How Can I Power a Blender in a Blackout?

bigpallooka on 05/03/2022 - 02:17

I have a Vitamix Blender that I require to blend foods for my son's modified diet. He can only eat food of a certain texture without choking. I can heat food on a gas stove and I will keep some blended food frozen for emergencies, however I was wondering what I would need to run a blender for 30sec to a minute 3 times a day in a blackout as I live in North Queensland Cyclone country right on the coast. If I need a generator, what would be the minimum? Could I run it of a Power Bank?

Vitamix A2300i Ascent® Series Smart Blender
Electrical Ratings: 220-240 V, 50-60 Hz, 1200-1400 W

Regards

Electrical & Electronics Blender

Comments

  • Diji1 on 05/03/2022 - 02:22
    +3

    You could use a UPS.

    Although you might want to get a lower powered blender (or use a lower power setting) which will still be more than capable of mashing food to lower the cost of UPS.

  • AustriaBargain on 05/03/2022 - 02:36
    +7

    What about a portable blender? I'm guessing they just have batteries on them. If you got one that could be charged by a battery pack then you could last days without power if you needed.

    • bigpallooka on 05/03/2022 - 09:25

      I bought a Kmart one and they are OK for a simple smoothie with fresh ingredients, but you really need a lot of power (hence the expensive Vitamix purchased on sale) to get a lot of food completely vitamised including frozen fruit etc. Maybe a more expensive one, but event cheap powered blenders will only do so much.

  • woodg on 05/03/2022 - 03:28
    +4

    Aldi recently had a portable blender as a Special Buy. It runs on a battery, blends up to 300ml. Battery is charged via a USB connection. Don't know if any store still has them but maybe look for such an item on ebay or Amazon. Something like this: https://www.amazon.com.au/Portable-Smoothies-Personal-handhe…

  • morse on 05/03/2022 - 03:33
    +4

    If you want access to the blender I’d probably go for something like this https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-36v-power-station-inverter… but you’d have to not be tempted to use up all the power on other devices like lights or phones. Otherwise a petrol generator. The device will say what wattage of appliance it can power eg this one is up to 1600w so would be fine for your purposes.

    Not knowing your sons diet I’d also keep in some things that don’t require cooking or blending. Eg some ensure/pediasure with thickener, instant oats, rice cereal, Instant soups or whatever that can have thickener added if needed/suitable (if your son can have those textures) - not that it’s that it’s that exciting to eat, but better than nothing. You’ve probably already thought of this.

    • bigpallooka on 05/03/2022 - 09:31

      Yes. Thanks. A well thought out reply even if it's covering ground I already use. It's hard to get enough nutrition in to him especially protein so everything he eats is boosted with Sustagen powder or purchased because of its protein content such as high protein yoghurt and everything he drinks from water to a cup of tea has a thickening agent added. The Ryobi Power Inverter gives me a good option too, thanks.

    • timthetoolman on 05/03/2022 - 15:10

      On this, could almost even find a stick blender to somehow attach to a drill and just use it that way?
      But most stick blenders are way too big to fit. Still, an option

  • outlander on 05/03/2022 - 03:41
    +2

    Powering a blender is problematic. They may only use a small amount of power, but it happens all at once, so you need something much beefier than you'd expect.
    Though you could get away with a car battery and a reputable high power inverter, it might be more reliable to go manual

    https://www.amazon.com.au/OXO-Grips-Manual-Processor-Capacit…

    • mskeggs on 05/03/2022 - 08:19
      +1

      The very high wattage of the blender means you need either a very big battery or a big generator, to supply enough energy all at once, even though you will only need it briefly.
      As outlander correctly says, this is what a car battery is designed to do.
      The problem is an inverter to connect to it able to produce enough energy is very costly, $500+.

      There are cheap portable blenders noted up thread, and the manual option here. I would definitely start with those.

      • bigpallooka on 05/03/2022 - 09:38

        When he moved to this diet I started with a hand chopper, then a powered chopper, then a cheap blender and finally an expensive blender as none of the initial options work every time on every food. I'm beginning to think keeping pre-blended food frozen is this only practical option. I keep blocks of ice in the bottom of the chest freezer, so it will keep things frozen/cold for a few days. Even baby food often has some lumps in it, which just causes distressing choking fits.

        • RockyRaccoon on 05/03/2022 - 09:45

          none of the initial options work every time on every food

          Given blackouts arent going to go for too long, why not just blend the foods that can work, with a battery blender. I am sure bub will appreciate some well blended food rather than some not well blended.

          Keeping in Freezer also has limitations as power out will affect the freezer overtime.

          there is a review of portable blenders here.

          https://www.canstarblue.com.au/appliances/best-portable-blen…

          Good luck

          • bigpallooka on 05/03/2022 - 10:01

            @RockyRaccoon: +LOL! Bub is 28! The USB and portable blenders have their limitations and are not suitable for blending what I would call hearty meals. The limitations on freezing are my main concern. I could get away with a couple of days with ice bricks in the freezer to keep food cold, but you're right, after that it becomes problematic.

            • mskeggs on 05/03/2022 - 10:31

              @bigpallooka: I think in your circumstance I would get a petrol generator.
              You won’t get much change out of $1500 if you get a Honda or similar quality brand, but it will protect your family if power is out for a sustained period, and help you power the fridge, lights, fans etc too.

              In my non-cyclone area we’ve had 3day power outages, and the reduced stress of knowing you have power for the essentials would be worth it to me.

              Edit: over budget.

        • outlander on 05/03/2022 - 13:11
          +1

          Wow okay. Sounds like what you're aiming for is to go past blending them, and into liquification territory.

          I would still stay with the manual option. Its the cheapest and most reliable form that I could quickly find. Then I would add a straining stage, like you do when baking when you sift the flour? Same principle applies. Sift out the lumps.

          There are better options, but mostly they are expensive or difficult. One such option would be a 12v blender. Now sadly there aren't many good ones on the market from what I could see, but since the rise of electric scooters and such, there's a lot of powerful motors available at very decent prices. If you could buy a suitable motor, and use it to replace the motor inside a normal blender, that would probably be your best, cheapest, most reliable way. But even though it's not all that complicated.. its still beyond the scope of what ordinary people can do.

          • sam-1966 on 05/03/2022 - 17:43

            @outlander: This idea with replacing the motor sounds very interesting - is there a local "men's shed" where there might be a couple of retired electricians/appliance techs that might find this a worthwhile project?

  • [Deactivated] on 05/03/2022 - 03:44

    something that will run on a car cigarette lighter? just turn on the car when you need to use it to make sure the battery doesnt go flat

    • bigpallooka on 05/03/2022 - 09:43
      +1

      That would be ideal if I had a vehicle, which I don't and can't afford, unfortunately.

      • mskeggs on 05/03/2022 - 10:32
        +1

        Oh, scratch my suggestion of a $1500 generator! That wasn’t very helpful.

  • Hithere on 05/03/2022 - 07:43
    +1

    Nutribullet Go Portable Blender NB07300W $79

    https://www.target.com.au/p/nutribullet-go-portable-blender-…

    • GordonD on 05/03/2022 - 09:39

      Looks good. Not so expensive as a lot of the ways suggested to power a 240V blender. Cheap enough to try to see whether it works well enough.

      • bigpallooka on 05/03/2022 - 09:48
        +1

        These portable blenders are ok for fresh fruit smoothies and might even crush some ice, however the food I blend for my son can't be half-assed. I even tried baby food and other than the custards or yoghurts they often have lumps and are deficient in protein (which I'll admit can be added as a powder). While my son isn't a fussy eater, flavour wise a lot of baby food is pretty disgusting.

        • mskeggs on 05/03/2022 - 10:34
          +1

          Baby food is shelf stable, though.
          Keeping some preferred food in the freezer, and several days emergency supply of baby food or similar in the cupboard will be a cheaper option.

          For the short period of a blackout, low protein food isn’t a concern.

          • bigpallooka on 05/03/2022 - 10:49
            +1

            @mskeggs: Fair point and is why I have some baby food in the cupboard. There are a few that are palatable, smooth and the correct texture. I'm just looking at whether an investment in a powered option would be worthwhile. It doesn't seem to be. Food security is of primary concern in this prospective situation. It would all be moot if we had flooding similar to that of our southern neighbours. It would just be whatever I could throw in a go bag. The last floods (2011), my adult son had to be carried down the street to a high set house in a meter of water and his powered wheelchair lifted onto a sofa. That was before the textured diet requirements. As a parent and carer, it's hard to know the difference between being responsibly prepared and catastrophising.

            • mskeggs on 05/03/2022 - 13:22
              +2

              @bigpallooka: Agreed.
              I guess a big part is having a support network around. Somebody who lives a bit further away who might keep a box of essentials in their cupboard in case your preparations fail.
              Or just a friend who has similar needs that can rely on you if things get disrupted for them and vice versa.

  • Halo375 on 05/03/2022 - 08:40

    Could you preblend and freeze something for emergencies like this? Just defrost, heat and eat.

    • kerfuffle on 05/03/2022 - 08:41
      +1

      I can heat food on a gas stove and I will keep some blended food frozen for emergencies

    • bigpallooka on 05/03/2022 - 09:50

      Yes. As kerfuffle has pointed out, I already do that and I am coming to believe it is the best option as the primary source for an emergency. Thanks.

  • prodrome on 05/03/2022 - 08:59

    An ecoflow is pretty good and could keep a few more things than a blender going during a blackout lasting a few days. It is also really quick to recharge.

    • bigpallooka on 05/03/2022 - 09:52
      +1

      Whoa! Looks great, and while I didn't mention a budget that would blow it out of the water. Thanks for the idea, though.

  • Tricon on 05/03/2022 - 09:39

    Seems to be a common problem.

    https://elkinsdiy.com/wp-content/uploads/20190929_150039-102…

    or

    https://www.home-barista.com/forums/userpix/10955_aboutbild3…

    You may want to contact their Melbourne distributor.

    http://trisled.com.au/pedal-powered-blenders/

    Good luck.

    • bigpallooka on 05/03/2022 - 09:54
      +1

      Lol! Great idea! I'm pretty sure like most cheap and portable blenders they would be inconsistent in the results.

      • Quantumcat on 05/03/2022 - 15:31

        If there are lumps you could just blend longer, and strain with a strainer or cheesecloth depending on the lump size tolerance

  • brendanm on 05/03/2022 - 09:44

    2kva generator. Generators generally don't like inductive loads, so even though your blender is 1400w, it's worth going that bit higher in generator rating.

    Can pick up a cheapy brand new for about $500.

    • bigpallooka on 05/03/2022 - 09:56

      Thanks. I was worried that might be the case. There have been quite a few listed here on Ozbargain when they come on special and much closer to my budget range.

      • brendanm on 05/03/2022 - 12:27

        Used ones available all the time on gumtree/Facebook for 200-300 generally.

  • USER DC on 05/03/2022 - 12:18

    you can always use manual blenders during outage, aka do the work by manual force. And boy this is truly electricity outage-proof.

    Something like

    https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=manual+blender&i=kitchen&spref…

  • onetrickpony on 05/03/2022 - 12:43
    +2

    Cordless drill, metal milkshake cup and a cut down whisk or similar attachment.

    • Switchblade88 on 05/03/2022 - 13:37
      +1

      This is a great start of an idea…

      If the OP has a specific blender that works, then you could cut out the guts of the motor and permanently attach a brushless 28v drill to the shaft instead. It'd run for hours on standard batteries, and you could recarge those batteries on any standard cheap 150w inverter + car battery or cheap genset.

      Engineering the actual connections from the blender body to the drill chuck would be tricky but certainly doable, and would be extremely cheap in comparison to a $2k inverter genset just for a single appliance.

      • GordonD on 05/03/2022 - 15:24

        Got any idea how many rpm a blender runs at, and needs to work at to do the job properly, compared to how fast a drill spins at?

  • Godric on 05/03/2022 - 13:08

    Hot wire it to a Lemon

  • Catullus on 05/03/2022 - 14:25

    Plenty of manual mixers etc at Amazon ljke the man said. You need to say what particle size and how much you need every 3 hours. Plenty good mincers and mashers out there. I like the cast-iron mincers for about $50…

  • spackbace on 05/03/2022 - 20:51

    Have a pestle and mortar on hand, then put the pulverised stuff into a weaker, portable blender?

  • the Unforgiven on 06/03/2022 - 01:29

    Couldn't you use a bowl and a potato masher?

  • bigpallooka on 06/03/2022 - 17:45
    +1

    Just for those who are unaware. Textured diets have actual consistency measurements. With a powerful blender, you can blend almost anything to the required consistency by adding thickeners or liquids however, just because you have the correct consistency doesn't mean particular foods are compatible with such a diet. As my son's specific condition is degenerative, we are constantly having to adjust. This isn't just someone with dysphagia (which both is Grandmothers have). It took some time to perfect, but I currently have the consistency and tolerated food down to somewhat of an art, so I don't want to mess with what works hence the enquiry on running the blender I have, that works, with the food he can eat in a black-out. I truly appreciate that so many have attempted to help with such a variety of suggestions however my needs are very narrow, so I have pretty much come to the conclusion I would need a good quality, fairly powerful generator or just to be sure to keep pre-blended food frozen and hope all we face is a few days without power. After that point, he would probably have to be evacuated to a hospital just to have access to an appropriate diet. Thanks again everyone.

    • sam-1966 on 06/03/2022 - 18:08
      +3

      Hope it goes well for you.

  • deeevan on 06/03/2022 - 21:33
    +3

    What about a vacuum sealer? Your pre-blended food will still thaw out, but it should prolong the shelf life. Just rotate and replace regularly, so what you've got in the freezer when the blackout starts is as fresh as possible.

    • bigpallooka on 06/03/2022 - 22:36

      Actually an excellent idea. Thanks.

      • deeevan on 07/03/2022 - 08:09
        +1

        No worries, I understand your concerns. Another thing to look at is a camping fridge and car battery. Take a few packs out of the freezer and never open it again to slow down the temperature rise.
        This eliminates the other food security concern of being able to get to the shops, and the ingredients being in stock.

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