How to Maintain Blenders

Kitchen blenders are an invaluable resource and often take on the responsibilities of many different appliances. Don't take for granted that your blender will always be there to chop, stir and puree for you. Being attentive to your blender's maintenance needs is essential in preserving the life of this useful kitchen tool.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Understand your blender's capabilities. Blenders and food processors are different appliances, and a food processor functions better chopping solid foods while a blender is good for ice and liquids. Don't substitute one for the other.

2. Chop the food you are going to mix before placing it in the blender. Putting large chunks of solid food into a blender puts undue stress on the motor.

3. Don't run the blender on high speeds for excessive amounts of time. If the blender is having trouble mixing food items, remove them and thoroughly chop before attempting to mix. Give the blender breaks in between high-power usage.

4. Clean and dry your blender thoroughly after each use to protect against food buildup and rust. Disassemble the blender as completely as possible before cleaning so no hidden food residue remains.

5. Replace blades and other parts periodically. Become familiar with your blender's maintenance manual to know what parts need to be replaced. Replacing small parts will prolong the life of the motor and the blender as a whole.

Tips & Warnings

• While a blender is a useful appliance to have, depending on your needs it may be a good idea to invest in a separate food processor for easier mixing and more appropriate use of your blender. If you have a combined blender and food processor, understand which mixing settings to use for the functions you need.