Are you interested to know about Mixer Grinder Vs Wet Grinder For Making Batter? Keep on reading to find out.
In Indian kitchens, the quest for the perfect batter to make idli, dosa, and other delectable dishes is never-ending.
Traditionally, wet grinders have been the go-to appliance for grinding soaked rice and lentils to create the smoothest batter.
However, with the advent of mixer grinders, wet grinders started losing their charm due to their bulkiness and counter space requirements.
But of late, wet grinders are making a comeback, especially with the availability of space-saving tilted versions.
In this article, we will delve into the key differences between mixer grinders and wet grinders for making the batter, their functionalities, working mechanisms, and the pros and cons of each.
What is a Wet Grinder?
A wet grinder is an essential kitchen appliance traditionally used in Indian households to grind soaked rice, lentils, knead flour, and prepare chutneys.
While it serves various purposes, it is most commonly employed to make batter for idli, vada, and dosa.
Wet Grinder vs Mixer Grinder: Understanding the Functionality
Mixer Grinder: Jack of All Trades
A mixer grinder is a ubiquitous kitchen appliance used for grinding and mixing various food items.
It comes in different shapes and sizes and finds its application in grinding spices, nuts, grains, lentils, making curries, chutneys, purees, and even blending fruits to prepare smoothies and milkshakes.
Table Top Wet Grinder: Compact and efficient
A tabletop wet grinder is a compact appliance similar to a mixer grinder. It offers the convenience of grinding wet ingredients by conveniently placing them on the kitchen shelf.
With its drum rotated by an electric motor, the food items are crushed by stone rollers inside, providing an efficient grinding experience.
Working Mechanism: How Does a Wet Grinder Operate?
Gentle and Efficient Grinding in a Wet Grinder
A wet grinder consists of a drum and stone rollers. The electric motor rotates the drum gently, while the stone rollers inside crush the food material.
The use of hard rock materials like quartz or granite for the stones ensures durability and long-lasting performance.
Superior Quality Batter with a Wet Grinder
The gentle grinding in a wet grinder generates less heat compared to a mixer grinder, preserving the authentic flavor and nutrition of the food.
The batter prepared in a wet grinder is fluffier and ferments better, resulting in soft and nutritious idlis and dosas.
Advantages of a Wet Grinder
Retaining Authentic Taste and Nutrition
The primary advantage of a wet grinder is its ability to generate less heat during grinding, which retains the authentic taste and nutritional value of the food.
Fermentation Benefits
The batter prepared in a wet grinder is well-aerated due to the slow grinding process, encouraging the growth of good bacteria during fermentation, and making the idlis more nutritious.
Extended Shelf Life of Batter
The well-aerated batter produced by a wet grinder has a longer shelf life, staying fresh for up to 5 days, compared to a mixer grinder’s batter, which tends to turn sour within 2-3 days.
Long-Lasting Grinding Stones
The grinding stones in a wet grinder remain sharp for a longer time compared to the metal blades of a mixer grinder, ensuring consistent and efficient grinding performance.
Is a Wet Grinder Necessary for Everyone?
A Necessity for Idli-Dosa Lovers
A wet grinder is an excellent investment for families who frequently enjoy idli and dosa. Its slow grinding speed and gentle action are ideal for these South Indian delicacies.
A Blessing for Cold Regions
In cold regions, where fermentation is a challenge, the batter prepared in a wet grinder rises better, making it a beneficial addition to the kitchen.
Popular Among Home Bakers and Chocolate Lovers
Home bakers and chocolate enthusiasts also find wet grinders useful for making cake batter and extracting chocolate from cocoa.
Tips to Make Batter with a Mixer Grinder
While a wet grinder is an ideal choice for some, those with a good mixer grinder can achieve soft idlis with proper techniques:
- Use a 1:3 ratio of urad dal and rice.
- Grind rice and urad separately and mix them well using your hands to aid fermentation.
- Soak beaten rice (poha) for 15 minutes and add it while grinding for softer idlis.
- In colder regions, use your oven for fermentation to create a warm and humid environment.
- Consider adding boiled rice instead of poha if the batter doesn’t ferment properly.
Conclusion
In the battle of Mixer Grinder vs Wet Grinder for making the batter, both have their unique advantages.
The wet grinder is the perfect choice for those who regularly prepare idlis and dosas, seek excellent fermentation results, and need a longer-lasting batter.
However, a good mixer grinder can also yield satisfactory results if used skillfully.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your preferences, cooking habits, and culinary requirements.
Whichever appliance you choose, the end goal remains the same – to relish the delightful taste of perfectly prepared idli and dosa in your home kitchen.
Also read – How To Make Juice In A Mixer Grinder
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