Midea MC-BL201 Immersion Blender Review

Connoisseurs of immersion blenders highly value their compactness, ease of use and versatility for various tasks. They are always at hand, convenient for preparing small portions, economically use space in the kitchen, and can also replace several devices, such as a mixer, chopper and a full-fledged food processor. Now let's find out how good the Midea MC-BL201 blender is in this regard.

^* Contrary to popular belief, this is not the time limit after which the device will necessarily break down. However, after this period, the manufacturer ceases to bear any responsibility for its performance and has the right to refuse to repair it, even for a fee.

The Midea MC-BL201 immersion blender comes in a compact blue box with inscriptions in English and Russian. The side panels are decorated with pictures of the device, technical characteristics and main advantages of the model: high performance, dishwasher-safe, compact, steel nozzle and volume of mixing glass. The slogan “Feel at home” is highlighted on the lid.

Inside the box, the components are neatly packaged in individual plastic bags separated by cardboard inserts. The kit includes:

• Blender
• Whisk
• Measuring cup for mixing
• Immersion nozzle
• Instructions and warranty card

Inside the compact box are neatly packaged parts: the blender itself, a measuring cup and two attachments. The small white ergonomic base is equipped with a control button on the body and connects to the network using a cord.

The attachments are easily installed on the base and secured by twisting until completely secured. The process of removing and installing attachments is as simple as possible and ensures reliable fastening. The removable parts of the device can be cleaned by hand under running water or in the dishwasher, with the exception of the motor handle, which can be easily wiped with a damp cloth.

There is a sticker on the bottom of the device’s handle indicating the model and main characteristics. On the front side of the case there is an orange control button, under which the functions of the two nozzles are depicted, and the maximum locked power is indicated — 700 W. When using the main attachment, the blender stands firmly on the table.

The power cord is 1.2 meters long, giving you portability when using the blender without extra length getting in your way. The bottom of the cord is wrapped in a gray rubber casing for protection.

The measuring cup, made of transparent plastic, serves as a mixing container and food measuring device, holding up to 600 ml. The measurements are printed directly on the glass in clear black print.

The additional attachment with a whisk is disassembled: the whisk can be removed from the mount, washed separately and then installed back into a special cross-shaped recess. The whisk is made of stainless steel and its base is made of plastic.

The submersible grinder attachment cannot be disassembled; its base is made of plastic, and the handle, knife of two classic petals and bowl are made of stainless steel.

All parts of the blender are compact, do not take up much space, are almost weightless, and can be stored well both in the original box and outside it.

The A4 brochure, made of white paper and containing ten pages, is presented in Russian. It provides information about two Midea brand blender models: MC-BL201 and MC-BL202, with a focus on comparing their characteristics, differing only in color. The contents of the brochure include sections on safety measures, equipment, device design, preparation for operation, cleaning and maintenance rules, possible malfunctions and methods for eliminating them, as well as technical characteristics and maintenance requirements. The information is presented in a completely structured manner, perhaps with a certain degree of carelessness. For example, in the packaging section there is a mention of “individual packaging”, which probably refers to a box, although there is no other “packaging” on the site in reality. In addition, the brochure includes visual diagrams, but some of them, such as the chopper diagram, may have been included accidentally from the description of another manufacturer's model.

Midea MC-BL201 is a device with maximum ease of use: assemble it, prepare the container and products, connect the blender to the network, lower the attachment into the container and press the button. The button is located at the beginning of the handle, which prevents accidental pressing. Move the appliance in a vertical position until the products are completely mixed. Then release the button, wait for the whisk or chopper attachment to stop, and remove the appliance from the container. Pause as necessary by releasing the button and then pressing and holding for the desired amount of time.

We removed the components from the packaging, washed and checked the attachments, installed the necessary ones on the blender, then connected it to the power supply and started working. The device is compact, easy to assemble and disassemble, and we used both the included glass and our own mixing container. The operating principle of this immersion blender is no different from other models of this type.

The manufacturer warns about the possible appearance of a pungent odor upon first use, but we did not encounter such a phenomenon. The brand also emphasizes that Midea MC-BL201 is not intended for long-term continuous operation: to prevent overheating, it is recommended to take a break every minute of use; after three approaches, you should give the blender a rest for 10-15 minutes. You also need to be careful when processing hard and dry foods, adding grinding liquid is recommended. When testing with radish, we decided to do three and a half approaches, as a result of which the steel handle of the submersible nozzle warmed up a little, but not critically.

The operation of the Midea MC-BL201 is quite silent, and the engine does not drown out the music on a low-volume radio, does not interfere with a telephone conversation, and does not cause irritation.

In some tests, the chopper attachment sometimes became clogged with food, which is common. However, it is easy to clean with a fork or a special stick. The process is noticeable before our eyes when the nozzle begins to slip. This most often occurs with solid foods.

To prevent splashes, we first lowered the attachments into the food and then turned off the device. The level of spatter at the whisk is standard and increases if the mixing bowl is low and food reaches or exceeds the maximum level.

Officially, the device is designed to work with hot products, since the steel nozzles are resistant to high temperatures. However, please note that the supplied glass is not designed to withstand high temperatures, so it is recommended to either let hot foods cool and then pour them into the glass, or use your own container. We tested it with cauliflower and were pleased with the results. The knife worked well with a variety of foods, but when working with harder foods, the attachment sometimes became clogged. The manufacturer warns that the device may not be able to handle crushed ice or large pieces, and recommends mixing thick mixtures in even batches for 10-15 seconds with breaks.

The blender is also equipped with a safety thermal switch that activates when it overheats. In this case, it is recommended to unplug the cord and allow the device to cool to room temperature. However, during all the tests carried out, no such situations arose.

As mentioned earlier, all parts of the device, with the exception of the motor unit, can be washed either in the dishwasher or by hand. The steel attachments are easy to clean and can be done in just a couple of movements if you start immediately after use. The plastic mixing bowl may appear greasy after handling certain foods, such as butter or herring. It is recommended to wipe it immediately after washing to prevent the accumulation of grease. There may be traces of careless cleaning, drip marks and fingerprints on the surface.

The manufacturer warns that the container may absorb odors from some foods, such as cumin, coriander or carrots. Although we didn't have any such problems, if necessary, it is recommended to fill the container with warm water and mild detergent, leave for five minutes, and then rinse thoroughly.

It is important to store the device in a dry and cool place.

The maximum power consumption according to our measurements was 224 W; in tests with soft products, the blender consumed 116 W.

We tried to test the device as much as possible, trying products of different hardness and degrees of work intensity.

To test the performance of the blender, specially hard tomatoes with thick skin were selected. To make the test more difficult, they were not crushed much before being placed in the glass. The process required three short cycles, but the blender successfully completed the task without much effort. The result of the test was pleasing — the mass became thick, clean, without noticeable pieces or clots.

To test, we chose a white daikon radish, peeled it, and cut it into small, fairly thin slices. Our fruit turned out to be a little dry, so to make the device easier to use, we added a drop of cream. The blender needed three passes of 30 seconds each to achieve maximum chopping. Separately, chop a seasonal apple and a clove of garlic. Everything was mixed and seasoned with sour cream. The tender and satisfying salad was ready in less than 10 minutes.

For this nutritious snack we used chickpeas, sesame seeds, garlic, various seasonings, lemon juice, olive oil and some herbs for garnish. The chickpeas were pre-boiled, thoroughly peeled and cooled. The seasoned sesame seeds were gently fried over low heat until golden brown. We first ground the chickpeas, then added pre-ground sesame seeds, garlic, seasonings and lemon juice to soften the bitterness from the sesame seeds. We seasoned the finished pasta with olive oil and salt.

Another classic appetizer, suitable for both everyday and holiday tables. Our task is to check how the blender copes with processing fatty foods. For this we need herring, boiled egg, butter, lemon juice, mustard and herbs. We start by cleaning the fish, removing small bones, and cutting it into small slices. Add oil and mustard to a mixing glass, then whisk them. Grind the egg, and it is worth remembering that the color of the paste will depend on the brightness of the egg yolk: the brighter, the “yellower” the oil will be.

Add a little lemon juice to the herring and grind it in a blender. Then add the remaining ingredients and carry out another processing using a blender. The finished dish can be decorated with fresh herbs or mixed into the mixture.

A great alternative to mashed potatoes for a quick and filling side dish. We will need cauliflower, fresh herbs (in this case we used cilantro), salt, seasonings, butter and cream. After cooking, cool the cabbage slightly, add oil, herbs and seasonings, and then grind everything using a blender. Add cream and beat. The blender easily completed the task in three short bursts of 30 seconds each.

We carry out a test for processing viscous products. We will need bananas, low-fat cottage cheese, pear and cream. Cut the bananas, add cottage cheese, chop and mix at the same time. After the first pass, the mass partially accumulated under the blades of the knives. We easily cleaned the nozzle, added a drop of cream and made a shorter pass. The resulting mixture was placed in a special glass, and pieces of pear and a layer of cream were added in between. We repeated the procedure twice, decorating with cream on top. This hearty dessert is the perfect choice for breakfast or lunch.

A tasty and simple treat in just half an hour. You will need one egg, 100 ml of sunflower oil, baking powder, one lemon, sugar and flour.

Beat the sugar and egg with a whisk — if this is important, you can use only the yolk and sugar. Add oil and lemon juice to the resulting mixture, either lemon juice or store-bought juice.

Mix all the ingredients again, add the zest and sifted flour, as well as baking powder, then mix thoroughly. The consistency of the dough should be dense and non-sticky. We form small balls out of it, sprinkle with flour, slightly flatten, and place in a preheated oven for 20 minutes.

The Midea MC-BL201 blender pleasantly surprises with its affordable price, ease of operation and amazing power. This simple but effective appliance is easy to clean in the dishwasher or under the tap, suitable for a variety of culinary tasks, providing high portability and ease of use. Midea MC-BL201 does an excellent job of whipping and chopping without creating unnecessary noise in the kitchen.

Pros:

• price
• compactness
• ingenuousness of management
• nice design
• attachments can be washed in the dishwasher

Minuses:

• only one speed… but in reality it doesn’t interfere at all