There are few culinary appliances as flexible as an electric hand blender. Blending, chopping, and pureeing are all made simple and quick with the use of a stick blender in the kitchen. These electric blenders are essential items to have when trying to create a delicious, healthy meal for your family or friends.
A blender can help you make everything from smoothies to homemade soup in minutes instead of hours. This blender, in particular, will let you blend ingredients quickly and easily without having to lug out the full-sized blender whenever you want to whip up something tasty.
The other names of hand blenders are:
However, if you haven’t had much experience with them, how do you know if a hand blender is right for you? In this article, we’ll discuss what features you should look for in a hand blender and how to choose the best one for your needs.
Why Is It Called a Hand Blender?
The name hand blender is pretty self-explanatory. It’s called a hand blender because it requires minimal effort; you use it to blend, puree, and chop while keeping your hands safely away from blades.
From its design, we can see that it is a stick with blades at one end that can blend. Their different models are available in the market; some are cordless, and some are with cords. Cordless hand blenders are with the latest technologies, and you can easily take them away.
Hand Blender Vs. Countertop Blender
Both blenders are constructed for the same purposes: blending, pureeing, and making delicious soups and smoothies for you. But some differences in them will be discussed here.
The countertop blender comes with a motor base which also has different settings and on/off buttons. This base sits on your countertop, and a container is placed on the base. You should put the food ingredients in that container to do the processing.
Different types of blades also come with expensive countertop blenders. In some models, these blades are fixed, and in some other models, these blades are interchangeable.
While a hand blender is a simple stick with that blade attached on one side and on/off buttons on another, there is no container or high-powered motor.
| Countertop Blender | Hand Blender | |
|---|---|---|
| Container | Yes | No |
| Batch Capacity | Limited (30 oz to 70 oz) | Unlimited |
| Different Settings | Yes | No |
| Variable Speeds | Yes | Yes |
| Crushing Ice | Yes | Little Amounts |
| Chopper Attachments | No | Yes |
| Whisk Attachments | No | Yes |
| Motor Power | High | Medium |
Benefits of Hand Blenders
Handheld blenders are useful for a variety of kitchen tasks. Some of these are described more below.
One Dish
If you’re cooking, you need one pan. If you’re baking, you need one bowl. With a hand blender, there is no limit to what will go in your one pot or one bowl. These powerful and versatile immersion blenders can purée the soup into its serving dish, create smoothies that won’t drip out of your glass, emulsify salad dressing right into your mixing container, and more!
Instant Preparation with Hand Blender
One of the easiest ways to reduce your kitchen prep time is by using an immersion blender. Immersion blenders are handheld devices that allow you to puree soups, whip cream, and prepare salsas in their serving bowl.
Sure, you can use them to make mayonnaise, but they’re great for blending up small amounts of sauces and vegetables at once.
Less Cleanup
If you’re tired of doing dishes by hand after every meal, it might be time to take advantage of modern technology. You can save time and water with a hand blender that mixes food inside your cooking pot—the less time spent cleaning up, the more time you have to relax!
Cleanup can be difficult with blenders as often; you’ll have to remove pieces to clean them. All these elements are housed inside one unit with a hand blender.
Unlimited Capacity of Hand Blender
One of my favorite things about hand blenders is their unlimited capacity. While my standing blender only fits one large batch of smoothie or soup, I can fit four small batches of salsa or dips with my hand blender. This means I don’t have to process every bit of produce at once and instead can use what I need when I need it.
Best for Small Amounts
If you’re making small amounts of food (e.g., mixing ingredients for a meal), having a hand blender can be extremely useful. Paired with your normal utensils, they help you prepare small meals quickly and easily.
The blades are designed to work best on smaller tasks, so even if you don’t need it all the time, it is an incredibly handy appliance to have around when the need arises.
Easy to Store
If you don’t have much space and want to save money on bulk and expensive kitchen appliances, a hand blender is your best bet. It’s so compact that it can be stored easily, occupying minimal space on the countertop or inside cabinets.
The best part? A hand blender can make just about anything from smoothies to pureed soups, sauces, cocktails, and more, just like a traditional blender.
Different Speeds
These immersion blenders have a range of speeds, from low to high. Some even allow you to switch back and forth between speeds as you’re blending, which is especially useful for thick mixtures such as soup or salsa.
Make sure there’s also a high-speed option if you plan on whipping cream or making smoothies. It’s crucial to keep in mind that they are frequently just dishwashing safe and should not be immersed in water. Lastly, choose one with a timer, so you know when the job is done!
Cordless Models
One of cordless hand blenders’ greatest benefits is that you can use them without worrying about being tethered to an outlet. For example, if you need to make whipped cream while your spouse makes pancakes, using a hand blender will allow you to be fully independent and work at different stations on opposite sides of your kitchen.
The absence of cords also means that you won’t have to risk tripping over them or having them get caught on sharp objects like pots and pans.
Uses of Hand Blenders
An immersion blender is an incredibly versatile tool; you can use it for just about anything. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite uses to give you an idea of what you can do with an immersion blender!
This list is in no way exhaustive, so let us know if we missed any cool ways to use your immersion blender by commenting below! If you don’t own one yet, check out our guide on hand blenders so you can select the one that is most suited to your preferences and requirements.
Blend Ingredients
These blenders are powerful enough to blend even the harsh ingredients. They are no less than a standard blender. If you’re making homemade baby food or frequently blending soups, using a handheld blender can save you time and energy.
While it may not completely replace your stand mixer or full-size food processor, it gives you another kitchen tool to handle common tasks quickly and easily.
Make Puree
With two blades, you’ll be able to purée your ingredients quickly and easily without transferring them into a blender. Plus, because the blades are small, they will help mix all the food, even at the bottom of the pot or pan.
Whip with Hand Blender
A whisk attachment is one of the many attachments that may be used with hand blenders. To make whipped cream, beat the liquid components, such as cream and eggs until they make firm peaks. Additionally, a whisk attachment may be used to emulsify oils and other components for making your different types of spreads.
Chopping
With the help of an extra attachment called a chopper, this handheld blender converts into a small food processor. This blender is quite handy when you have to chop more than a few vegetables. This stick blender can chop nuts and herbs as well.
FAQs
Conclusion
A hand blender is a kitchen essential that can do wonders for your preparation and cooking process. From smoothies and soups to whipped cream and sauces, a hand blender can help you make any recipe to perfection. With its versatility and efficiency, it’s no wonder why they’re so popular among home cooks.
In addition to these benefits, hand blenders are also eco-friendly due to their low noise levels and easy-to-clean design. Try out our selection of hand blenders to see the numerous advantages they have to offer.