When it comes to whipping, blending, and puréeing, you’ve got plenty of options: you can use a standard blender or a smaller, handheld immersion blender. In general, both appliances provide the same function. While they vary greatly in size and cleanup, the most significant distinction is power.
Personal preference sometimes influences your decisions, but when you have a regular blender and an immersion blender in your kitchen, which do you use to help you mix? While both have their advantages, there are times when one is superior to the other.
This article shall compare immersion blenders with regular blenders to know how to use each one appropriately.
Regular Blenders
A classic regular blender is most likely the one you grew up with, and it was most likely one of the first items you contemplated purchasing for your dorm room, apartment, or home so you can make vegetable juices. After all, a regular blender is a versatile marvel that can function as both a food processor and a cocktail mixer on any given day.
Though the blades of a standard regular blender aren’t particularly sharp, the strong engine within the machine provides a high-speed spin that pulverizes anything in its path.
Any beverage or food that needs to be blended into a perfectly smooth, lump-free condition is best made in a regular blender since the powerful engine can cut through ice and tougher materials to produce a uniform texture.
Using a Regular Blender
Regular blenders have an advantage over immersion blenders in that they are more powerful, despite taking up slightly more room and necessitating more cleanup. This results in smoother sauces, soups, dips, and creamier purées. Even if you have to cook in batches with a hot soup, the ultimate result will be smoother.
Regular blenders are also preferable for solid components, such as ice cubes for frozen cocktails or frozen fruit in smoothies.
Use a Regular Blender For:
- Frozen cocktails
- Smooth purées
- Creamy dips
- Creamy soups
- Smoothies made with ice and frozen fruit
Immersion Blenders
The handheld variant of a blender will require more physical work to use, but it is well worth the effort for individuals who have little room. This wand-like instrument may be stowed away for protection after its blending tasks are completed, and it won’t take up much storage space or valuable counter space.
Immersion blenders work well with soups and sauces and other liquid-based dishes. They’re also useful for making larger volumes of soup for a potluck or family gathering, which would take multiple rounds of blending in a standard blender. Using the handheld tool, you can blend the whole pot to perfection without continually moving the mix to and from the appliance.
The main disadvantage of an immersion blender is its restricted motor power compared to regular blenders. Using an immersion blender, it will be more difficult to completely blend harder components, such as root vegetables and ice.
It’s also critical to pay attention when using this kitchen gadget to avoid a soupy mess or a dangerously hot splash risk. When using a handheld blender, you should fully lower the blades beneath the surface of the liquid. Raising the blades above the surface will almost certainly result in splatters of soup all over you and your work environment.
Using an Immersion Blender
Immersion blenders are useful for reasons other than their small size and easy-to-clean components. Your immersion blender is the appropriate tool for the job when you have a modest task at hand, such as whipping milk, beating a few eggs, creating a salad dressing, or a project that requires more texture. Because immersion blenders aren’t as powerful as regular blenders, the blade and motor may not handle hard materials like ice and frozen foods over time.
Use an Immersion Blender For:
- Making whipped cream
- Beating eggs
- Smoothies without hard ingredients
- Dutch baby and pancake batter
- Chunky salsa
- Vinaigrette and dressings
The Difference Between a Regular Blender and an Immersion Blender
Regular blenders contain powerful engines that can pulverize even the toughest items, such as coffee beans or ice. However, you can only use certain blender stands for cold ingredients instead of soups and other hot ingredients. Many feature pre-programmed programs, allowing you to start the blender and step away with the appliance continuously running.
Many have built-in safety mechanisms that prevent them from being turned on unless the lid is securely closed. They can, however, be costly.
Immersion blenders are a less expensive option; they’re also easier to store and more compact than regular blenders, with most fitting in a drawer. They are not as powerful and cannot be used for jobs like crushing ice, but they are excellent for blending soups, baby food, sauces, and milkshakes.
Quality immersion blenders will include a heat-resistant metal shaft that allows them to be placed straight into warm dishes such as soup pans, albeit there are safety precautions when mixing really hot foods. An immersion blender does not have auto programs, but it does have various speed settings and may come with a stand-alone container for blending in.
Some versions will additionally include a whisk attachment, while others will include micro choppers for cutting nuts, herbs, or blending small amounts of sauce. As a result, depending on the attachments included, you can utilize them for much more than just blending.
However, a significant disadvantage is the lack of safety mechanisms, as you can activate them at any time. And if you have wrist or hand issues, this handheld blending equipment is probably not for you. Some feel heavy in usage and can vibrate through their handle while blending, which can be painful if used for extended periods.
The capacity of a regular blender is restricted – they do vary in size, but even the largest stand won’t be large enough to mix an extra-large pot of soup in one go, so you’ll need to blend it in batches. Many versions also have individual blending cups, which are ideal for creating smoothies on the go. You combine all of the smoothie components in the same container that you drink from, which means less washing at the end.
On the other hand, immersion blenders are not limited by a standard size and may be placed in any size container, making them perfect for mixing huge quantities.
Both types of blenders are simple to clean. Add soapy water to a regular blender and turn it on for a few seconds.
Some models even include a self-cleaning feature. However, many now have dishwasher-safe components. To eliminate any food residue, rinse immersion blenders under running water.