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Mixers and Blenders Compete for the Premium Purchase

A must-have option for mixers these days is color. Blame it on KitchenAid, c’est la vie. Anyhow, it was only a matter of time until the kitchen color explosion seeped over to the small appliances category. Even the well-established Vitamix has forayed into color – if only in black, white and red for now. Currently, KitchenAid remains the color giant in the realm of mixers – and how could it not? The brand has launched over 85 colors and finishes for the iconic stand mixer and offers an online quiz to determine what color will best suit a customer.

While companies like SMEG look to make a splash on the U.S. market with a combination of color and function, an interesting juxtaposition has arisen where premium blenders have risen to the prominence of premium stand mixers. Now, it is seemingly KitchenAid, with the new Magnetic Drive Torrent Blender, looking to dominate the premium blender category in a fashion similar to that achieved with the brand’s stand mixer.

While the price gap is closing between premium blenders and mixers, there is still a functional gap between the two machines that requires any self-respecting kitchen appliance junkie to absolutely have both. Otherwise, a customer will have to decide if they’d rather bake sweet and savory treats or go on a liquid diet of smoothies, soups and sauces. Perhaps a happy medium could be for a customer to go for premium on the appliance they will use frequently and opt for a more inexpensive version of the machine they know they are less likely to use. Save up that next premium appliance purchase for a major life event, like the kids finally going away to college!

BLACK+DECKER Digital Fusion BlenderDigital FusionBlade Blender

BLACK+DECKER’s Digital FusionBlade Blender features a two-tip stainless steel blade providing enhanced blending and ice crushing to create smoother smoothies, velvet purees and protein-packaged power drinks. The four function automatic digital control and pulse includes a pre-programmed 30-second smoothie function. Accessories include a 6-cup glass jar with an easy to remove lid, level markings and ergonomic handle, and a 20-ounce BPA-free personal jar with travel lid and blade base. Cleanup is a breeze with dishwasher-safe removable parts.

Suggested Retail Price: $39.99

 

BODUM Bistro BlenderBODUM BISTRO Blender

The BISTRO Blender from BODUM is a powerhouse tool that easily mixes, chops, grinds, crushes and liquefies everything from nutritious smoothies to satisfying soups. The blender features an easily adjustable continuous speed dial and a convenient pulse function. The pitcher holds 42 ounces, is made of an enormously sturdy BPA-free plastic, and the lid has two openings: one with a filter to hold back any large food pieces, and the other to pour thicker liquids.

Suggested Retail Price: $80.00

 

Dash StandMixer_HeroDash Go Everyday Mixer

The Dash Go Everyday Mixer saves time so that you can make nutritious, unprocessed recipes everyday. This pint-sized powerhouse can whip up everything from whole wheat pancake batter, to oatmeal cookies, to whipped cream with ease. Convenient and compact, the Dash Go Everyday Mixer has a 2.5-quart capacity bowl and is designed with a smaller footprint that fits underneath most kitchen cabinets. Available in pastel blue, pastel pink, red or black.

Suggested Retail Price: $69.99

 

DualitDualit Professional Hand Mixer

The Dualit Professional Hand Mixer (model #88520) has been designed for both commercial and home use and comes with a professional heavy-duty 300-watt power motor. On top of the solid ingenuity, this mixer has four speed selections with rotational speeds of 540 rpm to 1200 rpm, including blending, beating, whipping and turbo settings. Additionally, it is equipped with a unique manually retractable power cord which cleverly winds into the rear cap end, ensuring easy and tidy storage at all times. The mixer comes with a balloon whisk, two oversized flat beaters, and dough hooks. The soft touch finish with easy-grip handle is available in variety of colors.

Suggested Retail Price: $120.00

 

KitchenAid Torrent Blender - Candy Apple RedMagnetic Drive Torrent Blender

KitchenAid’s first-of-its-kind Magnetic Drive Blender for home use, utilizes magnets to secure the pitcher to the motorized base and drive the blades, resulting in an easy front-load, slide-in design. Helpful pre-programmed, hands-free settings for juices, soups and sauces, milkshakes, icy drinks and smoothies take the guesswork out of blending and eliminate the need to constantly monitor the blender. An ingredient feed on the top of the blender allows for the addition of ingredients at any point during the blending process, while an intuitive Intelli-Speed® Control system automatically optimizes blade speed to efficiently complete blending tasks.

Suggested Retail Price: $599.99

 

Omega TF6064SOmega TF6064S High Performance Blender

The Omega TF6064S combines power, durability and capacity while turning out tantalizing combinations of delicious drink blends. It features a 3-peak horsepower motor that spins blades at up to 26,500 rpm and propels the blade tip speed over 250 mph, 10 percent faster than its closest competitor. The Omega TF6064S includes a commercial grade motor with the motor mouth engineered with new air flow technology that decreases noise pitch, creating the quietest blending experience in Omega’s line of high performance blenders. Commercial construction coupled with its precision controls make the Omega blender the go-to tool whether blending for business or pleasure.

Suggested Retail Price: $449.95

 

SMEG Stand MixerSMEG 50s Retro Style Stand Mixer

With the SMEG 50s Style stand mixer, recipes take shape thanks to a reliable, robust, and efficient assistant featuring planetary rotation and a 600-watt motor. The 5-quart stainless steel bowl with ergonomic handles enables small and large quantities of mixtures to be prepared, augmenting any recipe. Ten adjustable speed setting guarantee the greatest versatility in the preparation stages, including a Smooth Start function. The numbers printed alongside the lever suggest the correct speed based on the hook in use. A stainless steel wire whisk, aluminum flat beater, aluminum dough hook and anti-spray pouring shield are included. SMEG offers many possibilities, including the use of accessories which are inserted on the front, and will enable you to cut or stretch fresh pasta. Available in cream, red, black, pastel blue or silver.

MAP: $449.95

 

Vitamix_S55Vitamix S55, A Powerful, Premium Personal Blender

Vitamix® introduces the latest innovation in personal blending: the S55. Engineered to deliver power and premium results in a compact machine, the S55 makes it easier than ever to create individual smoothies and small batches of recipes including soups, dressings and sauces. Four pre-programmed settings, variable speed control, and pulse function are conveniently housed in a single dial, offering the versatility to create a variety of textures. A 40-ounce container with a two-part lid is included, as well as a double-walled BPA-free 20-ounce container to blend individual servings and take them to go. The interchangeable blade base attaches easily to both containers and features the signature laser-cut, stainless-steel blade design of every Vitamix machine. A safety interlocking system turns the machine off automatically when the container is lifted or rocked from the base.

Suggested Retail Price: $459.00

This story was originally published in the May 2015 issue of Kitchenware News, a publication of Oser Communications Group.