Blend Food Safely

Template:InuseBlenders are a very useful kitchen appliance. However, they can be dangerous if used improperly–-from blade cuts to hot food or liquid explosions, the blender can be a lurking danger waiting to harm you. To avoid the concerns, there are some basic precautions and sensible use rules to follow to keep yourself safe and the blender doing what it is meant to be doing––blending and nothing more.

Steps

Preparation Before Using the Blender

1. Read the manual from cover to cover. A lot of errors with kitchen appliances happen because the owner failed to read the specific instructions accompanying the manual. Whenever it involves blades, high speed and the potential to explode, you owe it to yourself to read the manual.
   • Check for the required wattage. If the wattage is different from your house wattage, get the right adapter to transform it safely.
   • Check for specifics about the blades of your blender. Know how they work and what safety mechanisms it has, if any.
2. Allow only responsible persons to operate the blender. Children should not operate the blender until you consider them to be responsible enough to do so without injury. Even then, teach the child how to use the blender properly and to know all the safety issues.
   • Supervise all use of the blender by children. Do not allow children to use the blender alone.
3. Know what cannot be blended. There are some foods that should not be blended because they may damage the blender blades or harm you. These include:
   • Hard spices, such as black peppercorns, nutmegs, cinnamon sticks: Blending these can cause pepper dust that will harm your breathing and eyes and the other two items can break or damage the blades. Use a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle instead.
   • Coffee beans: Blenders are not made to grind, which is the method required for coffee beans. Once ground, coffee can be added to the blender for milkshakes, etc.
   • Mashed potatoes: The blender won't be able to cope with the gluggy consistency of the potatoes and will make a mess, not a mash.
   • Rock hard frozen foods: This includes ice and hard frozen fruits, berries and vegetables, as they will damage the blades and may cause small missiles to explode out. Also, having only frozen food in the blender can cause "cavitation", an air pocket around the blades that prevents proper cutting. Thaw frozen foods halfway before blending and let ice cubes soften just a little first.
   • Ginger: Fresh ginger should be chopped by hand or ground using a mortar and pestle.
   • Boiling hot liquid: As will be explained below, never put boiling hot soup, drink, liquid into the jar. Always allow it to cool a little first (see below).
4. Cut food to fit the blender jar. Do not allow the food to stick out past the top of the jar. Instead, cut the fresh food so that it fits into half the height of the jar.

General Safety when Using a Blender

1. Keep fingers and hands out of a blender. Whenever the blender is set up for use, it is important to avoid putting your hands or fingers into the blender. The blades are very sharp and when they are moving, can cut your skin, muscles and bones with ease.
   • Never put your fingers or hands into the blender while it is plugged into the wall. Any small bump or knock on the start button can cause it to start, with severe injury a high possibility.
   • Never put your fingers or hands into a blender that is operating.
2. Take care to keep dangling clothing or jewelry out of the way when blending. Things that could get caught on the blades include necklaces, bracelets, long earrings, ties, scarves, etc. Hair can also get caught if dangled in, such as braids, ponytails, long and loose hair, etc. Pin back your hair and removed dangling clothes or jewelry.
3. Do not put anything in the blender while it is in use. If you try to add food or liquid while blending, it might fly everywhere. It is dangerous to add spoons, spatulas or any other stirring item; these could splinter on the blades or stop the blades and cause the motor to overheat and explode.
4. Use the blender only for a short blending time. This is especially important if your blender does not have a cut-off switch if the engine overloads (cheaper and older models may lack such an automatic cut-off). Blenders are designed for short use, not prolonged blending. If you need to blend a lot, give the blender a break in between each short blending spurt.
5. Remove the blender jar or jug from the blender base before taking the lid off any blended food. This ensures that you can't accidentally bump the blender into working mode, which could cause an accident.

Blending Hot Food

1. Let the food cool slightly. A 5-minute wait can make all the difference between a food explosion or a fuss-free blend.
2. Fill the blender to no more than halfway. Ideally, one third to a half is optimal for blending foods and liquids, especially if warm.
3. Remove the center part of the blender lid. This is known as the blender cap or stopper. If this doesn't exist on your blender's lid, lift up one corner of the blender's lid.
   • Note that it is the creation of a vacuum that causes explosive hot food or liquid problems in a blender.
4. Place the lid back on. This time it will be without the feeder cap. Double check that it is in place securely.
5. Place a clean kitchen tea towel over the blender lid. Before adding it, fold it thickly and ensure that it covers the blender lid in its entirety.
6. Hold onto the lid to ensure it remains in place securely. Blend only on the lowest speed possible. This speed can be gradually turned up as you blend and can see everything is staying safe.

Blending Hot Liquids

1. Do not blend hot liquid. This doesn't mean you cannot blend warm liquid; it does mean that you need to wait at least 5 minutes before transferring any hot liquid to the blender. A few minutes of waiting can mean all the difference between a safe blend and a scalding experience.
2. Transfer the slightly cooled hot liquid to the blender. Fill no more than halfway of the blender.
3. Lift up one corner of the blender's lid. Unlike with food, it is not a good idea to remove the feeder cap when blender hot liquids. The opened part should be opposite to where you are.
   • Note that it is the creation of a vacuum that causes explosive hot food or liquid problems in a blender.
4. Put a clean, folded tea towel or small hand towel over the lid. Hold in place gently (so as to not close the slightly ajar lid) and blend on the lowest level possible. Blend just a few times to start with, and gradually build up the blending when you can see it is working well and safely.

Blending Hard Foods Safely

1. Prepare the hard or frozen foods appropriately. Cut or break hard foods into small chunks or portions, as much as possible. Thaw frozen foods halfway before blending. Let ice cubes soften just a little first. Doing this will help the blender to cope with the foods without damage.
2. Ensure a good balance of liquid and hard or frozen food. The liquid is essential to ensure that the hard or frozen food is not grating against the blades.
3. Place hard foods in last. Add the hard food second if you are blending with soft foods. In other words, add liquids, creams, custards and fresh vegetables, fruits and berries before adding the hard or semi-frozen foods. Do not fill more than halfway.
4. Use a commercial blender if frequently blending hard frozen ice or hard or fully frozen food pieces. Only a commercial grade blender can handle such hard foods safely and without damaging the blades when used daily. Or, a really high end, expensive consumer blender with a powerful motor (1000 watts) is needed. If you need to use ice cubes, allow them to soften a little first for an ordinary blender or the blades will wear out quickly if used often with hard ice cubes.
   • Cheap blenders tend to be unable to cope well with frequent blending of such foods as nuts, raw carrots and raw broccoli. Cooked or semi-cooked vegetables are usually find, and if you crush the nuts first, a cheaper blender can probably cope.
   • Always read the instruction manual of your blender. If it states clearly that it can be used to crush ice or frozen foods, then it is probably okay. If it either warns against this or fails to mention it, assume that it is not a good idea to use the blender for hard or frozen foods.

Storing the Blender

1. Store the blender properly. There are several important aspects to proper storage of the blender appliance:
   • Unplug the blender when it is not in use. There is no need to leave a blender permanently plugged into the electrical switch.
   • Keep the blender clean. If it is not kept clean, food can mold, grow bacteria or the blades can grow rusty. If bacteria, mold or rust are transferred to your food, this isn't particularly safe or healthy. Always clean after each use, using warm water and gentle dish soap. Never wet the engine part (base) of the blender; do not immerse this part in water.
   • Keep the blender in a safe place. Position it so that the blender cannot be knocked off a bench or shelf. Separate the blender parts if this proves to be sturdier and safer.

Tips

• Some blenders may come with special vents to release heat and steam but it is still advised to take all appropriate care.
• Read the instructions accompanying your blender with care; the instructions will usually inform you of what is specifically needed to be aware of in relation to exact model you have.
• Ask your favorite cooking forum for suggestions on the latest blenders able to handle the types of food you need to blend constantly.

Warnings

• This advice applies to a standard blender. Anything that blends but is shaped differently and purports to do different things may need to be treated differently; read the instructions accompanying the relevant appliance!
• No matter what else you do, do not ever blend boiling hot liquid. It is absolutely dangerous and people have received very severe third degree burns when the liquid explodes everywhere and hits their skin.
• If the blender lid flies off and the hot food or liquid "explodes" everywhere, there is a high risk of scalding, eye damage and other injury. Hence, it is important to use all care before trying to blend hot foods or liquids.
• If scalded or burnt, see a doctor or emergency center for immediate assistance.

Sources and Citations

See also

• Sanitize Kitchen Surfaces
• Safely Eat Sushi
• Verify the Purity of Honey
• Tell if Bacon Is Bad
• Avoid Food Poisoning from Undercooked Beans
• Tell if an Egg is Bad
• Ship Perishable Food
• Reduce Acid in Tomato Dishes
• Avoid Food Poisoning
• Treat Salmonella

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