Best Blender for Frozen Fruit Smoothies & Crushing Ice

While most blenders are designed to handle frozen solid ingredients, this is not always the case. Only the best blender for frozen fruit smoothies and crushing ice can be able to handle the task. With the right blender, you can be able to crush ice, frozen fruits, and other foods.

However, not every blender is the same when it comes to crushing frozen fruit or ice for drinks and smoothies. If you want to crush fruits and ice for enjoyable drinks, there are some key features you need to consider when looking for the best blender. So, keep reading to find out the features you need to consider as well as the best blenders for frozen smoothies.

Why Do You Need a Blender for Making Frozen Fruit Smoothies?

To make quality and delicious smoothies from frozen fruits, you need to get a blender that is specifically designed for making frozen fruit smoothies. Blending your own smoothies at home will not only save you money but also help you stay free from low-quality smoothies. Furthermore, you have the freedom to add the ingredients you want while doing it at home.

Other benefits of using the appropriate blender for making smoothies include;

• Saves you a lot of time as smoothies can be made in a few minutes.
• They are much easier to clean, unlike other countertop blenders
• You can choose to use the whole fruit without wasting the fibers, keeping it properly balanced and ensuring you retain all the vitamins

With every task, it is required to get the right tool for guaranteed best results. There are many blenders designed to make smoothies in the market, but below, you will find the five best blenders for blending frozen fruit smoothies.

How do I blend frozen fruit?

1. Ninja BL660 Professional Countertop Blender

Ninja BL660 Professional Compact Smoothie & Food Processing Blender, 1100-Watts, 3 Functions -for...

• ULTIMATE POWER: 1100-watt motor powers...
• VERSITILE FUNCTIONS: Professional performance...
• XL CAPACITY: 72-oz. Total Crushing Pitcher is...
• FOOD PROCESSING: Chop fresh ingredients...
• ON-THE-GO CONVENIENCE: Blend directly in the...

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The Ninja BL660 Professional Countertop Blender boasts a great performance; it is relatively affordable and is manufactured by a reputable brand. It features 1,100 watts of a powerful motor and a 1.5 horsepower motor, which is powerful enough to blend ice cream, sherbet, or ice.

This Ninja blender comes with total crushing blades making it one of the best smoothie blenders. It features a six-blade assembly that enables you to turn the frozen ice and fruits in seconds. This powerful blender is easy to operate and understand as it comes with three speeds, pulse, and it is also a single-serve blender.,

Unlike other blenders, this Ninja professional countertop blender also includes two 16oz single-serve smoothie containers where you can pour your green smoothies or frozen drinks directly into the smoothie bowls. This allows you to enjoy the smoothies on the go. With the price point of this blender, it is the best professional blender to achieve smooth blends.

2. Hamilton Beach 58148A Blender to Puree

Hamilton Beach Power Elite Wave Action Blender For Shakes and Smoothies, Puree, Crush Ice, 40 Oz...

• POWERFUL BLENDING PERFORMANCE: With 700 watts...
• ULTRA-SMOOTH RESULTS WITH PATENTED WAVE...
• SERVE WITH EASE: The spout on this electric...
• EASY TO CLEAN WITH DISHWASHER SAFE GLASS JAR,...
• 12 BLENDING FUNCTIONS FOR MAXIMUM...

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If you're on a budget and don't want to spend a lot of money getting the best blender, the Hamilton Beach 58148A Blender to Puree is a great option. This blender comes with a powerful 700-watt motor that performs great when it comes to crushing ice and frozen ingredients. Furthermore, it comes with a very budget-friendly price so that you don't have to break your bank.

With the help of the patented Ice Sabre blades, this blender can effectively handle most frozen ingredients and is efficient for making frozen drinks. The blades are engineered to make blending frozen ice chunks or frozen fruit easy and with great results. It also features a patented Wave Action technology that guarantees smooth results.

This blender comes with a patented mess-free spout and convenient cord storage for easier use and better functionality. The blades, jar, and lid are dishwasher safe making it easy to clean up. In addition, it features 14 blending functions which means you can conveniently use this product with different ingredients.

3. Oster Blender | Pro 1200 with Glass Jar

Oster Blender | Pro 1200 with Glass Jar, 24-Ounce Smoothie Cup, Brushed Nickel

• Smart settings technology and 7 speeds...
• Dual direction blade technology for extra...
• 1200 power watts and 900 watts of ice...
• 6 cup dishwasher safe Boroclass glass jar...
• Pulse feature for added control and...

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Oster Blender | Pro 1200 with Glass Jar is a great budget-friendly blender for ice and frozen fruit. This blender features a 1.6 horsepower motor with 1200 power watts and 900 watts ice crushing power. Unlike other Oster blender models, this blender has a 50% larger blade system.

It features a patented Dual Direction Blade technology which blends in reverse and forward motion. This enables the blender to make it easy to crush frozen fruit and ice. With its programmed settings and seven speeds from puree to pulse, this blender is easy to use for salsas, milkshakes, and smoothies.

Furthermore, it features a Boroclass glass which is dishwasher safe and very durable. It also includes an on-the-go smoothie cup that you can carry as you travel. Although this affordable blender won't have the same performance as the most powerful blenders like Ninja blenders, it is an excellent option for someone on a budget.

4. Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender

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Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender, 1400 Peak Watts, 3 Functions for Smoothies, Frozen Drinks &...

• MORE POWERFUL MOTOR: The Ninja Professional...
• POWERFUL CRUSHING: Ninja Total Crushing...
• 3 VERSATILE FUNCTIONS: 3 preset Auto-iQ...
• AUTO-IQ TECHNOLOGY: take the guesswork out of...
• XL BLENDING CAPACITY: The 72-oz. Total...

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Another perfect addition to your kitchen is this Ninja Professional Blender, as it is excellent for mixing, blending, crushing and grinding. The Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender comes with a large and tall container that is designed to withstand heavy use. In addition, it comes with a 1400 motor and a single-serve cup with the Total Crushing Technology for improved food processing capabilities.

This Ninja Professional Blender can help you with many tasks as it can mix dry ingredients and protein drinks, create sweet dressings, blend vegetables, whip up margaritas, and crush whole fruits. It has a powerful crushing ability that can handle different tasks and ensure you get impressive results. In addition, this high-powered blender comes with single-serve cups to ensure everyone gets a fair share.

The durability and build quality of this blender are unmatched and provide a consistent blending action. It also features completely covered blades that ensure that the blade lasts for a good number of years. The digital display screen also ensures that you're controlling the blender in the right way.

5. Vitamix 5200 Blender Professional-Grade

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Vitamix 5200 Blender, Professional-Grade, Container, Self-Cleaning 64 oz, Black/Grey

• Create every course of your home-cooked meal...
• Variable Speed Control: 10 Speeds you can...
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Vitamix 5200 Blender Professional-Grade is one of the most popular blenders and the best Vitamix blender despite its old design. It includes a powerful motor of 1500 watts or two hp and can reach up to 37,000 RPM. This guarantees that it is a perfect pick for crushing solid ingredients like veggies, as well as ice and frozen fruit.

It features a four-pong stainless steel blade that ensures effective crushing of all the solid ingredients. With its unique patented blades and 2.2 peak horsepower, this commercial blender can be used to make frozen smoothies without any clumps. The blades are laser cut and well designed to deliver quality results.

This product is easy to use with the 10-speed dial, which allows getting complete control during the blending process. You can adjust the speed or blend on high speed to create different textures for maximum efficiency and speed. There are no complicated touch screens, and cleaning the blender is also quite simple.

What Should You Consider When Purchasing the Best Blender for Frozen Fruit?

1. Capacity and SIze

If you're for ease of use and efficiency from a commercial blender, then it is advisable to choose one that can comfortably accommodate the amount of food you need to prepare. For example, if you have a large family or require large batches of food, then you should pick something bigger. However, if you will only be making single servings of smoothies, then a professional blender with a smaller capacity may be a perfect fit for you.

The size of the blender is also an essential consideration as large premium blenders can take up a lot of space. So, if you have limited storage space or working space, then you might want to consider getting a small-sized and portable blender.

2. Powerful Motor

If you want to be sure that the classic blender you will be getting can blend frozen fruit and ice cubes, the motor should be very powerful. A weak motor may get strained or might not be able to finish the job as it will get damaged. Unfortunately, many blenders tend to fall short when it comes to power for crushing ice or frozen fruits.

While a lot of best blenders for frozen fruit smoothies are capable of handling a good number of solid ingredients, they can be pretty pricey. As a result, it is vital to get a blender that is powerful enough that can do more than blending only. But how much power do you need to make frozen drinks sufficiently?

The ideal blending power for blending frozen fruit smoothies ranges between 700 watts to 1500 watts which is about 2.0 horsepower. However, for a countertop blender, the average is 500 watts which is not powerful enough to blend frozen fruit, making it difficult to operate properly.

3. Quality

You need to ensure that your personal blender is made of durable and high-quality construction and material. If the blender is made from low-quality materials, it might not be able to handle solid ingredients like ice and frozen fruits.

The blender blade quality and design will also determine the crushing capabilities of ice and other solid ingredients. To get the best blender for frozen fruit smoothies, you need to ensure that the blade is not only sharp but also made of durable materials. There are generally two types of materials used, including plastic and glass.

When it comes to glass containers, a quality glass container should be made from impact-resistant glass. On the other hand, the best plastic containers should use polycarbonate, which is durable and dense plastic.

4. Maintenance

Generally, blenders can be hard to clean, but manufacturers are putting effort into making them easier to clean. You can now find blenders that are easier to clean and maintain at home. Assembly and disassembly is another huge factor that determines the usability of the kitchen appliance, so you should ensure that you take this into consideration. Make sure that the appliance is easier to assemble or disassemble while cleaning.

5. Ease of Use

Above all the amazing features, a blender should not be difficult to use and operate especially if you will be using the blender for your daily blending frozen drinks. There are blenders that come with additional features that make them easier to operate. Such features include touch screens, LED screens, and pre-set programs.

While these features may not add to the ability and performance of blending ice and frozen fruit, they make the blender easier to use. So, only choose the blender that is easy to understand and use. You can check the reviews to determine the ease of use.

6. Design

Blenders come in different designs, and the design of a blender affects the ability of the blender to function properly when blending or crushing ice and frozen fruits. For example, the design of the blending jar will impact the flow of ingredients during blending.

The best blender designed for ice and frozen fruit smoothies should create a vortex flow by sucking the frozen ingredients towards the blades. The consistent and continuous flow of the blades forces down the contents through the blades, to the sides, back and top of the container. A taller and narrow container will require you to use a spatula to push down the frozen fruit and ingredients.

On the other hand, when using a wider blending container, the ingredients like ice or frozen fruit fall down easily because the ingredients have a lesser distance to travel.

7. Price and Warranty

The best blenders for blending frozen drinks come at a wide price range, so choosing one that matches your budget is important. Come up with a budget based on the features you're looking for and what you're looking to blend or crust. Luckily, most blenders come with a warranty to ensure you get good value for your money.

Tips for Using a Blender to Crush Ice and Frozen Fruit Smoothie

1. Always Start With the Liquid Ingredients

First, it is vital to put in the liquid ingredients and then layer them with thicker ingredients, no matter what the recipe says. For example, if you're hoping to make a frozen fruit smoothie, you should begin by adding yogurt and juice, then add the unfrozen solid ingredients like bananas. Lastly, you should add the frozen fruit and ice.

This is because the weight of the frozen ingredients pushes everything to the blades, making the blending process more manageable. For best results, start with a low blending speed, then increase it slowly until you achieve your desired results.

2. Make Sure Your Ingredients are Always Fresh

To achieve tasty ice and frozen drinks, ensure you use fresh and the best ingredients. Before putting in the ice, always taste it to ensure it doesn't have any other flavors that might spoil your drink. Note that ice can easily absorb food odors and taste really terrible. By tasting the ingredients, you will be sure that the ice and other ingredients are safe for making smoothies.

3. Understand the Different Types of Ice.

Before making a smoothie, you should know that there are different types of ice. For example, if your personal blender has challenges with standard-size ice cubes, then you should try cracking or crushing the ice first before putting them on the blender or food processor.

Some refrigerators will have automatic ice dispensers with crushed iced settings, making it easy to use the ice. You can also wrap these ice cubes in a towel then crush them using a skillet or mallet to ensure your blades lasts longer. Alternatively, you should get the best blender for frozen fruit smoothies as it is powerful enough to crush the ice.

How Do You Ensure Your Smoothie Will Be Smooth?

Getting a high-quality and top-notch blender is the ultimate requirement for delicious yet smooth and thick smoothies. However, there are other ways of ensuring you get a perfectly smooth smoothie, including;

• Using a bit of warm water to soften the frozen fruits will ensure they blend more smoothly.
• Ensure that the solids to liquid ratio are right because too many solids with no liquids may make it hard for your motor to perform. This means that your blender will be unable to turn over properly during blending so that the blades can reach the ingredients evenly.
• For a thicker and smooth smoothie and additional nutrients and flavor, consider replacing the water with yogurt.
• If your blender doesn't work well with large chunks, cut your ingredients into smaller chunk sizes for easy blending.
• Lastly, to achieve a smoother smoothie, you need to blend the contents for a little longer to ensure a complete turnover of ingredients.

Blending Ice Vs. Blending Frozen Fruit

Generally, a blender that does well with frozen fruit can also do with ice. While blending ice and blending frozen drinks might be very similar in some ways, there are some differences. For example, a frozen fruit tends to be softer than ice. As a result, it melts a bit faster when blending and creates a liquid faster than ice.

On the other hand, ice is harder than frozen fruit and is mainly used to make your smoothie cold and create a liquid. Some people believe that using ice can help sharpen your blades; however, that is still up for debate. What we know is that when you get a good blender for making a refreshing smoothie, it will also blend up well with no problems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Blenders for Ice and Frozen Fruit

1. Can one crush ice cubes in a blender?

Yes, however, only a high-quality and powerful blended can handle the task. Ideally, the blender should have a super powerful motor and a solid blade construction to be able to crush ice and frozen fruit smoothies. If you have the right blender, then crushing ice cubes is made easy. Note that not all blenders are designed for crushing ice, and you might only end up damaging the blender.

2. Do you need to thaw frozen fruit before making smoothies?

No, it is quite safe to blend frozen fruits in the blender, and it helps eliminate the need to add ice to make it very cold. The main concern is if the blender is strong enough to break down the frozen fruit. As long as you pick a commercial-grade blender, you don't have to thaw your frozen fruit beforehand unless you want a lukewarm smoothie.

3. Why is my blender not blending ice?

There are many reasons why your blender may not be able to break the ice. One of the major reasons is using the wrong blender can make your blender not work properly. Instead, it would help if you got a powerful blender that can crush the ice. Other reasons include wrong procedure, the ice pieces are too big, and you've not blended enough.