Kitchen Wizards at Pureeing and Chopping

Kitchen Wizards at Pureeing and Chopping

Stick blenders are practical and versatile additions to any kitchen. But consumers need to exercise care when purchasing a hand blender. In practice, some brands that boast of their high wattage are unable even to chop nuts or blend soup, and others begin to falter within a minute of being switched on. The TÜV SÜD experts know exactly what the most important features of hand blenders are, and give tips on what to look for when buying and how best to use the new purchase.

TÜV SÜD Tips for Buyers

• Stick blenders are available with an output between around 150 and 500 watts. Mixers offering over 500 watts are clumsy and heavy, advise TÜV SÜD’s experts. A happy medium is around 300 watts. The important factor here is the length of operation at this power level. If the blender is only designed for short-term operation, operating time at maximum level should be not less than three minutes.
• In addition to the number of watts, check the number of revolutions per minute – a vital factor for good results. High-speed blenders are ideal for foaming sauces, but often balk at chopping hard nuts or crushing ice cubes. The speed, measured in rpm, can vary from 10,500 to 22,000. Since the speed required depends on the task at hand, variable speed settings are a practical feature.
• Stick blenders are available as blender only or accompanied by a range of accessories. If your culinary ambitions do not extend beyond whipping cream, blending soup or chopping nuts, a straightforward blender is the best choice; however, if you dream of using your blender in more imaginative ways, look for models offering a wide range of accessories.
• If the blender is too heavy, using the machine becomes a trial of strength. A hand blender should weigh no more than one kilo, advises TÜV SÜD. The majority of immersion blenders on the market weigh between 550 and 950 grams.
• The blender cable must be long enough to enable you to reach into pans and bowls without obstruction. In general, a cable length of 1.20 to 1.50 m is adequate. Battery-operated stick blenders are not available, since the batteries needed to achieve the power specifications would weigh too much.
• Regular users of hand blenders are all too familiar with the throaty roar or shrill screech of their machine. As a general rule, hand blenders should be no louder than 80 decibels. Purchasers should be able to test the blender in the store and hear the operating noise level for themselves.
• The motor cover of a hand blender is generally made of plastic, while the stick and blades are of stainless steel. TÜV SÜD’s professional experts warn of dangerous substances in plastics, known as PAHs (= polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). Chemicals were regularly discovered by the testers in the course of chemical analyses: nonylphenol, for example, may trigger allergies and is suspected to be carcinogenic.
• Labelling on all blenders should be in large, clear letters and self-explanatory.
• Before buying, be sure to investigate the availability of spare parts and replacements.
• Given the enormous range of different brands on offer, which blender is the right one? Budding chefs large and small can look out for the GS Mark or the TÜV SÜD Product Service Octagon to help them make their decision.

Tips for using your stick blender from TÜV SÜD

• Stick blenders can easily overheat, which is why the manufacturer’s information concerning maximum short-term operating time is so important. In the worst case, a blender may need to be switched off after only 30 seconds to avoid damage to the motor. This brief span is generally scarcely long enough to blend a simple soup. If the blender is not designed for long-term operation, manufacturers must specify the maximum continuous running time (short-term operation).
• User instructions should be easy to understand and clearly legible. Poorly translated instruction leaflets sometimes supplied with bargain blenders may fail to specify the purpose for which the blender is designed or give troubleshooting advice.
• Hand blenders may be dangerous for children. Always unplug the blender before storing, and keep the blender out of the reach of children.

Tips on Care

• Stick blenders are made of plastic and require no special care. Simply unplug the blender, wipe the outside with a damp cloth and clean the blade under running water. Check the manufacturer’s instructions to see if any special care is needed. It is useful if the blades can be dismantled for thorough cleaning.

Additional Information on Testing:

The experts at TÜV SÜD Product Service inspect stick blenders for compliance with the standards “Specification for safety of household and similar electrical appliances “ (EN 60335-1 and EN 60335-2-14) and with the TÜV SÜD Product Service fitness-for-use standard before awarding the GS Mark or TÜV SÜD Octagon. In addition to testing the blender foot, blade system and maximum operation time, they also test for the presence of soluble heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, zinc or nickel in the food processed by the blender. Finally, the TÜV SÜD experts run an endurance test to simulate two, three and five years of operation.

Media Relations: Dr. Thomas Oberst