New Delhi, Nov. 3 -- Every time I step into the kitchen to prepare a meal, the mixer grinder is one appliance I find myself reaching for, sometimes even more than once. Whether it is grinding fresh masalas for a curry, making coconut chutney for breakfast or blending a quick smoothie, it takes care of several small but important cooking tasks.

And the more I use one, the more I realise that its usefulness depends on much more than just motor power. The right combination of jars, blades, speed settings and attachments can make a noticeable difference to everyday cooking. Here are the mixer grinder features I would look for before choosing one for my kitchen.

Motor wattage determines how effectively a mixer grinder handles different ingre...