If you’re hungry for new recipe ideas, the last place you might think to look for inspiration is an appliance maker’s website. But those sites are no longer boring, spec-heavy storefronts. Lots of appliance makers’ blogs, Facebook pages, and YouTube channels are loaded with helpful info. Want low-cal smoothie recipes to whip up in your Blendtec blender? Or maybe you’d like to talk with other KitchenAid stand mixer users about their favorite dough-making techniques? You can find all that and more on those sites. (Yes, you’ll also find plenty of ads and other brand propaganda.) Some of the best recipes are from brands that make Consumer Reports’ top-rated appliances. Here are the details.
KitchenAid: The Kitchenthusiast
Best for: Seasonal recipes and party food
Sample recipe: Buttercream frosting four ways
Our take on KitchenAid: KitchenAid is our top-rated hand mixer and holds three of five spots on our list of top stand mixers, the Professional, Classic, and Artisan. KitchenAid also makes our top-rated gas range and top-rated 30-inch and 36-inch pro-style ranges. And it cleans up with its top-rated dishwasher.
Blendtec: The Blend
Best for: Health-boosting recipes
Sample recipe: Almond poppy seed bread
Our take on Blendtec: The Blendtec Designer Series Wildside, $460, just missed our list of top blender picks despite its excellent scores for pureeing and crushing ice.
Vitamix: Find Recipes
Best for: Creative blender recipes.
Sample recipe: Apricot-ancho barbecue glaze
Our take on Vitamix: The Vitamix 5200, $450, has been tied at the top of our blender Ratings for quite some time. In addition to acing our frozen drink, puree, and ice crush tests, it's one of the few models that makes hot soup and blitzes whole fruits and vegetables into smooth, creamy juice.
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Cuisinart: Club Cuisinart
Best for: Technique tips and videos
Sample recipe: Grinding meat for steak burgers
Our take on Cuisinart: Synonymous with food processors, Cuisinart holds four of the five spots on our list of top food processor picks but was edged out by a Breville. The models range in price from $160 to $300. Cuisinart held the top spot for 2-slice and 4-slice toasters but was recently overtaken by Calphalon. And make room on the counter for the top-rated Cuisinart drip coffeemaker.
Breville: Food Thinkers
Best for: Gourmet recipes with show-and-tell videos
Sample recipe: Corn waffles and warm lobster salad
Our take on Breville: This brand has several top picks in our small appliance tests including our top-rated food processor and top-rated stand mixer. The Breville Smart Oven is our top-rated toaster oven. A 4-slice toaster, blender, and our top-rated immersion blender round out our Breville picks.
Viking: Cooking School
Best for: A wide selection of recipes
Sample recipe: Dirty shrimp
Our take on Viking: Viking got our nod for both a 36-inch electric smoothtop cooktop and 36-inch gas cooktop. The brand’s beefy pro-style ranges failed to make the top picks list as did its built-in refrigerators.
Thermador: Culinary Living
Best for: Dishes fit for company.
Sample recipe: Paella
Our take on Thermador: Thermador makes our top-rated built-in refrigerator as well as two others on the list of top built-in refrigerators. A Thermador also holds the top spot in gas cooktops and we also recommend the top-rated 36-inch induction cooktop and a Thermador Topaz Series dishwasher.
—Mary H.J. Farrell (@mhjfarrell on Twitter)
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