Before I bought the Mealio® Hot & Cold Blender, I spent time reading reviews. I did not want another appliance that would sit in the cupboard.
I noticed it had around 4.2 stars from hundreds of buyers on ProductReview.com.au. That gave me some confidence. It has also been recognised as a Best Blender award winner for multiple years. Still, I wanted to see how it would actually fit into my kitchen. After using it regularly, I can honestly say I understand the positive feedback.
Soup Feels Simple Now
The most significant adjustment to me is the simplicity of soup. Before this, the preparation of soup required several steps.
- Chop vegetables.
- Cook them in a pot.
- Blend them carefully.
- Wash extra dishes.
At this stage, I place chopped vegetables, stock, and seasoning directly into the jug. I close the lid and press the soup setting. Then I walk away. The soup is prepared approximately 30 minutes later. It is blended and cooked in the same jug. I do not have to transfer hot liquid anywhere. That is like a relief on hectic evenings.
It Actually Encouraged Me to Cook More
This has not been my expectation, and I have increased my cooking of soup. It involves very minimal planning. That has minimized food wastage in my house. This was the same case with smoothies. I would avoid them since they seemed irritating to clean. I now simply include fruit, yogurt, perhaps some seeds, and mix. It feels quick. Not like a project.
Hot and Cold in One Machine
The thing that I like most about it is that it does both jobs. In the morning, it is my smoothie blender. During the evening, it is a soup maker. I have also applied it to sauces and basic purees. I do not mind having two different machines occupying space. My counter is not so crammed. My cupboards are less full. The useful layout is a factor in an ordinary kitchen.
Simple Controls, No Guessing
I do not believe I am the type of person who likes to adjust settings every time. The preset programs are convenient. I stick the program of soup or smoothie atmosphere and leave it to run. I do not have to think about the temperature levels and mixing speeds. It is not that daunting since it is easy. It feels accessible. And I do feel it more because it is easy to feel.
Cleaning Is Not a Chore
The appliances are not maintained in most of the cases as they are not cleaned. In this case, I add a bit of water into the jug, a bit of detergent, and press the self-clean button. Then I rinse it. It is not absolutely hands-free, but it is far less complicated than scraping thick soup out of a dish by hand. That small detail matters. It saves time and effort.
What I Noticed Honestly
It is not silent. You can hear it at work when it is mixed with thicker mixtures. The jug too is somewhat heavy when full. Something to consider is that, in case you are not able to lift heavy things. However, these did not weigh against the convenience to me. Any blender that is powerful produces a sound. And the burden is bearable under average conditions. All in all, it is solid and reliable.
Why I Think It Keeps Getting Recognised
This blender has been identified as a winner of the Best Blender award over the past few years. I know why after I used it. It does not concern outrageous features. It is of utilitarian advantages. The blender reduces steps. It reduces dishes. Basically, a combination of two appliances. Such things are important in real life. You do not fail to notice when something saves you time time and again.
Value That Feels Fair
I also made a comparison of the pre-purchase price. It would have been more expensive to buy a separate smoothie blender and a powerful soup maker. Besides, it would have consumed more space. The Mealio also includes two soup flasks and a recipe e-book. I have even carried the flasks with me to work with soup. That value-added did not seem like a gimmick. When used regularly at home, it is comfortable and relatively affordable.
Final Thoughts
After using the Mealio® Hot & Cold Blender for some time, I can say it fits naturally into my routine.
- It makes homemade soup simple.
- It handles smoothies easily.
- It keeps my kitchen less cluttered.
It is not perfect. It makes noise. The jug has weight. But in daily use, it delivers what I need. And when I look at its strong rating from hundreds of users and the recognition it has received over multiple years, my experience feels consistent. And I reach for it a lot.
