Trying to figure out what is an immersion blender? We’ve got all the answers you’re looking for, including how to use this gadget in your own kitchen.
You've probably heard of the immersion blender, seen it used on cooking shows, or even used this kitchen appliance yourself. So, what exactly is an immersion blender? That's the question we're unpacking in today's blog post.
Below, we'll cover what this gadget is, its many uses, and why you need one in your kitchen.
What Is an Immersion Blender?
An immersion blender is a kitchen tool you can use in just one hand that can be used for a variety of tasks. The key feature of an immersion blender is that it can be immersed (or inserted) directly into food or liquid, making it ideal for blending, pureeing, and emulsifying.
Who Invented the Immersion Blender?
The immersion blender was invented by Swiss engineer Roger Perrinjaquet in 1950. It was originally called a Bamix, which is still an immersion blender brand to this day.
How Does an Immersion Blender Work?
An immersion blender typically has a long, cylindrical body with a blade attachment at the end. The sharp blades rotate quickly to chop, blend, or puree food. Some immersion blenders also have additional attachments, such as a whisk or chopper attachment.
Do Immersion Blenders Need Wall Power?
Like most appliances in your kitchen, immersion blenders require power to operate. Most models either plug into an outlet or are battery-operated. When choosing between a corded or cordless immersion blender, consider how often you'll use it and whether you need the extra mobility of a cordless model.
One added perk of battery-powered immersion blenders is that they're often more lightweight, making them easier to hold and maneuver. On the other hand, corded models tend to be more powerful, so they can handle tougher blending jobs.
If you want to save some money on batteries, look for an immersion blender that comes with a charging base. That way, you can keep the blender plugged in and ready to go when you need it.
What Are the Different Types of Immersion Blenders?
There are two types of immersion blenders:
- Standard immersion blender: This type of immersion blender has a long, cylindrical shaft with a blade attachment at the bottom. The blade attachment is what does all the work and can be swapped out for different blades depending on the task at hand.
- Immersion stick blender: An immersion stick blender is very similar to a standard immersion blender, but it has a shorter and more compact design. This makes it easier to store and maneuver, but it may not be as powerful as a standard immersion blender.
What Is Blending?
Blending is the process of combining two or more ingredients until they are smooth. A classic example of a blended food is a smoothie, which combines fruits, vegetables, and liquids until they reach a creamy consistency.
Some examples of recipes that might require blending include:
Soups
Immersion blenders are fantastic for soups because they can quickly and easily blend all of the ingredients together. This is especially helpful if you want to make a smooth, creamy soup without any lumps.
Dips
Have you ever tried to make a dip like hummus in a food processor or blender and ended up with chunks? An immersion blender will help you achieve a smooth, lump-free dip every time. You can even use your immersion blender to make whipped cream and other sweet toppings.
Sauces
From pesto to tomato sauce, endless sauce recipes can be made in small batches with an immersion blender. If you've ever struggled to get your sauce to the right consistency using a regular blender, an immersion blender is the kitchen tool for you.
Smoothies and Milkshakes
An immersion blender is the ideal tool for making smoothies and milkshakes because it can easily blend fruits, vegetables, and liquids together.
Cocktails
If you're looking to make a smooth, refreshing cocktail, an immersion blender can help. Whether you're making a frozen margarita or a hard breakfast smoothie, an immersion blender will get the job done.
What Is Pureeing?
Pureeing is similar to blending, but it usually results in a thicker, more textured final product. The best way to think of pureeing is to liken it to crushing or grinding food into a thick paste or sauce.
Some examples of recipes that might require pureeing include:
Baby Food
If you're looking to make your own baby food, an immersion blender is the best tool. You can easily puree fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients into a thick, smooth consistency that's perfect for little ones.
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are another example of a dish that can be made with an immersion blender. If you're looking for smooth, textured mashed potatoes, an immersion blender is for you.
Salsas and Sauces
Salsas and sauces can be easily pureed with an immersion blender. This is a quick and simple way to achieve a thick, textured sauce without any lumps.
Vegetable Soups
An immersion blender can help you puree the vegetables into a thick, textured soup — like our mouthwatering Creamy Butternut Squash Soup.
What Is Emulsifying?
Emulsifying is the process of combining two liquids that normally would not mix together, such as oil and vinegar. An emulsifier, such as egg yolks or mustard, helps to bind the two liquids together so they can be combined without separating.
Some examples of recipes that might require emulsifying include:
Vinaigrettes
A vinaigrette is a classic example of an emulsified recipe. An immersion blender can help you quickly and easily combine oil and vinegar (or other liquids) into a smooth, creamy dressing.
Mayonnaise
An immersion blender is a perfect tool for making homemade mayonnaise. To make mayonnaise with an immersion blender, you'll need a bowl, a whisk (or immersion blender whisk attachment), and some basic ingredients like eggs, oil, vinegar, and mustard.
Hollandaise Sauce
An immersion blender can help you achieve a smooth, creamy consistency without any lumps.
Caesar Salad Dressing
To make Caesar dressing with an immersion blender, you'll need some simple tools that you already have in your kitchen, plus common ingredients like olive oil, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, anchovies, garlic, and Parmesan cheese.
Why Do I Need an Immersion Blender?
Now that you know what an immersion blender is and what it can do, you might be wondering why you need one in your kitchen. Here are three reasons:
- More Versatile Than a Traditional Blender
A traditional blender is ideal for some tasks, but it can't do everything. For example, you can't always use a traditional blender to puree soup or make a dip.
- More Convenient Than a Traditional Blender
Have you ever tried to blend a small amount of ingredients in a traditional blender? It's not easy. With an immersion blender, you can blend with ease, no matter how small your batch of ingredients is.
- Easier To Clean Than a Traditional Blender
Let's be honest: cleaning a traditional blender can be a pain. Immersion blenders are much easier to clean up because they have fewer parts and don't require any special attachments. Many are also dishwasher safe.
How Do I Choose an Immersion Blender?
When choosing an immersion blender, there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind.
First, consider how you'll be using the blender. If you're looking to make smoothies or puree soups, you'll want a powerful blender that can handle these tasks. However, if you're only looking to make dips or sauces, a less powerful blender will suffice.
Second, consider the features you want in an immersion blender. Some immersion blenders come with multiple speed settings, while others have attachments that can be used for different tasks. Choose an immersion blender that has the features you need.
Finally, consider the price. Immersion blenders range in price from around $30 to $100. Choose the one that fits your budget and needs, and you can’t go wrong.
How Do You Clean an Immersion Blender?
Cleaning an immersion blender is easy, even if ingredients splatter all over it. Simply remove the blending attachment and wash it in soapy water. Then, blend a cup of water and a drop of dish soap in your blender to remove any remaining residue. Finally, rinse the blender under running water and dry it with a clean towel.
What Are Common Immersion Blender Issues and How Can You Fix Them?
If you're having trouble with your immersion blender, there are a few things you can do to fix it.
What Do You Do When Your Immersion Blender Blades Won't Spin?
If the blades are not spinning, make sure that the blending attachment is properly attached to the base. If it is, then try pressing the on-button again. If the blades still aren't spinning, unplug the blender and check the drive shaft for any obstructions.
What Do You Do if Your Immersion Blender Leaks?
If the blender is leaking, make sure that the blending attachment is properly attached to the base. If it is, then try pressing the on button again. If the blender is still leaking, unplug the blender and check the gasket for any cracks or damage.
What Do You Do if Your Immersion Blender Breaks?
If the blender is not working, make sure that it is properly plugged into an outlet. If it is, then try pressing the on button again. If the blender still isn't working, unplug the blender and check the power cord for any damage.
How To Safely Use an Immersion Blender
Now that you know how to choose and clean an immersion blender, it's time to learn how to use it. Here are a few tips:
- Start with soft ingredients: When using an immersion blender, it's best to start with soft ingredients. This will prevent the blades from getting damaged.
- Be careful with hot liquids: If you're blending hot liquids, be sure to hold the blender at an angle so that the hot liquid doesn't splash out.
- Don't overdo it: Immersion blenders are powerful devices. If you blend for too long, you risk damaging the blades. So, when using an immersion blender, blend in short bursts.
What Are Other Types of Blenders?
In addition to immersion blenders, there are two other types of blenders: countertop blenders and hand blenders.
Countertop blenders are larger and more powerful than immersion blenders. They're ideal for making large batches of smoothies or pureed soups.
High-speed hand blenders are similar to immersion blenders, but they're designed to be used with one hand by home cooks. They're ideal for small tasks like blending a smoothie or pureeing a pot of soup.
When Should You Use a Countertop Blender?
If you're looking to make large batches of smoothies or pureed soups, a countertop blender is the way to go. Countertop blenders are more powerful than immersion blenders, so they can handle these tasks with ease.
When Should You Use a Hand Blender?
If you're looking for a blender that's easy to use and maneuver, a hand blender is a better option. Hand blenders are ideal for small tasks like blending a smoothie or pureeing a soup.
No matter what type of blender you choose, make sure to read the manufacturer's instructions before using it. That way, you'll have peace of mind knowing that you're using the blender safely and correctly!
Immersion Blender vs. Food Processor: What's the Difference?
An immersion blender is a handheld blender that's used to blend ingredients in a pot, bowl, or another container. A food processor, on the other hand, is a larger appliance that's used to chop, shred, and slice food.
Here are three key differences between an immersion blender and a food processor:
- An immersion blender is smaller and more portable than a food processor.
- An immersion blender is ideal for tasks like blending soups or pureeing fruits and vegetables. A food processor is better suited for tasks like chopping nuts or slicing vegetables.
- An immersion blender is less expensive than a food processor, especially a high-quality one made by a brand like Kitchenaid or Cuisinart. This gives even the best immersion blenders a higher level of accessibility to new cooks and anyone on a budget.
So, which one should you choose? If you're looking for a small, portable appliance that's ideal for tasks like blending soups or pureeing fruits and vegetables, an immersion blender is probably best.
On the other hand, if you're looking for an appliance that can handle more complex tasks like chopping nuts or slicing vegetables, a food processor is the better choice.
Wrapping Up
Now that you know what an immersion blender is and how to use it, put your knowledge to the test! Find a recipe on our cooking page that calls for an immersion blender, and give it a try.
No need to worry about spending too much time in the kitchen. At Jow, we specialize in under 30 minute recipes. We also make all our recipes first to ensure the best possible food combos.
If you’re a busy bee, we also create optimized shopping lists for you based on the number of people in your household, so you always have just enough ingredients for all your recipes.
Sources:
Here’s Why You Need an Immersion Blender (According to a Professional Chef) | SFGate
How To Safely Purée Soups & Other Hot Liquids in a Blender | Kitchen Parade
Vinaigrette Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary
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