All you need to know guide for buying a mixer-grinder (mixie) in India

Mixer-grinder (mixie) buyer’s guide in India

Almost every kitchen in India uses a mixer-grinder . As a kid growing up in India, one of the most common sounds you hear is the mixer-grinder churning out chutneys of every kind. Be it breakfast chutney or lunch masala, or dinner batter, the mixie is indispensable to an Indian kitchen as the masala to the Indian cuisine.

Despite being one of the most common home appliances, the mixie still remains vastly misunderstood. 90% of those who use a mixie don’t utilize it fully. Over time we lose most of the jars and blades, and we end up using only one or two jars. We cut all the veggies, dump them in a jar, and turn on the grinder knob. Most people even forget the brand of mixer-grinder that they use.

If you are looking to replace your old mixer-grinder or looking to buy one for the first time. We have useful information and tips that will help you find the perfect mixie for your home.

Important points to consider when buying a mixer-grinder in India

Mixer-grinders were once a simple kitchen appliance. Plugin the power chord, place your cut chutney ingredients inside the jar, and turn on the knob. The mixie did the rest. Unlike the old mixer-grinder, the modern mixie comes with several advanced features such as

• Stainless steel jars and steel blades
• Overload protection
• Food processor, wet grinding, and juice option (Mixer grinder juicer)
• Powerful motor with 20,000+ RPM (motor speed)
• Spill-proof, shock-proof build

So it is essential to know which features/functions are essential for your kitchen. The following are vital points one must consider when buying a mixie.

Usage

The first question to ask when you are on the lookout for a mixer-grinder is its usage. Unlike yesteryears, where we had a Sumeet or a Preethi mixie, the modern mixer-grinders are more specialized. While general-purpose mixer-grinders are still around, it is better to choose what best suits your need if your needs are very specific.

For instance, a hand blender/hand mixer is a better choice for home bakers looking to knead dough than a mixer-grinder. While you can grind your coffee beans in a mixie, a coffee grinder works much better. Hence, choose your appliance wisely.

Choose the correct right mixer-grinder (types of mixer-grinders)

In India, we have two major categories of mixer-grinders.

1. Stand Mixer – Used exclusively for commercial purposes
2. Traditional mixer-grinder – This type is what we use in our homes. There are a few subcategories in the traditional mixer-grinder, such as
   • Mixers – Hand blenders/hand mixer
   • Juicers – Juice extractors
   • Grinders – Wet grinder, dry grinder, meat grinder, and coffee grinder fall under this category
   • Mixer + grinder – Most kitchens use a mixer cum grinder because of its versatility.
   • Mixer + juicer + grinder – This appliance combines a juicer with a mixer grinder.

Choose one that suits you the best.

Newer, the better

Almost all of us are guilty of missing this vital point. Always choose a newer model over an older one. Don’t assume online mixer-grinder reviews are up to date. Vital aspects such as parts availability, service, new features, better power saving, etc., are better for newer mixie models than older models.

Motor speed – Faster, the better

Motor speed or motor RPM is another factor that you cannot overlook. Faster and powerful motors give you quicker and better grinds. You want your coconut chutney to be smooth and not coarse. So choose a mixie with a high RPM rated motor.

In India, you get mixer-grinders with motor RPMs ranging from 18,000 to 24,000. We recommend that you choose a mixer-grinder with a higher RPM rating for quicker and better performance.

Consider a powerful motor with a higher power rating

Mixer-grinder motors have a “watts” power rating. The higher the power wattage or power rating, the better the performance because powerful motors can spin the stainless steel blade much faster. Mixies in India range from 500W to 1000W.

If you are looking to dry-grind things like turmeric, ground peanut cake, etc., choose a powerful motor. Also, a powerful motor is better for wet grinding dosa batter and idli batter. In short, choose a powerful motor with a power rating greater than 750W for extra power.

Remember, powerful motors cost more and are noisy. On the other hand, a lower power rated motor won’t be able to grind harder items.

Jars – Are more jars better?

Contrary to popular belief, more jars do not mean better. Think about it, when was the last time you used more than 3 jars? We use mixies for either wet grinding or dry grinding, plus an additional jar should be enough 99% of the time.

Some mixies come with 6 jars or even 8 jars! The issue with many jars is that we use them for a month and then lock them up in our cupboard and forget it.

Hence, we recommend that you choose a mixie that comes with 3 or 4 jars. If you choose a juicer mixer grinder, then look for more jars. Today we have mixies that come with a chutney jar, liquidizing jar, grinding jar, wet grinding jar, dry grinding jar, mixer jar, etc. You will never need all of them.

One thing to keep in mind when choosing a jar is its durability. A stainless steel jar will be more robust, long-lasting, and easy to clean. Don’t buy mixies that come with ABS plastic jars.

What about blades? Are they important?

Mixer grinders come with several types of blades to suit your varied grinding needs. Choose a mixer that gives you several stainless blades as they play a crucial role in grinding. The following are some of the typical blade types.

• Wet grinding blade: These typically come with four steel blades that point one-up, one-down, and two-horizontal to ensure your idli batter is silky smooth.
• Dry grinding blade: These come with two horizontal steel blades with a slight upward curve convenient for grinding spices for your biryani.
• Chutney grinding blade: These have cerated edges to give your chutney a proper chutney texture.
• Mincer Blade: This blade is useful for grating carrots and cucumber for your salad.

Remember to keep your mixie blades sharp for optimal performance. Sharp blades also save power and time because they can grind quicker than dull blades.

Choose a mixie with better construction

Almost everyone gets a mixie as their wedding gift, and most people, even after many years, still use it. A mixie should be a long-lasting kitchen appliance. Hence, you must consider the overall build quality before buying one. Choose a mixie with stainless steel jars, sharp blades, a durable ABS plastic body, unbreakable jar handles, and control knobs.

Isn’t price an important factor?

Of course, price is an essential factor but not as significant as the ones above. Remember, you want your mixie to be long lasting. Most people still use an old Preethi mixie they got as their wedding gift. So we recommend that you don’t hesitate to spend a few additional bucks for a top mixer grinder.

What about safety?

All modern mixer-grinders come with several safety features. Shock-proof design, broader base with suction cups for antislip operations, safety locks are some of the features to look for when you buy your next mixie. Most mixies also come with overload protection to prevent breakages and break downs.

Parts, support, warranty, and service

Finally, the manufacturer’s ability to support your mixie by providing parts, faster service, and a longer warranty period also are a few vital factors to consider. Remember, always choose a newer mixie model over older mixie models.

Frequently asked questions

What are the popular mixer-grinders in India?

The following mixer grinder brands are some of the popular ones in India.

Please read the review of the best mixer-grinders in India to know which mixer grinder brand is better.

What is the difference between a mixer grinder and a juicer mixer grinder?

As the name implies, a juicer mixer grinder can also extract juice from fruits and veggies. A centrifugal juicer uses centrifugal force to extract the juice.

Which is the number one mixer grinder in India?

Please read the review of the best mixer-grinders in India to know which mixer grinder brand is better. Preethi mixer grinder and Sujatha mixer grinder are the oldest brands in India.

Which is the silent mixer grinder in India?

Please don’t expect quiet mixer grinders. Most of the sound you hear is the sound of your coconut or whatever you are grinding hitting against the jar. Mixer grinders with lower power ratings tend to be quieter due to smaller motors but might take longer to grind. Unlike a washing machine that runs for several minutes, your mixie will do its job in a few minutes. So choose a powerful, it might be louder but will finish its job quickly.

Which is better, a 750-watt mixer grinder or a 500-watt mixer grinder?

The answer depends on your usage. If you want to grind turmeric or dosa batter, then a powerful 750W is better. While 500W is better if you just want to grind spices or make chutney.

What is the difference between a grinder and a mixer?

We use a grinder for wet grinding our dosa batter or idli batter. A mixer, on the other hand, can grind chutney and masala. A mixer grinder combines both functions into one kitchen appliance.

Final thoughts: Mixer-grinder buyer’s guide

Mixer-grinder , Washing machines, OTGs, and dishwashers are becoming some of the most common kitchen appliances. As a buyer, it is essential to do your research to buy the best mixer grinder for your home. Remember, you want your mixer-grinder to be long lasting, durable, and easy to use, so choose a newer and more recent model over older ones.