In a world filled with kitchen gadgets, one tool stands out for its versatility and ease of use – the immersion blender, also known as a stick blender or hand blender.
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If you’re an aspiring home chef or a seasoned pro, you’ve probably realised that having the best immersion blender at your disposal can elevate your culinary creations to new heights.
With its compact design and remarkable capabilities, it’s a kitchen essential that deserves a place in every home.
What is the difference blenders and immersion blenders?
Blenders and immersion (stick) blenders, while both kitchen heroes in their own right, serve distinct purposes and offer unique advantages. Understanding their differences can help you choose the right tool for your needs.
Design and size
Immersion blenders, also known as stick blenders or hand blenders, feature a slender, handheld design. They come equipped with a detachable blending arm that houses the blades, allowing you to immerse them directly into pots, bowls, or cups.
Traditional blenders are countertop machines with a larger, jug-like container that contains a fixed blade assembly at the bottom. Their design is tailored for blending larger quantities of ingredients.
Versatility
While traditional blenders are excellent for tasks like making smoothies, crushing ice, or preparing large batches of soups and sauces, immersion blenders showcase remarkable versatility.
They excel at pureeing soups, sauces, and baby food, whipping cream, and even chopping smaller quantities of ingredients. This flexibility makes them suitable for handling a wider array of culinary tasks and more intricate recipes.
Ease of use and cleanup
Using an immersion blender is straightforward – it’s a one-handed operation that requires minimal setup. Cleanup is often a breeze, with detachable parts that are usually dishwasher safe.
Regular blenders can take more time to set up, and you need to make sure the lid is secure before blending. Their bulkier design can also make them trickier to clean, given their multiple components.
Control and precision
Immersion blenders offer precise control and greater flexibility in achieving the desired texture, even when working with smaller quantities of ingredients.
Traditional blenders, on the other hand, may struggle to provide the same level of precision, particularly when dealing with smaller portions or when trying to achieve specific textures without adding excess liquid.
7 best immersion blenders, stick blenders and hand blenders to shop in Australia 2023
To help you find the right blender for you, we’ve pulled together seven of the best top-selling picks.
Sunbeam StickMaster Plus stick mixer, $129, Amazon
The StickMaster Pro is the all-in-one kitchen tool you need for effortless meal prep. With its powerful 3×3 blade system, easy-to-use twist and lock mechanism, and a variety of essential accessories, it simplifies all your blending needs.
Key features:
- Over 120 five-star ratings on Amazon
- Combines horizontal slicing blades and vertical stabbing blades
- Includes a 1.5L beaker, whisk and 750ml chopper
- BPA-free plastic
- Dishwasher safe attachments
- 12-month warranty
Braun MultiQuick 3 Hand Blender, $89, The Good Guys
This blender from Braun is a versatile must-have that combines a hand blender, electric whisk and chopper in one compact tool, saving you space and money. With its powerful 700-watt motor, two speed settings, and patented hand-blending and anti-splash technology, it ensures even results without lumps or mess.
Key features:
- EasyClick system to swiftly switch between accessories
- Dishwasher safe
- Soft-grip handle motor
- 1-year warranty
Cordless variable speed hand blender, $249 (usually $299), KitchenAid
If you’re serious about your soups then this is the blender for you. With cord-free convenience, a powerful rechargeable lithium-ion battery, a removable eight-inch blending arm and variable speed options, it can blend up to a whooping 25 bowls of soup on a full charge.
Key features:
- Boasts a 4.6-star rating from over 227 customer reviews
- Whisk attachment for eggs, cream and more
- Free delivery and order tracking
- 1-year warranty
Baccarat The Quick Mix Stick blender set, $99.99 (usually $199.99), House
This compact and powerful three-in-one appliance can whisk, puree, chop, blend and even crush ice. It includes essential attachments like a 600mL mini processor, blending bar with ice-crushing blade, whisk and an 800mL non-slip beaker.
Key features:
- Can handle both hot and cold ingredients
- Secure twist lock
- Bonus recipe booklet
- Backed by Baccarat’s assurance of quality and performance
Russell Hobbs 22241 Food Collection hand blender, $50.54, Amazon
The Russell Hobbs’ hand blender has almost 16,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, a testament to its exceptional performance.
“Overall, the Russell Hobbs 22241 Food Collection Hand Blender has far exceeded my expectations,” wrote a reviewer. “Its powerful motor, versatile attachments, and ease of use have made it an essential kitchen workhorse. From blending sauces to creating smooth purees, this hand blender has made cooking a joyous and efficient experience.”
Key features:
- Versatile functionality
- 200W motor
- Stainless-steel blade
- Two speeds
- Detachable wand
Smeg ’50s style hand blender, $220 (usually $279), Appliances Online
Get ready to blend, puree, chop, mash and whisk a range of ingredients in no time at all. The Smeg hand blender has a powerful 700W motor and an innovative FlowBlend system with a unique stainless steel blade and dome-shaped casing.
Key features:
- Gorgeous minimalistic look inspired by the ’50s
- Fast and versatile
- Variable speed controls with Turbo option
- Innovative design
- Ergonomic handle with non-slip grip
Nutribullet immersion blender, $89, The Good Guys
The Nutribullet immersion blender is designed for ergonomic comfort, putting power in the palm of your hand. Its easy-to-grip handle and versatile attachments allow you to effortlessly blend, puree and whip directly in your bowl, cup, or pot.
Key features:
- All-in-one chopping
- Powerful 800W motor
- Durable stainless steel blending arm
- Includes a 900mL cup with lid and a 600mL chopping bowl with lid
- Handy whisk attachment
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