Mixer Grinder Buying Guide: Which One Is Right For You?

By Ichha Sharma | Updated on 29-Sep-2023

29-Sep-2023

Mixer grinders are the most popular appliances in Indian kitchens and are used in cooking a wide range of dishes. They can be used for grinding spices, nuts, and coffee beans, blending smoothies and milkshakes, making chutneys, pastes, and sauces and a lot more. Choosing the right mixer grinder for your kitchen requires being acquainted with certain basics. In this Mixer grinder buying guide, we’ll explore the essential factors and features you should consider before purchasing a mixer grinder, ensuring that you make a choice that not only meets your cooking needs but will also serve you well in the long run. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a novice cook, this guide will help you pick the right option for your kitchen.

Types of Mixer Grinders

There are different types of mixer grinders available in India, each suitable for different purposes.

Dry Mixer Grinders

These are the most common and versatile mixer grinders. They typically come with multiple jars for various functions like grinding, blending, and chopping. Traditional mixer grinders are ideal for everyday kitchen tasks and are common in most Indian households.

Best Dry Mixer Grinders for your kitchen

Mixer Grinder with Juicer

This type of mixer grinder includes an additional juicing jar attachment which is designed to extract fresh juices from fruits and vegetables. Mixer grinders with juicers are perfect for those who enjoy homemade fruit and vegetable juices.

Best mixer grinders with juicer for your kitchen

Wet grinders

Wet mixer grinders are specifically designed for tasks that involve wet grinding, such as making batter for idli, dosa, and other South Indian dishes. The jar of wet grinders is fitted with special blunt blades to handle wet ingredients. These grinders are very useful for cooking South Indian cuisine and similar recipes.

Best wet grinders to buy for your kitchen

Stand Mixers

Stand mixers are larger, heavy-duty appliances primarily useful for making fluffy batters. They come with a mixing bowl and various attachments for tasks like whipping, kneading, and beating. While they are not as versatile as traditional mixer grinders, they are extremely useful for bakers.

Best stand mixers to buy for your kitchen

Mixer grinder buying guide: Top mixer grinder features to consider

Now that you are aware of the different types, here are some Mixer grinder selection tips that should help:

Power and Wattage

When selecting a mixer grinder, consider the power and wattage of the motor. Higher-wattage motors are better suited for heavy-duty tasks like grinding tough spices and blending thick mixtures. For regular home use, a motor with 500 watts is usually sufficient, while heavy-duty tasks might require motors with 750 watts of power or higher wattage.

Number and Types of Jars

Most traditional mixer grinders in India come with a large liquidising jar, a medium-sized wet and dry grinding jar, and a small chutney jar. Some grinders also include an additional juicer jar.

Depending on your needs, you should look for the capacity of these jars. It is also important to focus on the quality. The jars should preferably be made of stainless steel for high durability. Some mixer grinder jars also have transparent lids that make it easier to keep a check on the ingredients while grinding.

Blade Types and Quality

The quality and design of the blades can make a huge difference in the mixer grinder’s performance, especially in the long run. Stainless steel blades are preferred for their durability and corrosion resistance. Different jars may come with specialized blades for tasks like wet grinding, dry grinding, chutney making, and chopping. For instance, dry grinding blades are sharp and ideal for grinding spices, coffee, and grains. Wet grinding blades have blunt edges to handle wet ingredients, and chutney jars have small blades that help create fine pastes.

Motor Quality and Durability:

The motor is the heart of your mixer-grinder. Apart from a powerful motor with high wattage, you should preferably opt for mixer grinders with a durable motor that can withstand tough grinding tasks. Grinders with copper motors are generally more durable as compared to aluminium motors that are used on some affordable options.

Safety Features

Safety should be a top priority when choosing a mixer grinder. A good-quality mixer grinder should have a shockproof body, ensuring that even in the event of electrical faults or surges, the user remains well-protected. Additionally, securely locked lids are essential to prevent any accidental spillage or splattering of ingredients during operation, reducing the risk of mishaps in the kitchen. Anti-skid feet ensure that the appliance stays firmly in place, enhancing stability while it’s in use.

Overload protection is another important mixer grinder safety feature that can turn off the mixer grinder when it senses an excessive load or voltage irregularities. This not only safeguards the appliance but also prevents potential accidents that may occur due to overheating or electrical malfunctions.

Brand Reputation and Warranty

Trustworthy brands often provide better quality products, warranties and after-sales support, thus resulting in better peace of mind. Research the reputation of the brand you’re considering and read customer reviews to judge their reliability and customer satisfaction. Some of the best mixer grinder brands include Bajaj, Bosch, Havells, Flipkart, Prestige, and Butterfly.

Check mixer grinder reviews and ratings

Take the time to read reviews and ratings from other users who have purchased the mixer grinder you’re interested in. Real-life experiences can provide valuable insights into the product’s performance, durability, and any potential issues, especially in the long run. Look for users who faced problems and observe how prompt customer care executives were with the solution.

Mixer grinder maintenance and cleaning tips

Keep it clean – Following each use, it is essential to thoroughly rinse your mixer grinder jars and wipe down the unit with a damp cloth. Dust and food residue accumulated over time can cause the grinder to overheat or malfunction.
Carefully clean the blades – When cleaning the blades, always exercise caution to preserve their sharpness and shape. Tempering with these attributes can affect the performance of the mixer grinder.
Avoid overloading – If your mixer grinder becomes hot while grinding, switch to a lower speed or turn it off until it cools down to protect the motor against damage.
Replace worn parts – If you notice any wear and tear on the blades, gaskets, or other components, replace them promptly to maintain performance and safety.

To sum it up, picking the perfect mixer grinder requires a basic understanding of the types of mixer grinders, motor power, jar capacity, blade quality, and safety features, to ensure that you make a durable and practical choice. In addition to considering your specific cooking needs, be sure to read user reviews and ratings from other users and consider options from reputable brands. The right mixer grinder can simplify and uplift your cooking experience.