Buying guide for Best hand-crank blenders
If you’re in search of a kitchen appliance that can thrive during a power outage or on a camping trip, try a hand-crank blender. These handy devices range from simple choppers to blenders to all-in-one kitchen tools capable of whipping, dicing, and shredding. A hand-crank blender is a low-noise solution for tailgaters, RV owners, or anyone seeking to do some quality kitchen prep work in an environment with little or no electricity.
When shopping for a hand-crank blender, you will find yourself grappling with a number of considerations. One of the most important factors is durability. You will be putting a fair amount of force into your hand-crank blender, so any product you consider should be capable of withstanding the strain.
Versatility is another key factor. Some hand-crank blenders perform a few tasks; others take on multiple kitchen chores. Capabilities vary from model to model, so you’ll want to scrutinize before you buy. Read on for our helpful advice and recommendations.
Considerations
How durable is it?
The housing of a quality hand-crank blender is usually made of rugged plastic or resin, and it should be BPA-free. The cranking mechanism(s) should also be durable because these are the points under the greatest stress. The blades of the blender should be made with strong stainless steel that resists rust.
How easy (or hard) is it to use?
When using a hand-crank blender, you are the motor. Carrots and other harder vegetables are going to require a considerable amount of force to chop. Is the model you’re considering capable of producing enough force that you can easily perform such tasks? Or are you in for a workout? Bear in mind that, while not standard, some hand-crank blenders feature a multiple-speed design that can greatly ease your workload.
Expert TIp
If you’re gifting a hand-crank blender, make sure it’s to someone with some upper body strength and mobility. Cranking these hard and long enough to get the desired blended texture can take a strong arm and shoulder.
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What can the blender do?
Here’s a look at some of the tasks you might want your hand-crank blender to be able to do.
Chopping/dicing: Much like a food processor, the majority of hand-crank blenders can roughly chop vegetables (for a recipe like salsa) and other types of foods. Give them a few more cranks or pulls, and you’ll have diced vegetables for use in everything from stews to tacos.
Mincing: Mincing is a fine dice, and the majority of hand-crank blenders have this capability. A mincing function is great for nuts and for finely chopping vegetables for sauce.
Blending and mixing: Some hand-crank blenders include paddles for mixing or blending items like eggs and bread dough. A few even include special bread paddles.
Whipping: This is blending taken to the next level. A whipping function is generally not a standard feature on a hand-crank blender because the human power needed to achieve something like soft peaks in eggs is just too great. Still, some manufacturers do claim the ability and provide the proper attachments.
Shredding and slicing: Some hand-crank blenders include mandarin blades to slice or shred items, such as lettuce and cheese.
Egg separation: A surprising number of hand-crank blenders include an egg separator, which you can use to easily separate egg yolks and whites.
- Juicing: Some hand-crank blenders also offer limited juicing components.
What kind of capacity does it have?
You’ll want to know the number of cups your hand-crank blender can hold and process at one time. Capacity ranges from a couple of cups to eight cups. A larger size would allow you to chop or blend more food at once, but it would also make for a bulky appliance on your counter or in your storage space. A smaller capacity might prompt you to do even more preliminary work (chopping, etc.) than you would otherwise have to do.
Expert Tip
To avoid rusted blades, wash and dry them thoroughly, then let them air out in a sunny or breezy spot to dry completely.
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What kind of chopping mechanism do you want?
These appliances use one of two different mechanisms to power the chopping. The first and most common is the hand crank, which you use to move the blades or paddles within the unit. The second involves a drawstring that you pull to power the blender. With larger mixers, you’ll generally have better luck with a crank.
How many blades are included?
The more blades or paddles a hand-crank blender has, the more versatile it will be, and the more you can do with it.
Features
Blender base
Because you are turning a crank or pulling a string, you are going to want a blender that doesn’t move around much. As such, a good hand-crank blender will offer some form of non-skid surface that gives it stability. Alternatively, you might opt for a hand-crank blender that clamps directly onto whatever surface you’re using. This type of base provides the greatest stability.
Blender handle
With a handle, you can grip the blender with one hand while you crank it with the other. The handle should be sturdy and comfortable to hold. Between the handle and base, you should be able to keep the blender from moving around when in use.
Expert TIp
Keep blade attachments in a box or separate container during storage. Keeping them loose in a drawer may lead to cuts on fingers or hands.
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Blender lid
The lid should be secure enough to keep liquids and other foods from splashing out of the blender when it’s in use. Some lids lock on; others are designed so the blender can also be used as a storage container in the refrigerator.
Hand-crank blender prices
Because it has no motor, the hand-crank blender is generally one of the lower-priced appliances available for your kitchen. While you can find the occasional compact hand-crank blender for under $10, the average price runs between $20 and $30, with some reaching a little higher.
A better build, higher capacity, and more capabilities/blades largely separate pricier blenders from those with a lower cost. Though rare, some specialty hand-crank blenders can exceed $150.
Did you know?
The majority of hand-crank blenders can be used to make homemade baby food.
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Tips
Hand-crank blenders feature a number of moving parts that can break. You will realize a longer life from your hand-crank blender if you opt for one made by a manufacturer that also sells spare parts for its machines.
A thick and secure housing can help to minimize irritating odors from foods, such as onions and garlic, from permeating the blender and your cooking space.
When filling the bowls of the blender, note the manufacturer’s recommendation for how full it should be. If you overfill some blenders, the food can foul up the gears and other works.
- Do you make a lot of egg white omelets, hollandaise sauce, or other egg dishes? An egg separator attachment is handy if you frequently separate egg whites and yolks.
FAQ
Q. Can a hand-crank blender be used to chop ice?
A. The majority of hand-crank blenders are not suitable for this task. Because the appliance is hand-cranked, it just doesn’t create enough power to chop up harder vegetables or ice. That said, some products specifically geared towards blending use gear systems that can increase the power enough to chop ice — but you’re going to need to put a bit of work into it.
Q. Can these appliances be used to “spiralize” vegetables like zucchini?
A. No, a hand-crank blender is not capable of producing the spiralized effect that is so popular in the culinary world these days. To find a spiral slicer, we recommend checking out our list of top spiral slicers.
Q. Can I clean my hand-crank blender in the dishwasher?
A. Most manufacturers recommend that you wash your hand-crank blender by hand. The high heat of the dishwasher can easily crack the plastic housing of these appliances, so hand-washing is recommended.
