In India, people still swear by old techniques of preparing food using stone grinders for blending, pestle and mortar for achieving coarse paste, coal for charring, and more. They believe (and it is true) that these methods infuse a distinct flavour into the dishes that electric wet grinders, blenders, and ovens cannot do.
However, traditional techniques cannot meet the productivity of modern kitchen appliances that make the work easier and hassle-free. If you are confused about whether to invest in a traditional or modern wet grinder, this comparison will help you make an informed decision.
Flavour And Texture
Modern kitchen appliances help you achieve a uniform texture that might be the requirement for a few recipes. However, when you grind ingredients, the vessel could heat up and later the taste of the dish.
On the other hand, a traditional wet grinder can coarsely grind the paste. You cannot achieve a uniform texture which is required to prepare dosa and idli. But it keeps the taste of ingredients intact and retains their aroma.
Durability
It is no brainer that stone grinders are durable when compared to modern appliances. If you maintain them following the instructions of elders, they can last for decades without causing any issues while preparing a dish. They are also wear and tear-resistance, thus, preventing frequent trips to the vendor.
The lifespan of a wet grinder by Usha
Efficiency
There is no doubt that modern electrical kitchen appliances are efficient. They do not require you to work on your arms to grind the ingredients and create a mess around the counter. You can simply switch on and off to blend until you have a mixture with the desired consistency.
With traditional wet grinders, you have to put in a lot of hard work, especially if you have to prepare a meal for a large number of people. Its size and weight make it difficult to clean it, and the traditional equipment will always make a mess around the kitchen. In a modern grinder, you can blend ingredients without soaking, but you cannot skip this step in a traditional appliance.
Cost
The cost of an electric wet grinder will depend on the quality of its motor, volume, and material used to construct it. The appliance is widely available across stores in India, and you can even get it fixed or replace the parts without any hassle.
On the other hand, a traditional wet grinder is costlier because not many people purchase it. Since the demand is less, the cost is more. You will also not find many varieties, and in case, if you have to replace a part, it can be difficult to find the spare one.
Mechanism
Modern machines feature grinding stones or blades that rotate at high speed to blend the ingredients and give you a smooth paste. If you wish to achieve a coarse texture, you can do that but it won't be similar to what traditional grinders produce.
However, with traditional wet grinders, you have to grind the ingredients manually by rotating bulky grinding stones in a container. What you can do with a press of a button in an electric appliance can take you hours while working with a conventional one.