We are in the age of machines where our work is done by machines. There are many such machines that have made our lives easier. One such machine is the mixer grinder. Mixer grinders are used to grind and mix various food items.
Not only mixers and grinders, but we also have so many other machines as well like juicers, blenders, food processors, etc. All these machines are designed to make our lives easier.
But sometimes we get confused between two similar machines like mixers and grinders. In this article, we will be discussing the difference between a grinder and a mixer in detail.
We also call them mixer grinders and wet grinders. So often, when we go to the market, we get confused about whether to buy the mixer or grinder, which one would be best for you and your kitchen.
In this article, I am going to explain both appliances in detail and I will also do a head-to-head comparison of both these appliances so that you can decide which one is best for you. So, without any further ado let’s get started.
So without wasting any further time let us jump into the article and find out the difference between a mixer and a grinder.
What is a Grinder?
A grinder or wet grinder is the latest kitchen appliance used for grinding food grains to produce a paste or batter. It is also used for making chutney and masala Powder. A wet grinder is a multipurpose kitchen appliance and it saves a lot of time and energy.
We use this appliance to make batter and pastes for vada, dosas, idlis, and chutneys. A lot of Indian food preparations require a paste or batter to be made. Grinders come in handy at this time as they can do the job quickly and efficiently.
Kinds of Grinders
There are three major kinds of grinders that we use in India. These are normal grinders, table top grinders, and tilt grinders. Each of these has a different set of functions and features.
We will see what are the differences between these types of grinders.
Normal Grinder
These grinders are casual or typical grinders that we use in our homes. The working of these grinders is simple, and they are easy to use as well. All you need to do is pour the required amount of water or any other liquid into the grinder. Then, add the required amount of grains, cereals, seeds, or spices into it. After that, switch on the grinder, and it will start grinding the ingredients.
The grinding time will depend on the type of ingredient that you have added to the grinder. For example, if you are grinding a hard grain like wheat, it will take more time than if you were grinding a soft grain like rice.
Table Top Grinders
As the name suggests, these grinders are placed on top of a table or countertop. These grinders are bigger and heavier than the normal grinders. They also have more power and capacity than the regular ones. Table Top grinders are mostly used in restaurants and commercial kitchens.
Tilt Grinders
Tilt grinders are also called tilting wet grinders or tilting grinders. These have a similar working mechanism to the tabletop grinders. The only difference is that you can tilt these grinders to pour out the paste or batter from them. Tilt grinders are mostly used in commercial kitchens as they are very efficient and fast.
Benefits of Grinders
There are many benefits of using a wet grinder. Some of these are:
- They help you save time: wet grinders help you save a lot of time as they can do the job very quickly. For example, if you want to make idli batter, it will take you only a few minutes to grind the required amount of batter.
- They are easy to use: wet grinders are very easy to use, and you can even do it with your eyes closed. All you need to do is add the required ingredients into the grinder and switch it on.
- They are multipurpose: wet grinders can be used for grinding a variety of things. You can use them to grind grains, spices, seeds, etc.
- They are durable: wet grinders are very durable and long-lasting. If you take good care of them, they can last for many years.
- They are affordable: wet grinders are very affordable, and you can even find some good deals on them.
What is a Mixer?
A mixer is an electrical kitchen appliance that is used for mixing, whisking, and kneading food ingredients. It comes with different attachments such as a dough hook, beater, and whisk. Mixers are mostly used for baking as they help to make the dough very soft and
The mixer is also used to make milkshakes, smoothies, and cocktails. Also, you can make chutneys, powder or spices, and batters with a mixer.
Kinds of Mixers
There are different kinds of mixers available in the market. Some of them are as follows:
Stand Mixer
Stand mixers are the most popular type of mixer. They come with a bowl that is attached to the base. The stand mixers are very powerful and can be used for various purposes such as kneading dough, mixing ingredients, etc.
Hand Mixer
As the name suggests, hand mixers are smaller in size and can be held in your hand. They are less powerful than stand mixers and are mostly used for tasks such as whisking eggs, making frosting, etc.
Immersion Blender
Immersion blenders are handheld mixers that are mostly used for tasks such as blending soups, smoothies, and sauces. They are very convenient to use and can be easily stored in a kitchen drawer.
Benefits of Mixers
There are many benefits of mixers that can help us to make our kitchen life easier. Some of the benefits are below:
- Mixers help to save time as they can mix large quantities of ingredients in one go.
- Mixers are very easy to use and can be operated with just one hand.
- Mixers come with different attachments that can be used for various purposes such as whisking, kneading, etc.
- Mixers help to make the dough very soft and fluffy.
Difference Between Grinder And Mixer
Use:
Wet Grinder: It is used to make the batter
Mixer Grinder: Use to grind spices, grains, and liquid batter
Build-Mechanism
It is based on a motor that runs a granite stone to grind the ingredients
It also uses the motor to rotate the sharp blades that cut and grind the ingredients
Power Consumption:
The power consumption is very high in these units
The power consumption is not so high in these units
Performance:
The performance of wet grinders is very efficient
These are less efficient
Maintenance:
The maintenance is very hard in these units
They are easy to clean and maintain
Are the mixer grinder and blender the same?
No, the mixer grinder and blender are not the same. The main difference between a grinder and a mixer is that the grinder can be used for grinding food items while the mixer is used for mixing or blending them.
Both these appliances are very useful in our kitchens but serve different purposes. A mixer grinder can be used to grind spices, make chutneys, and even idli batter. On the other hand, a blender is mostly used to make smoothies, juices, and milkshakes.
Should I buy a mixer grinder or blender?
This really depends on your needs. If you need an appliance to grind spices or make chutneys, then a mixer grinder would be the better option. However, if you are mostly looking to make smoothies and juices, then a blender would be the better choice.
If you are looking for an all-in-one appliance that can do both grinding and blending, then you should opt for a food processor. This appliance is more expensive than either a mixer grinder or blender but it is definitely worth the investment if you have the need for both.
Conclusion
So now you should never forget the difference between a grinder and a mixer. Both are important kitchen tools that serve different purposes. A grinder is used to grind or powder food items, whereas a mixer is used to mix or blend them. If you need to do either of these tasks in your kitchen, make sure you use the right tool for the job!
Do you want to add anything else? Let us know in the comments below!
