An electric blender.

A blender is a kitchen appliance used to mix ingredients or puree food. The term typically refers to a stationary, upright electrical device, which is to be distinguished from a hand-powered or electric mixer that may be used for similar purposes. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (693x1216, 124 KB) Electric Blender, Japanese 110V model. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (693x1216, 124 KB) Electric Blender, Japanese 110V model. ... Home appliances are electrical/mechanical appliances which accomplish some household functions, such as cooking or cleaning. ... Purée and (more rarely) mash are general terms for food, usually vegetables or legumes, that has been ground, pressed, and/or strained to the consistency of a soft paste or thick liquid. ...

The blending container can be made of glass, plastic, or stainless steel, and often has graduated markings for measuring purposes. At the top of the container is a lid to prevent ingredients from escaping during operation. At the bottom is a blade assembly, sometimes removable for cleaning purposes. In cases where the blades are removable, the container should have an o-ring between the body of the container and the base to seal the container and prevent the contents from leaking. Glass can be made transparent and flat, or into other shapes and colors as shown in this sphere from the Verrerie of Brehat in Brittany. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The 630 foot high, stainless-clad (type 304) Gateway Arch defines St. ... Graduated cylinder. ... Typical O-ring and application An O-ring is a loop of elastomer with a round (o-shaped) cross-section used as a mechanical seal. ...

The container rests upon a base that contains a motor for turning the blade assembly and has controls on its surface. Most modern blenders offer a number of possible speeds. Low-powered blenders require some liquid to be added for the blender to operate correctly. This is because the liquid is used to move the solids around the jar and bring it in contact with the blade as the "whirlpool" fluid movement brings items from the top to the bottom. High-powered blenders are capable of milling grains and crushing ice without such assistance.

Another type of blender is the immersion blender. This has no container of its own, but instead has a mixing head with blades that can be immersed in a pot of soup, for example. Immersion blender An immersion blender is a kitchen appliance used to blend ingredients or puree food in the container in which they are being prepared. ...

Some of the functions of blenders have been taken over by food processors. In particular, thicker mixtures such as mayonnaise and hummus are easier to make in food processors. A food processor is a kitchen appliance used to facilitate various repetitive tasks in the process of preparation of food. ... For the musical group, see Mayonnaise (band). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Development

Stephen J. Poplawski, owner of the Stevens Electric Company, invented the drink mixer in 1922 to make Horlick's malted milk shakes at soda fountains. He also introduced the liquefier blender in 1922.^[1] Stevens Electric was sold to Oster Manufacturing, a manufacturer of barber equipment, in 1946. Oster commercialized the liquefier blender under the trademark Osterizer. Oster was bought by Sunbeam Corporation in 1960.^[2] Soda fountain is a North American term referring to the carbonated drink dispensers found in fast food restaurants and convenience stores in the US and Canada. ... A trademark or trade mark[1] is a distinctive sign of some kind which is used by an individual, business organization or other legal entity to uniquely identify the source of its products and/or services to consumers, and to distinguish its products or services from those of other entities. ...

In 1935, Fred Osius invented another kind of blender. He approached Fred Waring, a popular musician who financed and promoted the "Miracle Mixer", which was commercialized in 1937.^[3] Waring popularized the smoothie in the 1940s. Waring long used the spelling "blendor" for its product. 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Fredrick Malcolm Waring (born June 9, 1900 in Tyrone, Pennsylvania, died July 29, 1984, State College, Pennsylvania) was a popular musician, bandleader, and radio and TV personality of the 20th century, sometimes referred to as the man who taught America how to sing. ... A Tropical Strawberry Smoothie A smoothie is a blended beverage made from natural ingredients; usually fruits and juices but sometimes other natural flavors such as chocolate, peanut butter, or even green tea. ...

Blenders have primarily been used in the home kitchen, but with the rising popularity of smoothies and other frozen drinks, a number of commercial blending companies developed. These commercial blenders often include a sound-reducing enclosure and computerized controls. A Tropical Strawberry Smoothie A smoothie is a blended beverage made from natural ingredients; usually fruits and juices but sometimes other natural flavors such as chocolate, peanut butter, or even green tea. ...

References

1. ^ http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blblender.htm
2. ^ Information from the Oster site; now only available at the Google cache.
3. ^ Orchestra Leader Fred Waring and the Waring Blender at foodreference.com. They credit Waring Products' web site, but the content is no longer available there

See also

• Immersion blender
• List of food preparation utensils

Immersion blender An immersion blender is a kitchen appliance used to blend ingredients or puree food in the container in which they are being prepared. ... This is a list of food preparation utensils, also known as kitchenware. ...

External links

• How to Choose a Blender