Immersion Blenders: 5 Commonly Asked Questions Answered
KEY POINTS
- Versatile Kitchen Tool: Ideal for blending soups, sauces, and smoothies directly in the cooking pot.
- Types and Features: Available in standard and stick versions, with various power settings.
- Ease of Use and Cleaning: Compact and easier to clean compared to full-size blenders.
Hosts on cooking shows often pull out immersion blenders when preparing recipes. Many people don’t know what this tool is when it should be used, and why.
The following guide answers these questions and more.
What Is an Immersion Blender?
Immersion blenders are kitchen tools that can be operated using only one hand. The cook immerses or inserts the Immersion Blender into food or liquid to complete many cooking tasks.
Invented in 1950 by Swiss engineer Roger Perrinjaquet, the blender features a long, cylindrical body connected to a blade attachment.
The sharp blades rotate rapidly to blend, chop, or puree foods and liquids. Specific models today also come with other attachments or the attachments may be purchased separately. Buyers may choose from corded and cordless versions.
What Are the Basic Types of Immersion Blenders?
Immersion blenders have two basic types. Standard blenders have a cylindrical body and blade attachment, which does all the work. The user may swap this blade out based on what they are preparing.
Stick blenders work just like standard blenders but are shorter and more compact. Users like that they can easily use and store this device, but it lacks the power seen with a standard immersion blender.
Why Use an Immersion Blender?
When cooks prepare foods, they may need to combine two or more ingredients by blending them until they are smooth. Soups, dips, and smoothies are three food categories that might require blending.
The immersion blender removes lumps from the food or beverage and ensures the prepared item is consistent.
Sauces and cocktails are other items that a cook might prepare with the help of an immersion blender. This device can puree baby food, mashed potatoes, salsas, and sauces.
A cook might emulsify or combine two liquids that others wouldn’t mix.
Mayonnaise and hollandaise sauce are two examples of foods a cook might emulsify with the help of an immersion blender.
What are the Benefits of an Immersion Blender?
Immersion blenders offer many benefits. They are incredibly versatile and can be used for those dishes where a traditional blender is inappropriate.
There is no need to pull out the full-size blender when combining a small amount of ingredients because the immersion blender can do the same work and is easy to clean.
These are only a few reasons a person might want to invest in this kitchen tool.
What Factors Should Be Considered When Purchasing an Immersion Blender?
Before purchasing an immersion blender, determine how it will be commonly used. You want to ensure it has the power and features needed to create these dishes.
Most people only need a blender with one or two-speed settings. However, those who plan to use the blender to chop raw carrots or frozen fruit will need an immersion blender that offers a minimum of 200 watts. More power would be better.
Next, consider how easy it is to clean the blender. The tool won’t be used if the cook dreads cleaning it. Also, compare cord and cordless models before buying. Price will affect which blender is purchased, as with any purchase a person makes.
Immersion blenders are excellent tools. Their versatility and convenience make them favorites with cooks the world over. Anyone who has yet to use one should do so today. Once they do, they will want one of their own.
