5 Ways You May Be Ruining Your Fancy Blender
Whether you’ve had a fancy high-speed blender for years, you’re a proud new parent of one, or you’re simply considering the investment, the most important thing to know is how to properly care for it. Treat it right and it could last close to a lifetime, which is definitely the goal, considering the small appliance can cost a pretty penny.
Here are five of the biggest mistakes to avoid.
1. Layering ingredients incorrectly.
That’s right — there’s a wrong way to fill a blender’s container. Generally, you can follow the order listed in a recipe (most recipe developers know the deal!), but if you want to make your own concoctions, know that you should start with liquids first, then dry goods, leafy greens, fruits and other vegetables, and finally, ice and frozen ingredients. These layers keep the blades working efficiently, resulting in the smoothest end result.
Read more: A Layering Guide to Better Smoothies
2. Blending too close to the wall.
While high-speed blenders do come equipped with a cooling fan to prevent its engine from overheating, it’s a good idea to pull it away from the wall or other enclosed space when in use. This way, the fan can do its job and the engine won’t get too hot.
3. Letting food dry up in the container.
It’s tempting to just toss the used container in the sink and deal with it later, but you’re better off washing it out immediately. Not only is it a pain to scrub away bits of food that may have dried up on the inside of the container’s walls, but if anything sticky like nut butter or dried fruit lingers too long, it can also clog the container, mess up the gasket, or damage the blades.
4. Sticking the container the dishwasher.
While your high-speed blender make technically be dishwasher-safe, if you want to extend its life, always utilize its own cleaning cycle or carefully wash it by hand. This will keep the blade sharp and the container in its best shape.
5. Storing the container in the fridge.
If you have soup left over after blending and serving it, transfer the rest to a storage container. It might be tempting to just put the lid on the blender container and tuck it in the fridge, but it’s not meant to be used for storage. The temperature change can put strain on the blade and its bearing, causing it to wear out sooner than it should.