What year did Ninja blender come out?
Blenders have become an essential kitchen appliance for many homes. They provide a quick and easy way to make smoothies, purees, and other blended drinks and foods. One of the most popular blender brands on the market is Ninja. But when exactly did the first Ninja blender get released?
The Origins of Ninja
The Ninja blender brand was founded by Euro-Pro Operating LLC. This company was established in 1995 by John Ulzheimer and Richard Hill in Needham, Massachusetts. Their goal was to produce innovative and affordable small kitchen appliances for home users.
Euro-Pro Operating started out importing and distributing products that were manufactured in China and branded under their own labels. Some of their early products included irons, toasters, and slow cookers.
The Launch of the Ninja Blender Line
In 1998, Euro-Pro Operating decided to move into producing blenders. They wanted to create high-powered blenders with sleek styling at an affordable price point compared to competing brands like Vitamix.
According to Ninja’s website, their first blender was released in 1998 under the Euro-Pro brand. This original machine was called the Euro Pro Juicer & Blender EP-101. It featured a 550 watt motor and basic functions to blend, crush ice, and make juice and smoothies.
| Year | Model |
|---|---|
| 1998 | Euro Pro Juicer & Blender EP-101 |
In 2010, Euro-Pro Operating changed the brand name from Euro-Pro to Ninja. From there, they rapidly expanded the Ninja blender product line with new models featuring different wattages, functions, and container sizes.
Growth of the Ninja Brand
Over the years since its founding, Ninja has continued growing into one of the most popular blender brands worldwide. Some key milestones include:
- 2004 – Release of the Ninja Professional Blender
- 2009 – Ninja blenders become available in UK and Australia
- 2012 – Launch of the Ninja Ultima Blender
- 2014 – Ninja blenders enter Canadian market
- 2016 – Ninja Chef high-performance blender released
In addition to blenders, Ninja now produces a wide range of other countertop appliances such as food processors, juicers, coffee makers, air fryers, and pressure cookers. However, blenders remain the core focus of their product line.
Current Ninja Blender Models
Today, Ninja offers a diverse range of blender models to meet different needs and budgets. Some of their current best-selling blenders include:
| Model | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Ninja Professional Blender | 1100 watts, 72 oz pitcher, Total Crushing blades |
| Ninja Mega Kitchen System | 1500 watts, 64 oz blender & 8 cup food processor |
| Ninja Nutri Blender | 900 watts, 24 oz cups with lids, portable size |
| Ninja Foodi Power Pitcher System | 1460 watts, large 72 oz pitcher, integrated food processing |
Ninja frequently updates their blender lines with new innovations. For example, in 2021 they released the Ninja Smart Screen Blender with a built-in touchscreen and smart programs. Staying on top of consumer trends has helped Ninja become one of the top players in the blender industry.
Ninja Blender Technology
Ninja blenders are known for using several key technologies to pulverize ingredients into smooth purees and mixes:
- High-wattage motors – Ranging from 900 to 1500+ watts provides power for crushing ice, frozen fruit, tough greens, and more.
- Total Crushing Technology – Combination of sharp blades and pitcher design creates a vortex to continuously pull ingredients down onto the blades.
- Precision Control Panel – User-friendly controls and settings for pulsing, blending, ultra-blending, and single serve modes.
- Auto-iQ Programs – On some models, these programs take the guesswork out of drink and food prep by optimizing blender timing and speeds.
These innovations allow Ninja blenders to perform well at both simple and demanding blending tasks. The power and blade technology make quick work of ice, seeds, skins, stems and other hard ingredients. You can get smooth nut butters, hummus, frozen drinks, and more.
Considerations When Buying a Ninja Blender
With so many different Ninja blender models available, it can be tricky to determine which one best fits your needs. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting a Ninja blender:
- Blender pitcher size – Smaller pitchers (24 – 32 oz) are best for 1-2 servings while larger pitchers (64+ oz) work well for families.
- Functions – Some blenders have basic controls while others have complex auto programs. Evaluate if you need presets for drinks, smoothies, dough, etc.
- Power – More watts delivers greater blending performance, especially for ice and tough produce. Look for 1100+ watts.
- Blending vessel material – Lower-end models have plastic pitchers while high-end units have tough Tritan or stainless steel containers.
- Budget – Ninja blenders range from $50 – $400. Determine how much you want to invest in this appliance.
Taking stock of what you plan to blend and how much power you need can help narrow down the ideal Ninja blender model for your kitchen.
Top-Rated Ninja Blender Models
Based on blender reviews and customer feedback, here are 5 of the best-rated Ninja blender models:
| Blender | Rating | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Ninja Professional Blender | 4.6 / 5 stars | Classic model, 1100 watts, large 72 oz pitcher |
| Ninja Mega Kitchen System | 4.7 / 5 stars | 1500 watts, food processor bowl, 64 oz pitcher |
| Ninja Foodi Power Pitcher System | 4.8 / 5 stars | 1460 watts, food processor, 72 oz pitcher, dough blade |
| Ninja Smart Screen Blender | 4.7 / 5 stars | 1000 watts, built-in touchscreen with programs |
| Ninja Nutri Personal Blender | 4.7 / 5 stars | 900 watts, portable cups with lids, dishwasher safe |
These represent some of the most versatile and highest performing blenders that Ninja offers based on customer reviews. They provide power and functionality for making anything from smoothies to dips, doughs, and more.
Popular Recipes You Can Make with a Ninja Blender
Here are some of the most popular recipes people make using their Ninja blenders:
- Smoothies – Blend fruits, veggies, greens, nuts, seeds, milk/yogurt, protein powder
- Nut butters – Process nuts like almonds and peanuts into creamy nut butter
- Hummus – Blend chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon, garlic for quick hummus
- Nut milks – Make non-dairy milk from almonds, coconut, oats, and more
- Frozen drinks – Blend ice, fruit, alcohol/juice for margaritas, daiquiris, piña coladas
- Soups – Puree cooked vegetables, broth, and seasonings into healthy soups
- Salsas and dips – Blend tomatoes, peppers, onion, garlic, spices for fresh salsas
- Sauces – Make pasta sauce, pizza sauce, pesto from whole ingredients
- Batter – Mix pancake, waffle, crepe, and cake batter from scratch
- Dough – With a dough blade, knead and mix pizza dough, bread dough, cookie dough
A Ninja blender provides the power and vessel sizes needed to blend, mix, knead, and puree a diverse array of recipes.
Are Ninja Blenders Worth the Money?
For many home cooks, investing in a Ninja blender is worthwhile due to their reputation for:
- Power – With motors ranging from 900 to 1500+ watts, Ninja blenders handle tough ingredients better than lower-watt blenders.
- Performance – Technologies like Total Crushing blades pulverize ice, seeds, stems for ultra-smooth results.
- Durability – Made of heavy-duty materials like stainless steel and copolyester plastic that last.
- Versatility – Pitcher sizes from 16 – 72 oz allow blending single servings to batches.
- Value – Cost is generally lower than equivalent blenders from Vitamix or Blendtec.
- User-friendly – Controls and displays are intuitive for beginners but also satisfy advanced users.
For moderate blender usage in the average home kitchen, a Ninja offers excellent performance and quality for the price. The higher wattage models can even keep up with commercial demands. Overall, Ninja blenders provide great bang for your buck.
Ninja Blender vs. Other Popular Brands
Ninja blenders are comparable to other top blender brands:
Ninja vs. Vitamix
| Ninja | Vitamix | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 900 – 1500 watts | 1200 – 1500 watts |
| Cost | $$ | $$$$ |
| Noise | Loud | Very loud |
| Ease of Use | Easy settings | Dial with high/low |
Vitamix blenders are commercial-grade, more expensive, and simpler controls.
Ninja vs. Blendtec
| Ninja | Blendtec | |
|---|---|---|
| Container | Plastic or stainless steel | Plastic |
| Blades | Removable | Permanently attached |
| Controls | Buttons/touchscreen | Slider interface |
| Price | $$ | $$$ |
Blendtec blenders rival Vitamix for power and commercial use but are more expensive than Ninja.
Finding the Best Ninja Blender Deals
Here are some tips for getting the best price on a Ninja blender:
- Look for sales around major holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
- Check retailer sites like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Bed Bath & Beyond for online specials.
- Sign up for newsletters from Ninja and retailers to get coupon codes.
- Find refurbished/pre-owned Ninja blenders on sites like eBay.
- Buy bundle deals that include extra containers and accessories.
- Use a cash back credit card or app like Rakuten to earn money back.
- Consider purchasing at Costco or Sam’s Club to get the wholesale discounted price.
With some research, you can typically save $20 – $100 off the regular retail price for a new Ninja blender. Refurbished models can offer even bigger discounts.
Conclusion
In summary, the first Ninja blender was released in 1998 under the Euro Pro brand before the company changed names to Ninja in 2010. Since then, Ninja has become one of the most recognized blender manufacturers known for powerful yet affordable models. Their diverse blender line up now offers options for any blending need in the home kitchen.
From crushing ice for smoothies to mixing dough, Ninja blenders provide great versatility and performance. Models like the Ninja Professional, Mega Kitchen System, and Foodi Power Pitcher consistently earn high ratings and reviews from customers. With the right research, you can find great deals on these quality Ninja blenders to save money while enjoying their blending capabilities.
