Blenders, mixers, or grinders, they’re all essential kitchen appliances, cutting down prep time considerably and executing the task on hand efficiently. But before investing in these appliances, put some thought into what you will be getting out of them! Are you looking for a hand mixer for your baking needs or a hand blender for everyday cooking? Understand the functions and functioning of these appliances and make the right choice.
What Are The Uses Of A Hand Blender?
Hand blenders are also known as immersion blenders, wand or stick blenders, or mini blenders. These kitchen blenders have cutting blades at the end of a shaft that can be immersed directly in the food that needs to be blended. Hand-held devices for home and light commercial use have an immersible shaft length of about 16 cm, while those for heavy-duty models can go up to 50 cm and more.
Home models come in corded and cordless versions, being much easier to use than countertop blender or food processor, which take up space, require attachments and containers, etc. Other benefits of hand blenders include:
- Since a hand blender is super compact, it’s a perfect appliance for small or cramped kitchens. You can store it easily, just about anywhere.
- Hand blenders are relatively cheap, even if you go for the best quality and top brand.
- They are super fast and can get the job done without extra vessels or containers, thus reducing clean-up chores.
- They are versatile–there’s so much you can make and prep for using hand blenders.
Here are some ways to use hand blenders:
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Make Dips
Need some salsa to go with your nachos or want fresh pesto for your pasta? Just add in the ingredients in a bowl and get blending with your kitchen blender! You can also use the appliance to make mayonnaise and cheese sauce.
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Blend Smoothies And Soups
From breakfast to dinner, your day is sorted with a hand blender! Experiment with ingredients, flavors, and recipes for healthy meals.
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Whip Up Pancakes
There couldn’t be an easier way to make pancakes! Waffles or pancakes, get your breakfast batter lump-free and ready to go on the pan in a matter of seconds.
Tip: Since the blade is exposed in a hand blender, use the appliance carefully not to hurt fingers or other body parts.
What’s The Difference Between A Hand Blender And A Hand Mixer?
While hand blenders, as the name suggests, are great for blending and puréeing foods, hand mixers are meant for other jobs like mixing cake batter or kneading dough. Whether or not you need both depends on what tasks you need these appliances for.
Check out this infographic:
Tip: Hand blenders and hand mixers are meant for different tasks. If you’re looking to experiment in the kitchen, consider investing in both appliances. Even if you go for the best brands, you won’t have to spend a fortune on these.
How Does A Hand Blender Compare To A Mixer Grinder?
You’ve already understood the functions and advantages of hand blenders. Coming to mixer grinders, these are countertops kitchen appliances that have a set of different but fixed blades to mix and grind dry or wet ingredients. Having a mixer grinder means you can grind whole spices, grains, pulses, and lentils, which you can’t do with a hand blender. On the other hand, an immersion blender offers ease of use and little clean-up.
Tip: A mixer grinder is a common kitchen appliance in homes and essential, considering its range of uses. If you’re confused about choosing between a hand blender and a mixer grinder, opt for the latter. That being said, hand blenders are cheap, and it wouldn’t hurt to have one in the kitchen for a quick pulse.