Best Mixer Grinder For Indian Cooking – Authentic Asian Mixie Reviews

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Is there anything better than a great Indian dish to satisfy those tastebuds? We think not, which is why we decided to review the best mixer grinder for Indian cooking.

If, like me, you’re trying your best to eliminate as much processed food from your diet as possible, cooking from scratch is going to be a big part of your life. While the results are great, it can be hard work…not to mention extremely time consuming!

Thankfully, there are a plethora of kitchen gadgets available these days to make our lives easier, and when it comes to creating spectacular Indian dishes a good quality mixer grinder is an essential piece of kit.

Commonly referred to as a ‘mixie’ in India, the mixer grinder is used for all manner of kitchen chores, and you’d be hard pushed to find an Indian household that doesn’t have one sitting on its kitchen worktop.

Used for everything from making hugely aromatic spice pastes and powders, through to creating chutneys and grinding coconuts, the mixer grinder is an ubiquitous machine throughout the country. ⁽¹⁾

Some mixies even have a juicing function, making them extremely good value for money.

Why buy a mixer grinder?

For new and seasoned vegans and vegetarians alike, Indian cuisine is highly likely to feature heavily in your meat-free life. The range of Indian dishes you can make without harming a single animal is astonishing, and they’re all darn tasty, too! ⁽²⁾

Spices and pastes have a shelf-life, much like any other consumable, but this can be extended considerably if you choose to grind your own at home. Buying ready ground spices and mixed pastes may be convenient, but they do lose flavor rather rapidly once they have been manufactured.

You’re also not entirely aware of when exactly the processing of these spices and pastes took place. While the product will have a best before date on it’s packaging, to truly get the best flavor into your cooking you really need to start putting together your own spice mixes.

Another downside of buying ready-made spice mixes and pastes is the expense. It stands to reason that you’ll pay extra to remove the hassle of grinding your own, but the difference in price can be quite extraordinary when you take a closer look.

Purchasing whole spices is far cheaper than opting for the packaged powders. Sure, ground spices are not going to necessarily break the bank, but when you look at the percentage mark up on these products you can’t help but feel that you are being taken for a ride.

So, if you are looking to create the most flavorsome food imaginable and save a bit of cash in the process, purchasing a mixer grinder for your Indian cooking may well be the way forward.

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Getting the most from your mixie

Kitchen gadgetry can be very tempting, but it can also be frustrating to buy an appliance only to find that you’re not getting enough use out of it once you’ve had it a while.

Many of our worktops and kitchen cupboards are full of such neglected machinery, but a mixer grinder does have a distinct advantage over many other kitchen tools – its versatility.

Depending on which model of mixie you opt for, you can do a whole host of things that go way beyond simply grinding spices and making pastes.

Some mixer grinders allow you to juice fruit, crush ice, chop vegetables, knead dough, mix batters, pulse purées and more, all of which make mixies a lot more usable than many other single-use kitchen appliances.

RELATED: WHAT CAN I USE INSTEAD OF TAMARIND PASTE?

Things to consider when buying a grinder mixer

Before you jump straight in and buy a mixer grinder, there are one or two things to think about. Having an idea of what you are going to be using the machine for is a great place to start, as it will help determine which mixie will suit your needs best.

Do you require a juicing jug? Have you already got a blender at home? Maybe you already have a large food processor that will negate the need for the bigger mixer grinders available?

An all-purpose Indian blender may seem like the bees knees, but if you already have a machine capable of doing the same job, a smaller wet and dry chutney grinder like this one from Moulin might be more appropriate.

Power

As it is such an easy metric to measure, many people can get caught up in the whole power thing.

The higher wattage of some mixer grinders is unnecessary in most instances. When it comes to finding the best mixer grinder for Indian cooking, you’ll generally only need around 400 to 750 watts to successfully grind up your spices ready for cooking.

We’re lead to believe that bigger is always better. In this instance, however, opting for a super-high watt machine may well be a waste of money. Certainly anything over 1,000 watts is really just overkill, especially if you intend to use yours for small batches of spice.

Control

One thing that you should always look for in a good mixie is the ability to control the speed with which the blades turn.

Ideally, you would like to see a graduated speed dial that allows you to slowly build up the speed of the mixer grinder gradually, but most US versions do not have this feature, unfortunately.

That being said, a 3-speed mixie will be able to handle most Indian cooking requirements, and all of our reviewed mixer grinders have this feature.

Jars

The amount of jars you opt for will largely depend upon the kind of things you are looking to make with your grinder mixer.

The minimum requirement should be two: one for larger blender needs; the other, smaller jar for grinding those spices into the heavenly masala needed for Indian cooking.

Many mixies come with more than two, however, and you’ll even find juice extractors on some models. Look for a minimum of 1 liter for the larger jar.

Safety

As there are blades whirring around at ridiculously high speeds, mixer grinders are inherently dangerous machines. However, all good mixies have safety features that should prevent mishaps in the kitchen.

You should only be able to start your mixie once the lid is firmly in place. This is not only important for those of us who value our fingers, but also imperative if you don’t want to redecorate your kitchen with a hearty helping of dosa batter first thing in the morning!

The motor should also have a thermal cut-off switch to ensure that it doesn’t burn out if you accidentally overload the machine or run it for too long.

Another feature that helps ensure safe usage is a good base on your machine. Rubber feet (often resembling suction caps) will help keep your mixer grinder in place while it does its thing.

Nevertheless, it’s always a good idea to hold the mixie in place while it’s whizzing up your latest spicy concoction. This is especially important if you are trying to blend unbalanced ingredients, as even the sturdiest of grinders will wobble about to some extent.

Finally, never (ever) leave your mixie running unattended. Always remain present while the mixer is in use.

Cleaning

Anyone who has owned a food processor or blender will know that they’re not the easiest things in the world to keep clean, so it’s an important consideration when you’re looking to buy a good mixer grinder.

However, a lot of the cleaning problems come when you introduce wet ingredients to your mixie. So, if you are looking to buy a work top mixer grinder for dry spices, you shouldn’t have too many issues.

RELATED: BEST WET GRINDER USA

Price

For such a handy kitchen appliance, these gadgets are surprisingly inexpensive – especially if you buy your mixer grinder online.

The mixer grinder price you pay will largely depend upon the features you opt for, but you certainly shouldn’t expect to pay any more than $200.00, even for the very best mixie on the market.

Buying a mixer grinder for use in the US and Canada

Thankfully, there are now a range of mixies available that work perfectly well in the States and Canada thanks to the introduction of 110v mixer grinders.

For the longest time, those of us who adore Indian cuisine had to buy a voltage convertor in order to get a 240v mixie to work. Now, however, we can simply plug straight into the wall socket and get grinding – woo-hoo!

In order to save you the hassle, all of the mixies we reviewed are 110v. All you have to do is select which one’s right for you and get cooking!

So, what’s the best mixer grinder for indian cooking?

We’ve compiled a list of five fabulous big and small mixer grinder machines so you don’t have to trawl the Internet in your search for the best mixie.

These 110v mixer grinder machines are all perfect for residents of the US and Canada, and they’ll handle a surprising array of kitchen chores, making your life easier and your cooking more pleasurable.

So, without further ado, let’s start our mixer grinder review!

Tabakh Lite Pro Indian Mixer Grinder 750w

The Tabakh Lite Pro Indian Mixer Grinder comes complete with 2 jars and a juicer, making it a little more than just a standard mixie.

The mixer and juicer combination is ideal for those who’d like to whip up the odd beverage as well as grind their spices and make delicious chutneys, dosa batters, perfect pastes and more.

Don’t be put off by the inclusion of the word “Lite” in this mixie’s name. At 750w, the Tabakh easily handles heavy duty mixer grinder tasks, and the large 1.5 liter jar makes it perfect for families, as well as those who like to make larger batches when cooking.

The inclusion of an “incher” switch makes the Tabakh Lite Pro Indian Mixie hugely controllable, great if you’re looking to move through the speed settings slowly and smoothly. This feature is especially handy when grinding delicate spices or larger, unbalanced loads.

Another plus for the Tabakh is the full 2-year warranty for anyone residing in the US. Many mixies don’t offer such reassurances, so you can buy this piece of kit with confidence.

In fact, the motor actually has a 5-year warranty, so the manufacturer’s obviously happy with the build quality and putting their money where their mouth is. Of all the mixer grinder brands featured here, this is the best for peace of mind.

The anti-slip feet are a little on the small side, but they do hold the machine in place well and spices end up evenly ground into a lovely, fine powder…exactly what you want from a mixie.

My only real gripe is the difficulty in cleaning, but as we’ve already mentioned above, that’s pretty much a standard problem for kitchen appliances of this type. Oh, and an extra jar would come in handy, too.

Overall, if you are looking for a juicer mixer grinder combo, the Tabakh is well worth considering.

Preethi Eco Twin 550w Mixie

I’m not 100% sure of the pronunciation, but I’m a sucker for a plain white kitchen gadget so I’m settling on “pretty”!

This machine is very capable, which is no more than you’d expect from a brand that has been in existence since 1978. Preethi claim to have appliances in no fewer than 10 million households across the globe, so it’s a name you can trust (even if I don’t know for certain whether I’m saying it right!).

The Preethi Eco Twin comes with a 550w motor, which is perfectly adequate for the tasks it’s built for. Whipping, churning, grinding, grating, mincing and chopping are all done with ease, and the speed with which it turns the toughest spices into dust is impressive.

The stainless steel jars are sturdy and durable, and the heat resistant, transparent lids allow you to keep an eye on things as the machine works its magic. The larger jar is 1.5 liters, making this mixer and grinder a good choice for families and batch cookers alike.

The base is nice and wide, giving this mixie a solid foundation when churning up even the most unbalanced ingredients. Aided by vacuum cup feet, the Preethi Eco Twin stays put well during operation but it’s still advisable to have a hand on top of the machine – just in case!

Speed is handled by a rotary switch that has 3 different settings. An additional pulse feature ensures that you can chop your veggies without turning them to mush should you so desire.

Like the Tabakh, the Preethi Eco Twin only has 2 jars for grinding and mixing. However, there are clever little flexi lids that can convert these jars, effectively giving you 4 options without the hassle of storing the bulkier jars. The 0.5 liter converts down to 0.3ltr, while the 1.5 liter goes down to 1ltr with the help of the flexi lid.

As I mentioned at the top, the Preethi Eco Twin is a decent looking machine, which makes it ideal for anyone short on cupboard space. Who wants an ugly appliance sitting on the worktop?

Ultra Stealth 750w Mixer Juicer Grinder

The Ultra Stealth Mixer Juicer Grinder is a powerful machine that has the added benefit of having four jars, making it one of the most versatile on our list.

It’s 750w motor is powerful, which is a good thing in this instance as the juicer part of the machine needs that extra bit of oomph. Nevertheless, don’t expect the juice extractor to be as good as a specialised juicing machine, it isn’t.

Although marketed as having four speeds, it actually only has 3 and a pulse feature. Handy, but it isn’t really a four-speed machine. It does have a speed sensor to keep the rotation of the blades even throughout the duration of the grind, though, which is great.

Remarkably, the heavy duty motor is housed in quite a compact unit when compared to other mixer grinders, but you will need a decent amount of storage space for all those jars! As the name suggests, this mixie is relatively quiet. It isn’t, however, “super silent” as some sellers claim.

The lids seem to fit snugly, maybe too snugly in some instances. After use, they can be difficult to remove as ground spice works it’s way between the gaps. That being said, I’d rather have a tight fitting lid than a loose one.

Two main concerns I’ve noticed. Firstly, the jars have an odd smell which doesn’t seem to go away after washing. Thankfully, I haven’t noticed any transference of the odor to the food, but it is still a little disconcerting. Second, some buyers have reported that their blades are rusting, which is clearly not good.

Also, the color may divide people. I can see some adoring it, while others will hate it. Obviously, this is clearly going to be a matter of personal preference, but it always seems odd to me when manufacturers use such polarising colors on their products.

Premier Xpress Diamond Mixer Grinder 650w with Juicer

Another 3 jar plus juicer offering here, this time from Premier, a highly trusted brand of kitchen appliances. Unfortunately, again, it’s the juice extractor that lets this mixer grinder juicer down.

The smallest jar (0.5 liter) is excellent for grinding spices (gets them really fine, really fast), but it is an extraordinarily noisy bit of kit. If you have a dog, expect them to either run away or bark incessantly while you grind!

As with the other mixer grinders reviews so far, the Premier Xpress Diamond Mixie has a large 1.5 liter jar, which is great. Oddly, however, the medium jar is 1.25 liters…why wouldn’t you make it 1 liter instead? Seems strange to me when you have 0.5 and 1.5 liter jars, but maybe that’s just me being picky. The juice extractor is 1.75 liters.

As we briefly touched on above, the juice extractor really isn’t all that great. In fact, it can only really handle soft fruits, which is a pity. Don’t expect to get too many green juices out of this machine, especially if you’re thinking of making yours with tough veggies such as roots and kale. Buying the best masticating juicer you can afford will work far better for tasks such as these.

Another point to be aware of is the build quality. Unfortunately, the Xpress Diamond mixer grinder doesn’t seem as sturdy as other Premier products. You really feel as though you have to be careful whilst handling and cleaning.

You could maybe forgive this if the product was in the budget mixer grinder category, but sadly it’s not, so that makes it somewhat of a concern. Overall, if you are looking to primarily grind dry spices, the Premier Xpress Diamond will do the job adequately, but why buy an appliance with all the extras if you’re not going to make use of them?

However, if you are looking for more of an all-rounder (and why wouldn’t you be if you’re considering a 4 jar machine!), you may well be better off looking elsewhere.

Premier Cute Twin Jar Mixer Grinder 550w

Here we have another Premier mixie for you. This model, the Premier Cute Twin Jar, sticks to simply mixing and grinding and is all the better for it.

Firstly, the black and white casing is far more attractive (in my opinion, anyway). This may not seem like a big deal when compared to its performance but, if you are like me, the prospect of looking at an unattractive kitchen gadget every day isn’t exactly going to have you rushing for your credit card! Therefore, looks are pretty important, too.

Onto the performance. The Premier Cute Twin Jar does an admirable job of turning those hard to grind spices into a wonderfully fine powder, and it also makes excellent batters, too. It’ll even handle frozen fruits remarkably well, proving that a 550 watt motor is more than adequate for a mixie of this size.

On the subject of size, the largest jar is slightly smaller than all of the other mixer grinders in our review. At 1.25 liters, it’s not a drastic difference. but if you are cooking for a larger family you may feel that the extra 0.25 liter capacity is something you’ll need.

The unit itself is relatively compact, and Premier state that the machine has one of the smallest footprints on the market – great if your cupboards are already packed with equipment or if you have limited worktop space.

It seems as though this mixie isn’t without issues, though. A few people have reported problems when running the grinder for longer periods, including smoke emitting from the machine in some instances.

The unit does have an automatic cut-off system in place, so the motor shouldn’t burn out, but smoke coming from an electrical appliance isn’t exactly going to fill you with confidence!

It’s important to bear in mind that these issues could have been caused by user error and not necessarily a fault with the machine, but it’s equally important you should know that there have been problems reported with this model in the past.

One thing to be noted here is that Premier have excellent customer service and they’re often willing to go the extra mile for their customers when they experience problems with their products. Worth keeping in mind if you are stuck between a choice of two mixies.

Best Mixer Grinder Reviews…Done!

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There you have it, our review of the best mixer grinders available in the US and Canada is complete.

If you’re a vegan, vegetarian, or anyone else, for that matter, and you’re looking to pack a little more punch with your cooking, buying a mixie is a great way to do it. Go on, get grinding!

1. Rhea Parsons | How to Make Your Own Spice Blends and Curry Pastes | https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/make-your-own-spice-blends-and-curry-pastes/
2. vegan.com | Vegan Indian Food: A Guide to Cooking & Dining Out | https://vegan.com/food/indian-food/