What Is An Immersion Blender

Your kitchen can never be complete without an immersion blender. An immersion blender is a handheld tool used for blending foods. It's smaller than the full-size blender, making it ideal for use in small-scale blending jobs, like blending sauces and soups. An immersion blender is a user-friendly kitchen tool with two parts: the blending arm and the motor body.

The motor body is the part that’s held in the hand. It has buttons you can use to turn the blender on and off, change speeds, and lock its blades. Some hand-held blenders are battery-powered, while others have cords you can use to connect them to a power source. The blending arm is the part that does the actual blending because it has a blade. This part is removable, so you can replace it with another arm.

An immersion blender can support different attachments, each of which can connect to the motor body to perform various functions like whipping, chopping, or blending. To clean the immersion blender, first, turn it off, then unplug it.

Detach the blending arm from the motor body. You can then clean the arm by hand or using a dishwasher (check the manufacturer’s instructions). You can use a sponge and soapy water. After cleaning, let it dry.

How To Choose An Immersion Blender?

There are many brands of immersion blenders in the market today. This makes it difficult for buyers to choose the best one among them. If you want to buy the best immersion blender, consider the following factors:

1. Power:

Blenders consume power. The higher the power rating of a blender, the more power it will consume. If you don’t want your power bills to shoot, you can choose a blender with a low power rating. The power ratings of blenders range from 140 watts to 800 watts.

As you choose, you must also remember that more powerful blenders have higher power ratings. So if you want to chop herbs and fruits, crush ice, grind seeds and nuts, or puree very thick liquids, it’s better if you buy a powerful model.

2. Speed Settings:

Speed is important in blenders because it determines how fast you can blend your food and how smooth the final product will be. Some immersion blenders have turbo settings, others have variable settings, while others only have two speeds.

3. Pulse Option:

The pulse option is important when crushing or grinding because it gives the power that helps to redistribute the food to give a consistent result.

4. Wand Length:

Wand length determines how deep you can go with your blending. Immersion blenders come with different wand lengths. Some come with an extension wand that can enable them to be used in deep containers.

5. Cordless Or Corded:

If you are after maneuverability, then you can buy a cordless immersion blender. The cordless blenders can be used anywhere because they are battery-powered. With these blenders, you’d also not have to worry about the cords getting into your way while moving around.

However, they are heavier than their corded counterparts and may let you down when you want to grind, then realize the battery has no power. Cordless blenders are good for light quick blending, while corded blenders are better for heavier blending works.

How To Use An Immersion Blender

An immersion blender, whether cordless or corded, must be used correctly for it to last longer. You must also use the blades for the purpose they were designed for to protect them from damages. Here are the steps for using immersion blenders.

Step 1 - Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions:
When you buy a new blender read the instructions about the foods you can blend and the ones you can’t blend, blending time, blending qualities, maintenance, how to wash it, how long to charge the battery (for a cordless blender), and the power outlet to use (for a corded blender).

Step 2 - Keep the power switched off when the blender is not in use:
Always make sure the blender is turned off at all times when not in use. When you want to use it, plug it in the wall socket, then switch the socket on before turning the blender on. After using it, turn it off and unplug it before you detach the parts. You must also ensure it is not plugged in when you want to wash it.

Step 3 - Choose the correct attachment for the job at hand: There are many different attachments you can use with your blender. Each attachment is designed for a specific purpose. So, make sure the attachment you have suits the intended use. These attachments also come with instructions on how to use them and what types of food you can use them to blend.

Step 4 - Turn the power on at the right time: Check the manufacturer’s manual to see when to turn the blender on. Some blenders can be turned on before entering the food, while others are supposed to be turned on after entering the food. Again, before you turn a cordless blender on, make sure the battery is charged.

Step 5 - Choose the right container for blending: The container you use for blending should have enough room to prevent food from splashing over. Narrow containers work better for blending than wide ones. If you have a small quality of food to blend, you can use a small jug or jar for the job. As you blend, tilt the container slightly and pull the blender up and down to create a vortex. This will make the food blend better.

Step 6 - Move the blender about: For the best result, don’t keep the blender at one point. As you move it up and down, also move it around the food so you can get a good consistency. If you like, you can as well move the container while you keep the blender static. Check the instructions on how long you should take blending a particular food.

Step 7 - Move the blender carefully: While blending, don’t bang it on the container. Try to be careful when you are moving to the sides or the bottom of the container. Banging the blender on the container can damage it or scratch the container.

Step 8 - Wash the blender and the blades: After you are through with blending, detach the parts of the blender and wash them as described above.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Immersion Blender

Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of an immersion blender will help you decide whether you need to buy one.

Advantages Of An Immersion Blender

Hygienic:

Stainless steel is used in making immersion blender blades. This makes them hygienic because the steel can’t contaminate the food.

Safe:

Immersion blenders are designed with safety in mind. The switch is safe, and the blender can be gripped and rotated without injuring the user or damaging the blending jar or pot. Corded blenders come with 2-meter long cords, which make them safe to use.

Keep Your Food Fresh:

The heat the blender generates when it is operated won’t be transferred to your food. This ensures your food remains nutritious and fresh.

Can Work With Most Containers:

You don’t need to buy a special container to use with your blender. This tool can work with any containers already in your kitchen, including jars, pots, cups, bowls, etc.

Very Efficient:

A blender will handle all the types of foods you use it on, whether hard or soft. You only need to choose the right blade.

Easy To Operate And Clean:

You don’t need any special training to use a blender and all its accessories. Furthermore, these blenders come with detailed instructions on how to use them.

Disadvantages Of An Immersion Blender

Splashing:

When blending very soft food, the blender can splash it on you. If the food is hot, you can get burned. Choose the right container for blending.

Heavy Work:

An immersion blender cannot handle large amounts of food. It is most suitable for small jobs and can, therefore, not work if you have visitors.

Tiring:

It’s quite tiring to use an immersion blender. The blender itself can also get overworked if you don’t give it time to rest.

What Is An Immersion Blender Used For?

Whether you want to roughly chop, puree, or blend, an immersion blender is your perfect solution. Here are the different uses of an immersion blender.

Blending Big Soup Batches

Powerful immersion blenders can be used to blend big soup batches. You can use the blend directly in your cooking pot. This will help you prevent the hassle and mess associated with transferring the soup to the table to blend.

Making Smoothies (Single-Serving)

As stated earlier, immersion blenders are great for small jobs. If you want to make some smoothies for your breakfast, this device will come in handy.

A Smooth Sauce

Instead of buying a sauce from the stores, you can make your own sauce using an immersion blender. You just need some fresh tomatoes and you’ll get a perfectly smooth sauce. 

Whipping Up Fresh Salsas

You can use your immersion blender to quickly pulverize herbs, tomatoes, onions, and peppers. The blender has fine blades that can chop almost anything into small pieces, quite fitting for a salsa. 

Preparing Lump-free Batter

If you need lump-free pancake butter, an immersion blender will come in handy. It will help you get a perfect consistency for your fluffy pancakes faster than you’d have imagined. 

Perfect Pesto

Your immersion blender can help you get a perfect pasta sauce within seconds, you can use it to blend olive oil, garlic, pine nuts, and basil in no time. 

You can also use an immersion blender to:

Why Should You Buy An Immersion Blender

An immersion blender is an indispensable addition to your kitchen, and for good reasons.

1) It’s Light And Compact: If space is your concern, you need not worry. Immersion blenders are compact and won’t take much space in your kitchen.

2) Ease Of Use: The fact that an immersion blender is easy to use need not be overemphasized. All it takes is to switch it on, and it will start running on its own. Being that it is handheld means you can maneuver it easily to blend whatever food you have.

3) Easy To Clean: You can clean an immersion blender even without a dishwasher. You just need a sponge and soapy water.

4) Multitasking: An immersion blender can accommodate different types of blades designed for different uses. When you have some work to do, choose the right blade, and you’ll be good to go.

5) Affordable: If the cost is your worry, the good news is that immersion blenders are quite affordable. You can get one cheaply from an online store and have it delivered to your doorstep.

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs

Q: What is the difference between an immersion blender and a regular blender?

The main difference between an immersion blender and a regular blender is its size. Immersion blenders are smaller and less powerful. They cannot effectively crush through hearty greens, frozen desserts, nuts, frozen fruit, among others.

Q: What is an immersion blender good for?

An immersion blender is great for blending sauces, soups, and other liquids. It is essentially a stick with blades attached to it. 

Q: What can you use in place of an immersion blender?

If you want to use an immersion blender but don’t have one, you can use a hand mixture. It will work well with your batters, eggs, etc. 

Q: Is an immersion blender worth it?

Yes. An immersion blender is a worthy investment. Even if you have a regular blender, you can buy it for lighter tasks and because it’s more portable and maneuverable. 

Q: Can I use an immersion blender for mashed potatoes?

Immersion blenders don’t work well for mashed potatoes. You can use a regular blender instead. 

Q: Will immersion blender scratch pots?

Of course. If you push it too deep until it reaches the bottom of the pot, it will leave a scratch. The same is the case if you bang it to the sides of the pot. Don’t let it get into contact with the bottom or sides of the pot. 

Q: Can I use an immersion blender in hot soup?

You can, but it’s a little risky because the soup can splash. It’s better to let the soup cool, blend it then reheat. 

Q: How do you use an immersion blender without scratching it?

You can hold it at an angle and lower it down slowly. Don’t allow it to touch the bottom or the sides of the pot. Some immersion blenders have silicone guards that protect them from scratching. 

Conclusion

There you have it. You now have enough information to decide whether it’s worth buying an immersion blender. The advantages of an immersion blender outweigh its disadvantages. An immersion blender provides value for money. You’ll love it the first time you use it. Just a word of caution; Keep it away from children who may want to play with it.