The kitchen in typical Indian home is a place that is bustling with several activities. But it is also the place where the culinary magic happens every day! And, no matter what part of India you go to, you can smell the sweetness of different dry and wet masala coming into the kitchen.
Whether it is a spicy curry, a tangy chutney or some lip-smacking snack in the making, Indian food is incomplete with its unique masala and spices. But how are the masala mixes, delectable chutneys and spice powders made? Well, traditionally, women make these masala mixes and spice powders by grinding them manually using a mortar and pestle or a grinding stone.
Nowadays, due to the busy lives, and lack of time, it is not feasible to grind the masala manually. But, thanks to technological advancement, today, we have a wide range of amazing kitchen appliances that make cooking a lot easier, faster, and fun than ever before. Two such appliances that are much-loved and widely used are mixer grinder and a hand blender.
While both the appliances may seem to be similar, they are quite different actually. And, so, if you are confused which one to buy, understanding the differences between the two can help you make a wise decision.
What is a mixer grinder?
Mixer grinder is a commonly used kitchen appliance that is mainly used to grind spices, nuts, grains and more. It is a multi-purpose appliance that you can use for a variety of kitchen tasks. The mixer grinder has the capacity to crush, blend, grind, large and coarse ingredients into fine and granular substances.
It is usually compact and portable and comes with a variety of jars in different sizes and different blade attachments, and each one is designed for a specific purpose.
What is a blender?
A blender is a versatile kitchen appliance that serves numerous purposes, and allows you to finish several kitchen tasks within a few minutes. This makes it a valuable addition to any kitchen in the world.
The blenders are generally used for making sauces, smoothies, soups, chutneys, beverages, dips, and more. The blender can also be used for making nut butter, baby foods, grinding nuts, whipping a cream, or beating eggs, and even grinding lean meant with less fibres like fish or shrimps.
A blender is also commonly known by different names like, hand blender, stick blender or an immersion blender. It has a thick handle, and a long and elongated body, with a wide bottom. At the bottom of the handle is the blade. The handle has many buttons, allowing you to control the speed as well as choose different function.
Another notable feature of the blender is that, unlike the mixer grinder, you need not put the ingredients that you want to grind, puree, blend or whisk into a jar. Instead, you can directly insert the blender into the jar, vessel or cup that holds the ingredients and start grinding, whisking or blending.
Knowing the differences between blender a and mixer grinder
A lot of people in India confuse a mixer grinder and blender as being the same appliance and even use the terms interchangeably. If you are looking to buy one of these appliances, understanding the difference can help you make the right choice.
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Functionalities
A blender or a hand blender is mainly designed to make puree soft food items, mix liquids, blend, make soups and sauces, etc.
In contrast, a mixer grinder is better suited for grinding hard food items and turning them to fine powder or batter.
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Power efficiency
When you buy any kitchen appliance, you may look for a model that is energy efficient, and helps you save money on the power bills, right.
So, when you are comparing blender and best juicer mixer grinder in India, and deciding on which one to buy, it is paramount that you look at their power-saving capacity.
Generally, the hand blenders consume less power as they have a smaller motor. For example, the Wipro FB102 Hand Blender 300-Watt blender offered by Wipro Appliances has a powerful and efficient 300-watt power that helps you do all your tasks like pureeing, whisking, whipping, churning, fast, yet the DC motor consumes less power.
On the other hand, the mixer grinder consumes more power than a blender. This is because they are specially designed to grind tough and hard ingredients, and it requires a powerful motor with high power capacity. For example, the Elato FMG 206 1000W Mixer Grinder has a powerful 1000W pure copper motor.
However, it has an integrated DFB (Deep Flow Breaker) technology that ensures efficient grinding in minimum time.
- Affordability
The cost of a blender and a mixer grinder may vary based on the model you want to purchase. But generally, the hand blender price is lower than a mixer grinder because of their added functionality. The Wipro FB 102 Hand Blender 300 Watt is priced at just Rs. 1,425.
On the other hand, the juicer mixer grinder price is a little higher than a blender. For example, Elato FMG 205 1000W Mixer Grinder is priced at Rs. 5,499. So, decide on a budget, purchase the right appliance accordingly.
- Cleaning and maintenance
The ease of cleaning and maintenance is another critical factor that you must consider while making your decision whether to buy a blender or a mixer grinder.
Cleaning and maintaining the blender is a lot easier. Most of the hand blenders models available in the market like the Wipro FB 102 Hand Blender 300 Watt have removable parts, and you can easily clean them with regular dishwashing soap or liquid and running tap water.
The mixer grinders have multiple parts and jars, and they may require a little more effort in cleaning as compared to the blenders.
In terms of maintenance, mixer grinders and blenders are easy to maintain and require minimal effort.
Mixer Grinder Vs Blender – What should you choose?
When it comes to choose between a mixer grinder and blender, the decision ultimately depends on your daily needs and preferences. Both these appliances have unique feature and offer different functionalities. And, more importantly are handy appliances to have in your kitchen.
So, assess your specific need, and budget and choose the right appliance that is a best fit for you.