Invented in Switzerland by Roger Perrinjaquet and patented in 1950, the hand blender a.k.a. immersion blender was originally created to puree soups and emulsify sauces. Today’s hectic lifestyles and constant quest for more nutritious meals delivered faster often coupled with tighter living spaces, it is no wonder that this small appliance is gaining in popularity.
Find out how various countries have had a go at optimizing immersion blenders so we can now use them to prepare dips, salad dressings and baby food, puree soups, as well as blend smoothies and milkshakes and, yes, emulsify sauces.
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Mueller Immersion Blenders
Sheer power coupled with superior design backed by a one-year warranty pretty well sums up Austrian engineered Mueller hand blenders. They are also appreciated for their versatility and for producing consistently smooth results. Mueller immersion blenders have earned a solid reputation for their quality and durability, as well as how easy they are to use and clean.
“Our mission is to deliver simply superior products with real human support that improve people’s lives and share our success with non-profits we love!”. Based on that statement, comments on an “amazingly responsive customer care team” are refreshing but not surprising.
Mueller Smart Stick MU-HB-10
Mueller’s newest creation was designed with power, speed and functionality in mind. An 800-watt motor made of high-quality titanium steel combines with a titanium reinforced 4-blade rotation system to quickly and effortlessly crush and pulverize like no other.
Its sleek ergonomic Comfygrip handle with integrated hook for convenient storage provides control and stability. A 12-speed dial located at the top of the handle offers maximum blending precision for perfect consistency whether blending salsas, shakes, smoothies or baby food. Press the Turbo boost button just below the Power button for maximum speed and a more homogeneous mixture.
The blending attachment’s bell-shaped base is designed to reduce suction and splashing. Easy to detach snap-on, dishwasher safe accessories increase the Mueller Smart Stick’s versatility: a whisk, a 16oz twist-and-lock chopper with removable blade, as well as a 20oz beaker.
Customers love the wide choice of speeds and the power behind the Smart Stick. One of the best immersion blenders around, it is highly praised for being sturdy, very smooth to operate and easy to clean.
Mueller Ultra Stick MU-HB-02
Similar to the above but with a less powerful 500-watt motor, the Mueller Ultra Stick hand blender only features 8 variable speeds as well as the Turbo boost button.
Accessories include a whisk and a milk frother.
The Ultra Stick is also been highly praised, though there have been complaints about the durability of the plastic clips holding the stick.
Braun Immersion Blenders
The result of high-precision German-engineering, Braun immersion blenders have achieved a perfect balance between power and durability and earned a solid reputation for efficiency.
Backed by a three-year warranty, these Braun hand blenders benefit from innovations designed to provide advantages their rivals can only dream of. Braun’s exclusive PowerBell technology combines durable/ultrahard stainless steel blades with a unique bell-shaped blending shaft to draw food inward for finer, smoother blending while reducing suction by up to 25%, thereby virtually eliminating splashing.
A slip-proof ergonomic handle fits comfortably in your hand. The EasyClick Plus Accessory System allows you to switch from blending to chopping, whisking, mashing, crushing, and pureeing ingredients with one simple click: simply press one of the two Easy-Click release buttons on either side of the handle to effortlessly detach accessories from the blending shaft! Accessories are dishwasher safe.
Braun MultiQuick 5 Hand Blender MQ505
Made in Poland, the MQ505 is equipped with a powerful yet quiet 350-watt motor. Its extra lightweight slip-proof ergonomic handle features dual speed switches: press I for Regular and II for Turbo.
A stainless steel whisk and a BPA-free 20oz/600ml blending beaker are included.
Braun Multiquick Vario MQ5000
Made in Romania, the MQ5000 sports a durable 400-watt motor. Designed for one-handed operation, it comes equipped with VarioSpeed technology: simply use your thumb to adjust the variable speed wheel on top of the handle to any of its 21 speeds. Press the TurboBoost button for that final burst as needed.
Accessories include a whisk and a BPA-free 20oz/600ml blending beaker.
Braun MultiQuick MQ7025
Also manufactured in Romania, the MQ7025 has a powerful 500-watt motor. It incorporates the world’s first ACTIVEBlade technology with a new flexible shaft moving the blade up and down, resulting in 250% more active cutting surface than the prior MQ700 model and finer blending.
Advanced SPLASHcontrol technology provides 25%* less suction than prior MQ500 model for easier handling and better control. Its new Easy SmartSpeed technology makes speed selection a cinch: the harder you squeeze, the more speed you get.
Attachments include a whisk, a BPA-free 20oz/600ml blending beaker and a 12oz/350ml chopper.
Each of these Braun MultiQuick hand blenders has been found easy to use and clean, and their blending power is highly appreciated – specially the MQ7025 – and it doesn’t hurt that they come with an excellent warranty!
Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender BSB510XL
Backed by a one-year warranty, the BSB510XL is powered by a 280-watt motor. Resourceful Australian engineering has found creative solutions to address splashing, scratching and suction issues common to immersion blenders. A clever redesign of the blade system led to Breville’s innovative anti-suction blending technology: a combination of revolutionary bell-shaped blending base and internal ribbing resulting in greater control and more efficient blending. The blending attachment provides 8 inches of immersion depth for convenient blending in tall pots.
An ergonomic trigger grip offers improved control and increased stability by providing natural access to the Control Grip Trigger conveniently located just under your index finger. On top of the handle, the Speed Control Dial provides 15 variable speeds.
The Breville Control Grip BSB510XL comes with a whisk, a 25oz chopping bowl and a 42oz extra large beaker with a dual-purpose storage lid and anti-slip mat. The chopping bowl fits compactly in the jug for convenient storage.
Highly versatile and with great blending power, this appliance is also appreciated for the ease of control it offers.
KitchenAid Immersion Blenders
KitchenAid Hand Blender 2 Speed Pro Line KHB1231
Engineered in the USA, the KHB1231 is powered by a 220-watt motor and covered by a one-year warranty. Its Soft Grip handle features a 2-speed control dial located on top of the handle and a speed power button on the handle. Model KHB1231 includes an 8″ Twist Lock stainless steel blending arm with fixed S blade and a 3-cup blending jar with lid.
Easy to assemble and clean, this hand held blender is also appreciated for its blending power and ease of use. However, there have been complaints about durability (plastic) as well as its height and stiff cord making the unit unwieldy.
KitchenAid 3-Speed Hand Blender KHB2351
Similar to the above but with an extra speed, the KitchenAid KHB2351 comes with additional accessories for added functionality: a whisk (with whisk adapter), a chopper (with chopper adapter and chopper blade) and a storage bag. It is recommended to use the whisk attachment in deep containers or pans (avoid non-stick) in order to prevent splattering.
The issue with this model is that the lid of its chopper tends to accumulate water over time.
KitchenAid Cordless Hand Blender KHBBV53
If a KitchenAid corded hand blender is not for you, you might want to take a look at the KitchenAid cordless immersion blender KHBBV53 which comes with a one-year limited warranty. Its powerful rechargeable lithium ion battery charges fully in two hours, at which point it can blend 25 bowls of soup (354 ml); on a quick 20-minute charge, it will run long enough for about one smoothie or one soup preparation.
The Battery status indicator located on top of the handle pulses when charging and turns to solid green when fully charged. The same battery can be used to charge KitchenAid’s full Cordless Collection, including their 5-cup Food Chopper (KFCB519) and 7-speed Hand Mixer (KHMB732) available separately.
Press the Variable Speed Controller and the Palm Switch at the same time to start the unit. Keep pressing and releasing, i.e. pulsing the Variable speed controller until the efficient 4-point stainless steel blade design has achieved perfect consistency.
Included are a charger, a dishwasher-safe 3-cup/700 ml blending jar with lid and a pan guard to help protect your cookware.
Owners of the KHBBV53 love how much easier it is to maneuver than corded units; they also appreciate its blending power and how easy it is to clean.
QUICK RECAP
Wattage
800: Mueller MU-HB-10
500: Mueller MU-HB-02; Braun MQ7025X
400: Braun MQ5000
350: Braun MQ505
280: Breville BSB510XL
220: KitchenAid KHB1231, KHB2351
Battery: KitchenAid KHBBV53BM (Cordless)
Speeds
Easy SmartSpeed: Braun MQ7025 (no predefined settings)
Variable: KitchenAid KHBBV53BM
21: Braun MQ5000 (+ TurboBoost)
15: Breville BSB510XL
12: Mueller MU-HB-10 (+ TurboBoost)
9: Mueller MU-HB-02 (+ TurboBoost)
2: KitchenAid KHB1231, KHB2351
1: Braun MQ505 (+ TurboBoost)
Accessories
Mueller MU-HB-10: Whisk, Chopper/Grinder Bowl, Beaker/Measuring Cup
Mueller MU-HB-02: Whisk, Milk Frother
Braun MQ505: Whisk, Beaker
Braun MQ5000: Whisk, Beaker, Chopper
Braun MQ7025: Whisk, Beaker, Chopper
Breville BSB510XL: Whisk, Beaker, Chopper
KitchenAid KHB1231: Blending jar with lid
KitchenAid KHB2351: Whisk & adapter; Chopper, adapter & blade; Storage bag
Warranty
3 year: Braun
1 year: Mueller; Breville; KitchenAid
Hand held blenders come in so handy when dealing with smaller volumes of ingredients which just don’t justify dragging out a full size stand mixer, blender or food processor. How much you will be using an immersion blender depends very much of the attachments included versus your cooking preferences:
. blending stick: shred, mince, mash potatoes, blend lattes, smoothies or cocktails, make apple butter or mayonnaise, reblend nut butters or finish soups, stews and sauces right in the pot (not recommended in non-stick pots);
. whisk: whip cream, egg whites into meringue, mix eggs or light batters;
. frother: froth milk to form a foam to top your espresso;
. food processor: dice, slice, grate cheeses, make bread crumbs, chop herbs, nuts, meats, onions, carrots and more.
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