Instant Pot Ace Blender: Review

The Instant Pot Ace Blender was released last fall. In this review, I’ll share with you my unbiased opinion. Then you can decide if the Instant Pot Ace Blender is for you.

First off the un-boxing, and your accessories.

What comes with the Instant Pot Ave Blender

• Glass Pitcher
• Base
• Lid
• Food Tamper
• 150mL/5 oz Measuring cup
• Cleaning Brush
• Strainer Bag
• User Manual

The Ace has a heavy duty glass pitcher with 8 stainless steel blades. With a concealed Heating Element and Position Indicator for lining up the pitcher to the base.

The Lid comes with a clear Lid Cap as well as a silicone seal. There’s also a safety lock.

The Base has a stainless steel Blade Coupler and a Position Indicator on it as well. So you’ll know exactly where the pitcher sits on the base.

Control Panel

The Control Panel on the base of the Ace Blender has an LED display. Which has Manual Blending Keys, Hot and Cold Blending Program keys, and Control keys.

Cold Blending Programs

• Smoothie
• Crushed Ice
• Ice Cream
• Nut/Oat Milk

Hot Blending Programs

• Puree/Soy Milk
• Rice Milk
• Soup

Manual Blending Keys

Low/Medium/High: 3 manual blending speeds.

Temperature: Fahrenheit or Celsius

Your able to change the temperature from F* to C*

 Pulse/Clean

For short bursts of blending, ideal to break up larger chunks of of food or for cleaning.

Pause

Pauses the Blending Program at anytime. When you press it again, it will start the blender.

Cancel

Stops the Blending Program at any time.

Error Indicator

If the blender encounters an error, the error indicator will blink and the error code will be displayed.

First things first, read the manual and learn how each program key works, and how long the blender runs for each program. The manual is clearly written, with easy to follow along with illustrations. Before using the new Ace blender, I washed and dried all it’s pieces. Then placed the glass pitcher on it’s base. ( This blender does not come apart at the bottom, and should not be immersed in water). Then added 1000mL of hot water to the pitcher and a few drops of liquid dish soap. Pressed the Pulse/Clean button, the blender will run 4 cycles at a high speed for 10 seconds. Then pausing for 4 seconds between pulses. Once the cycles are done, I poured out the soapy water and rinsed it clean. Now it’s ready for blending!

The first thing I tried in my Instant Pot Ace Blender, was fresh Almond Milk. I’ve never made my own nut milks, and since this blender was specifically made just for that purpose. I had to give it a try, it turned out thick, creamy and delicious!  I’m so glad I gave it a try, If you love almond or coconut milk, then give it a try. Trust me  you’ll never go back to the store bought stuff again.

Almond Milk Recipe

Ingredients:

• warm water for soaking (I soak my almonds over night, then in the morning I make the almond milk).
• 1 cup of almonds (The fresher the better. If you have an Aldis store near you, they have the best tasting almonds).
• 47 ounces Water
• vanilla extract ( this is optional).

Instructions

1. Get a large bowl and place your 1 cup of almonds in your bowl. Pour more than enough warm water over the almonds, cover the bowl with a kitchen towel for 24 hours. After the 24 hour soaking, drain and rinse the almonds.
2.  Transfer the almonds into the Instant Pot Ace Blender. Fill the glass pitcher with water to the Soup fill line or 48 ounce, then secure the lid.
3. Press the Nut/Oat Milk program.
4. When the program has completed, filter the finished milk through the included mesh strainer bag. When most of the milk has strained, gently squeeze the rest out of the milk out of the bag.

I like to divide my almond milk in half. One I add vanilla to taste, or my coffee, tea or for just drinking. The other I keep plain for savory cooking.

The Ace ground up the softened almonds into a very nice “flour” There were no large pieces un-ground, it was all very fine. After I’ve strained the ground almonds, I pour out the almond meal on to a lined dehydrator tray and dry it on the lowest setting. Once it’s dried I can use it in smoothies or low carb cooking. Or simply just eat the dried pieces for a snack.

What I Like about the Instant Pot Ace Blender: Review

After using my Ace Blender for a few months now, I have fallen in love with it. I love the fact that I can make so many different drinks, soups and sauces with it, hot or cold. I really like that the pitcher is a very thick glass with a sturdy thick handle, which makes pouring easy. The glass is thicker and heavier than most blenders. Because it’s made for cooking at a very high temperatures.

As of now I haven’t tried making the ice cream yet, but I’m going to be giving it a try, and let you know how it works out. I really love the Ace Blender for making the almond and coconut milks, which I use everyday. The Ace is in the mid-range price point, with a very fast motor and it has 8 blades. So compared to the others in it’s range, the Ace is at the top. I have made soups and sauces and they have turned out very good! A side note, when making hot foods. Be very careful because the glass gets very hot, so if you have little ones around. Be sure to keep them away, because they could get seriously burned. Also keep hot pads or gloves near if you have to touch the glass for any reason.

For what I use my blender for, I don’t need anything more powerful or expensive. I have found it blends the food smoothly and haven’t experienced any under pulverizing of fruits or veggies. The Ace also crunches up ice nicely, although I have had it leave a few larger pieces from time to time.

My not so Likes

Even though I like how thick and well made the glass pitcher is, it is very heavy. So if you have any mobility issues, then this blender is not for you. There are days I myself has a little difficulty lifting and pouring a full blender in to a glass.

The other is, you’re not able to remove the base attached to the bottom like most blenders. The reason is the heating element is in the base for cooking and boiling. Never immerse the glass pitcher in water. Instead use the brush it came with to help clean under and between the blades. As well as using the clean program. If you happen to get some water on the bottom of the base, just wipe it off  until dry. Then place it on it’s main base.

All in all, I personally like this blender for what I use it for. Do you need to run out and buy one? It’s not necessary if you already have s blender or mobility issues. If your looking for a blender that really crushes ice very fine, and don’t care about the cooking or making hot soups part. Then I would wait and get exactly what you want, and what works for you. Kitchen gadgets are fun to use and try out, but they also should be what works for you. As well as how much space you have to store them.

Things I’m going to try

As I mentioned before, I’ll be trying out the “ice cream” to compare it to my Cuisinart Ice Cream maker. I love my ice cream maker for low carb yummy creamy desserts. The other foodie item I’m going to try, is making nut butters like almond, peanut butter and cashew. Fresh at home made nut butters are so good and creamy. Plus you know what went into them and if you want to add a sweetener of your choice you can.

If you have an Ace Blender I’d love to here what you make with it and which is your favorite recipe. Right now my favorite uses for the Ace is the nut milks and of course smoothies.

Since I’ve added my new blender to my life, I have been getting in more of my veggies and fruits. Which has been an added bonus around my waste. It has helped me to break a stall that I’ve been battling for a bit.

Wishing you happy health and lots of fun in the kitchen!