications: Blenders liquefy and food processors slice and shred.

Purchasing Guidelines: Food processors eliminate the labor-intensive task of slicing food by hand. In addition, studies have shown that because food processors cut more quickly and cleanly, they create products with longer shelf-lives.

Maintenance Requirements: Disassemble containers, mixing discs and blades for cleaning. In both processors and blenders sealed motors usually require no maintenance.

Food Safety & Sanitation Essentials: Foods are quickly processed to their final form, they can be rapidly cooked or returned to refrigeration. Frequent cleaning of blenders and processors is a necessity.