Juicer, Blender and Immersion Blender Buying Guide

A basic immersion blender, also known as a stick blender, is simply a rotating blade with a handle that you can immerse in liquid to make a puree. They're particularly great for new parents, since they let you turn your kids' favorite fruits and veggies into a smooth, easy-to-eat mixture. An immersion blender also lets you create silky vegetable bisques or smooth sauces and salsas, helping you make the most of the season's fresh produce. 

As you browse the selection of immersion blenders at Lowe's, here are some features to look out for. 

• Different Speeds: Different dishes call for different speeds. If you just want to lightly break up food, such as when making mashed potatoes or applesauce, a slow setting will work best. To get a smooth and creamy sauce, on the other hand, you'll want a high-speed immersion blender. Most models have a knob or button to select the speed. 
• Easy Cleanup: For an easier cooking experience, look for a blender that comes apart so you can put the blade in the dishwasher or wash it by hand.  
• Accessories: One of the biggest perks of an immersion blender is that you can use it right in the pot when making a soup or sauce. If you want to mix up something like salad dressing, though, look for an immersion blender that comes with an easy-pour container for smaller jobs.  
• Attachments: Some models let you swap out the blade for a whisk or beater to get even more use out of your tool. 

Blenders are a popular housewarming gift for a reason — they open up a whole world of possibilities in the kitchen for cooks of all abilities. Having a good blender lets you create smoothies, milkshakes, dips and more at home, which can help you save money and enjoy fresher food. However, not all blenders are created equal. If you're passionate about cooking or shopping for someone who is, it's worth doing your research to find the best blender for the job. 

Here are some different types of blenders and what they're good for. 

• Countertop Blenders: A classic countertop blender has a base and an upper basin that can be removed for cleaning (look for a dishwasher-safe model to save time). As the blades spin, the appliance distributes the food inside the basin so it's evenly blended. Most models have different functions, such as pulse, puree and blend, that are good for different jobs. Most cooks agree that a countertop blender is the best blender for smoothies, milkshakes and iced drinks, since their high-powered motors make easy work of frozen fruit and ice cubes. 
• Multi-Purpose Blenders: If you want something a bit more versatile than a countertop blender, look for a multi-purpose blender or a blender and food processor combo. These appliances let you attach different containers to the blending mechanism — you might get a pitcher for making frozen margaritas as well as a smaller basin for making hummus or salsa. Another perk of a multi-purpose blender is that it breaks down into pieces so it can be more easily stored out of sight. 
• Single-Serve and Personal Blenders: Sometimes all you want to make is a quick smoothie after your workout, so a portable or single-serve blender may be for you. These small appliances mix up your drink or shake right in the cup. Just remove the blade attachment after mixing and you're ready to enjoy your beverage on the go. 
• Heavy-Duty Blenders: If you're really serious about getting the smoothest blend possible, look for a high-end blender with a heavy-duty motor. Lowe's also carries commercial-grade blenders for use in cafés, coffee shops and other busy kitchens. 

Many people tout the health benefits of a fresh-squeezed glass of juice over store-bought varieties or juice from concentrate. Juicing at home is a great way to use up extra produce and to get in your servings of fruit and vegetables for the day. Unlike blenders, which use blades to break food down into smaller pieces, juicers grind and press fruit to separate it into juice and pulp. If you want to make the most of your ingredients, you can often find a way to use the pulp in other recipes like using leftover carrot juice pulp to make carrot cake muffins. 

There are two main kinds of juicers: 

• Extractor juicers, including slow juicers (which masticate the ingredients to preserve more of the nutrients) and centrifugal juicers (which work much faster) 
• Citrus juicers, which quickly press oranges, lemons and other citrus fruits for a refreshing drink 

Getting a high-end juicer can be pretty pricey, but if you drink a lot of juice the perks may be worth it. Some models feature time-saving features like large feed tubes (so you don’t have to chop the fruit first) and easy-to-clean parts. You’ll also find special characteristics like pulp control, different speeds and quiet motors. 

What is the best juicer? That depends on who you are and what your needs are. Here’s what to ask yourself before you buy a juicer. 

• How often will you use it? Occasional juice drinkers might be happy with a basic budget model. But if your morning juice is the highlight of your day, then choosing a model with special features is a great way to treat yourself. 
• What are you juicing? If you just want a simple glass of lemonade on a summer day, you can get by with a base-model citrus juicer. But to get the most out of hard-to-juice produce such as carrots, celery or greens, you’ll want a more robust model. You should also consider getting a cold juicer, which retains more of the flavor and nutrients of the vegetables and can increase the shelf life of your juice. 
• How much time do you have? To make a quick juice on your way out the door, you’ll want a time-saving model that doesn’t require you to chop ingredients before juicing them. Some appliances let you toss in a whole carrot, while others have small chutes and demand a bit more prep work. 
• How will you clean it? If you want to put the pieces in the dishwasher, be sure you’re choosing a dishwasher-safe model. Otherwise, you might be stuck scrubbing the pieces by hand after each use, which can be time-consuming.