All You Need to Know to Create a Better Blender Experience and for Blender Noise Reduction
Do you regularly use a blender or juicer as part of your healthy routine?
Today, blenders and juicers are essential kitchen appliances for many adults. Whether you blend a smoothie after a workout or juice fresh fruits for a cleanse, homemade soups, or salad dressings, you’re likely to utilize one of these powerful products.
Blenders and juicers make consuming healthy fruits and vegetables quick and easy. They save time, provide easy clean-up, and are highly versatile. Using one of these machines can make your morning routine a snap! While their convenience can’t be matched, there is one drawback:
Blenders and juicers produce a lot of noise!
You shouldn’t have to miss your morning smoothie in an effort not to wake your family. In this article, we’ll examine why blenders are so loud and dive into the best methods to reduce noise. First, let’s talk about why blenders produce so much sound.
Why Does It Make So Much Noise?
A blender can make a lot of noise because it has to do a lot of work. A blender is designed to break up the food and make sure that there are no chunks left. So it has to chop, grind, and whip the food until it’s smooth.
Blenders are designed to do this as efficiently as possible. That’s why they have powerful motors and blades that spin fast. The more powerful the motor is, the faster the blades will spin, creating a louder sound.
With that in mind, let’s look at a few reasons why blenders make so much noise.
1
They have Powerful Motors
Blenders have potent motors that tear through your food and ice as they spin.
Noise generally comes from a combination of the motor, blades, and metal components such as gears, bearings, and fans. The stronger the motor, the louder your blender will be.
2
Low-Quality Materials
Blenders also make noise because of the way they are built. The pitcher can be made from glass or plastic. Each of those materials vibrates while the machine runs, causing additional sounds.
Cheap blenders are often made with the most cost-effective materials (blades, gears, bearings) so that manufacturers can profit significantly. To minimize the materials they need, the motor is built to run harder than it should.
3
Ingredients make a difference!
Do you often use ingredients such as ice and nuts?
These will add to the noise level. When you turn on your blender, and the mixing begins, all of those parts and ingredients are set into motion.
4
Location of your blender
Move your blender away from the wall.
If your blender is situated on a bare counter or near a wall, this can add to the noise level. The proximity to a wall and the vibration produced will make it sound louder.
5
Speed
The more powerful your blender, the more sound it will produce.
All blenders operate at different speeds based on their wattage. The higher the speed (or more watts) in addition to hard or thick foods being blended, the more noise will be produced.
An array of small parts and fast speeds create a vibration that produces…noise!
6
Blades
Steel blades create a grinding pattern in the motor. This back-and-forth movement of the metal blades breaks down components within the motor.
This alone can cause loud noises and eventually stop the blender from working.
Dull blades can also be to blame for noise, but you can easily sharpen blades yourself.
7
Improper Cleaning
If you don’t properly clean your blender, food particles can get stuck in the motor or around the blades. These particles get in the way of the movement of the blades, making them harder to move.
In addition to purchasing a dishwasher-safe machine, you may also wish to blend soap and water for an additional scrub. Use a rough sponge and lemon to get rid of any stains.
8
Something is Loose
Your blender has a lot of parts that can become loose or move around. The more parts that are loose, the louder the sound will be.
Loose parts may eventually vibrate and shake so much that they fall off and cause the blender to no longer work.
Benefits of a Quiet Kitchen Blender
Does this sound familiar? You tip-tow around all morning just to wake everyone as you fire up the blender for your morning protein.
It’s true, many blenders are loud enough to wake the dead.
A quiet blender will make for a more peaceful morning and allow you to blend a sauce or enjoy your smoothie before anyone rises in your household.
If a noisy blender is a problem for you, try these methods of kitchen blender noise reduction before setting out to purchase a new machine.
Best Methods For Kitchen Blender Noise Reduction
This section is about how to reduce noise in a kitchen blender.
There are many ways to reduce noise in a blender. Some of the most popular methods include:
1
Use a Soft Barrier
Any hard surface will amplify noise. Placing a barrier between your counter and blender is the first method to try to reduce the reverberation from counters and walls. Here are some things to try:- Soft towel Place a thick kitchen towel between your blender and the counter to lessen the vibration and dampen the sound. The towel will help absorb the sound and keep it from bouncing off the walls. Additionally, you can wrap a towel around your blender while in use. Give this a try as it can be done with things you already have in your home!
- Silicon Mat If the towel trick isn’t working or you’re looking for better soundproofing, try silicone or rubber mats. The mat will absorb the sound and vibration and protect your counter surfaces at the same time. This method requires a little investment, but it’s worth it!
2
Use a Cardboard Box
A cardboard box will work as an enclosure. This budget-friendly alternative solution is quick and easy. Find a box that’s larger than your blender. Next, you’ll want to add some foam or padding to use as a soundproofing material. Using glue or double-sided attach your padding to the sides of the box. This DIY enclosure will successfully weaken the sound and reduce vibrations. The overall sound will be reduced using this method.
3
Purchase or Build a Sound Enclosure
Enjoy your drinks in peace with soundproofing. If your blender does not have an enclosure already, there are many options available online.
- Purchase a Sound Enclosure
Many brands sell plastic or plexiglass enclosures. You should be able to visit the company website of your blender to see what they offer.If nothing is available from the company, take a look at universal blender sound enclosures that will work on any machine. Whisper Blend offers multiple enclosures that you can purchase directly through their site. Amazon also offers some simple options. - DIY a Sound Enclosure
If investing in a sound enclosure isn’t an option, consider making your own! With a few materials, skills, and a little patience you can do it yourself. Building a customized box will allow for the most sound reduction.So, what will you need to get started?
You’ll need to grab a measuring tape to determine how big to build your enclosure. It will need to be wide enough to slide your blender in and out without trapping your fingers. After you have your dimensions, cut your material.What materials will you need?
You’ll obviously want to use something that creates a sound barrier. Wood, plastic, styrofoam, or plexiglass are typically good choices.
Styrofoam may be the most convenient material to use since you won’t need specialized tools to cut and attach the pieces.
If you’re tool savvy you may wish to use wood or plexiglass.
Next, cut your Materials!
For this method, you’ll need 4 separate panels. Don’t forget that one side will stay open to insert your blender.
Draw the panels on your material using the height and width measurements.
For styrofoam, you can use a utility knife or Exacto knife to complete your cuts. For wood or plastic, you will need to pull out your power tools!
Assemble your Enclosure!
The method of attachment will depend on the material you use. For styrofoam, you’ll want to use a strong super glue. For wood and plastic or plexiglass, you need screws and a drill.
If using wood or plexiglass you may also want to measure and insert a foam lining. This lining will absorb the sound more effectively than the wood or plastic alone.
The DIY enclosure works best when paired with other soundproofing options.
4
Move your Blender
The location makes all the difference! Placing your machine in the correct location is imperative to creating less noise.
- Move to a non-shared wall. If your blender is in a room that has an echo it will be hard to buffer the noise no matter what you do. Likewise, if your kitchen shares a wall with a bedroom move your blender to a non-shared wall.
- Change the location while you blend. Consider moving your blender to the middle of the room, away from any walls, while in use. Then, move it back to its storage space once you’re finished.
- Blend in another room. Another option is to blend in a different area altogether. Do you have a pantry or an attached garage? Making space for your blender in one of these easily accessible areas is a simple and practical solution. This option takes little effort and does not require additional purchases.
5
Soundproof your Surroundings
Maybe you have a designated spot for your blender and have no option to keep it away from walls. If so, you may wish to install soundproof tiles. This may not be the most aesthetically pleasing option, but it will buffer the sound. Soundproof panels work by dampening soundwaves. These panels are constructed from sound absorption materials that will eliminate background noises and echoes. When sound bounces off walls it creates reverberation, installing panels will help silence these sounds. Check out Soundproof Cow for amazing soundproofing materials.
6
Blend the Night Before
Likely, the least popular option, but something to consider in desperate times- blend the night before.
If you’re worried about waking everyone in the morning, blend the night before and pour it into a container. You may store it overnight in a protein shaker, a mason jar, or anything that is airtight. Give it a solid shake the next day in case it has separated and you’re good to go!
7
Purchase a Quieter Blender
If you’ve tried the above methods and are still not getting the results you’re looking for you may want to purchase a new blender.
Start by looking for blender models with low noise ratings. These models typically will have an insulated motor housing that controls excess sound while using the machine.
Keep in mind that cheaper blenders will usually have motors that reach between 300 to 600 watts while Higher-end brands may reach 1500 to 1800 watts.
If you have the option to own two blenders, you may choose to use a less powerful blender when you need to be quieter and pull out your high-powered blender when sound is not an issue.
- Low power often equals low cost. When it comes to price, typically the lower the power of the blender, the lower the price. Low-powered blenders often cost under $100 and do not include a sound reduction feature.
- If you purchase a low-cost, but powerful blender expect it to produce even more volume. Manufacturers don’t spend the extra money on noise reduction for a budget kitchen blender.
- High-powered blenders come at a cost. These machines can cost several hundred to over $1,000, but the benefits of these are hard to ignore.
Remember, there’s no such thing as a silent blender. However, knowing what to look for when purchasing a quiet machine will allow you to acquire the right blender for you and your family.
What features make a blender quiet?
While there is no rating system to help you determine which blender is the quietest, there are features and attributes you should look for in your next machine.
- Noise-reducing covers. One of the benefits of a pricer blender is many include a sound reduction cover. Often, high-end manufacturers will include these covers that are placed directly over the container to contain sounds.
- Extra housing. Some brands will install extra housing or even double housing around the motor to reduce noise.
- Rubber gaskets. Blender components made of rubber have a large impact on the noise they create.
When shopping for your next blender or juicer, look for the above features to narrow your search and find the perfect machine.
If you’re looking to add a new or quieter machine to your kitchen these are currently the most popular options:
Blendtec Professional 800 Blender: lauded as the “World’s Quietest Blender”, the Professional 800 boasts the most advanced sound reduction and airflow innovations.
Vitamix- The Quiet One: A popular blender for coffee and smoothie shops, The Quiet One is known for its “groundbreaking hush”.
Hamilton Beach Professional Peak Power Quiet Blender: With 1500 watts of power, this Hamilton Beach option brings the power and also allows you to carry on a conversation. At under $200 this blender is powerful and budget-friendly.
Black and Decker Quiet Blender: reduce the noise of blending at the most wallet-friendly price point.
Want to see more options, prices, and features? Take the research into your own hands and compare multiple blenders.
8
Combine Sound Reduction Methods
The following strategies will allow you to get the most out of sound dampening.- Move your blender away from the wall and place it on a silicon mat. This combination allows for reduced reverberation from the proximity to the wall as well as absorbs vibration through the mat.
- Use a mat and a sound enclosure. As mentioned, the silicone mat is the best option for placement under your blender. It creates a barricade between your blender and the counter and it absorbs the vibration and sound produced by the blender.In addition to the mat, place your purchased or DIY sound enclosure over your blender for the most effective silencing duo.
- Purchase a quiet blender and use a mat. As we’ve said before, there is no silent blender, however, purchasing a quality machine with multiple sound-reducing features is one of your best methods for a quiet kitchen. Placing that blender on a silicone mat is magic! This is a sure-fire way to greatly reduce blender disruptions.
Final Thoughts
While there may not be a single solution for kitchen blender noise reduction, you can achieve a more peaceful experience by implementing the above methods.
Once you’ve found your perfect technique you’ll be free to blend at any time of the day with no worries about disturbing your family.
Ready to blend?
Now that you have a soundproofed machine or environment take a look at these recipes to get started on your blending journey!
Whether you’re making a protein smoothie, soup, puree, salsa, or spread you’ll be ready to embrace the wonderful world of cooking with a blender.
