Aug 1 2021
Have you ever wondered
why our grandmothers had a robust physique compared to us?
It is because they
used to do a lot of physical chores in the kitchen such as grinding the batter
for your favorite idlis and vadas, and so on.
Believe me; I have
tried that stuff. It is a challenging experience. Maybe, it is because I am
used to the wet grinder machine that I have at present.
The wet grinders have made our job
easy. We add the necessary ingredients, switch on the machine, and continue
with our other kitchen work.
The dough becomes
ready in due course. Let us look at the wonderful invention that has made our
lives more comfortable than the previous generation.
We shall compare wet
grinder brands before moving on to the buying guide for wet
grinders.
Best Wet Grinder |
Highlights |
1. Elgi Ultra Perfect+ |
150W motor |
2. Elgi Ultra Grind+ Gold |
150W motor |
3. Butterfly Smart Wet Grinder |
150W motor |
4. Prestige Wet Grinder PWG 08 |
200W Powerful motor |
5. Butterfly Rhino Plus |
150W motor |
Best Wet Grinders in India
1. Elgi Ultra Perfect+
Elgi wet
grinders are available in
various sizes ranging from 1.75L to 2.5L. Depending on the family size and your
requirements, you can choose the ideal product for your kitchen. This Elgi
Ultra Perfect+ model comes with a capacity of 2L, well-suited for a family of
three to four persons.
The performance
of a wet grinder depends on its motor speed. This Elgi Ultra Perfect+
appliance features a 150W motor capable of a maximum rotational speed of
1350rpm (without load). Here are some of the critical features of this
multi-utility kitchen appliance.
Key Features
·
Powerful 150W motor
for better grinding
·
Stainless-steel drum
to ensure proper hygiene
·
Drum speed of 135 to
140rpm (with load)
·
Drum capacity of 2L
·
Patented conical
stones for efficient grinding and low batter temperature
·
ABS Body for better
looks, lighter weight, and durability
·
Optional atta kneading
and coconut scraper attachments
·
Electronic timer
Positives
·
The patented conical
stones synchronize with the drum’s rotational speed to grind the batter
uniformly and smoothly. It also ensures that the batter does not spill
out of the drum when rotating at high speeds. However, you can cover
the drum with a removable plastic lid.
·
Storing the ground
batter is not an issue, as you can place the drum directly into your
refrigerator. The stainless-steel drum does not rust and thus, ensures proper
hygiene.
·
The batter cleaner
attachment helps you to clean the stones by removing the batter without much
difficulty.
Negatives
·
The optional
attachments like atta kneader and coconut scraper are not part of the original
wet grinder package. You have to purchase them separately.
·
When there is a power
cut, the machine stops functioning but does not automatically start on
resumption of power supply. You have to switch on the button manually for the
drum to restart
·
There is no tilting
arrangement to enable you to remove the batter from the drum. Placing the drum
inside the refrigerator occupies a lot of space. Emptying the drum can be
challenging because of its weight.
Generally, a 2L wet grinder is sufficient for
the average Indian family size. This Elgi Ultra Perfect+ is available in two
color combinations, White/Purple and White/Red. This machine, priced in the Rs
10K range, is a bit expensive when you have lower-priced models like Elgi Ultra
Grind+ in the Rs 7K range and the Elgi Ultra Bigg+ 2.5L available at around
Rs 8K.
2. Elgi Ultra Grind+
Gold
If you are looking for
a 2L wet grinder in the Rs 7K budget range, you can go for the Elgi Ultra
Grind+ Gold. The Elgi Ultra Perfect+ is also a 2L wet grinder, but it is
expensive than the Grind+ model because of the electronic timer system. This
Ultra Grind+ Gold model does not have this feature.
Like the Elgi Ultra
Perfect+ model, this Grind+ variant features a powerful 150W
motor capable of providing a vibration-free performance. The design of
this model is different from that of the Ultra Perfect+ as the Ultra Grind+
Gold features a unique locking system to hold the drum and the grinding stones
in place while grinding your batter.
Key Features
·
Powerful 150W motor,
ideal for 2L wet grinding machines
·
Food-grade Stainless
Steel drum with a capacity of two liters
·
ABS body to enhance
the durability quotient
·
Patented conical
stones to enable smooth grinding without heating the batter
·
Mechanical on-off
switch
·
Five years warranty on
the product
Positives
·
The 150W motor can
work for extended periods to allow you to grind sufficient batter to feed the
average Indian family.
·
This machine is stable
as it does not vibrate when the drum rotates at high speed. Though
the appliance makes some noise, it does not cause any disturbance.
·
The locking system
helps secure the drum and grinding stones in place.
·
The mechanical on/off
switch makes it convenient to start or stop the drum rotation at any time.
·
The ABS body features
strategically placed holes on its sides to help in the ventilation process.
Thus, the motor does not become hot quickly.
Negatives
·
You have to hold the
handle while opening the lock. Otherwise, it opens with a jerk and can damage
the lock.
·
The lack of the
tilting arrangement can make it difficult to empty the drum of all the batter.
·
The optional
attachments, like the atta kneader and coconut scraper, cost at least Rs 1K.
Compared to the Butterfly Hippo or the
Prestige PWG 08, the Elgi Ultra Grind+ Gold is expensive. However, this model
is a premium appliance with a sturdy ABS body and food-grade stainless-steel
drum.
3. Butterfly Smart Wet
Grinder 2L
Butterfly Smart Wet
Grinder comes in three variants. This specific model is a simple grinding
appliance, whereas the other two variants feature an additional mixer-grinder
arrangement. This Butterfly Smart Wet Grinder works on a sturdy single-phase
high torque motor capable of rotating at 1300rpm.
This Butterfly Smart
Wet Grinder is different from other similar machines because of the level
indicator groove on the ABS body. You can find the groove right below the name.
It indicates the level of ingredients you can add to the stainless-steel drum.
Please have a look at
its key features.
·
Powerful 150W motor
with 1300rpm speed
·
Stainless-steel drum
and ABS body
·
A 180cm long power
cord
·
Four-way grinding
system and uniform grinding pressure
·
Unbreakable and
transparent lid made of polycarbonate
·
Round grinding stones
with a flow breaker arrangement
Positives
·
The ventilation system
in this Butterfly Smart Wet Grinder prevents the motor from heating and
enhances its lifespan.
·
The intelligent
locking system holds the grinding stones firmly in place while rotating at
reasonable speeds. The flow-breaker attachment is helpful to
push the batter back into the grooves under the grinding stone to ensure a
better grinding performance.
·
The 180cm long power
cord enhances the machine’s flexibility as you have enough space to maneuver
the device.
·
The unbreakable lid
prevents insects and dirt from falling into the dough during the grinding
session. It also prevents the dough from spilling out of the machine.
·
The Butterfly Smart
Wet Grinder is an ISO-certified appliance.
Negatives
·
The coconut scraper
and the atta kneader arrangements are not part of the package. They are
available separately.
·
Grinding machines make
noise as they crush the ingredients into a batter.
·
This 2L wet grinder is
ideal for the average Indian family but is not the perfect appliance for single
individuals or couples. They can go for a machine with a smaller capacity, like
the Ultra Mini Compact 1.25L wet grinder.
This Butterfly Smart Wet Grinder 2L is one of
the best wet grinders in the Rs 4K budget range.
4. Butterfly Rhino
Plus 2L
Generally, you find the additional attachments like atta kneader and coconut scraper are not available for free with wet grinders. The Butterfly Rhino Plus 2L wet grinder is different from its competitors like the Butterfly Smart Wet Grinder and Elgi Ultra Perfect+ as these attachments form part of the original packaging.
The Butterfly Rhino Plus 2L wet grinder is available in two
colors, cherry red and grey.
This wet grinder is
available in the Rs 5K budget range.
Key features
·
150W powerful motor
with 1300rpm rotating speed
·
Stainless-steel drum
and AMS Body
·
180cm long power cord
for convenient operations
·
Single-speed control
·
Additional attachments
like coconut scraper and atta kneader
·
Circular grinding
stones
·
Overload protection
Positives
·
The motor’s 1300rpm
rotating speed enables quick and uniform grinding of your batter. This
motor can carry loads up to a maximum of 2L. It is therefore advisable not to
grind more than one kg of rice at a time. That should prove sufficient for the
average Indian family’s requirements.
·
The grinder can work
continuously for up to an hour. However, the efficient operating time for a wet
grinder is around 20 minutes. You can give the machine rest for about ten
minutes between two grinding sessions to ensure the machine’s longevity.
·
The machine features
two rolling stones with different types of grooves to ensure uniform grinding.
The flow breaker attachment helps push the batter back towards
the drum’s center.
·
Cleaning the drum and
grinding stones is easy as you can remove them by releasing the lock.
·
This Machine offers
overload protection where it stops functioning on sensing any overloading. You
can reduce the load and reset the button to resume functioning.
Negatives
·
Though this wet
grinder comes with an atta kneading attachment, you have to do some manual work
as the appliance completes around 80% of the kneading job. You have to finish
it manually before preparing your rotis.
·
The Butterfly Rhino
Plus model features a lid for the stainless-steel drum to prevent spillage.
Despite its presence, the batter spills out occasionally during the grinding
session.
·
Compared to other
machines like the Butterfly Smart Wet Grinder 2L and the Butterfly Hippo Wet
Grinder, this appliance is expensive.
The Butterfly Rhino Plus 2L Wet grinder is a
handy appliance as you get additional attachments like the coconut scraper and
atta kneader as part of the original packaging. The 2L capacity should be
sufficient for almost all Indian families. If your requirements are more, you
can go for the Elgi Ultra Bigg+ 2.5L model.
5. Prestige Wet
Grinder PWG 08
The Prestige Wet
Grinder PWG 08 should offer better performance than the other models reviewed
here because of its 200W motor and higher rotating speed of 1400rpm. However,
the higher capacity motor has its disadvantages, as well. It makes more noise
than the 150W motors present in other wet grinders.
Prestige Wet Grinder
Multiple variants of
the Prestige wet grinder are available on the market. Besides the PWG 08, you
have the PWG 05, PWG 07, PWG 11, and PWG 01 (tilting-type). The PWG 08 2L is a
compact wet grinder capable of delivering uniform and quick grinding
because of its 200W motor.
Here are some of its
key features.
·
Powerful 200W motor
with a rotating speed of 1400rpm
·
Cylindrical grinding
stones to ensure uniform grinding of batter
·
Stainless-steel drum
that is easy to clean
·
The capacity of 2L,
ideal for Indian families
·
Strategically placed
ventilation system
·
Polycarbonate
transparent lid
·
Safety lock
arrangement to hold the grinding stones in position
·
Mechanical knobs for
operation
Positives
·
The powerful 200W
motor is a significant advantage. The more powerful the grinder motor, the
higher is the rotational speed, and the quicker is the grinding process.
·
The advanced
interlocking system ensures the grinding stones are positioned perfectly during
the grinding sessions. It also reduces vibration and noise levels. However, the
90db noise level is a bit on the higher side.
·
The positioning of
the air vents on the body allows the heat generated by the
motor to escape comfortably. Thus, your Prestige PW 08 motor lasts long.
·
As you can remove the
stones and the stainless-steel drum by unlocking the settings, it is convenient
to clean them. Besides, the machine is light in weight.
Negatives
·
After locking the
stones in place, the lid does not fit properly and leaves a gap on all sides.
It can cause some of the batter to spill out if you overload
the machine.
·
The 200W motor makes
more noise than the 150W engine. Though locking the stones properly can reduce
the noise, it is still a bit noisy, especially when working at high speeds.
·
Compared to the
Butterfly Smart Wet Grinder, this Prestige PWG 08 is a bit expensive.
The 200W motor should prove one of the
best-influencing factors to purchase the Prestige PWG 08. You should not bother
much if the machine emits a burning odor in the initial stages. It is due to
the burning of the varnish coat and not any issue with the motor. This problem
is common to almost all wet grinding machines.
6. Butterfly Hippo Wet
Grinder 2L
The Butterfly Hippo
Wet Grinder 2L works similar to the Rhino 2L and Butterfly Smart Wet Grinder
models in many ways. Unlike the two models listed above, the coconut scraper
and atta kneader attachments are not available as additional attachments in any
way.
The Key Features
·
Powerful 150W motor
with 1300rpm rotational speed
·
Power cord measuring
six feet to make the machine flexible to use
·
Detachable
stainless-steel drum and cylindrical grinding stones
·
4-way grinding system
·
Shockproof ABS body
·
Air vents on the body
to allow proper air circulation
Positives
·
The 180cm cord makes
this machine flexible and convenient to use.
·
The Hippo 2L is an
easy appliance to use because it weighs about ten and a half kg.
Homemakers find it convenient to carry this appliance around in the kitchen.
The detachable drums and grinding stones make it a comfortable machine to
clean.
·
As Butterfly is a
reputed wet grinder, it is easy to get spare parts in the market.
Negatives
·
Though the overall
weight of the grinder is around ten and a half kg, the stones are heavier than
those in models like Elgi Ultra Perfect+.
·
The locking system
needs some practice to get used to because of the spring arrangement.
·
The polycarbonate
lid does not close properly when you place it over the lock knob. It
keeps wobbling as the drum rotates. Thus, you can experience some spillage,
especially when you grind small quantities of rice or lentils.
·
This machine does not
have an electronic timer like the top-end Elgi Ultra Perfect+ model.
Despite the manufacturer not offering optional
attachments, this machine is a decent one to have because of its affordability.
The 2L model should be ideal for almost all Indian households.
7. Sowrna Lakshmi wet
Grinder
Sowrna Lakshmi 150W
wet grinder should be ideal for every house, especially South Indian homes
where idli and dosa are regular food items. Moreover, by providing an atta
kneading arrangement free of cost, this grinder aims to cater to the
requirements of other Indian families too that prefer to have chapatis.
Key Features
·
2L capacity table-top
wet grinding machine
·
Useful in hotels,
restaurants, and home kitchens
·
150W motor
·
960 rpm
·
One-piece dual
grinding stone with flow breaker
·
Ideal for grinding
idli batter and other cereals and spices
·
Less noise
·
Plastic body with
stainless-steel drum
·
One year warranty
Positives
·
The 150W motor ensures
a good rotation speed of 960 rpm for a perfect wet grinding job.
·
The flow breaker
arrangement hastens the grinding process.
·
This machine is ideal
for grinding batter for preparing idlis, dosas, and even vadas.
·
Cleaning the appliance
is convenient.
·
This wet grinder does
not make much noise.
Negatives
·
The product does not come
with a spatula or spoon to remove the dough.
Some users have reported the flying of
ingredients during rotation. It is purely an operational issue because you
should add water slowly into the machine as it keeps grinding the batter. If
you have more water than rice, it will fly all over the place. Otherwise, this
Sowrna Lakshmi wet grinder is a good appliance for the Indian kitchen.
Best Wet Grinders –
Buying Guide
Most of us remember
how our grandmothers had a tough time grinding the batter for preparing the
mouth-watering idlis, dosas, and vadas.
The society owes a
considerable debt to the housewives of yesteryears. It has made amends and made
the life of the modern-day homemaker easy.
You have many
appliances bringing you the comfort you need. The wet grinder is one such
kitchen appliance that can bring a smile to the faces of the homemakers today.
It spares them the hard work of having to grind the batter manually.
However, you should know the different types of wet grinders available on the market before deciding to buy one of your choices.
There are three types
of wet grinders in the market.
·
Regular wet grinders
·
Table Top wet grinders
·
Tilting wet grinders
Regular Wet Grinders
These are big
appliances generally used for commercial purposes. You can also see
these machines in hotels and restaurants. Usually, the families do not opt for
the grinder because of its size.
However, this machine
resembles the grinders that your grandmother used in her younger days. These
appliances are substantial, and big families might opt to purchase such
devices. The design is such that a steel rod holds the grinding stone with the
help of an iron belt.
The drum
rotates when you switch on the motor. The grinding stone does an
excellent job of grinding the batter. You get good output from this machine.
However, the principal drawback of this machine is its weight.
Installing the device
in the kitchen is difficult.
You can also experience the batter overflowing over the sides at times. Hence,
they are difficult to clean.
Table Top Wet Grinders
These are compact
appliances having capacities ranging between 1.5 and 2 litres. The mechanism is
such that the drum rotates when you switch on the device. The grinding wheels
that are in contact with the inner side of the drum also start rotating.
Thus, it traps the
grains and pulses in between to grind them. You can use this type of grinder to
prepare lesser quantities of dough. These are portable appliances.
You can detach the drum from the machine and store the batter inside it without feeling the need to transfer it to another utensil. These wet grinders are very popular among people today.
Tilting wet grinders
One has to admit that
the drums can become heavy once it fills up with the dough. It can become
difficult for the homemaker to lift the drum and empty it before cleaning them.
The tilting wet grinders are the solution to this problem.
The mechanism is such
that you can tilt the drum and let the batter flow out of the drum smoothly.
These are efficient wet grinders, but they have an issue. If you
have fixed drums, it becomes difficult to clean them. The detachable drum is
the best aspect of the wet grinders.
Standard features of
the wet grinders
Capacity
You have wet grinders
of varying capacities in the market. It ranges from 1.5 litres to even 15
litres. Choose the right one according to the frequency of usage, the size of
the family, and so on.
Usually, a 2-litre
grinder is enough for a typical Indian family. In case you have a higher
requirement, you can always opt for the larger appliances.
Drum material
The stainless steel
drums are the best in the business. They are not only durable but also provide
a great deal of hygiene.
The bottom of the drum
has a layer of stone. It enables the perfect grinding of the batter. The
detachable drums are always better because they allow you to clean the drums
and the other parts of the appliance quickly.
Tilting function
You can experience
this function in the tilting wet grinders. You can tilt the drum and cause the
batter to pour out into a new container. Such drums are not removable. Hence,
it is a challenging task to clean such drums.
Number of grinding
stones
Some wet grinders come
with two stones whereas some come with three. They come in different shapes as
well. The conical shape is the most common of all.
You have the round
stones as well. The regular wet grinders have one big stone whereas the table
top wet grinder has more than one. The advantage of having multiple stones is
that it speeds up the process of grinding.
Overload Protection
Look out for the
overload protection feature on the wet grinders. This feature ensures that the
motor stops working in case of an overload. It protects the life of the engine
and enhances it. Under such circumstances, you have to reduce the load and
start the machine again.
Additional attachments
Some of the
present-day wet grinders come with additional accessories for coconut scraping
and atta kneading. Alternatively, you get these attachments when you pay extra.
You can remove the
grinding stones and place these attachments in their place. Your wet grinder
can knead atta and scrape coconuts beautifully.
Installation of Wet
Grinders
The regular wet
grinders are large appliances. It can be a challenging task to install them for
the simple reason they are heavy. The grinding stone itself can be a heavy one.
It is also difficult to clean these appliances.
The table top and
tilting wet grinders are straightforward to install. In fact, you can detach
the steel drum from the table-top grinders and remove the different parts. It
allows you to clean them quickly.
The motor is the heart
of the appliance. You should ensure to take care of the engine by overhauling
it at frequent intervals. Check out the lubrication levels of the wheels.
Similarly, check out
the conveyor belts and ensure they are tight enough to function correctly. Do
not keep the wet grinders near water surfaces.
Wet grinders brands
We have seen some of
the most popular wet grinders in India. They are,
·
Elgi
·
Panasonic
·
Butterfly
·
Pigeon
·
Premier
·
Vidiem
·
You have some more
such as Prestige, Ultra and Sowbaghya, and so on.
Best Wet Grinder –
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What type of wet grinder should you opt for?
It depends on the size
of your family and the requirement. The requirement of a South Indian family is
different from that of the Indians from other parts of the country. The South
Indian community tends to use these wet grinders more than the others as they
regularly prepare idlis, dosas, and vadas.
Hence, they prefer to
go for the bigger ones. Usually, the table top wet grinders of 2-litres
capacity should be enough for a family of four to five members.
Smaller families can
go for the 1.5-litre capacity grinders. Cafeterias, restaurants, hotels, and
commercial establishments can opt for the regular wet grinders.
2. Why do the wet grinders make a lot of noise
while working?
Grinding of pulses and
cereals is a challenging task. You need the power to do so. Hence, you see
these wet grinders having motors in the capacities of 90W to 150W.
These heavy-duty
motors make a lot of noise. Also, you have the grinding stones rotating at
reasonable speeds. These stones can also make a lot of noise. However, once the
batter settles down, the noise level reduces.
3. What is the usual guarantee that manufacturers
offer?
Various manufacturers
provide warranties on the product and the motor. Specific manufacturers offer a
10-year warranty on the motor whereas the 5-year warranty is the usual norm.
However, you should understand that the warranty does not apply to the plastic
parts of the appliance.
4. How long does it take for the wet grinders to
complete one cycle?
The standard time
taken for the completion of one cycle is around 20 minutes. If the wet grinder
takes more than 20 minutes, you should check the motor and send it for an
overhauling.
5. What happens if we overload the wet grinder?
The present-day best
wet grinders come with overload protection. Thus, the grinder switches off
automatically when you overload the machine. You have to reduce the load and
restart the appliance.
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