Years of using blenders, what you really need

[Pzk]

Hi @ll,

I thought I share my experiences using different kinds of blenders.

For years I used my high power blender doing 5 minutes straight (because I heard you should do it for 5 minutes).

Due to I always do 3 washes, I can compare very well, how much blender power is needed. 2x cold wash, last one hot.

Meanwhile I had three battery blenders for on the road, having a walk or traveling.

Finally after 5 years doing kava, I am a bit "confused", because I just didn't realize all the time, that I overdid blenders.

Especially, when it comes to saving time, when it comes to your room mates, or blending at nights, worrying about the noise... and finally using too much battery of the mobile blenders...

You just waste time and power.

A portable blender, a strong one, 1,5 minutes is enough. No noticeable difference to 5 minutes. Not even a real difference to a high power blender doing for 5 minutes.

There might be a tiny difference, but after 3 washes, you had the same.

I used the portable blenders for 5 minutes also, and wasted a lot of battery.

It is such a blessing, even with the high power blender, to be done within 90 seconds.

The highest setting, I am not even using it anymore.

The final statement: People care too much about "high power" blenders, doing it right, the time they invest...

A normal blender, 1,5 minutes and you are good!

 

[kavakarma]

Resourceful info! I have always wondered how to do the blender method. What do you strain your kava with? Do you squeeze the strainer afterward?

Bula, thank you!

 

[Pzk]

Resourceful info! I have always wondered how to do the blender method. What do you strain your kava with? Do you squeeze the strainer afterward?

Bula, thank you!

Hey Kavakarma, normally I strained with a hemp nutmilk bag, because I can't take the sediment that goes through nylon bags.

But meanwhile I take a nylon bag, because it is much faster and you don't need as much work and pressure to strain it. I just press the last drops out of the kava in the strainer bag. Then I wait some minutes until the sediment is at the bottom and I drink until the sediment comes. This sediment I reuse, also, especially in the last hot run. I don't know why, but the last hot run leaves less sediment.

How others can drink that sediment long term is a mystery to me, my stomach can't take that.

 

[Pzk]

Very interesting edit:

Today I just did 45 seconds in a big high power blender on lowest setting.

I did 4 washes and thought the 4th must have a lot left because of the short time.

Result: Same like 90 seconds. The 4th wash was not worth it, almost like pure water.

Seems like 90 seconds are too much.


Due to this was a big high power blender, but on lowest setting, I don't know if you can say 45 seconds are enough for a small battery blender.

 

[Groggy]

How others can drink that sediment long term is a mystery to me, my stomach can't take that.

That's the best part! I often mix grog, let it settle for 20 min, pour off the top watery part and shoot the rest down. Less water, faster results, less peeing.

It does dry me up though, but it is the only trade-off. I drink extra fluids and use lotion right out of the shower to counter the effects.

 

[Pzk]

That's the best part! I often mix grog, let it settle for 20 min, pour off the top watery part and shoot the rest down. Less water, faster results, less peeing.

It does dry me up though, but it is the only trade-off. I drink extra fluids and use lotion right out of the shower to counter the effects.

Don't get me wrong. I wait 4-5 minutes, there are enough kavalactones left to have a great effect. The huge parts (perhaps my nylon bag is not fine enough) sink down fast. When I would wait longer, I know this effect, that there is just water on the top and all kavalactones on the ground.

When I think about, that I waste effect, perhaps I should have a look if I could stand the sediments in a way. Atm I have a 90micron nylon bag, perhaps it is too big. I wanted to get a 70micron.

It would explain why instant is harder on my body, when there is more sediment within the instant, like I do it for myself with traditional grind.

 

[Groggy]

Atm I have a 90micron nylon bag, perhaps it is too big. I wanted to get a 70micron.

Yes, I use a 75 micron, 90 might be the problem or part of it. Sometimes 50 micron could be better but squeezing all the water/kava out of it is more time consuming but the resulting grog is smoother, I have tried it and find the 75 micron is the sweet spot.

Also always use cool/cold water. The kava is not stronger with hot water, just tastes nastier.