The immersion blender is increasingly considered a viable alternative – or a valuable addition – traditional blenders and juicers. Moreover, for some tasks, it has no equal. This guide to choosing the best immersion blender is intended to provide you with the tools to select the right product for you. Comparing prices and the following features will be sure to choose well and do not waste your money.
Compare the best immersion blenders and read our buyer’s guide.
Table of Contents
Decisive factors for the choice of the immersion blender.
Power and type of engine
When you want to buy an immersion blender, the most important factor concerns the engine’s characteristics: the power absorbed by the resistor and its type of direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC ).
Without going into technical detail, that would be incomprehensible to most. Therefore, only we emphasize that many consumers are not aware of the major differences between current motors and alternating current.
This is not surprising when you consider that the overwhelming majority of blenders on the market, like the one in a photo, mounted DC motors. But, simultaneously, the second type of engine is found only on those products, more niches, designed for professional use or semiprofessional.
In short, the difference has an impact on two characteristics of the blender: the absorbed power (consumption) and the duration of continuous use. Let’s see how:
- Power consumption: DC motors may have, from this point of view, very different values between them, from 200 W approximately up to 800 W of the most powerful models, with a significant progression of the comminution ability to grow the power (the most powerful tools mince and blending harder foods). In AC motors, they are more low power levels, from 150 to about 300 W, without this implying any limitation of use.
- Service life: for technical features that we’re not here to examine, DC motors are very susceptible to overheating, and producers were advised to turn them on and off for about 30 seconds and let them cool for at least two minutes every five shots. Not so for AC motors, which can work for much longer periods without affecting their integrity.
In light of these characteristics, one understands why the most professional AC motor’s immersion blenders can sustain a very intensive and prolonged use without necessarily translating into a very high-energy consumption or risk damage to the instrument.
Speed and dispensing levels
The second factor that we consider important to consider when choosing an immersion blender, tied to what we have seen previously, which concerned the engine power, relates to dispensing such power levels.
In the vast majority of cases, the blenders (both DC motors with both AC) have at least two available power levels: a ” normal ” and a ” turbo. ” The second is normally one that takes full advantage of all the power absorbed by the motor, while the first is limited to lower power delivery.
In commercial models with DC motors, the supply levels are growing for the number. Increasing both the power of both the product’s versatility often blenders more equipped dive that proposes almost like a food processor and has ten or more selectable power levels. In many cases, the power level is set through a selector ring, like the one you see below, and the drive then takes place through a single activation button.
Structure
The third factor that we consider decisive in the choice is the one that relates to a series of structural elements of the immersion blender. The term ” structural elements ” mean characteristics such as the mode of engagement and release of the shank or foot (in the case of blenders in which this part is separable), the profile of the blades protection bell and the blades themselves, the material of both the body motor is the immersion stem. Let’s see them one by one.
Docking and undocking
First of all, we must say that most business models have a detachable shaft, handy for cleaning, as we shall see. Still, it introduces an element of fragility into the overall design. The semi-professional or professional models usually have a fixed stem, and a body completely sealed machine.
If you choose a model with a separable stem, it is important to evaluate the soundness of the hooking and release system, taking into account certain characteristics of different systems that can meet :
- Uncoupling single key: in these models, the stem engages in pressure and is released by pressing an appropriate key. It can be fragile if the blocking elements are made of soft plastic and if the key presents a spring.
- Uncoupling double key: in this case, the stem is always engaged and disengages through two keys’ simultaneous pressure. It may be fragile for the same reasons the single-key system, multiplied by two.
- Screwing: the shank engages and disengages by screwing it to the engine body. It is the most solid of the three systems since it has no moving parts subject to breakage.
Blades and bell
The design of the blades and the bell that protects them is important not only to clean your countertop but also to the blender’s effectiveness.
The bell profile may depend on the number of splashes generated by the blender in action, and a good model will guarantee the absence of splashing through a special splash-proof design.
But not only is it important to the design of the bell’s interior because it can go subject to the accumulation of residues, which are not captured by the blades, creating deposits that limit the effectiveness of triturating. A good model will then adopt an internal design with ribs, openings, or other devices to facilitate food’s continuous flow.
The blades themselves, then obviously play a fundamental role in determining the effectiveness of the immersion blender. The majority of models on the market features two blades, but there is a tendency to go to the four blades, of which two are often long and two shorter.
The variety of profiles adopted by the various producers is large and rarely found simple straight blades that run on a single plane: are instead inclined blades at different angles capable of ensuring an action more wide-ranging, and from unusual shapes to ” attack ” foods in different ways.
Materials
It goes without saying that, speaking of elements immersed in foods, which will then ingest, the quality and safety of the materials are an essential aspect to consider. For example, two materials may be composed of plastic (such as ABS, for its resistance) and stainless steel regarding stem immersion.
Both materials have advantages and disadvantages: plastic is generally more subject to breakage. In addition, it tends to stain immediately in contact with certain foods (for example, carrots). Still, it is a cheaper material and then used in the production of most immersion blenders.
The steel provides more long-term guarantees, and above all, it offers certainty as not to release potentially harmful substances in contact with hot food. For example, plastics that are not certified as ” BPA “at high temperatures can release bisphenol A, a substance likely related to the development of male fertility problems.
Handy and Easy
Another factor that you should consider when purchasing your blender is its ease of use and maintenance, the use you plan to make, and your cooking equipment.
If you use the immersion blender often and for too long periods, prefer to choose a fairly lightweight, about 900 g, with a good ergonomic handle with a large non-slip coating, a large, soft activation button is easy to press, and with an engine that emits relatively quiet and low vibration.
You’ll also want to consider the length of the cable, keeping in mind your work plan and access to power outlets: a 1 m cable, like the one that is often found in economic models, may not be enough or, in the long run, be a little uncomfortable and limiting.
As for cleaning after use, if you choose a model with separable leg, will most likely wash the immersion tray in a dishwasher, but we recommend that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions in the literature, especially if the stem is plastic: not all plastic materials are suitable for washing in a dishwasher.
Finally, during periods when not using the immersion blender, you might want to keep hanging. You will then assess whether the chosen model is equipped with a special hook or if among the accessories is present at a base or a bracket for the attack wall.
Accessories
The fifth factor that we consider decisive in the choice of immersion blender has to do with the accessories package supplied, making it versatile and suitable for a range of more or less wide uses.
Of course, some models are sold without any standard accessory: it may interest you if what you need is a blender and nothing else, but most of the immersion blenders are equipped with at least one accessory.
Let’s see what are the most common:
- Glass measuring: inevitable in almost all the supplies, the graduated transparent plastic glass has a capacity that can go from 500 ml to 1 lite and, in some cases, is also provided with a lid, useful for storing in a refrigerator or liquid preparations.
- Chopper: one of the most common accessories, the plastic chopper can go from 250 ml to 500 ml and has a lid that allows the body of the motor to couple the blender.
- Whip mixer: this is also a rather common accessory. In most cases, she talks of a single wire whisk made of stainless steel attached to the engine body in place of the immersion bar. Instead, some rare models provide an adapter attachment that can link two whips similar to those of an electric mixer itself.
There are also other special accessories only for models of higher range. These are the food processors, which can have a capacity of up to 1 the comes with discs for slicing, grating, and cut into julienne strips, in addition to having the blades for chopping and the blades for kneading, and the stem masher and mill, to sometimes also it provided in two different sizes, plastic or steel.
Other factors to keep in mind for choosing the immersion blender
The materials are important?
As we have seen, the materials are a key feature in the choice of the immersion blender. This is to choose a model assembled with materials resistant and lasting in time and carry out important choices for food safety and the convenience of cleaning.
We have seen that the immersion rods in plastic, even when solid, are still fragile stainless steel and unless they are certified ” BPA, “may release potentially dangerous substances to health in contact with hot foods.
You will have to choose, then consider the use you intend to make the blender (cold smoothies are absolutely safe even with the plastic shank) and your budget (the stainless steel shank is, of course, up to the price).
The brand is important?
In making your choice of the immersion blender, the brand is an interesting aspect to consider. For years, some brands have been on the market of immersion blenders and can boast a long tradition of reliable models and renewed periodically, in a continuous evolution towards performance and quality gradually higher.
The major brands have developed patented technologies, for example, to Triblade patent Kenwood or the design Russell. Then there are brands specializing in professional-quality products, such as the Braun.
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