Many people use mixer grinders and wet grinders interchangeably when they’re not the same products. Both these appliances have different purposes and are designed to perform different tasks. Wet grinders are for grinding lentils, rice, other pulse foods, and more. They are also used for making wheat and flour batters.
Now you may think that you can do all those tasks through the mixer as well, so why to buy a wet grinder. The difference lies in the taste and texture. Using mixers for grinding pulses and making matters will result in off-putting textured food.
If you’re thinking about how to choose a wet grinder for home, don’t worry. As all you need to know about the wet grinder is given below. We have covered its categories to common issues and all the factors you need to look for when buying one.
What are the basic categories of wet grinders?
Three types of wet grinders are available. Since this product is used for grounding, blending, and batter making, it comes in various sizes. You will find both professional and home-based wet grinders on the market.
The first type is the Regular Wet Grinder. It has a large capacity of up to 15 liters. This grinder is generally used in restaurants, factories, companies, and large family homes where regularly cooking in big batches is necessary. These heavy machines can grind a large amount of food.
Table Top Wet Grinder is the second type that is designed for home use. As the name suggests, you can put this grinder on a tabletop and use it. These grinders generally have a 1-2 liters capacity. The last type is the Tilted Wet Grinder which is similar in size and capacity to the Table Top Grander, but you can tilt it to take out the batter.
Can we use a dry mixer grinder for wet grinding?
While it is possible to use dry mixers for wet grinding, it is recommended to do so. Dry mixer grinders are used for mixing spices, while wet grinders are used for batters and grounding rice, lentil, and more. The two appliances are different for a reason, as their grinder process varies greatly.
Dry mixer grinders use motors with high power, unlike wet grinders, which rely on motor and stone power. If you use a mixer grinder for making batter and grounding, the texture and taste will not be as good as with a wet grinder. It won’t be as smooth, which may alter the taste of your final product.
If you plan on using the mixer for wet grinding, it’s better to make a small amount of batter. It requires a lot more effort than a wet grinder would and uses more heat as well.
How to choose a wet grinder?
If you thought about “What should I look for when buying a wet and dry spice grinder?” You’ve come to the right place. When it comes to choosing, you need to consider certain aspects of the grinder, such as capacity, stones, motor, additional features, and perks.
As discussed above, wet grinders come in many capacities. For home use, it’s best to use 1-2 liter ones. Next, you need to look at the grinding stone shapes and numbers. Two stones will be more than enough for home grinders, but the shapes must be round, conical, or cylindrical.
Motor capability is another factor you must look for. Having a higher wattage motor helps to quicken the grinding process. Another important aspect of buying a wet grinder is its purpose. Some wet grinders come with a coconut scraper and dough kneader, so if you want these features, look for them before buying the product.
How to use a wet grinder at home?
Using a wet grinder is easy. First, you need to soak your pulse or food product in water. Then turn on the wet grinder and carefully put the pulse in. Don’t put the water mixture in at first.
Scoop out the grain with your hand or a large spoon and put it in the drum. It is better to put half of the grain at first. Then keep adding a few glasses of water to create the batter. After it reaches a good texture, scoop out the rest of the grain in small doses and put it in the grinder.
Start adding water again and let it mix. After putting the entire grain amount in the grinder, put a bit more water and let the grinder complete its job. If the final batter isn’t the consistency you want, you can add more water to loosen it or more grain to dense it.
What do I do when a wet grinder is slow in pulling the load?
If your wet grinder isn’t working as well, as it should; there could be a few reasons behind it. The most common issue is that often the mixture can be too thick, so it slows down the motor. As a wet grinder uses water to create the grain mixture, it is essential to keep adding water at intervals. If this happens, you should add more water to thin out the batter.
The surface that put the wet grinder on matters as well. Place it on an even surface; otherwise, it will vibrate too much. Another reason could be that there is something wrong with your wet grinder.
All appliances come with a warranty, and generally, they tend to go bad after two years. The motor could slow down, or there could be low belt tension. In that case, you should get it repaired or buy a new one.
How dangerous is using a wet grinder at home?
A wet grinder is dangerous as any other kitchen appliance. Just as with other machines, you need to use it with caution and maintain it with care. Otherwise, there may be accidents. Don’t turn on the wet grinder without inserting the stones correctly.
You must put some ingredients into the grinder before turning it on, or it may damage the grinding stones. Damaged stones will result in worse texture in the batter. Another crucial piece of information to remember is that wet grinders are not for harsh ingredients or simple mixtures.
They mix soaked pulse or grains, so don’t put anything too strong that might break the device. Also, carefully remove the stones and clean the grinder after every use. If your appliance doesn’t come with an installed heating fan, you may get a faint burning smell while using it.
Conclusion
A perk of having a wet grinder is that the process takes little effort on your part. All you have to do is put in the food and water to create your batter. Using a mortar is too much time and strength-consuming.
While mixers take less time than the manual process, the result won’t be as satisfactory as you’d like. It will ruin the taste as well since the food won’t taste like the recipe.
Hopefully, you have the answer to your question, “how do I choose a wet grinder for home?” Choose the grinder according to the amount of food you usually make. Even though wet grinding is a time-consuming process, the result is well worth it.