Today, we’re going to talk about a popular kitchen appliance that is all the rage: the immersion blender. This behemoth of a kitchen tool will change the way you think about food forever, and if you’re willing to put in just 20 minutes of your time, you will never buy another hand blender again!
But before we dive into details about what an immersion blender does and why it’s so great, let’s address this question: which one should I use? The short answer is “an immersion blender or a hand mixer”. Some people like to use an immersion blender exclusively, while others prefer to use a hand mixer most of the time. There’s no right or wrong answer here. In my opinion, an immersion blender is a great addition to any kitchen. The amount of food preparation you can do with it (in just a few minutes) will blow your mind! I know many people who have purchased them and have left the hand mixer behind because they find that the food preparation time is so quick that there’s no time for kneading dough or beating eggs!
If this sounds good to you, try not to get too set in your ways. I know people who swear by their hand mixer and claim that there isn’t a single thing they can make with an immersion blender that they can’t also make with a hand mixer. I can’t say I’ve tried making everything, but many of them have convinced me to give these appliances a shot. I will say this, it’s much harder to do the things you need to do with a hand mixer than it is with an immersion blender! On the other hand, there are some things you just can’t do with an immersion blender (e.g.
Is Immersion Blender And Hand Blender The Same?
To answer this question, we’ll need to delve into basic chemistry. These terms are atomically different, but functionally (meaning how things work) they are very similar. For example, both water and vinegar are comprised of hydrogen and hydroxyl groups. They perform identical functions in a mixture: dissolving the the components of whatever you’re making.
The major difference between the two is that an immersion blender can only perform one function at a time: it can only make something wet while it’s in contact with its container (e.g. liquid). It can’t mix water with its dry container like a hand mixer can (e.g. flour batter). This isn’t a major problem, however. The simple solution is to use your hand blender to make the liquid (e.g. cheese sauce) and then use your hand mixer or some other utensil to mix the dry surfaces (e.g. pancakes).
If you’re anything like me, you’re going to need a little more information than that before you decide which one to buy! Fear not, we’re not looking too deep here.
Immersion Blender Uses?
An immersion blender is far more versatile than a hand mixer. While a hand mixer can be used to make an egg white foam, it can’t be immersed in the water and then used. The immersion blender is great for making things like soups and sauces that have small particles and need to be smooth (e.g. blending pureed vegetables into soup). It’s also great for blending some fruit into a smoothie! But immersion blenders are not great for mixing larger textures (i.e. dough).
What are some of the other uses of an immersion blender? Here’s a few:
An immersion blender can also be used to mix batters, but it won’t be as effective as a hand mixer. This can be achieved with the use of a whisk. These little whisks work great for getting everything mixed together and preventing lumps in chocolate cakes and muffins!
Which Blender is Better, Immersion Or Hand Mixer?The word “better” usually means one thing: more effective. In this case, it means that an immersion blender will make your food preparation faster and easier. The fact that you can perform multiple functions with a single device makes it better in my opinion.
Is It More Expensive?
The price of an immersion blender is comparable to or lower than the price of a hand mixer. (source: http://www.shopping.com) This means that you could save money if you’re looking for an opportunity to purchase one. However, many people I know have purchased immersion blenders because they were received as gifts and are never able to get rid of them!
What Are Some Things I Should Know About An Immersion Blender?
Here’s a few things that you need to know about an immersion blender:
Immersion blenders are not recommended for use with hot liquids or any food that is hot when being blended, (e.g. soup). The reason for this is that the blades and motor can overheat when used in combination with very hot liquid.
There are a lot of “fancy” recipes you can make with an immersion blender. They can be used to stir-fry ingredients, shred meats, and whip up some homemade frosting!
Immersion blenders are only made to blend soft foods. The mixing head is closer to the base in these blenders than regular blenders, so it is possible to have some difficulty if you need to whip harder foods (e.g. nuts).
Can I Use A Hand Mixer In Place Of An Immersion Blender?
Yes, but you will need to purchase attachments. Many people don’t want to buy a new appliance when they already have an immersion blender, so they simply use their hand mixer to perform the functions of the immersion blender (e.g. making soup or cake batter). To use your hand mixer with bowls larger than the whisk attachment, you’ll need to purchase attachments like the dough hook and beater blade attachment.
Can I Use A Hand Mixer Instead Of An Immersion Blender For Soup?
Some people prefer to use their hand mixer for soup because it is easier to clean than the immersion blender. That being said, there are also some limitations with using a hand mixer. First, you’ll have to attach the beater blade and whisk attachment. Second, you won’t be able to stick the thing into the soup like an immersion blender. (Who wants a hot hand mixer after it’s been sitting in a hot pot of soup?) Third, you won’t be able to whip the ingredients together like an immersion blender can because of its static nature.
Which Hand Mixer Is The Best?
The Oster® Hand Blender with Chopper/Mixer Attachment is great for making soups and pureed foods. It’s also easy to clean and it has a safety lock so it won’t get turned on if you’re not using it.
Is A Hand Mixer Better Than An Immersion Blender?
No, a hand mixer is not better than an immersion blender. The main difference between the two (aside from their size) is that a hand mixer uses electricity. An immersion blender, on the other hand, uses hand power to operate (i.e. you’re the battery). Immersion blenders are better for making things like smoothies and soups because they don’t require any power.
Final Thoughts:
As you can see, there are some key differences between immersion blenders and hand mixers. I hope that this article has provided you with some helpful information that can make your next purchase decision go a little more smoothly!
If you’re still confused, try looking at the fantastic reviews of different top rated hand blenders on Amazon.com to see which ones stand out as the best in their class.
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