If you haven’t been keeping up with all of the latest advancements in kitchen tools, you might think countertop blenders are the only option. While blenders like these are certainly still available, they aren’t the only game in town.
Today’s cooks are commonly turning to stick blenders, which are also known as immersion blenders, for many of their blending needs. Standard countertop blenders are good for things like making smoothies or blended drinks. Stick blenders, however, are a much more versatile, convenient option for certain blending tasks, and an immersion blender saves space in the kitchen too!
A Closer Look At Stick Blenders
Immersion blenders are often called stick blenders, simply because they are shaped like a stick. Unlike traditional blenders where the food is added to a container that is attached to the blender, stick blenders are placed in the bowl or pot where the food is being cooked. This is where the word “immersion” comes from in their name. The blender is being immersed in the food. Blenders like these offer quite a few advantages, not the least of which is their compact size. With today’s kitchens smaller than ever, space is at a premium, which is why many people prefer small tools like these.
Below are three advantages that stick blenders have to offer when compared to classic countertop blenders.
- Extra Versatility
Stick blenders can perform a lot of different tasks in your kitchen. They are perfect for puréeing food while it cooks. They also can be used for making dressing for salads. They are compact enough to reach every part of the pot or bowl, which means that you don’t have to worry about parts of the food being unblended. It isn’t like a traditional blender where you occasionally have to scrape the sides with the spoon to make sure that all of the food is getting mixed. Blenders like these also simplify the process of making certain dishes. Soup is a great example. Rather than having to transfer it to a blender and then back to the pot again, you can blend everything in the pot with the immersion blender.
- A Compact Design
Modern kitchens are often limited in terms of the amount of space they have available. Stick blenders are a great choice since they can easily be tucked away in a drawer. This is in contrast to standard blenders that sit out on the counter, taking up space. Cleaning an immersion blender is extremely simple. The parts can usually be washed in the dishwasher. If you prefer, it is also simple to hand wash the blender in the sink. The process of cleaning these blenders is significantly easier than cleaning a mixer or countertop blender.
- Inexpensive
High-end blenders and mixers can cost hundreds of dollars, putting them out of the price range of the average person. KitchenAid mixers are a great example, with prices often exceeding $200. Stick blenders, on the other hand, start at about $20 and go up to about $50, making them an extremely affordable option. Being able to buy a convenient, versatile kitchen gadget for so little money is a great investment since it expands your cooking options. Once you start using one of these blenders and see just how much they can do, you will probably kick yourself for not buying one sooner.