Blender (device)
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A blender is a kitchen appliance used to blend 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.
A typical blender is built around a vessel for the ingredients to be blended. At the top of the vessel is a cap to prevent ingredients from escaping when the blender is switched on. At the bottom is a blade assembly, typically removable for cleaning purposes. The bottom seal should have an o-ring between the body of the jar and the bottom screw cap to make it watertight and it prevent the contents from leaking. The vessel rests upon a base containing a motor (for turning the blade assembly) with controls on its surface. Most modern blenders offer a number of possible speeds. Another type of blender is the immersion blender which has a head (with the blades) that can be immsersed in a pot of soup, for example, to blend its contents instead of holding the contents within itself.
The mechanics of a blender requires a motor to rotate the blade assembly always located at the base of the jar and the contents to be blended or puree to be partly liquid. Blenders require a reasonable amount of liquid for proper operation. It may have problems in making mincing pesto properly, for example, unless there's enough oil. 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. Without the liquid, only the bottom portion of the contents that sit beside the blades will be pureed or blended. For items with little or without liquid, a food processor would be a more suitable appliance.
In 1922, Stephen Poplawski invented the blender. 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 famous Waring Blender.
See also
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