July 15, 05:24

Blender Usage Tips: 9 Foods You Should Not Blend to Avoid Damage

The food processor has become an essential part of most modern kitchens, performing numerous tasks—from making sauces and spices to blending drinks. However, many users tend to use it to grind any ingredients, which can lead to damage to expensive equipment.

Risks of Improper Use

Some foods place excessive strain on the blades or overload the motor. If this mistake is made regularly by grinding such ingredients, the appliance can fail quite quickly. Below are nine types of foods whose grinding should be avoided in a food processor.

Firstly, hot dishes such as soups, curries, or sauces should not be blended immediately after being removed from the heat. The steam released from hot ingredients increases the pressure inside the bowl, posing a risk of lid opening for both the user and the machine itself. They need to cool down slightly before starting the process.

Secondly, the amount of ice should be limited. While crushing one or two pieces of ice is acceptable, filling the bowl completely with ice creates additional stress on both the blades and the motor, which can cause the engine to stop.

Problems with Hard and Fibrous Foods

The third category consists of very hard spices, such as dried turmeric, cardamom, and cinnamon. Grinding large quantities of them simultaneously can cause the blades to jam and put a heavy load on the motor. It is best to grind them in small batches.

It is also not recommended to knead dough in the processor. Dough, especially wet dough, sticks to the blades, increasing the risk of mechanism jamming. Furthermore, fibrous foods, such as large pieces of ginger, raw mango peel, celery, or corn cobs, are difficult to grind because their fibers can catch on the blades.

Considerations for Dried Fruits and Grains

When grinding nuts, such as almonds or cashews, without adding a large amount of water, they may not rotate freely, leading to motor overload. In such cases, it is recommended to add a little liquid or reduce the amount of product.

Seeds that release a lot of oil, such as sesame or peanuts, become thick and sticky during prolonged grinding, which can block the blades. These ingredients should be ground in small batches, taking breaks between cycles.

Mass Grinding and Hard Objects

Grinding a large quantity of dry grains, such as rice, wheat, or millet, at once puts significant pressure on the appliance, causing instability and accelerated motor wear. Therefore, you should always work with grains in small portions.

Finally, it is not recommended to try to grind very hard objects in a standard food processor, including sugarcane, hard coconut shells, or large frozen chunks. Attempting to do so can lead to blade breakage or motor failure; specialized equipment is better suited for such tasks.

www.aajtak.inJuly 2, 04:10

Sink cleaning tips: certain substances should not be poured down to prevent pipe clogging

While cooking in the kitchen, many people are accustomed to pouring various waste into the sink, such as dirty water from rice or lentils, as well as leftover oil, ghee, or fat. They often mistakenly believe that hot oil will easily drain away with the water. However, plumbing specialists warn that this habit can turn into a serious problem.

Risks of pouring fats into the sewage system

Pouring fats and oils into the sink can cause significant damage to household pipes, which often leads to a complete blockage of the sink. Due to this minor carelessness, thousands of rupees may need to be spent on repair and cleaning. Experts explain why they are strongly against such an action.

How fat affects pipes

Plumbing specialists note that although hot oils and fats look liquid, they become thick and viscous after cooling. This fatty film adheres to the walls of the pipes, gradually forming a layer. Then small food particles, dirt, and other impurities begin to settle on this layer, causing pipe blockages.

Impact on kitchen appliances

The problem is not limited to the sink. If a dishwasher or waste disposal system is installed in the kitchen, fat can also cause problems there. According to experts, the accumulation of fat in the pipes prevents the normal draining of water from the dishwasher, leading to its incorrect operation and potentially requiring expensive repairs.

Alternative ways to dispose of oil

Instead of pouring oil down the sink, it can be reused in several simple ways. First, leftover oil should be collected in a glass or plastic container. After it solidifies, it can be thrown in the trash bin. Second, if there is very little oil, it should be allowed to cool or solidify before disposal. Third, before washing pots or pans, excess grease should be wiped off with a paper towel to prevent oil from entering the pipes.

Four things to avoid

Besides oil, there are four other items that should not be poured down the sink. Rice grains absorb water, swell, and can quickly cause a clog. Coffee grounds accumulate at the bottom of the pipes and eventually trigger a blockage. Spaghetti or pasta swells in water and can get stuck in the drain, causing a clog. Also, fruit peels, such as those from apples and citrus fruits, can stick to the inner surface of the pipes and impede the normal flow of water.

What to do if oil accidentally gets in

If oil accidentally gets into the sink, there is no need to panic. You must immediately rinse the sink with hot water for 10-15 seconds, then add a little dish soap and flush again with hot water so that the oil does not have time to settle in the pipes. If the water starts draining slowly or signs of a clog appear, you must call a plumber for inspection.

Expert conclusion

Plumbers emphasize that underground pipes remain cold, which promotes the rapid solidification of oil. Therefore, it is extremely important never to pour grease, lubricant, and oils down the sink. Observing this simple precaution will help avoid major expenses and problems.