Blender (device)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
The active platform for use of the machine is the container where the ingredients are blended. The blending container can be made of glass, plastic, or stainless steel. Often times the container 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.
The container rests upon a base containing a motor for turning the blade assembly and 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.
In 1922, Stephen Poplawski invented the blender. [1] Stephen Poplawski was the first to put a spinning blade at the bottom of a container. He used his appliance to make soda fountain drinks. In 1935, Fred Osius improved on Poplawski's idea and invented the predecessor to the modern Waring Blender.
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. Components of these commercial blenders could include a sound-reducing enclosure and computerized controls.
Another type of blender is the immersion blender which has a head (with the blades) that can be immersed in a pot of soup, for example, to blend its contents instead of holding the contents within itself.
