With so many commercial blender options out there, choosing the right model for your business can be a chore. This guide breaks down the types of blenders along with the features to look for when buying a commercial blender. Whether you are looking for a robust commercial smoothie blender or a small handheld immersion blender, we'll help you consider your options and make an informed decision. Be sure to check out our commercial blender reviews as well!
There are three types of commercial blenders: food blenders, bar blenders, and immersion blenders. Commercial blenders are designed to handle frequent use in a high-volume setting and can be used in a variety of ways from mixing thick smoothies and milkshakes or blending frozen cocktails to creating creamy soups and sauces.
These commercial blenders are designed for frequent use and can withstand continuous operation without burning out. They can blend thick drinks like smoothies or milkshakes and even break down hard foods like chocolate chips, carrots, almonds, or ice.
Choose a commercial food blender when you need a professional unit for a high-volume operation.
Ranging from lighter-duty models to high-volume units, bar blenders are perfect for making signature cocktails like margaritas, daiquiris, or piña coladas. While many aren’t as robust as food blenders, most of our bar units can handle the occasional smoothie.
Many of these blenders have clear jars that promote product visibility and some even come with sound enclosures, a plus for operating in already loud bar environments.
Ranging in size from 7" long all the way up to 29" long, handheld blenders work well for chopping up soft foods, whipping cream, mashing potatoes, and pureeing soups or sauces. One of the greatest benefits of this type is that you aren’t constrained by the capacity of a blender jar.
Choose a standard-duty, heavy-duty, or cordless immersion blender to meet the needs of your business. Many immersion blenders also work with optional attachments like emulsion disks and whisks for even greater versatility.
There are a lot of different blenders out there with a lot of different types of blender jars. Some of the features may not be relevant to your business, but here are some you'll want to think about when purchasing a blender:
When choosing the best blender for your business, you will need to consider what it will be used for, the minimum amount of horsepower it needs, its control type, how quiet it needs to be, and its ease of cleaning.
The type of blender that you need depends heavily on the environment where it will be used. For instance, making smoothies all day will require a completely different blender than making only a few margaritas per night.
First off, consider the type of business you run. What foods will you use the blender for? Will you be using it to puree creamy soups, or will you be making tantalizing smoothies? Then, think about how often you'll be using the blender. Some blenders are designed for lighter-duty use and wouldn't last in an environment where they are used to make dozens of drinks every day.
Also, some blenders have features like programmable controls or timers that make them more efficient for use in high-volume kitchens and bars. If you are going to be making the same recipe over and over, or you want to set the blender for a specific time and perform other tasks while it does its job, some of these features can make up for the higher price tag by saving you hours of time and labor.
More horsepower isn't always better. Once again, it all comes down to your application. If you will be making thick smoothies or milkshakes all day, you'll definitely need a unit with more power. But if all you need is a blender to turn out a couple of margaritas every night you can save some money by going with a smaller, less powerful one.
Common HP Ratings
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Ideal Applications
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1/2 HP | Light food preparation, no more than 50 servings per day. |
1-1 1/2 HP | Medium food preparation, up to 75 servings per day. |
2 HP | Medium to heavy food preparation, between 75 - 100 servings per day. |
3 1/2 HP | Heavy food and beverage preparation, more than 100 servings per day. |
There are three types of blender controls: toggle / paddle, electronic, and programmable controls. Each type has its own benefits and an application where it works best.
Toggle / Paddle Controls
Electronic Controls
Programmable Controls
To help keep the noise down in your establishment, you can choose a blender that has a sound enclosure. This feature is a polycarbonate shield that surrounds your blender during use to reduce the amount of noise produced by the unit. It may reduce the immediate accessibility of the jar and controls, but if noise is a problem for your business, choosing a unit with an enclosure may be your best choice in the long run.
At the end of the day, there are plenty of things you would rather be doing than cleaning your equipment for the next day. To make life easier on yourself, consider some of these features that are designed to make cleaning a blender easier and more efficient.