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Best Hand-Crank Blenders

Updated May 2022
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Ultra Chef Express Food Chopper 7-in-1 Chopper, Mixer, Blender, Whipper, Slicer, Shredder and Juicer
Ultra Chef Express
Food Chopper 7-in-1 Chopper, Mixer, Blender, Whipper, Slicer, Shredder and Juicer
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Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

This 5-cup blender comes with loads of extras that earn it our cooking expert's praise.

Pros

Triple-chopping blade made of surgical stainless steel. Anti-skid base. Handle and pouring spout. Comes with 3 mandolin inserts, whipping blade, egg white separator, storage lid, juicer insert, safety food holder and recipe book. Food safety holder grips. BPA-free.

Cons

Do not put in the dishwasher. Requires a lot of force to turn, which can sometimes break the chopper.

Best Bang for the Buck
Momugs 8-Cup Red Food Processor, Manual Hand-Powered Crank
Momugs
8-Cup Red Food Processor, Manual Hand-Powered Crank
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Large Capacity
Bottom Line

This large, 8-cup blender has a great reputation for functionality and durability, according to our expert.

Pros

Has an 8-cup capacity. BPA-free. Made from food-safe ABS resin. Intended for use with vegetables, fruits, meat, and nuts. Easy to clean. Comes with metal blade and plastic dough mixer.

Cons

No way to affix to the counter, so it may slide around during use.

GSI Outdoors Vortex Blender
GSI Outdoors
Vortex Blender
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Durable Design
Bottom Line

Clamp this blender to your table for fresh smoothies and other beverages when you're camping or tailgating.

Pros

A 1.5-liter pitcher made from durable Lexan resin. Made of plastic, metal, and stainless steel. Cordless and battery-free. Two-speed gear system. Pour-through locking lid. C-clamp secures base to table.

Cons

Blends liquids well and chops softer foods, but hard vegetables and ice cubes are problematic.

Cambom Manual Vegetable Cutter Food Processor 8-in-1
Cambom
Manual Vegetable Cutter Food Processor 8-in-1
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Versatile Design
Bottom Line

This blender is great for vegetables, and our expert likes that it's easy to clean.

Pros

Five-cup bowl. Chops, dices, minces, blends, and works as an egg separator. Chopper with 3 sharp stainless steel blades. Egg separator and whipping arms included. Rinse with water for cleanup. Made with BPA-free plastic.

Cons

Do not put in the dishwasher. Be sure not to let the blades sit in water; dry immediately after washing.

Geedel Manual Food Processor
Geedel
Manual Food Processor
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

This hand-cranked blender has 3 angled steel blades and a handy 3-cup capacity.

Pros

Food-grade, BPA-free plastic. Three angled stainless steel blades create efficient chopping action. Three-cup capacity. Large, comfortable crank and contoured handle. Has pour spout to separate liquids.

Cons

Food can splash from the pour spout or the lid opening.

HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

35
Models
Considered
85
Consumers
Consulted
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Researched
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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.

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With a hand-crank blender, you are in control. If you want salsa with large chunks, turn the crank less. If you want fine chunks, turn the crank more.

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.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert

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.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert

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.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert

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.

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Did you know?
The majority of hand-crank blenders can be used to make homemade baby food.
STAFF
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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.
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Some hand-crank blenders offer a variety of color options, so you can easily find one that fits with your kitchen color scheme.

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.

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