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These days, there are lots of products that help make even the most novice chefs feel more at home amongst the burners and stove, and make nervous cooks excited to experiment.
You don’t need to have cooking skills that rival Gordon Ramsay, but mastering the basics is key for everyone. After all, cooking is a necessity, and although you don’t need to be whipping out five-star meals every night, you should be able to put together a decent breakfast, lunch, or dinner when the time comes. While you don’t need overly priced pots and pans to deliver something delicious, there are a few select tools that can absolutely help you get there, faster and more efficiently, and when it comes to an immersion blender, the sooner you put one in your kitchen, the sooner you’ll be thanking us.
The hand-held device possesses a lot of power that even experienced cooks don’t always fully realize, and although they can be an expensive kitchen addition, they are helpful in more ways than one. One of the most convenient features is that this device allows for direct in-pot blending. Not only do they cut down on the number of dishes and bowls you use when you’re preparing something, but the compact blender can easily blend, purée, and emulsify soups, condiments, sauces, beverages, and some can even whip and chop ingredients. Many newer models can replace not just a countertop mixer, but also function as a hand mixer and food processor, giving you three machines for the price of one.
KitchenAid Variable Speed Hand Blender
Whall Cordless Immersion Blender
Amazon Basics Multi-Speed Immersion Hand Blender
Braun MultiQuick Immersion Blender
How does an immersion blender work?
Unlike a standard blender, where you bring the food to the blade, the immersion blender brings the blades directly to your food. It is a handheld, electric mixing appliance with a spinning blade on the bottom and a sleek handle atop for easy use. Available in corded and cordless options, immersion blenders are designed to hover in a pot or pan, positioned slightly above the bottom to properly purée, blend, and emulsify without damaging your cookware. More and more models are debuting with additional features, like rechargeable batteries, more robust motors for frozen foods, and interchangeable attachments.
What can an immersion blender be used for?
Versatility is the best word we could use to describe an immersion blender. You can blend everything from pancake batter to stews with the help of an immersion blender. Immersion blenders are best known for helping with creating soups and sauces. You can easily create velvety-smooth, creamy textures without involving extra pots or pans. Simply insert the device into a soup pot, with the burner off, and blend with ease. Condiments and other dressings are easily emulsified, ready to pair with pasta or lettuce. Use the blender to make fresh mayonnaise, pesto, or vinaigrettes. Other users often find that immersion blenders are great for creating personalized purées and baby food if you have a young toddler running around at home, as well as beverages like smoothies and protein shakes.
What precautions do I need to keep in mind?
They should never touch the bottom of a pot or bowl; instead, hang or hover above the bottom. If the immersion blender is too close to the bottom of a hot pot or pan, it can create a vacuum suction effect that makes it difficult to move and creates a mess. For best results, always keep the immersion blender hovering a few inches above the bottom of a pot.
Never immerse the blender’s cord, and always unplug the appliance before cleaning or washing it with water to prevent electrical hazards. Corded options can also cause tripping or entangling, so just be aware and be careful when you’re using them or moving around with them.
As for things to avoid, it’s best not to use an immersion blender with hard ice, so in instances where you are making a protein smoothie or shake, make sure you aren’t using large, hard cubes. Avoid using the blender with dry or thick dough, stiff batters, and thick, dry ingredients like nuts.
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