When purchasing a blender, whether it be for yourself or your business, it is important to understand the key differences among them. With so many options to choose from, it can become overwhelming to even know where to start. In this article, we will be looking at some of the most important differences between a commercial blender and a consumer-grade blender. Understanding these two categories of blenders will allow you to start your buying journey off on the right path.
If you’re wondering, is it necessary to spend the extra money for a commercial blender? Will the new blender be sufficient for my restaurant? How do I know which blenders will give me the best value for my money?
This article should give you a better idea of what to think about when deciding between an industrial and consumer grade model and hopefully give you the confidence to know you’re spending your money wisely.
1. Price
Consumer-grade, or residential blenders, will generally come with a lower price tag. This is because residential blenders are designed for casual usage whereas commercial blenders are designed to constantly be used throughout the day. It is important to note than many residential blenders have warranty policies that are voided if the blender is used in a commercial setting. So, if your restaurant is looking to cut costs by going with a residential blender, keep a close eye out for any tricky warranty policies (more on that later).
When considering the price of a blender, it is important to check the blender’s specifications. A lot of blender companies generally market their blenders with misleading speed and power measurements. It is very common for companies to advertise RPM measurements of for their blenders at a high RPM, for example, 30,000 RPMs or even 45,000 RPMs, but what they don’t tell you is that they measure this speed with nothing in the blender. Even adding just water in the blending container makes the RPM measurement significantly slower, closer to 18,000 RPM’s or even lower depending on the blender torque.
Be wary of these indiscretions and don’t believe the hype. Companies tend to justify a higher price for their blender by throwing out specs that are very misleading. You might be tempted to go with a blender with high-speed specs at a lower price point, however, looking closer you will realize these blenders rarely perform at the level you expect and will generally break down faster. A more important blending measurement is power and torque. A high power blender with a lot of torque is going to give you better, more consistent results, especially when you are blending tough materials like ice, powders and other viscous materials like peanut butter. If you don’t mind spending more, consider a commercial model that will give you great value for a high-quality, long-lasting blender.
2. Durability
Maybe the biggest difference between commercial and residential blenders is durability. Commercial blenders will be able to handle a much larger workload than residential. A quality commercial blender can be used around 50-100 times a day with no problems.
These blenders are designed to last longer, have better filtration, and use stronger materials (steel over plastic) that supports its heavy usage. They also can easily be disassembled and reassembled for thorough cleansing.
Even smoothie aficionados that are purchasing a blender for their home, might lean towards a higher quality commercial blender. Everyday use is going to put wear and tear on your unit, so it is important to find a blender that is built to last.
A good rule of thumb is to always research what material the blending unit, container, and assembly are. Some companies try to cut cost by using cheaper material, like plastic, while some companies will go the extra mile to use certified stainless steel. Blenders with certified materials will come at a higher price point, however, they will give you the peace of mind knowing you will be receiving high-end, quality blenders that are built to last. Really understanding and pre-planning your intentions with the blender will save you from making a costly mistake.
3. Versatility
If you’re looking for a general use, non-intensive use blender, a cheaper consumer blender might be right for you. However, if you need a blender to accomplish a difficult tasks, day in and day out, you may want to focus in on more expensive commercial blenders.
Eberbach E8430.HD 1 Liter Two Speed Blender
Heavy duty commercial blenders are great options for businesses as well as everyday home use. If you are crushing ice, frozen fruit, blending peanut butter or hard nuts daily, consider a blender that will give you peak performance for an extended period of time, you get what you pay for.
4. Warranties
As I touched on before, warranty policies between commercial and residential blenders will most likely be different. Residential’s usually have much longer warranty policies because they are not used as frequently as commercial blenders and will deteriorate at a slower rate. Commercial blenders are designed to be used their entire warranty period at maximum strain.
Consider looking into warranty policies before you purchase a blender. It is also worth researching if a company offers replacement/spare parts. The easier it is to purchase replacement blades or a missing screw, the more value you can get out of your blender.
5. Safety
Commercial blenders should be designed with health codes in mind. This is important if you are planning on using this blender in a business environment. Commercial blenders will typically include more safety features. Although residential blenders are generally safe to use, they are only designed to be operating 1 or 2 times a day. This eliminates the need for extra safety features.
Now that you have a clearer understanding of the differences between commercial and residential blenders, you will be able to make a more educated buying decision. Budget will always be a major factor when purchasing any kitchen equipment. Understanding the price differences will help make a more educated decision. Furthermore, if you are looking for a limited use, general, all-purpose blender, you should feel confident in exploring the cheaper consumer brand blenders. If you’re looking for a heavy-duty blender that will accomplish tough tasks daily, multiple times per day, you may want to invest in a commercial blender.
Eberbach offers a line of heavy-duty commercial blenders that can be used for a variety of applications. Check out this link to explore options: Blenders - Eberbach Corporation (eberbachlabtools.com)