The Counters Blog

You want stainless-steel blades, durable materials, and a blender that is easy to clean. Reading through this article will provide you with the insight needed to make an informed purchase. A countertop blender is a must-have for anyone who enjoys smoothies, milkshakes, or frozen drinks. Its motor isn’t as powerful as that of a high-performance blender, and it doesn’t boast as many fancy features. A conventional blender is ideal for making smoothies, milkshakes, and frozen cocktails.That’s because it features a powerful motor that not only blends smoothies and milkshakes, but also grinds nuts, grains, and cheeses. With a high-performance countertop blender, you usually get plenty of high-tech features, too, such as preset programs and digital timers. Instead of a traditional blender jar, its container is usually a to-go cup. However, it’s a great option for someone who’s blending for one. Users enjoy a variable speed system — but simply switching the setting to “high” will blitz just about anything! To make cleaning easier, opt for a blender with a removable blade base.
Kitchen Countertop Resurfacing Ideas | Duration 1 Minutes 40 Seconds You only have to press a button and then let the blender do its thing. You’ll usually pay extra for such pre-programmed settings, but they’re worth it if you’re often multi-tasking in the kitchen. Plastic containers are lightweight and aren’t prone to cracking or breaking. Glass containers usually don’t soak up stains or odors, but they can be very heavy and may chip, crack, or shatter. Regardless of the container’s material, make sure it has a tight-fitting lid that’s secure during use. A blender container with easy-to-read measurement markings is also handy. But it can be difficult to keep the buttons clean from spills and drips. You may have to press several buttons to turn the blender on and off or switch to another speed. However, a graduated start-up feature that slowly brings the blender up to a higher speed can be helpful, as it reduces the chance of the motor burning out or ingredients splashing up. The warranty can give you a good idea of how long you can expect the blender to last. However, many high-performance blenders come with warranties that cover up to 10 years. At just under seven pounds, the base unit is relatively small and light. You’re likely to have no trouble finding a home for it on your countertop or in a cupboard. The lifespan of a countertop blender depends on the quality of its construction and how often you use it. Conventional and personal countertop blenders, which have weaker motors and fall at the lower end of the price range, will typically last between three and five years. If you’re blending smoothies daily, there’s a chance your motor will wear out more quickly. You should never operate your blender without the lid. Say no to preservatives and extra sugar by making your own peanut butter at home. If you find your blender getting stuck due to cavitation (air bubble formation), use the pulse mode to disperse the bubble and get the blades moving again. Cutting up food items into manageable chunks before putting them in the blender is another way to keep the blades from getting stuck, as well as to make sure that everything gets blended. But if you make occasional smoothies or iced drinks, then a mid- to low-range countertop blender works as well. Soak the components in warm soapy water if you don’t have time to clean the blender right after you use it. What features make a countertop blender easier to clean? If the blades are built-in, make sure the jar has a wide base so you can easily remove any chunks that might get caught underneath the blades. What’s the difference between peak horsepower and rated horsepower when it comes to a blender? Rated horsepower is the steady horsepower at which the blender can run. Glass jars are preferred by some because they don’t absorb stains and odors as easily as plastic. Plastic jars are chip-proof and won’t break, so high-performance blenders use them for safety reasons. Choose one that can accommodate the amount of food you want to make and has the power needed to blend the types of foods you want to blend – a lower wattage blender severely limits the recipes you can make. The type of controls – push button, dial, or touchpad – are entirely up to user preference, but having a countertop blender with a number of preprogrammed settings will come in handy. However, if you just want to get blending as quickly as possible, we’ve chosen a few highly rated models that will make you happy. If you purchase a high-performance countertop blender, you can even use it to juice fruits and vegetables, grind nuts and other hard items, and make dough. A high-performance blender can also chop hard fruits and vegetables and generate enough heat to make hot soup. Because its motor is smaller, a personal blender is less powerful than that of a conventional countertop blender. Stainless steel is less likely to rust than other materials, and it’s usually the most durable material.

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Kitchen Design Ideas Kitchen Countertop Resurfacing Ideasbedazzlement | Duration 1 Minutes 40 Seconds A blender may have settings for smoothies, shakes, or frozen cocktails. It will start the cycle, choose the right speed, and stop itself when the selected program is done. However, plastic tends to absorb stains and odors more easily than glass, so it must be cleaned quickly after use. Blenders with high-power motors don’t typically use glass containers because of the risk of breakage. A blender container should also have a wide mouth so it’s easy to add ingredients and clean after use. You’ll know how much of each ingredient you’re adding without using a separate measuring cup. In general, three speeds — low, high, and pulse — are usually sufficient. For example, some budget-friendly blenders may only come with a one-year warranty. You can find countertop blenders at a variety of price points. They tend to be very durable, though, so it’s often worth the investment. If you purchase a high-performance countertop blender, you can expect to get approximately 10 years of use out of it. However, you should also factor in how often you use your blender. If you’re only using your blender once or twice a week, the motor will likely hold up longer. Steam could build up inside, creating enough pressure to blow off the lid and send hot food all over your kitchen. And even if the lid for the blender jar fits tightly, hold it down with your hand while you blend to avoid any mess. You can churn your own butter in a blender with heavy cream and salt. You can also avoid air bubbles by balancing out the amounts of frozen foods and liquid. If you make butter, hummus, or soup frequently, a powerful blender would be an advantage. Instead of risking slicing your fingers by putting your hand in the jar to clean the blender, simply fill the jar with warm water and add a few drops of liquid dish wash soap to it; blend the mixture and rinse it out for a squeaky clean jar! It’s a good idea to always leave a little room for expansion inside the blender jar. For the easiest cleanup, look for a blender with removable blades. You may also want to consider a blender with a dishwasher-safe jar so you don’t have to wash it by hand. Peak horsepower refers only to the horsepower that the blender exhibits when you first turn it on. Rated horsepower is a better indicator of the blender’s power.

Just Right Bus: Living With A Water Trough Bathtub by justrightbus.com

We brainstormed various ideas of solving this issue and came to the conclusion that a tub would be best for our space. We almost purchased a tub that was about a foot shorter than the one we got to save space but changed our mind and opted for the wider one as we felt it would be more comfortable to sit in. They had one in stock so we were able to take it home that day. We were also able to store it in the bus while building and use it as a makeshift bench since it was so easy to move around. Any spray is quickly and easily wiped up after we’re done showering. Additionally, they’re made of thin metal so the water stays warm for a relatively short period of time. The strange curves to the walls also make it a little awkward to scrub. Just the two of us live in the bus and we can easily shut the curtains and the whole bus becomes our shower room. We have a 200 square foot kitchen when we’re cooking, bedroom when we’re sleeping and bathroom when we’re…well, you know. An image of a horse relaxing in a claw foot tub immediately popped into my head when she said this. What kind of tub or shower would you build in your tiny home? Such a counter could be flush with the sink counter increasing the prep space. I love your bus and that you are doing it your way and just right for you.Do you suppose maybe putting a coat of swimming pool paint on the inside would be a good idea to help seal and make the tub last longer and maybe help the slippage that happens with metal? I was sold on this idea last and we are just a couple works weekends away from purchasing our “body trough”. We used a large metal drill bit to drill through the bottom. My landlady is removing her metal trough tub as we speak, and replacing it. Do you worry about support and the tub crashing through the floor? It’s several layers of solid steel supported by large steal cross beams. We are putting a piece of plywood on the floor then on top of it putting foam board insulation then another piece of plywood, basically a type of pedestal and to hold a little more heat. Compared to the thousands for a custom tub this is going to be awesome, will be posting pictures when complete. Shortly after we got the bus we discovered that a traditional shower wasn’t going to work. With the added height of a shower pan and tile, he wouldn’t have the most comfortable bathing arrangements. We would sit down in the tub and use a hand held shower nozzle so we wouldn’t have to take a full on bubble bath every time we bathed. That same day we went to our local feed depot and purchased our new 48”, 100 gallon water trough bathtub. I recommend visiting a feed depot or local hardware store and trying out the tub you’re interested in. Here are a few examples of how others have used water troughs in their bathrooms. It’s nestled between our closet and kitchen counter so we’re not worried about it shifting during travel. It’s a little big and bulky but this is a huge plus to those who are weight-conscious when building. We don’t have to worry about it chipping or cracking like a traditional porcelain tub. Though we could easily spray water on the floor with our handheld claw foot tub shower nozzle, we’re careful and aware. They’re straight walled and high sided so getting in and out may be difficult for some and if you want any sort or recline you’ll have to install a seat of some type. To keep the open feel in our bus we essentially bathe in the kitchen/living room. My mom told me that when she was little, her family used a bathtub to water their horses because they were cheaper and easier to find than horse troughs. I decided to raise my bathroom ceiling to accommodate an overhead shower, at the expense of space in the loft above it. I have shared my horses water troughs a few times when it was hotter than blazes but never thought to bring one in the house. I looked at the pictures it occurred to me that one could build a removable counter to hide the tub when not in use and maximize the space. We had a lot sitting around because the whole bus is metal, slow and low is the key for drilling in metal. We needed to go straight down to get out of the bus before putting in the p trap and most tub drains go down and then along the bottom or up the side for a spillover drain. Plastic seems like a much better solution than metal for a bathtub. I just purchased a stock tank for my bus, and have a question. We can do it for you, or you should find someone in your local area. I was thinking two of them would be locking wheels for safety getting in and out.