Blender physics

Hi all.

I've seen all the blender videos@ChefSteps, but I'm still having problems with understanding how to get "everything" smooth.

F.i. the pine nut purée recipe says 350g of pine nuts. If I add 350g of pine nuts in my blender (Waring mx1500), the pine is chopped into small pieces, but the pieces is just gathering at the end - and the blade isn't connected to any of the nut parts. If I use a spatula or something to push the nut parts down to the blades, the blender just pushes the parts towards the side again. And yes, I've tried different speed settings.

I feel like the only thing working, is by adding liquid (but the recipe doesn't include any liquid?). So how should I approach getting a smooth (pine nut) puree?

(I also tried making a black sesame paste with only sesame seeds and a bit of sesame oil, but it turned out the same. It's actually a bit funny, because when I tried making the sesame paste with an coffee grinder (like a tiny blender), it worked perfectly - but not with a $1000 blender, even though I used app. the same ratios of sesame seeds and oil - but of course smaller amounts for the tiny coffee grinder/blender)

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Comments

Brandon_Byrd_40557

I use one of these with my Waring and it helps a lot. I've been meaning to borrow the tamper on my parents' Vitamix to see if that one works with the Waring as well. In any event, use a tamper, start slowly, and bring the speed up gradually as the particle size reduces. Eventually, as the mixture starts to heat up, you'll start to get a natural flow going. It may also help to use slightly more product if you're having issues; if you don't have enough stuff in the blender, it's hard to achieve flow.

tshewman

Generally speaking it is easier to use more than the recipe calls for to have enough to be blended (for many recipes I find 500g to be close to the minimum) in a large blender. You bring up another option for these single/smaller servings. I usually use a magic bullet which will work, but requires more time and regardless of the methods, pushing through a sieve is always beneficial. Using a tamper does help and for things like nuts, if you roast them for a few minutes prior to blending, they will start to release their oils and actually blend quite smooth (at least in a vitamix or thermomix). The pine nuts tend to blend pretty smooth in the magic bullet but they are not a rigid nut.

hairyotter_273859

One of these things might help, an immersion blender. I like the Bamix.

You can move the blades around to get the nuts that are sticking to the sides of the container. This sucker can chop or liquefy just about anything. Turns 2% milk into whipped cream (whipped milk) in about 30 sec. The Bamix comes with different blades for different tasks. Most immersion blenders only have one set blade. Or try going old school and use a mortar and pestle, that's how they used to do it.

No place for the pine nuts to hide!

fisher23

15,000 RPMs I am on my second one. Great tool, I use this and a larger blender both it just depends on what I am doing and the volume.

hairyotter_273859

My last Bamix lasted about 25 years of heavy use and abuse.

Jack_Mayer_85396

+1 on the Bamix, it's a BEAST!

Regina_830489

An expensive blender is NOT a necessity in your circumstances. A cheaper blender will work fine. I got decent results making paste in a single-serve blender (Ninja Pro, specs here: https://wisepick.org/best-personal-blender/) w.o. any issues. Tried the recipe you've mentioned, also I use it to make peanut and almond butter too. It's not the best when it comes to nuts, still results are nice. It depends on nuts, but in general you can add some oil (just a bit) to make a smoother paste.