There’s so much that goes into making a meal or dining occasion memorable and delicious. Whether you’re a restaurateur, a caterer or a home cook who is serious about their dishes, having the right high quality tools in your arsenal can make a big difference in the outcome of a dish or the time it takes to craft a masterpiece. Beyond pots and pans there are some other kitchen appliances that are a must have, like a blender. If you’re in need of a commercial blender, one that can handle a wide range of food items and textures and large quantities, there are some key things that you want to pay close attention to. Let’s have a look at what we expect from a commercial blender beyond the obvious price and features.

Smoothie bowl with a purple smoothie and a variety of toppings, including blueberries, chia seeds, and coconut flakes

Ease of Use

A commercial blender that has all the bells and whistles is great! But it’s not so great when all of the bells and whistles are a pain to navigate. It needs to be user friendly, or you’re likely to run into a lot of problems from avoidable user error to inefficient time usage. If your employees can’t work the blender properly, there will be avoidable repairs and even equipment failure in the future. It’s best to keep it simple. Consider the way your business or kitchen works when choosing a blender. Buttons may be more convenient in a busy kitchen, while a toggle switch may make more sense in a bar station.

Operating Noise

The atmosphere of your business will dictate how loud your blender can be. The last thing you want is to interfere with diner experience with a blender that sounds like you’re running a chainsaw in the kitchen. If you’re only using the blender during prep time and not during business hours, the noise level may not matter, but if you plan on using it often, the machine’s operating noise could be a deal breaker. Look for a quiet motor or a unit that has noise reducing technology

Warranty and Certification

The fine print matters when it comes to your business. Oftentimes, warranties will only cover parts and labor for a specified portion of the warranty. This means that after a certain period, the company may only take care of parts. The responsibility of installing the parts is all yours. Things will inevitably need maintenance and repair, so it’s best to have a plan. Choosing an NSF Certified commercial blender ensures that it meets a higher sanitation and safety standard. The last thing you want is for harmful chemicals to leach into foods and for it to have tons of places where harmful bacteria can grow unchecked. 

Quality Built

Blenders create a lot of friction, and friction means heat. To mitigate this, it needs to have a powerful and effective fan and an automatic shut off to preserve the health and life of the blender’s motor. You’ll also want to pay attention to the quality of the seals and gaskets, the blender cups and the blender blades. Over time they are going to take quite a beating, blending actually, and will eventually need to be replaced. But it’s nice to know that you won’t be needing to replace them every six months.

No matter how you chop it, slice it or blend it, blenders make light work of a lot of kitchen tasks, from making sauces to soups to marinades. It’s wonderful to have a quality commercial blender in your establishment to give you better chances for success and meeting customer expectations. If you add these points to your must haves checklist, you’re going to love whatever you choose.