Blenders are a very common and popular kitchen appliance. They're used to mix, chop, and blend food. Blenders can be used to make smoothies for breakfast, baby food, sauces for your favorite pasta dishes, and soups to warm you up on a cold day.
Non-toxic blenders are becoming more popular as people become increasingly aware of the dangers posed by some chemical ingredients found in common household products. Let's look at the different types of blenders and what makes them potentially toxic so you can choose safe, non-toxic blender options for your kitchen.
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing the best blender for your needs. You'll want to think about how much space you have, what types of foods you plan on using it for, and how often you'll be using it. Non-toxic blenders come in various sizes and shapes, so there should be one that fits your kitchen well.
Countertop Blenders ten
There are a few types of non-toxic blender options on the market for each of the following categories:
The most popular and versatile type of blender is the countertop model. This blender comes with a base, pitcher, and blade attachment. Many also have pre-programmed settings that allow users to select their desired texture and speed.
Countertop Blenders Tend to Be More Powerful Yet Less Portable
They are generally more powerful than other blenders, making them ideal for making smoothies, sauces, soups, and other recipes containing large amounts of food.
The downside to countertop blenders is that they take up a lot of space on your countertop. So if you have a small kitchen and other appliances like a coffee maker, toaster, microwave, food processor, etc., it can make a countertop blender an inconvenient choice.
Countertop blenders are made of plastic or glass pitchers with stainless steel blades.
An immersion blender features an electric motor housed in the handle and usually comes with a mixing cup. It allows users to blend ingredients directly in their cooking pot or mixing bowl without transferring ingredients back and forth between containers.
Immersion blenders have a long handle with an attachment at the end that houses blades. The attachment is usually made out of stainless steel. Immersion blenders are ideal for blending small amounts of food, such as sauces or dressings.
The Vitamix Blender is an amazing immersion blender that is ideally suited to mixing up frozen drinks like delicious smoothies or healthy fruit juice blends
They’re also great for blending soups, purees, and other thick mixtures that don’t require a lot of liquid since the blades sit inside the container rather than above it.
Immersion blenders are made of plastic, metal, or stainless steel and come with various attachments.
Personal and portable blenders are small enough to fit in your hand or bag and typically have one speed. They're great for making smoothies on the go. Portable and personal blenders are great for making smoothies on the go.
Some models feature a travel lid that helps prevent spills, while others come with a handle so you can hold them more easily. Personal and portable blenders are also helpful for blending small amounts of food or drinks, such as protein shakes and coffee frappes.
The Nutribullet personal is a powerful blender - despite its small size. This blender allows you to chop up tough ingredients like fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds to create a nutrient rich smoothie
Although portable and personal blenders are convenient, they don't have the power of a full-size blender. So if you're looking to make large batches or create frozen drinks, this type of appliance won't be right for you. However, if you only want to make smoothies or other small amounts of food and drink occasionally, then it's worth considering one as an option.
Blenders intended for personal use are generally small, made of plastic, and have a stainless steel blade attachment. Portable blenders are usually made from lightweight plastics that you can carry easily.
There are many different types of blenders available, but what makes a blender toxic? Two main ingredients in common household products can be toxic: phthalates and BPA.
Phthalates are used to make plastic soft, flexible, and durable. They're found in many plastic products, such as food containers and water bottles.
Plastics and resins contain BPA. The chemical occurs in packaging for food storage containers and water bottles. It's also used to line metal cans for canned food products.
Blenders are useful in most kitchens but also present health concerns due to the potential for toxic chemicals within the plastic blending jar. Many devices have plastic containers that contain BPA (bisphenol A). BPA is an endocrine disruptor that interferes with hormone function when ingested. Several side effects are triggered, including increased blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Studies have shown that BPA is so harmful that the FDA has banned its use in baby bottles and sippy cups. But it's still used in many other consumer goods.
Blender components can contain BPA or other toxic materials that leach into food. The good news is that you can avoid this risk by choosing a non-toxic blender option like stainless steel or glass, both of which don’t contain BPA or other potentially harmful chemicals.
If you choose a plastic blender jar, make sure it doesn't have recycling codes 3, 6, or 7 on its bottom—these codes indicate that the plastic contains BPA!
Leaching occurs when chemicals from plastic containers or cookware migrate into the food or drink they contain. There are three ways toxins leach from plastic:
Temperature is one of the biggest factors that causes plastic to leach chemicals into food and drinks. For example, a study found that when people drank hot drinks from polycarbonate water bottles (which contain BPA) for five days in a row, they had higher levels of BPA in their urine compared to when they drank cold water.
Dishwashers are another source of heat that can leach chemicals from plastics. If you use a dishwasher with your plastic blenders, make sure they're labeled as safe for this purpose!
The foods most likely to be contaminated with toxins—cheese, milk, yogurt, and fatty meats packaged in plastic containers—can leach into the products we consume.
Studies show that fatty foods have a better ability to extract BPA from plastic packaging than water, confirming the presence of BPA in milk packaged in Tetra Pak or HDPE bottles.
Acids in foods, such as citric acid and ascorbic acid, can also leach BPA from plastic containers. Citric acid is the main ingredient in lemon juice and yogurt, so if you eat these products regularly, it's important to be wary of BPA exposure.
To avoid toxins, choose a blender that doesn't promote leaching.
For example, if you know that your smoothie will consist of milk or yogurt with high-fat content and acidity (or other ingredients prone to toxins), then you'll want a model made of non-porous materials like stainless steel or glass instead of plastic.
Scientists have found chlorinated paraffin, a chemical used in plastics, inside immersion blenders—just above the spinning blade that mixes the food. They've also discovered that these CPs can be released from hand-blending and then end up on our plates.
The leakage may last for up to 100 uses of the hand blender. 75% of the blenders tested will leak at least once in that period.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified chlorinated paraffin as possibly carcinogenic to humans.
Exposure to chlorinated paraffin may lead to various health problems, including asthma and allergies. It's important to note that this isn't a reason to avoid using hand blenders; it just means that you should be mindful of the materials used in their construction.
When choosing a blender for your kitchen, make sure its container and blades are made of BPA-free materials. The motor should also be powerful enough to handle whatever you put in but not so strong that it vibrates or makes noise when in use.
There are a few different types of materials used to make blenders:
If a plastic blender does not state on its packaging that it is "BPA-free," you should look for another model.
Manufacturers make some blenders that feature plastic components and are BPA-free. These items are usually labeled as "food safe" or "microwave safe." One of the best features of a plastic blender is that it is lightweight and easy to store.
You can also find them in various colors and styles, making them fun to use. However, if you plan on using your blender frequently for long periods or want something that will last for years, then a plastic model may not be the best choice.
Stainless steel is a good choice for your blender, as it won't leach chemicals into your food. It’s also durable and easy to clean. However, some stainless steel blends may contain nickel and chromium, which can cause allergic reactions in some people. If you're concerned about this, look for stainless steel blends that are labeled as "nickel-free" or "chrome-free."
Glass is another good choice for your blender if you don’t want to deal with a plastic container or plastic jars for blending. It won't leach chemicals into your food and is safe to use in the dishwasher. However, a glass blender is heavier than a plastic blender and of course glass is heavy and can break if you drop it.
One Way to Avoid Plastic is to Have a Glass Jar Blender
You should also be careful not to use hot liquids or extremely cold or frozen ingredients. Extreme temperature changes can cause thermal shock which can break the glass jar of your blender. So be sure to keep hot soup or ice cubes away from these blenders.
A few common non-toxic blender brands include Oster, Hamilton Beach, Kitchen Aid, Vitamix, and Ninja blenders. They offer a variety of different blender models, so you're sure to find one that fits your needs. These brands are all dishwasher-safe and BPA free plastic.
Oster is a popular brand that offers a variety of blenders, including both classic and professional models. The Oster blender line is known for its durability and longevity, making it a great choice if you plan to use your blender frequently. The company also makes food processors, food grinders, and juicers.
Hamilton Beach offers several different types of blenders as well. Their best-selling model is the Single Serve Blender with Travel Lid, which comes in five colors: black, silver, red, white, and purple.
Many of these non-toxic blender options also have glass jars that can be used instead of plastic if desired. The best option is a glass or metal container that can be washed, dried, and reused. If you’re not willing to use a glass or metal container, then at least try to find one with a BPA-free label.
If you have any questions about the safety of your blender, contact the manufacturer. Your manufacturer is required to know the chemical composition of their product and will let you know if their blender contains BPA. If they can’t tell you, it’s probably best to find another brand instead.
The blending jar (or blender pitcher) is part of a blender where all the ingredients are placed and blended. It is possible to have a glass jar, but the jars may be made of plastic as well. The jars typically have blades affixed to the bottom, and the entire blending jar can be inserted into the main blender assembly. Jars always have a lid on the top to prevent the contents of the blender from accientally decorating your kitchen with chopped up fruit or ice cream.
