Hand blenders can be one of the most useful gadgets in the kitchen, taking up little room but speeding up food preparation immeasurably.
An immersion hand blender can be used to puree soups and sauces, blending can be performed directly in your mixing bowl which is very convenient. Some of the blenders come with extra attachments such as chopping blades, whisks and grinders.
Blending directly in a bowl or cup will instantly cut down on the clean-up time compared with a food processor. Most hand blenders have a detachable shaft and blade which can be removed and cleaned easily in a dishwasher.
Power - is probaly the single most important element when choosing a hand blender. Hand blenders that have a high powered motor (above say 200 watts) and have multiple speed selectors should be able to handle most blending kitchen tasks.
If you are looking for a hand blender to primarily make thick smoothies or frozen drinks you may find that even the best hand blenders my struggle somewhat, in this case you may be better choosing a dedicated smoothie maker or using a food processor.
Cord or cordless - What you gain with the convenience of a cordless hand blender can be offset with the slight loss of power. Cordless blender's are often a little bulkier and heavier.
Design - Having a well designed and comfortable blender is very important when you are using a powerful hand tool for extended lengths of time.If you have decided to purchase a corded hand blender the length of cord needs to be considered. This is often dependant on where the blender will be situated but a longer cord is often a plus.
Brands - Nearly all of the major kitchen manufacturers have a range of hand blenders, KitchenAid, Braun and Cuisinart produce highly regarded blenders.
Hand blenders can be one of the most useful gadgets in the kitchen, taking up little room but speeding up food preparation immeasurably.
An immersion hand blender can be used to puree soups and sauces, blending can be performed directly in your mixing bowl which is very convenient. Some of the blenders come with extra attachments such as chopping blades, whisks and grinders.
Blending directly in a bowl or cup will instantly cut down on the clean-up time compared with a food processor. Most hand blenders have a detachable shaft and blade which can be removed and cleaned easily in a dishwasher.
