Best blender hand: 7 Best Immersion Blenders of 2023 – Top Hand Blenders
7 Best Immersion Blenders of 2023 – Top Hand Blenders
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1
Best Overall Immersion Blender
Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender
1
Best Overall Immersion Blender
Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender
$100 at Williams Sonoma
Credit: Breville
Pros
- Easy to use and operate
- Comfortable to grip for long periods
- Useful, dishwasher-safe attachments
Cons
- Blending cup can be too large for some tasks
This immersion blender offers 15 speed settings and has a lot of great features that make it our top pick. Some models create a vortex that pulls food into the blades and results in suction on the bottom of the container, but the Breville’s blade guard is uniquely shaped to reduce this, which allows you to raise the tool more easily as you blend and helps prevent splatters. It requires more up-and-down motion to blend uniformly, but we still found it easy to operate. The rubber handle is soft, narrow and comfortable to grip and the “on” button is easy to hold down. The nonstick edge on the blender arm means you can blend in your pots without fear of scratching. The blender attachment clips onto the motor with ease and feels secure.
This pick came with the largest lidded mixing jar we tested (42 ounces), which is helpful for larger batches but does require more maneuvering for smaller servings. In our test, we found that the jar was too large for a small-batch mayonnaise but that the blender itself made a beautiful mayo in a smaller vessel. The jar’s lid doubles as an anti-slip mat to place under the jar while blending. We like that it can also accommodate the chopper attachment so that you can take advantage of the blending cup’s handle. This model also includes a food processor and whisk attachment, and all attachments are dishwasher safe.
Weight | 3.8 lbs. |
---|---|
Number of speeds | 15 |
Accessories | Whisk, 3-cup chopping bowl, 42-oz. jug with lid |
Dishwasher safe | Blending arm, whisk and chopper |
2
Best Value Immersion Blender
Hamilton Beach Two-Speed Hand Blender
2
Best Value Immersion Blender
Hamilton Beach Two-Speed Hand Blender
Now 10% Off
$35 at Amazon$29 at Walmart
Credit: Hamilton Beach
Pros
- Affordable
- Quickly purees soup
Cons
- Cumbersome to operate for longer periods
This low-cost immersion blender does a great job blending softer foods like soups, milkshakes, whipped cream and dressings. It has a 225-watt motor, the lowest we tested, yet it was powerful enough to blend a pot of soup to a smooth consistency in under 90 seconds. It features two blending speeds (high and low) controlled by two large buttons that are easy to press down.
Of all the immersion blenders we tested, this one has the shortest shaft (5 inches), which is great for small-batch blending but would be difficult to use in a deep container like a tall pot of soup. It comes with a whisk and a food processor attachment, and both are top-rack dishwasher safe. Keep in mind that the plastic handle has a wide circumference, and it feels a little slippery, making it tiresome to hold onto, especially if you have small hands. The blending attachment did not feel as sturdy as other models we evaluated.
Weight | 2.59 lbs. |
---|---|
Number of speeds | Two |
Accessories | Blending arm, whisk and 3-cup chopping bowl |
Dishwasher safe | Blending arm, whisk and chopping bowl |
3
Best Immersion Blender for Smoothies
KitchenAid Two-Speed Hand Blender
3
Best Immersion Blender for Smoothies
KitchenAid Two-Speed Hand Blender
Shop at Amazon
Credit: KitchenAid
Pros
- Powerful enough to blend even hard, tough foods
- Available in a variety of fun colors
- Tangle-free cord
Cons
- Lacks additional accessories
We were impressed with the quality of this KitchenAid immersion blender — one of the more affordable ones we tested. It quickly became our go-to for smoothies: fairly quiet, powerful and easy to use. It was able to effortlessly blend the ice and whole strawberries in our smoothie into a creamy drinkable consistency. It also didn’t suction to the bottom of containers as much as other immersion blenders we tested, and the blender attachment is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
One of our favorite features is the thick power cord that doesn’t bunch up or get tangled. This is helpful when trying to maneuver around a busy countertop — though if you’d prefer no cord at all, we were also impressed with KitchenAid’s cordless model for smoothies. Also, the handle is rubberized for a comfortable grip and the trigger is easy to press. It doesn’t come with a lot of accessories, but it comes with a lidded 3-cup mixing jar that makes it easy to store leftover smoothies or dressing in the fridge, though we wish the jar was lipped for easy pouring.
Weight | 2 lbs. |
---|---|
Number of speeds | Two |
Accessories | Blending arm, 3-cup blending jar with lid |
Dishwasher safe | Blending arm, blender jar and lid |
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4
Most Versatile Immersion Blender
Braun MultiQuick 7 Hand Blender
4
Most Versatile Immersion Blender
Braun MultiQuick 7 Hand Blender
$100 at Amazon
Credit: Braun
Pros
- Adjustable blade height
- All four attachments are dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Blade attachment collects water and must be dried thoroughly
Unlike the other immersion blenders we tested, the Braun has a variable speed button: The harder you press the more powerfully it blends. Also, the height of the blade can be adjusted during blending when you push down with the handle. This adds versatility because you can blend smaller quantities by lowering the blade. This feature helped it create a thick, uniform and rich smoothie in our tests. It features a narrow bell-shaped blade guard that has no vents, which means you don’t have to stop the blender to remove food that can get stuck around the vents. It comes with a dishwasher-safe mixing jar, food processor and whisk attachment.
Weight | 1.9 lbs. |
---|---|
Number of speeds | Variable speed depends on how hard you press the button |
Accessories | Blending arm, 20-oz beaker, whisk, 2-cup chopper |
Dishwasher safe | Blending arm, beaker, whisk and chopper |
5
Best Immersion Blender for Emulsifying
Vitamix Immersion Blender
5
Best Immersion Blender for Emulsifying
Vitamix Immersion Blender
$150 at Amazon$125 at Walmart$125 at Sur la Table
Credit: Vitamix
Pros
- Emulsified mayo with ease
- LED light indicators for speed
Cons
- Heaviest motor in our tests
- Accessories sold separately
This straightforward immersion blender from Vitamix created a thick and smooth berry smoothie in our tests. But what really impressed us was its ability to create a quick mayonnaise that was silky and flavorful. It emulsified the mixture easily within two minutes. While it was the heaviest motor in our tests, we found the grip comfortable to hold. We also appreciated that the speed settings are clearly marked with lighted indicators. It also has a scratch-resistant material on the tip of the blade guard that allows you to puree soup in your pots without damaging them.
Weight | 2 lb. 11 oz. |
---|---|
Number of speeds | Five |
Accessories | None |
Dishwasher safe | Blending arm only |
6
Best Immersion Blender for Soup
Cuisinart Smart Stick Variable Speed Hand Blender
6
Best Immersion Blender for Soup
Cuisinart Smart Stick Variable Speed Hand Blender
$60 at Williams Sonoma
Credit: Amazon
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7
Best Cordless Immersion Blender
All-Clad Cordless Rechargeable Hand Blender
7
Best Cordless Immersion Blender
All-Clad Cordless Rechargeable Hand Blender
$200 at Williams Sonoma
Credit: All-Clad
A cordless immersion blender is a smart choice if you don’t want to be tethered to one spot in the kitchen or if you don’t have an outlet by your stove. The rechargeable battery on this All-Clad model ran for over 15 minutes at high speed in our tests on a full-charged battery (it took about two hours to fully recharge from empty). Keep in mind you will need a little counter space for the charging unit.
We like the safety feature too: Tap the button on top to unlock, then press the trigger to operate. It will automatically lock itself if you don’t press the trigger after 30 seconds. The blade attachment and handle (which is narrow, comfortable and not slippery) are made of stainless steel. We were impressed with how powerful it was, and it has one of the quieter motors we evaluated — it also comes in a less expensive corded model.
How we tested immersion blenders
When the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab assess immersion blenders, we put each to the test in common tasks: blending a smoothie, making mayonnaise and pureeing soup directly in a pot.
The smoothie test evaluates a blender’s ability to tackle ice and whole strawberries. The mayonnaise test indicates the capacity to emulsify, which needs to happen smoothly and slowly to create stability. The soup test helps us understand the blender’s ability to puree large quantities of ingredients (including potato and broccoli) without splatter or leaving chunks.
We also consider the weight, comfort and available accessories for each machine. We review the instruction manual and appreciate quick start guides, helpful illustrations or images and tips or recipes.
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Is an immersion blender worth it?
Our experts think it is worth it to add an immersion blender to your kitchen, especially if you are a lover of smooth soups and quick sauces. It’s easy to use, reasonable to store and quicker to clean than a countertop blender.
An immersion blender is great for small jobs like making pesto, dips, mayonnaise, whipped cream and even scrambled eggs. Good immersion blenders can whip up smoothies, milkshakes and frozen drinks for one or two people — but that’s where they cap out since the motor (and blades) are smaller than a countertop blender and cannot run for a very long time without overheating.
We do advise that you avoid hard foods (like nuts and seeds) or very fibrous ones (such as kale and carrots) because they generally won’t become silky smooth; for those, we do recommend a high-powered blender or food processor. Also note that with an immersion blender, the blade needs to be fully submerged to work; you may find that you have trouble blending very small quantities.
What to consider before buying an immersion blender
✔️ Corded vs. cordless: A cord offers constant power, but it can get tangled or burned or could knock things over on a busy kitchen counter and stovetop. Cordless models are portable and convenient, but they need to be charged between uses or they may lose power before you can finish the job.
✔️ Blade guard vents: The blade guard is the dome-shaped part of the blender arm that covers the blades. We found that wide blade guards with large vents do a better job of circulating the food for better and faster blending. They are also easier to clean because food stuck under the blades is more accessible. Just make sure the blade guard will fit easily in your favorite pots and smoothie cups.
✔️ Handle and grip: To operate an immersion blender, you’ll grip the handle with one hand and press the on, off or speed buttons with your fingers, so it needs to feel comfortable to hold and operate simultaneously. Your hands will fatigue if the handle is too large, if the buttons are too small or awkwardly placed or if the blender feels heavy. Also, the buttons should be easy to press without much force. Ideally, your fingers will fall naturally on the buttons when you hold the handle. We found non-slip rubber handles to be softer and easier to grip.
✔️ Design: Look for a model that’s compact enough to store in a kitchen drawer. Though immersion blenders are easy to clean, we prefer models that have a removable blender attachment that is dishwasher-safe.
✔️ Additional attachments: Many immersion blenders function with a motor that can also be connected to attachments for chopping, processing, whisking or frothing. If you already have stand-alone versions of these appliances, you can save money by buying a model without the extras, but they can be a convenient option if you don’t own the pieces or want to consolidate your storage. One accessory we highly recommend is a sturdy, tall and narrow blending jar: It helps ensure the blender is submerged, reduces splattering and makes the up-and-down motion needed to blend easier. Plus, you can serve or store food directly in it.
✔️ Wattage: We have found this is less important than other factors. The immersion blenders we tested had motors between 225 and 600 watts and although wattage is an indicator of power, we did not find that it’s a reflection of quality, performance or comfort.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Sarah Wharton
Deputy Editor
Sarah (she/her) is a deputy editor for the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she tests products and covers the best picks across kitchen, tech, health and food. She has been cooking professionally since 2017 and has tested kitchen appliances and gear for Family Circle as well as developed recipes and food content for Simply Recipes, Martha Stewart Omnimedia, Oxo and Food52. She holds a certificate in professional culinary arts from the International Culinary Center (now the Institute of Culinary Education).
Myo Quinn
Myo Quinn is a professionally trained chef, recipe developer, food writer and on-air talent. When she’s not cooking or planning her next meal, Myo chases her three boys around Central Park in New York City. She is on an endless hunt for the best vanilla ice cream – it should be speckled, aromatic, not too sweet and the perfect balance of creamy and icy. She is also dipping her toes into improv.
Best immersion blender 2023: tested by our experts
If you want the perfect appliance for making delicious seasonal soups and scratch salad dressings, look no further than the best immersion blender. Also known as stick blenders or hand blenders, these lightweight, portable devices are perfect for making smoothies and fresh drinks, too.
Immersion blenders with attachments are also fantastic for whisking heavy cream or kneading cookie dough, and while they can’t do everything the more traditional buys on our best blenders list can, their small size makes them an ideal addition to a busy kitchen or a must-have for smaller kitchens with little storage space for larger appliances.
Our list of best immersion blenders is compiled after hard-won testing. We used them to make sauces for pasta dishes and dips such as hummus and baba ganoush. We even used some of our favorite models with mini chopper attachments to chop onion and garlic.
Head of Reviews
Millie Fender is Head of Reviews at Homes & Gardens. Formerly our editor for all things cookware, Millie is our resident appliance expert. She tried the majority of the immersion blenders in our shopping roundup, with our other expert writers tackling the rest. After years of comparing small kitchen appliances, she’s well-placed to find the best immersion blenders.
The best immersion blenders 2023
(Image credit: Braun)
1. Braun MultiQuick 9 Hand Blender with Imode Technology
The best immersion blender, overall
Specifications
Attachments: Blending wand, whisk, masher, 20oz beaker, ice chopper
Power: 700W
Speeds: 3
Weight: 2lb.
RRP: $159.95
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Plenty of attachments
+
Powerful motor
+
Less suction and risk of splashing
+
Flexible blending shaft
Reasons to avoid
–
One of the most expensive options on the market
The Braun MultiQuick 9 Immersion Hand Blender comes with a variety of attachments: a blending wand, whisk, and masher for making creamy potatoes and pure and a 2- Cup Chopper with Ice Crush Knife for crushed ice.
The blending wand is particularly innovative, with an easily-controlled flexible blending shaft that moves up and down with the press of a button to have even more reach around your bowl or pitcher as you blend. In our testing, this is the immersion blender that packed the most power, hands-down. It won on our soup consistency tests, and it also made some of the speediest and smoothest pestos of the machines we tested.
It’s a mixed bag though, with the whisk taking one of the longest times to create stiff peaks from egg whites. This was also pretty flimsy in comparison to models from KitchenAid. The mashed potato maker worked well, but we found that it jammed unless we fully peeled our potatoes.
The pitcher is 20oz and the attachments are safe for dishwashing. You can also make the most of the splash control technology, which cuts down on suction and therefore reduces the risk of splashing when blending wet ingredients for soups and smoothies.
Our Braun MultiQuick Immersion Hand Blender review has more details.
(Image credit: Vitamix)
2. Vitamix Immersion Blender
Best premium immersion blender
Specifications
Attachments: Whisk, blending jar
Power: 120 V
Speeds: 5
Weight: 2.86 lbs
RRP: $199.95
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
5 speeds
+
Super-sharp four-prong blade
+
Consistent results
+
Includes whisk attachments
+
Convenient docking station
Reasons to avoid
–
Not dishwasher safe
–
Power button must be held down
–
Heavy
Vitamix are well-known for their excellent blenders, and this foray into immersion blenders backs up this reputation.
On test, it blended tomatoes and onions into a perfect tomato sauce for penne alla vodka, and whipped up a delicious apple and date butter. It also made a great smoothie, so if you can’t stretch to the $600 of a full-size Vitamix blender, this could be a cost-saving alternative. It comes with a handy base to hold the attachments, which are a whisk and a screw-top mason jar for blending directly into a container. The best feature of these is the whisk attachment, which whipped cream to perfection in a couple of minutes, so this is also a good option for bakers.
However, bear in mind that this immersion blender isn’t dishwasher safe. Our tester Camryn also found it a little heavy to use, and didn’t like that you have to constantly press down the power button to keep this immersion blender going.
Camryn’s Vitamix Immersion Blender review has all the detail.
(Image credit: KitchenAid)
3. KitchenAid Variable Speed Corded Hand Blender
Best immersion blender for non-stick pans
Specifications
Attachments: Chopper, blender, whisk, scratch-resistant cap
Power: 180W
Weight: 3lb.
Number of Speeds: Variable
RRP: $59.99
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Pan guard included
+
Variable speed trigger
+
Plenty of colors
+
Blending cup comes with a lid
Reasons to avoid
–
More comfortable for right-handed users
–
Trigger control can make it hard to keep consistent speed
Immersion blenders don’t always work well with non-stick pans because they can scuff up the coating with their metal blending wands. Enter the KitchenAid Variable Speed Corded Hand Blender, which has a plastic cover dubbed a pan guard that keeps the 8″ removable blending arm with a 4-point stainless steel blade far away from the base of your pan to give you some extra peace of mind when cooking.
We found in testing that this immersion blender was a little more comfortable for our right-handed tested than our left-handed tester. It did second-best in our soup blending test, with very seamless blending and the variable blending paddle coming in helpful to start smoothly before amping up the power.
The 3-cup blending jar comes with a lid, perfect for storing sauces or soup in the fridge, and we were taken with the style of the design which could slot easily into any kitchen, with a number of colors to choose from.
Our KitchenAid Variable Speed corded hand blender review has more details.
(Image credit: KitchenAid)
4. KitchenAid Cordless Variable Speed Hand Blender
Best cordless immersion blender
Specifications
Attachments: Chopper, blender, whisk, scratch-resistant cap
Power: Lithium ion battery
Weight: 2.4lb
Settings: Variable
RRP: $159.99
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Takes only 2 hours to charge
+
Variable speed trigger
+
Plenty of colors
+
Comes with a chopper, pitcher, and more
Reasons to avoid
–
Battery life is limited to 20 minutes
The KitchenAid Cordless Variable Speed Hand Blender liberates even the best immersion blenders of a cord.
It takes only two hours to charge this immersion blender to its full 20-minute run time. The attachments are generous, too. There’s a jug with a 4-cup capacity, as well as a mini chopper and whisk.
Great touches include the scratch-resistant cap for the blender head and the variable speed trigger. We really liked the blending cup, which has a lid with a removable insert so you can add your blending attachment to make mayonnaise or sauces without any splashing or mess.
This immersion blender also comes in a range of colors including black, red, blue velvet, and white. Cordless is taking off in a big way. Our best portable blender guide has more examples.
This immersion blender is with our testers and these are our initial thoughts
(Image credit: Cuisinart)
5. Cuisinart EvolutionX Cordless Rechargeable Hand Blender
Best budget cordless immersion blender
Specifications
Attachments: Blending wand, whisk, blender
Power: 7. 4 volts of lithium ion
Weight: 2.35lb.
Settings: No variable speeds
RRP: $79.95
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Cordless control
+
Powerful whisking
+
Reasonably priced
+
It’s easy to switch out attachments
+
Only takes 2 hours to recharge
Reasons to avoid
–
Safety lock is fiddly
Pick the Cuisinart EvolutionX Cordless Rechargeable Hand Blender if you want a cordless hand blender that doesn’t cost the earth. It’s surprisingly well priced given its premium looks and powerful lithium-ion motor. When we used it to make soup the blender didn’t give us the smoothest consistency overall, but it handled a variety of ingredients very well and was one of the fastest to reach stiff peaks when we used the whisk attachment on egg whites.
The freedom of cordless immersion blenders is something you’ll never realize you needed, but it means you can move around your entire kitchen and even blend your soups directly in the pot you cooked them in, with far easier cleaning after, too. The 30oz blending cup is large enough to make a morning smoothie, and it has a 20-minute runtime with only 2 hours of charging time.
In testing our one gripe was the safety lock, which certainly keeps the immersion blender a lot safer, but needs to be re-activated even if you momentarily take your finger off the trigger.
This immersion blender is with our testers and these are our initial thoughts
(Image credit: NutriBullet)
6. NutriBullet Immersion Blender
Best value immersion blender
Specifications
Attachments: Blender, whisk
Power: 350 watts
Weight: 2.88lb.
Settings: 3
RRP: $39
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Budget-friendly
+
Two speeds and variable
+
Soft grip handle
Reasons to avoid
–
Low power motor
The NutriBullet Immersion Blender comes at a reasonable price and has a whisk and blender attachment for making delicious desserts and smooth soups and sauces.
There are two speeds for different intensities and consistencies, and a soft-grip handle to prevent any slipping. We enjoyed the whisk in particular. Some whisks feel quite flimsy, almost like afterthoughts to the immersion blending attachment, but the NutriBullet had a good sturdy feel that we felt would last a long time.
The motor is just half that of our top pick, the Braun MultiQuick, and there are no anti-scratch designs to prevent your pans from being damaged, but for the price this is a great choice. It even fits compactly in most flatware drawers when not in use.
This immersion blender is with our testers and these are our initial thoughts
How we tested the best immersion blenders
(Image credit: Future)
At Homes & Gardens, we put a lot of thought into how we test, and for our best immersion blender guide we decided to bring our candidates into our testing facility and compare them side-by-side.
There was a lot of discussions about which soup would be best suited to seeing how capable an immersion blender is, and we settled on a humble English pea and mint soup. Peas come with small but noticeable skins, and mint can be quite a harsh herb to blend, so we felt that we would be able to taste the difference in power and effectiveness with this recipe. We cooked up a big batch, divided it between all of the blenders, and ran them for the same amount of time before doing a blind taste-test to see which was the smoothest.
Not all immersion blenders come with added attachments, but we tested those that did. Whisks were tested with egg whites, seeing how long it would take for the whisk to create stiff peaks of an equal amount of egg white in each test. When an immersion blender came with a mini chopper, we used that to make a pesto. Some came out like a smooth sauce and others like a roughly chopped dip, which could be good or bad depending on what you plan on cooking.
We also took into account how easy the products were to clean, and how it felt to use them.
What to look out for in an immersion blender
Finding the best immersion blender is all about knowing what you need to use it for. While we were taken by some multi-taskers, there is no point in buying an immersion blender with a mini blender or masher attachment if you don’t plan on using it. That’s especially the case if you’re paying a premium for the added attachments.
Some will already have machines in the home that are designed to take the place of these attachments, and many food processors also come with mini chopper attachments, so take a good look at what you already have, from a hand mixer to an extra-large jug for blending into, and then evaluate what is missing from your kitchen or needs replacing.
Power is important, so take a look at what motor power is. While soups blend up very easily, and heavy cream won’t take much power to whip up nicely, there is a case to be made for opting for a powerful model if you intend of making purees, dips, or thick sauces.
Immersion blender FAQs
How does an immersion blender work?
An immersion blender consists of a shaft with blades at one end. Its motor drives the blades round. It’s designed to be immersed into a liquid – for example a soup or sauce in a pan – hence the name, and is therefore different from a food processor with a bowl into which liquids are poured for blending. As you are holding the blender you can move it around in the liquid as necessary to ensure blending is even.
What does an immersion blender do?
Use an immersion blender for one-pot cooking on the stovetop. It can be used to blend soups, for example. But it’s also useful for making fruit smoothies or milkshakes. An immersion blender can also be used to make pesto or purée a tomato sauce for your pasta dishes. Consider using it to speed up tasks such as beating eggs, making pancake batter and whipping cream. And an immersion blender can also be used for making baby food.
Assessing immersion blenders in our test kitchen
(Image credit: Future / Millie Fender)
What is the purpose of an immersion blender?
The purpose of an immersion blender is to – you’ve guessed it – blend, but also to whisk, chop, mash and even chop ice if your model comes with these attachments. It can be used for many of the same tasks a standard blender is kept on hand in the kitchen for. It’s a handheld blender (which is the name sometimes used) so that you can put the blades into a pot of soup on the stove, or a glass or other container in which you want to make a smoothie or a milkshake, for example.
Will an immersion blender scratch a Dutch oven?
An immersion blender shouldn’t scratch a Dutch oven. The reason is that’s it’s typically designed so the blades don’t make contact with the bottom of the pan. However, that said it is possible to touch the bottom or the sides of a Dutch oven with the blades, so be sure to use it carefully in the center to avoid this happening.
Will an immersion blender scratch pots?
While an immersion blender is generally designed to avoid the problem of the blades coming into contact with the bottoms of pots, it is possible for this to happen. It is therefore important to use it carefully to avoid making contact with the bottom or sides of a pot with the blades. Hold it high enough to avoid scratching the base of the pot.
Directly comparing immersion blenders
(Image credit: Future/Millie Fender)
Can an immersion blender replace a food processor?
An immersion blender could replace a food processor. Depending on the model and its attachments, an immersion blender could perform tasks such as blending, whisking and chopping. However, immersion blenders can’t slice, grind, or knead, but a food processor can.
A food processor takes up more room in storage, whether that’s on the countertop or in a cabinet. A handheld immersion blender, on the other hand, takes up a lot less room because it doesn’t come with a bowl for the ingredients you need to blend.
Can an immersion blender replace a hand mixer?
An immersion blender can replace a hand mixer in your kitchen with the right attachment. An immersion blender shouldn’t be your choice of appliance for folding, or creating bread doughs, for example. That’s because an immersion blender has blades that cut the ingredients on which it’s used. However, a whisk attachment means you can whip cream, which replaces a hand mixture.
Round up of today’s best deals
Braun MQ9007 MultiQuick 9 Immersion
£112.75
£97.89
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See all prices
KitchenAid Cordless Variable Speed Hand
£268.79
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Cuisinart EvolutionX Cordless
£206.24
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NutriBullet Immersion Blender
£68.79
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powered by
15 interesting blender recipes
Likbez
Food
May 25, 2019
From fragrant appetizers and soups to delicious desserts.
Snacks that require a blender
The blender is great for making spreadable snacks. They can be served at the table at any time with toast or bread. But such dishes have a short shelf life, no longer than five days in the refrigerator.
1. Classic Hummus
This protein-rich dish comes from Israeli cuisine. Until now, in Hebrew, the word “hummus” is translated both as chickpeas and as a snack.
Ingredients
- 100 g dry chickpeas;
- 2 tablespoons tahini (sesame paste) or 40 g sesame;
- 3 tablespoons olive oil;
- ½ lemon;
- ½ teaspoon cumin;
- ½ teaspoon paprika;
- salt to taste;
- pine nuts – for serving.
Preparation
Wash chickpeas and soak in water for 8-10 hours. Place the pot of beans over low heat and simmer for 1½ to 2 hours until completely softened. Drain the liquid and remove the skin from the chickpeas with your hands.
If you haven’t found a ready-made sesame paste, you can cook it yourself in 3 minutes. Roast the sesame seeds over low heat. Transfer the seeds to a bowl, pour in 1 tablespoon of olive oil and grind with a blender. Tahini is ready.
Add cooked chickpeas, 2 tablespoons oil, lemon juice, cumin, paprika to pasta and blend until smooth. Salt to taste. If the mass is thicker than the pâté, add some water. When serving, you can decorate the hummus with pine nuts.
2. Chicken liver pate
nblxer/Depositphotos.com
This appetizer was invented 250 years ago, Germany and France are still fighting for the title of its homeland. In our country, pates appeared only in the middle of the last century.
Ingredients
- 1 bulb;
- 1 carrot;
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil;
- 500 g chicken liver;
- salt, pepper to taste;
- bay leaf – to taste;
- 100 g butter.
Preparation
Peel the vegetables and cut the onions into rings and the carrots into slices. Fry the onion in vegetable oil over low heat for 7 minutes, then add the carrots.
Rinse the liver, cut into small pieces and add to the vegetables. Season with salt, pepper and parsley, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender. When piercing the meat, clear juice should stand out.
Transfer the liver to a deep bowl. Add oil and remove bay leaf. Blend with a blender until smooth. Let the pâté cool in the refrigerator before serving.
3. Guacamole
zi3000/Depositphotos.com
Some consider guacamole to be a Mexican sauce, but it’s still an appetizer on its own. It is traditionally served with nachos or potato chips.
Ingredients
- 2 ripe avocados;
- 1 lime or lemon;
- 2 tablespoons olive oil;
- 1 tomato;
- ½ onion;
- 3 sprigs of cilantro;
- ¼ chili pepper;
- salt to taste.
Preparation
Peel and pit the avocado, slice it and pour over the citrus juice to prevent it from turning brown. Blend the pieces with olive oil in a blender.
Cut the tomato into small cubes. Chop onion, cilantro and chili pepper. If you want the appetizer to have a sauce-like consistency, puree the rest of the ingredients with a blender. However, this is optional: Traditionally, guacamole is more like a finely chopped salad than a sauce. Just mix everything, salt and serve.
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Soups that require a blender
1. Gazpacho
Spanish Easy puree soup is especially good in the heat – it is served cold.
Ingredients
- 4-5 tomatoes;
- 1 cucumber;
- 1 bulb;
- 1 bell pepper;
- 750 ml tomato juice;
- 3 sprigs of cilantro;
- 2 tablespoons wine vinegar;
- 4 tablespoons olive oil;
- salt, pepper to taste;
- tabasco – to taste;
- greens – for serving.
Preparation
Peel tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and seeds from peppers. Puree half of the vegetables with a blender, add tomato juice, chopped cilantro, vinegar and oil. Mix thoroughly, salt, pepper and put Tabasco.
If the puree is too thick, dilute it with water to the consistency of yoghurt. Cut the remaining vegetables into cubes and add to the soup. Then put the gazpacho in the refrigerator for half an hour. Serve with herbs: parsley, celery or basil.
2. Cheese Cream Soup with Chicken
A delicate dish that can not only be prepared for lunch on any day, but also served during an exquisite family dinner.
Ingredients
- 250 g chicken fillet;
- 2 liters of water;
- salt to taste;
- 1 bulb;
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil;
- 2 tablespoons flour;
- 50 g butter;
- 400 g hard cheese;
- 250 ml cream, 33% fat;
- greens – for serving.
Preparation
Cover the chicken with water and boil for 30 minutes to make a broth. Lay out the fillet and salt to taste.
Peel and finely chop the onion. Fry over low heat in vegetable oil for 7 minutes. Throw in the flour and stir until the onion softens.
Add the chicken, onion and butter to the broth and blend with a blender until smooth. On a coarse grater, grate the cheese into a saucepan. Pour in cold cream and mix thoroughly. Put the soup on a slow fire and cook until the cheese is completely dissolved.
Serve with herbs.
3. Vichyssoise
In France, Vichyssoise or onion soup is usually served cold. Like gazpacho in Spain, it not only saves from hunger, but also refreshes in the heat.
Ingredients
- 1 bulb;
- 400 g potatoes;
- 400 g leeks;
- 100 g butter;
- 1 liter chicken broth;
- salt to taste;
- 7 tablespoons 15% cream;
- greens – for serving.
Preparation
Peel the onions and potatoes and wash the leek. Melt the butter in a saucepan and add both types of finely chopped onions. Saute until vegetables are soft. Pour in the stock, season with salt and add the diced potatoes. Boil for half an hour over low heat.
Whip the finished vichyssoise with a blender, adding cold cream. Let the soup chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. When serving, you can decorate the dish with herbs.
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Sauces that require a blender
Homemade sauces are stored for no longer than five days in the refrigerator. But they are much tastier and healthier than store-bought ones: they do not contain thickeners and artificial additives.
1. Homemade mayonnaise
Homemade Provence can be used to make garlic and mustard sauces, tartare and a thousand islands.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs;
- 1 teaspoon mustard;
- sugar, pepper, salt to taste;
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice;
- 100 ml olive oil;
- 100 ml sunflower oil.
Preparation
Whisk the eggs, mustard, sugar, pepper and salt in a blender. Add lemon juice and gradually pour in both types of oil, continuing to mix. Store mayonnaise in the refrigerator.
2. Pesto
Italian sauce suitable for pasta, sandwiches, cheese, meat and vegetables.
Ingredients
- 2 garlic cloves;
- a pinch of sea salt;
- 30 g fresh basil;
- 10 g fresh parsley;
- 40 g pine nuts;
- 70 g parmesan;
- 100 ml olive oil.
Preparation
Peel the garlic and mash it in a mortar and mortar with sea salt. If the size of the mortar allows, add finely chopped greens. Otherwise, punch everything with a blender.
Place pine nuts on a hot dry pan and dry until fragrant. Grate the cheese on a fine grater.
Combine all ingredients and gradually pour in the oil. Mix with a blender at the lowest speed so as not to spoil the taste of the sauce. Ready-made pesto will thicken slightly in the refrigerator.
3. Adjika
Caucasian sauce will come in handy during the barbecue season. The sharpness of homemade adjika can be adjusted independently.
Ingredients
- 1 bell pepper;
- 2 garlic cloves;
- 5 tomatoes;
- 1 bunch cilantro;
- 40 g horseradish;
- 2 chili peppers;
- ½ tablespoon salt.
Preparation
Peel bell peppers and garlic. Chop them, as well as tomatoes, cilantro, horseradish and chili. Mix the ingredients with a blender. It is better to gradually add chili, so as not to overdo it with spiciness. Salt the resulting sauce.
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Smoothies that require a blender
One of the great things about smoothies is that you can make them with anything left in the fridge. Plus, it’s delicious, nutritious, and a great start to the day.
1. Banana milk smoothie with chia seeds
Milk smoothie can be based on any vegetable milk. For a richer flavor, opt for oatmeal. Rice has a bitter taste, and coconut resembles birch sap.
Ingredients
- 1 banana;
- 250 ml oat milk;
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds;
- cinnamon – to taste.
Preparation
Peel and slice banana, add to oat milk. Whisk the ingredients in a blender.
Put in the chia seeds, stir and refrigerate for 10 minutes to swell slightly. Banana smoothies can be sprinkled with cinnamon on top.
2. Blueberry Oatmeal Smoothie
Oatmeal smoothie can replace your usual breakfast cereal. There is no need to pre-cook the cereal.
Ingredients
- 50 g oatmeal;
- 125 ml water;
- 100 g fresh or frozen blueberries;
- 250 ml milk;
- 2 tablespoons of berry syrup, honey or jam.
Preparation
Cover oatmeal with hot water and microwave for 2 minutes at 850 W. Add blueberries to the prepared porridge and puree with a blender. Pour milk mixture over and whisk again.
For a sweeter smoothie, add honey, berry syrup or jam.
3. Strawberry Beetroot Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 apple;
- ½ beets;
- 250 ml strawberries;
- ½ avocado;
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice;
- 125 ml cold water.
Preparation
Peel and coarsely chop the apple and beets. Add strawberries, avocado, lemon juice to them and mix with a blender. Gradually pour in cold water until the consistency of liquid yogurt.
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Desserts that require a blender
A blender can be used to grind nuts and beat eggs with sugar for desserts.
1. Chocolate hazelnut spread
You can make your favorite Nutella from childhood in about 40 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs;
- 750 ml sugar;
- 4 tablespoons of flour;
- 2 tablespoons cocoa;
- 250 ml walnuts, peanuts or hazelnuts;
- 1 teaspoon butter;
- pinch of vanillin;
- 500 ml milk.
Preparation
Beat eggs at room temperature with sugar in a blender. When the sand dissolves, gradually pour in the flour and mix, then add the cocoa.
Peel and grind the nuts with a blender. Put the egg mixture, butter and vanilla to the nuts. Pour the resulting mass with milk, mix until smooth.
Put the pasta on a slow fire and cook for about 20 minutes. Stir constantly so it doesn’t burn. Pour the finished dessert into jars and refrigerate for 1 hour.
2. Orange marmalade
Dessert can be eaten with bread or biscuits. Some gourmets combine confiture with cheese, meat and liver pate.
Ingredients
- 5 oranges;
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice;
- 2 liters of cold water;
- 1 kg of sugar.
Preparation
Wash the oranges and peel with a paring knife. Cut the skin into strips and pour boiling water to remove the bitterness. Leave for a couple of hours. During this time, change the water twice, and then drain.
Divide the oranges into wedges. If you want to leave the pieces in the dessert whole, peel them from the film. For a smooth dessert consistency, grind the citrus with a blender.
Bring the resulting mass or orange slices with lemon juice, water and zest to a boil over low heat. When the volume of the mixture is reduced by half, gradually add sugar. Boil for 10 minutes, then take a spoonful of confiture and cool. If you get the consistency of jelly, the dessert is ready. Otherwise, cook the mass for another 10 minutes.
3. Brownie
The traditional American brownie resembles a brownie with a very soft center.
Ingredients
- 200 g dark chocolate;
- 120 g butter;
- 170 g sugar;
- 3 chicken eggs;
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract;
- 120 g flour;
- 60 g cocoa;
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt.
Preparation
Melt the chocolate and butter in a bain-marie. Beat sugar, eggs and vanilla extract with a blender until a light mass is obtained. Pour in chocolate and butter mixture.
Add flour, 50 g cocoa, salt to the resulting mass and mix. Line a baking sheet with baking paper and lay out the dough. Smooth out the edges with a knife.
Bake the brownies in a preheated oven at 180°C for 25-27 minutes. Cut the finished dessert into rectangles and sprinkle with the remaining cocoa.
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How to choose the right blender: which is better stationary or submersible?
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Blenders can replace kitchen appliances such as a mixer, coffee grinder, and sometimes a food processor. They help you mix, whisk or grind food, saving you time. In addition, the use of additional nozzles allows you to cut vegetables into different slices and cubes, knead thick dough, pump air out of the food storage container.
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Types of blenders
Before choosing a blender, you should get acquainted with its types:
- submersible – for grinding soft foods and whipping them into puree: boiled vegetables, meat, fish;
- stationary – it is convenient to prepare liquid cocktails and smoothies, various puree soups in them, but the devices should not be used for grinding dry foods;
- grinders for grinding meat into mincemeat, nuts into crumbs and other hard foods, however they have limitations in use;
- combined, combining the functions of an immersion blender and a chopper: a soup blender, a blender-juice extractor, a blender-mixer.
The first two types are the most popular, and they will be discussed further.
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Features of immersion blenders
By design, immersion blenders are a convenient handle with a built-in motor, on which chopper knives are fixed. When processing products with the device, you can use any convenient container. This allows you to process different quantities of ingredients, including small portions.
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The advantages of submersible devices include:
- many attachments – the presence of options for a food processor, mixer, meat grinder, manual “crusher” for puree and others;
- small dimensions, which makes it mobile;
- can be used for processing almost all products: meat and fish, vegetables, fruits, berries, cheese, coffee beans, crackers;
- the presence of knives, which allows not to use a large number of nozzles;
- simple assembly;
- processes soft and cooked foods faster;
- easily grinds even small ingredients such as herbs, seeds, spices, dried fruits, which usually stick to the sides of the bowl;
- high capacity;
- easier to achieve uniformity by manually moving the nozzle at different angles.
Such devices have no disadvantages in terms of technical characteristics, but there are also uncomfortable moments when using :
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- the operating device must be held in the hand all the time and the button must be constantly pressed;
- handle can slip out of hand;
- no lids for different containers, therefore, when chopping or churning food, there may be splashes;
- Shake cocktails and liquid drinks cannot be fully prepared.
These blenders are small in size, so they fit easily even in small kitchen cabinets and are easy to transport. It is especially recommended to purchase such equipment for families with small children and often need to cook small portions. With a blender, you can very quickly prepare mashed potatoes, vegetable soup, whip cream for a cake or cake.
Features of stand blenders
Stand blenders (or shakers) are devices with a bowl mounted on a stand. It contains knives that grind or whip products.
This blender comes standard with:
- body;
- bowl;
- removable knives;
- container cover.
They are very easy to use. You just need to place the ingredients in the bowl, close the lid, select the grinding program and press the start button. But it should be borne in mind that such a device can only grind food, and not cut them.
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The main advantages of shakers:
- ideally prepare liquid and semi-liquid smoothies, mixes and cocktails;
- there is no need for constant participation of a person in the process and to hold the device in hand;
- easy maintenance, many models are self-cleaning;
- high power, which allows you to crush quite solid substances, including ice, frozen berries and fruits, or nuts;
- it is convenient to wash the bowl without fear of cuts of knives;
- bowl with lid prevents splashing.
But stationary products also have their disadvantages:
- storage requires more space – the dimensions and weight of such kitchen appliances often do not allow convenient use in a small kitchen;
- they do not grind fruits and vegetables well;
- small portions cannot be prepared;
- The volume of the bowl capacity can limit the cooking of a large number of products and you will have to do several approaches.
How to choose a stand blender
These shakers are usually equipped with different nozzles and knives, small grinders for coffee and various spices. Some models have special glasses – separately for vegetables, mashed soups, various types of cocktails.
If you decide to opt for a stationary instrument, there are a number of important features to consider.
1. The power of the device
It ranges from 150-1000 watts. 350-700 W is enough for cocktails, 800 W for grinding solid ingredients, 1000 W for smoothies to get a homogeneous mass. Keep in mind that the higher the power, the greater the noise and price of the blender, but also its capabilities.
2. Cup volume
According to the passport, the nominal volume can be from 400 ml to 2 liters, but you need to use 100-200 ml less (from 300 ml to 1.7 liters, respectively).
3. Bowl material
It is made of plastic, glass or metal. Much less often – from tritan. Plastic bowls are lighter and cheaper, and they don’t break, but they can get scratched over time. Also, plastic is not always heat resistant, so it may not be suitable for hot foods. Glass ones do not scratch, but they can be broken, besides, they are heavier than metal ones. But these materials are resistant to hot temperatures. Tritan is durable, heat-resistant and comfortable, but much more expensive.
4. Quality and quantity of knives
There can be two or one, straight or curved. With two knives, chopping is faster and more efficient, and curved knives are suitable for better mixing. The material is more reliable than stainless steel, although there are also plastic ones. For grinding products of high hardness, the device must have special knives or a removable grinder.
5. Strength of the base
The weight and strength of the base unit with motor affects the reliability of the device, especially when working with solid products and at high speeds. Metal is heavier and more stable than plastic, but more expensive.
6. Speed settings
The more speed settings, the more variety the blender can handle. There are models with up to 20 or 30 modes, but they are more suitable for a professional cook. For everyday cooking, 5 to 8 speeds are usually enough. Often in addition there is a turbo mode and a pulse. High speed settings are used for grinding hard ingredients or for more thorough whipping and mixing.
7. Control method
The gears can be changed mechanically with a knob or electronically via buttons or touch screen.
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Immersion blender selection
These models are more popular due to their wide range of options. But in different models there are many differences. Here are the main criteria that you need to consider when choosing an immersion blender.
1. Power
It affects the working speed and the ability to process heavy or hard products. In most types – from 140 to 2000 watts. For products with a lot of softness, a device up to 450 W is suitable, for ice, nuts and other similar products – above 600 W. For a manual device, it is important to choose the right power for your tasks. If you choose it incorrectly, you will have a big load on your hands, or the device will quickly fail.
2. Speed modes
Submersible models range from multiple speeds up to 30, and often include pulse and turbo modes. A small number of speeds are suitable for the simplest tasks. But it is desirable that the blender has a wider range for processing different ingredients and smooth adjustment of modes. The higher the speed, the more thoroughly you can grind, beat or mix the products. And the smaller the speed change step, the easier it is to prepare the desired consistency of the mixture.
A variety of speeds is especially important for an immersion blender because they can be changed during operation and adjusted to a specific product and desired consistency.
3. Housing material
Usually plastic or metal is used. Be sure to pay attention to whether there are rubberized inserts on the body that prevent the blender from slipping out of your hands when using the device.
4. Nozzle and knives
The most reliable material of these elements is high strength stainless steel, which does not corrode for many years. Plastic ones wear out faster and can break, and are also not suitable for immersion in hot foods. Nozzles with wavy edges mix better, but spray the mass a little more.
Blenders also differ in the number of interchangeable nozzles. The package usually includes three main types of nozzles: a blender for mixing and fine cutting, a whisk for whipping and a grinder for minced meat and chopping solid foods. With nozzles for different types of mixtures and shredders, you can mix any food. Additionally, grinders of various sizes for grinding solid foods and meat, a special nozzle for mashing, a vacuum pump and others can be added.
5. Type of power supply – cord or battery
Usually, immersion blenders are connected using cords from the mains, the length of which reaches 1.5 m. However, if you want to use the blender not only in the kitchen, but also in other rooms or outdoors, it is better to choose a wireless device. True, its mass will be greater due to the built-in battery, and the battery life of the device is not more than half an hour. The intensity and power when using the battery will also be less.
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Choosing a hand blender
How to choose the right blender
To understand how to choose the right blender, it is important to carefully study the features of different devices and determine your goals. To begin with, determine for which products you will use the appliance, how often you will cook and in what volumes. Not only the type of product depends on this, but also its characteristics.
If you are comfortable with small batches, manual control of mixing and chopping, pureeing, blending, chopping or blending soft fresh and cooked foods, the immersion blender is for you. It copes with both vegetables and fruits, as well as hard meats or nuts.
Also suitable if you need a compact device that can be easily folded and carried. It is ideal for small kitchens, when you need to prepare meals for children or use the device outside the kitchen area.
When you need to prepare large portions, grind frozen and solid foods, mix drinks and liquid smoothies, and you don’t want to strain your hands, you need a stationary blender. When choosing a shaker, it is important to calculate the optimal bowl volume for your needs so that you do not have to load the blender several times.