Summer is officially here, and frozen or blended beverages are more popular than ever. If your team is gearing up for an increase in sales of smoothies and frappés, you may be interested in adding a new commercial blender to your café. We’d love to help you find the best café supplies for the job, and we share a few of our tips for choosing the ideal blender here:
Evaluate Store Volume
When you’re searching for the perfect commercial blender, the volume of your store is an important component to consider. Busier environments need an option with a powerful motor, while shops that receive fewer blended orders can often get away with a more economical machine. For reference, stores that typically handle light food preparation (approximately 50 servings per day) are often best served by a blender with ½ horsepower (HP). Stores that need to keep up with the demands of 100+ servings per day will need a much more powerful blender, so aim for a motor with at least 3 HP.
Choose the Control Method
Commercial blenders are equipped with three types of controls: paddle, programmable, or electronic. Staff in high-volume kitchens often prefer programmable or electronic controls, as these are more practical for completing the blend as quickly as possible. Programmable blenders such as Vitamix The Quiet One and Blendtec Connoisseur 825 are ideal for coffee and smoothie bars, as these products are capable of programming 38 and 42 recipes, respectively.
Prioritize Cleaning and Maintenance
Once you’ve determined the power and control type you prefer, be sure to look into the cleaning process for the machines you’re considering. Although commercial blenders are heavy duty and durable, some are not dishwasher safe. Additionally, you may want to protect your investment by purchasing products that are supported by the manufacturer. A warranty of one to three years is generally the standard for commercial blenders (although parts and labor are often on a separate timeline).
When it comes to stocking your kitchen with high-quality café supplies, a blender should be at the top of the list. Commercial blenders made by reputable brands like Vitamix and Blendtec (which we offer) are often workhorses that are capable of churning out 150+ servings per day. Still not sure which is the perfect fit for your establishment? We’d love to help. Please contact our team - we’re here to answer any questions you may have.