Gadget

Everyone treats food preparation differently. Some, with trepidation, as if they are painting a picture, add ingredient after ingredient, creating culinary masterpieces, while others “harp” something from the first products that come across on the run. But both of them are united by one common quality: they are not averse to saving time and effort on this process.

Because whipping, chopping, cutting are quite labor-intensive tasks and are mandatory when preparing almost any dish. And here, every housewife will come to the rescue, standing out against the background of many kitchen appliances, a blender. However, there are now a myriad of types and models of such equipment on store shelves, and in order not to make a mistake in choosing, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with their main characteristics right away.

immersion blender

An immersion blender is also called a hand blender because it must be held by hand during operation. Its advantage over its stationary counterpart lies in its compact design, which is easy to carry from one place to another. And even in a disassembled state, the device does not require special conditions for storage.

The immersion blender in the kit has a lot of nozzles, with which you can perform about ten basic operations. It:

• shredding;
• transformation of products into a homogeneous mass;
• mixing;
• trituration;
• mousse preparation;
• whipping;
• foaming;
• crushing ice;
• density adjustment and others.

Many experienced users of the immersion blender consider it a great alternative to a food processor, as it is much more convenient to use with similar working principles.

What to consider when choosing an immersion blender

If it was decided to purchase an immersion blender, then you should not immediately take a start to the store and buy the first one you like. After all, each model of such a device has both advantages and disadvantages, which are better to know in advance in order to choose the most suitable one.

The main functional characteristics that you should dwell on when choosing an immersion blender:

1. The weight. This is perhaps one of the first things that future blender owners should pay attention to. Because you will have to keep it in your hands all the time and, of course, if it is too heavy, its work will not bring much efficiency. Since the hand will quickly get tired, and frequent breaks for rest will be needed. However, going to extremes is also not a good idea. Too small and light blender will be able to cope with a smaller range of products. Therefore, before buying it will be good to decide for what needs it is purchased.
2. Wireless or network-only. As for wireless models, they are very convenient in large kitchens or cottages, where the mobility of the blender will come in handy and no wires will limit its location. But such models also have disadvantages that do not appear when working from the network — they have half the power than conventional ones and the battery can run out of charge at the most unexpected moment. If the choice fell on a mains-operated machine, it is recommended to choose a blender with a cord length of at least 2 meters
3. Vacuum pump. The presence of a vacuum pump in an immersion blender may be a fundamental feature for some, while others will not find anything worthwhile in it. This device pumps all the air out of the container, creating a vacuum space inside. Under such conditions, the products remain suitable for eating much longer.
4. Nozzles. Be sure when choosing a submersible blender, you should pay attention to the presence and number of nozzles. It is recommended to purchase models with an extended kit. Because, for example, thanks to the whisk, the blender can also be used as a mixer for whipping creams.
5. Vessel capacity.

• The mill should be no more than 0.5 liters. Its main task is to grind small portions of food. Therefore, a blender with a larger grinder should be bypassed, it will only add dimensions without affecting functionality in any way.
• As for the measuring cup, they are from 0.4 to 1.6 liters. Most housewives prefer to use large glasses, using them in parallel to prepare different mixtures.
• Grinders come in volumes from 0.25 to 2 liters. It all depends on how much food you need to grind at a time.
• Bowls or, as they are also called, jugs are made in volume from 0.5 to 2.5 liters. Mostly used in the kitchen containers from 1 to 2 liters. However, it is recommended not to forget that the volume of general and useful is not the same thing. The useful volume is less than the total by about 200 ml.

6. impulsive mode. During operation of this mode, the nozzles rotate intermittently, which contributes to better grinding of solid products. Also, the impulsive mode is used for crushing ice.
7. Power. At this point, models of immersion blenders come in from 200W to 1200W. Here it is worth not saving, but also not going too far with quality. For an average kitchen, a blender with a power of 500-700 watts is just right. It has good features and a price to match. In fact, based on the power of the device, you can also determine a number of products that it can process. For example, machines with a low power rating are aimed at preparing only liquid mixtures, and those that have 700 W or more are able to grind the hardest products.
8. Number of speeds. Most often you can find blenders with speeds from 7 to 10. But there are also those in which the number reaches 20, and 5 is considered the merest set of speeds. However, you can find devices with even fewer of them. In this case, cooking becomes easier, since you do not need to think for a long time about at what speed it is better to grind this or that product. After all, there is an opinion that only by choosing the right speed you can achieve a really good result in cooking.
9. Material, from which the components of the blender are made. When choosing an immersion blender, it is very important to pay attention to what it is made of, because it depends on how long it will serve its owner.

• The body is usually made of plastic. But plastic is also different. And in order not to run into an unreliable manufacturer, it is recommended to avoid buying goods of a low price category.
• A knife hanger, colloquially called a «leg», is most often also made of plastic. But many believe that this fixture is of the highest quality if it is made of stainless steel, which is very rare. But it is on the “leg” that the entire load of the device is concentrated.
• Bowls and measuring cups are also mostly made of plastic, but, of course, less durable. Although this material is considered the most durable and reliable.
• The submersible part of the body can be made of both plastic and metal. Obviously, blenders made of metal are more expensive, but they are also more durable. Indeed, in such devices it is possible to process both very cold and very hot food. If the immersion part is made of plastic, then grinding hot products in it is strictly prohibited. In addition, it can also be stained with various products, such as carrots or spinach.

Expert advice

Tip #1

It is worth choosing an immersion blender if you know for sure that you will need to work with a small amount of products. This hand-held device will be indispensable for young mothers who can quickly and easily make mashed potatoes for their children. Also, this technique is good for making cocktails. Another advantage of an immersion blender is that you can whip, puree or cut in absolutely any container.

Tip #2

Before buying an immersion blender, it would be a good idea to decide where it will be located in the kitchen. After all, for example, a mains-powered blender requires more space than a wireless one, and a wireless one, in turn, needs to be placed so that you can get batteries. In general, such, at first glance, an insignificant moment can add a headache, since the true mistress knows what she has and where it is in the kitchen, and it will be difficult for her to swap everything in order to put a blender.

Tip #3

There are few places where you can find information that the noise level can determine how good a blender is. But this is so: the less noise the device makes during operation, the more effective it is. Very loud ones should be avoided altogether, as this clearly indicates their poor build quality.

Finally

It is clear that an immersion blender is not just a whim or a trendy kitchen gadget, it is, first of all, a necessary device in any kitchen. With the modern rhythm of life, even five minutes saved on slicing food can play into the hands. Also, in addition to improving old dishes, a blender with many attachments will help you come up with and cook many new ones, making the cooking process creative.