When you are ready to make the perfect smoothie or cream your soups to perfection, it is time for a new hand blender. Our helpful buying guide will give you all the information you need to buy the perfect one for your needs.
What is a hand blender?
Also called stick mixers or immersion blenders, these are lightweight handheld mixers that can blend and mix. The motor is up high and the blade is at the bottom so you can mix any food in any blender safe container (like a pot or mixing bowl). They are light and meant to be used for making soft foods smooth such as cream soups and smoothies.
These can be corded or cordless and come with many accessories making them versatile for mixing, blending, and more. They come with two main parts, the handle which holds the motor and controls and the wand which holds the blade. Usually they detach for cleaning and storage.
What can you use hand blenders for?
It is almost better to ask what a stick mixer can’t be used for? These versatile kitchen machines can take just about any soft food and turn it into a silky smooth consistency.
Popular foods to make with a stick mixer include: sauces, creamy soups, mayonnaise, pesto, hummus, mashed potatoes, milkshakes, smoothies, whipped cream, and more.
Most hand blenders come with a blade attachment for pureeing food to perfection, but you can also get whisk attachments and others to make whipped cream and to whisk eggs.
The general idea of an immersion mixer is that you can put them right into pots of cooked vegetables to turn them into a fine puree for a cream soup. You can also put fruit into a glass, and then put the blender in to give you an instant smoothie. They are easy to work with, easy to clean and small enough to store easily in any kitchen. With various attachments, such as whisks, they can perform many kitchen tasks quickly and easily.
Pros and Cons of a hand blender
Pros:
- compact and lightweight
- easy to use
- can be used with any container
- can have a whisk and a chopper options which makes it a versatile kitchen object
- Small and easy to store
Cons:
- good for “small jobs” and cannot be used for a long time
- not suitable for blending very hard objects (raw vegetables, fruit, ice)
- vibration and noise of the device can be annoying
- Heavier models can be fatiguing
How to choose the best hand blender?
Here are the basic features of an immersion blender that you should consider before you make your final choice.
Power
Make sure to buy an immersion blender that has enough power to do the jobs you need to do. For large pots of potatoes or for crushing ice, you will need as much power as possible.
Speed
Another specification to consider is the speed. Generally, the faster the blender is in terms of RPMs, then the easier it will complete jobs. Most come with at least some speed control in case you need to slow down or speed up your blending.
Safety and ease of use
One of the most important features of your immersion blender are the handle and the controls. You want to make sure it is comfortable to use and safe to operate.
Weight and dimensions
Check the weight of the blender and consider how easy it will be for you to hold for minutes at a time. Lighter blenders are easier to use, but also may not have as much power.
Materials
Consider that you will be holding the blender in your hands for minutes at a time, and make sure to choose a material that is comfortable and to your liking.
- Plastic: Most low-end blenders are made with plastic housings and these are fine for lightweight and convenient blending.
- Stainless steel: higher-end models will come encased in stainless steel or other high-quality materials
Accessories
Check to see what accessories you are getting with the blender package. Many come with standard attachments and containers, but you may need to look for other accessories sold separately.
Most blenders will come with a container for mixing. Check to see what it is made of because cheaper mixers will have plastic containers, but you might prefer one made of stainless steel that will last longer and be easier to clean.
One type of accessory that can be very useful is a whisk. The whisk allows you to mix foods more gently than with the blade attachment and these are great for whipping up eggs or making whip cream.
Another attachment is the chopper which turns your stick mixer into a food processor to chop vegetables for delicious homemade salsa.
Some hand blenders have dough hook attachments specially designed for kneading tough doughs. You can get spice or coffee grinder attachments and even specially designed potato mashers.
Conclusion
Once you have used a decent hand blender, you will find it hard to believe that you were living without one. They are so versatile and easy to use that you will never regret your purchase.