Immersion/Stick Blenders

[andiesenji]

Most of them will work well on soups and drinks, smoothies, etc.

The combination ones do more and for small batches of stuff the mini processor bowl works quite well and saves having to have another appliance.

The hanging bracket is very handy and means you do not have to find drawer space for it and it even stores the cord nicely.

I have the Braun turbo 400 watt with this little processor attachment.

Which works quite well and can be found for quite reasonable prices.

Braun turbo

I have a larger one for use in deep stock pots - made by Mitey - with a long shaft. It is on loan right now but usually hangs from the vent hood over my stovetop - I had plugs installed up there so I could use these appliances without having cords draped over the stovetop.

[sazji]

I had never used an immersion blender till a friend gave me one last year when someone gave him a new one. ("I didn't like it anyway, it was white and showed dirt to easily...")

Now I wonder how I got along without it for so long. I've made hummous, baba ghanouj, all sorts of sauces. It's great for pureeing soups without having to pour them into a blender, saving lumped pudding, you name it.

[fifi]

I got my Bamix last year as my Christmas present to myself. It has been a wonderful gift. My Kitchen Aid stand mixer is lost in storage and I have actually used the Bamix to do the creaming steps in making cookies and such for this Christmas. Yes, the KA would have been easier, but the Bamix did a good job. Now, I am remembering to use the darn thing more often and am becoming enamoured with it. I don't think I will replace the blender that died.

[JLam]

Add me to the folks who have drunk the Bamix Kool-Aid

I love it, and it works great. Get the one with fuel injection and the turbocharger...it's worth the extra 5 grand.

[Ben L.]

HKDave, have you purchased an IB yet? Another happy Braun IB owner here. I got the Braun Multiquick professional MR 5000 three months ago and I use it primarily for making cream soup and coulis. The unique anti-splashing design of the shaft really does the job well.

[ronnie_suburban]

I really love my Braun Multi-Quick Professional. Since I finally unboxed it, I use it frequently and have virtually obsoleted my standard blender. If you go that route, I advise you to get the model with the stainless shaft. They also make one with poly shaft which isn't nearly as durable -- and its model number is very similar to the one with the stainless shaft.

Before buying, I researched the Bamix too and my guess is that they are even superior to the Braun models, but they seemed much larger and storage space was a consideration for me.

=R=

[snowangel]

I never thought anything about an IB until I saw the Braun Multiquick with the poly shaft at Costco for $9.99 (one of the last two they had) so I figured, "why not?"

I can't imagine not having one, and the regular blender is now on a shelf in the laundry room (limited kitchen space).

And yes, you can use them to make hummus.

[Doc-G]

I am so happy with the Braun, I just bought a second one after the last one just died.

I would recommend the one with the highest power rating (I think one is 400W and the other is 600W) and with the stainless steel whizzer (sorry for the use of highly technical words!! ) not the plastic one (I only just realized I am repeating what Ronnie Suburban said..I guess that this is just further support for what he said!).

I still have a really good blender but it has been collecting dust since I got the Braun. I use it for everything that needs blitzing, whizzing or even just plain ol' blending! (again apologise for using tech talk!).

Cheers,

Doc-G

Edited January 9, 2006 by Doc-G (log)

[SMW]

In reading Chufi's blog last week, I noticed that she whipped up breakfast smoothies right in the glass using a stick blender. I have always been afraid to do that, I guess my fear has been that the glass would break and go flying all over (or into the hand that is holding the glass). I haven't looked at the manual of my blender, but it seems likely that this is not recommended

Nonetheless, the thought of one less dish to wash spurred me on, and so this week I proceeded to make three mango smoothies right in the glass. Each one has turned out fine. However, I still worry, and I'm not sure I should continue this practice.

I'm not sure if this matters, but I have a Braun blender with a 400W motor, if I am remembering correctly - it has 5 speeds and a turbo option - I have been using level 3 - as well as level 3 turbo.

I'm curious to know if I am risking my luck, or my right hand, or if others successfully use their stick blenders in their glasses without problem.

Edited May 4, 2006 by SMW (log)

[Anna N]

I would not attempt this although I have watched Chef Michael Smith use the hand blender in a large mason jar. Mason jars are made of tempered glass. Like you I would be afraid that the glass of an ordinary tumbler might shatter.

[scubadoo97]

I have a Bamix stick blender and have used it in a drinking glass. I had the glass in the sink and was not holding it in my hands just holding the top while blending. I did this mostly to catch any mess while blending. No problems with the glass but I expect there could be some risk.

[k43]

The photos on the Bamix site seem to show that the metal blade and its short tube enclosure both whirl. It would be easy to let the tube touch the side of the container and start whirling around, like the motorcyclists running up the side of a giant barrel at the carnival. I'd say that the container you blend in should be dishwasher-safe at a minimum.

If I'm wrong, and the outer tube stays stationary, than you should be able to use it in any substantial container.

[Smithy]

My wand blender has a stationary casing on the outside, reaching down to below the blade level, with side cuts to allow liquid in and out. The blade can't touch anything except the material that comes in through the side windows. I wouldn't hesitate to use this blender in any container. I would be sure to hold the glass in question, though, to make sure I didn't send it flying across the room.

[Pam R]

My wand blender has a stationary casing on the outside, reaching down to below the blade level, with side cuts to allow liquid in and out. 

Mine as well.

I've never used the plastic cups that come with the blenders. But I've used glass and metal bowls, glasses and pots.

Without the plastic protector I might hesitate - but since all of the blenders I've owned had the protector I've never thought twice about it.

[SMW]

I made another death wish smoothie this morning with no ill effects - it seems pretty safe so I decided to go check it out - on Amazon the descriptions of several blenders mention making smoothies right in the glass (however, this is not mentioned for the one closest to the model that I have). The actual product instructions do not mention anything about not using it in drinking glasses, and indeed, don't say anything about not using it in ordinary glasses, but say "Position the handblender deep in the container being used to prepare your food or drink." which I am now taking to mean that any container can be used. If anything bad happens, I'll post it on the cooking disasters thread!

[andiesenji]

I am bumping this topic up because I came across this immersion blender in the new Frontgate catalog.

Wolfgang Puck immersion blender

The 5-cup chopper bowl is larger than most others, the stem is longer and detaches for cleaning. At $69.50 it is more expensive than some but it does have more power 550 watt, than the less expensive ones and the comparable (without the accessories) Bamix is $99.00. This appears to be a good buy. I have ordered one of these to replace one of mine that suffered an accident. It was left on the counter next to the barbecue hood and now has a rather free-form or abstract shape. I thought it best not to plug it in......

[Anna N]

I am bumping this topic up because I came across this immersion blender in the new Frontgate catalog.

Wolfgang Puck immersion blender

. . .

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I like the looks of this. Do report back, Andie, when you have a chance to put it through its paces.

[sheetz]

This looks like the same as the one available on HSN for $50.

http://www.hsn.com/cnt/prod/default.aspx?w...945868&ocm=sekw

Edited September 14, 2006 by sheetz (log)

[Toliver]

I have ordered one of these to replace one of mine that suffered an accident.  It was left on the counter next to the barbecue hood and now has a rather free-form or abstract shape.  I thought it best not to plug it in......

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Affix it to a pedestal and call it "Immersion Subversion" and sell it on eBay as Food Art. Should fetch a pretty penny.

Thanks for posting the link!

[andiesenji]

This looks like the same as the one available on HSN for $50.

http://www.hsn.com/cnt/prod/default.aspx?w...945868&ocm=sekw

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It does look like it and that price is excellent. However, I no longer purchase appliances from HSN, having had two separate unfortunate experiences with items that were damaged and one, on close inspection, had been used and was missing some parts. It took me nearly a year to get the charge reversed after shipping the item back and cancelling the order within 11 days of receiving it.

I prefer to deal with companies who have superior customer service and am willing to pay more to save headaches in the future.

I will post a report on my evaluation of the IB after I have had a chance to put it through its paces.

[scubadoo97]

I have a bamix copy called the thunderstick

http://www.asseenontv.com/prod-pages/thunderstick.html

it uses the same blade designs as the bamix and has worked well. I've had it a few years and I think it's nearing the end of it's life cycle. I will replace it with the real deal bamix. I like the design a lot and love the different blades. It is easier to clean than others I've had in the past. I still use my food processor for hummus since I can walk away while it blends my hummus to a very smooth consistency. I use my IB almost every week, mostly for making sauces, dressings and it's great for pureeing soups. I never really used the attachment food processor and grinder. I already have those and they work better at what they do.

[urbandiner]

I have this lovely Braun at home too.

It comes with a chopper unit -- great for chopping up garlic and onions for curry -- a large cup for smoothies, shakes and margaritas, and an attachment that's perfect for incorporating my creamy veggie soups.

Cheap, durable and easy to clean.

[Malawry]

Is there a decent cordless IB on the market?? I'm doing some demos in the next few weeks and may not have access to power supply at one of them.

[snowangel]

Rochelle, I don't have a clue about cordless IB's, but one could use a cordless drill with a drywall mixer attached. Call if you want to borrow them. I did use them once as an IB. (Then I went out and bought an IB.)

[deltadoc]

Is there a decent cordless IB on the market?? I'm doing some demos in the next few weeks and may not have access to power supply at one of them.

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Malawry, I think they're called egg-beaters. They have this little handle that you turn round and round, and the beater blades can go right into the liquid hot or cold!

Sorry, couldn't resist saying that!

I have the Bamix professional model, and I use it for smoothing out my marinara sauce.

It really works well, and has two speed buttons. I also use it for smoothing out califlower soup, although sometimes I kind of like the occasional little piece of celery or onion or cauliflower in the soup for some texture. But then other times I like the smooth creaminess of a Bamix-ed soup.

I also used it with its accompanying plastic jar for mayonnaise and it was the best and thickest I ever made. Never been able to get that kind of consistency and thickness ever before. And best of all, you can pop on the lid and keep the mayo in the fridge.

doc