Looking for submersible blender advice

Mickey

Thinking of getting a submersible blender. Bought one when the first came out and took it back (no power). 
If you bought one do you ever use it? Are they worth the storage space? What is a good one? Besides soup what is it used for?
Thanks

smokingal

I bought a 2 speed Oyster immersion blender around 6 years ago.  I used it regularly when I first got it for everything from creamy smoked tomato soup to margaritas to beef bacon jam.  I haven't used it much since then but I do have some things planned that will require its use.  Since it can be stored upright, it doesn't take up much space.

Sandtree

We’ve a basic two speed stick blender and use it a fair amount for soups, sauces and juices. For anything that starts as “liquid with lumps” it seems easier/cleaner than our main blender. If I were to get rid of one I’d probably keep the stick blender (and it uses less space)

gdenby

I have 2. A Braun that I picked up cheap, and a Waring that was about 3 times more, because the Braun wasn't quite up to doing large pots. The downside of the Waring is that it is 1 piece, and cleaning the blender end w/o getting the motor end wet is hard. The Braun comes apart, and can be left soaking in the sink.

Use the blender w. a jar that just fits it, and make fresh mayo in a minute. Just toss the egg and oil etc in, push the blender to the bottom, and slowly pull up.

lkapigian

They are handy to have for reasons listed above . My only advice is don't get one with the " wonky " safety device like Cuisinart with the safety button on top of the stick which darn near makes it a 2 hand operation to get it going

Carolina Q

I bought mine, a Hamilton Beach, at a yard sale for $1 as I recall. Hey, for a buck, why not? Had it a good 15 years, maybe longer. Probably the last time I stopped at a yard sale. Low end single speed Model 250, long ago discontinued.

I don't use it all that often, but when it's handy, it's handy. Easy to clean too, far easier than a real blender or food processor. If it dies, I'll probably buy another cheap one.

Refried beans, sauces, soups, salad dressings. Can use it to purée tomatoes too, but that turns them orange so I prefer a food mill.

gdenby said:

The downside of the Waring is that it is 1 piece, and cleaning the blender end w/o getting the motor end wet is hard. The Braun comes apart, and can be left soaking in the sink.

@gdenby, to clean your Waring, just put hot water and dish soap in a jar and blend it. Like making mayo. Rinse under the tap. Easy.

Killit_and_Grillit

lkapigian said:

They are handy to have for reasons listed above . My only advice is don't get one with the " wonky " safety device like Cuisinart with the safety button on top of the stick which darn near makes it a 2 hand operation to get it going

I have a Braun and use it every day to blend coffee (among many other things)

i griped about that safety button for a long time but it’s there for a reason. I did a bone head thing trying to get something off the blade and immediately was thankful it was there. 

(There’s always “that” person who makes everyone else have a safety label @lkapigian

Botch

I've been using a cheap Sunbeam for about 15 years, works fine.  
 
An immersion blender is an ideal tool to go cordless (I don't like cords dragging across my gas stove) but, last time I checked, there was only one on the market and it was around $300!  

YukonRon

I bought a kitchen aid with a bunch of accessories, used it to make wing sauce, and it was awesome.
Disassembled easily for cleaning. Very happy with my purchase.

1911Man

I bought a Braun at least 10 years ago (IIRC) and use it at least once a week to make salad dressing. I've used it to make smooth mashed taters too (does a great job).

It's a 400W model with a speed dial on the top and a 'high' and 'low' button that you use to run it. No pesky safety button BS on it. Came with a bunch of attachments (everything connects to the motor head). One is basically a blender jar (use that to make the dressing now) along with a whip and immersion blender attachment.

I've not tried to blend a soup with it so far (not sure if I ever will) but it does what I want without complaint/issue.

buzd504

YukonRon said:

I bought a kitchen aid with a bunch of accessories, used it to make wing sauce, and it was awesome.
Disassembled easily for cleaning. Very happy with my purchase.

I think this is what we have.  Whisk attachment (useless), mini food processor (nice to have) and stick blender (great).  I find I use it quite a bit.  Great for soups.  Most recently I used it to rough-pulse chimmichurri sauce.  Also good to cream up a pot of beans.

Legume

We have a 200W Braun that has to be close to 20 years old.  Wanted to replace it and while I was researching (even have a thread asking for input), my wife just bought a kitchen aid khb 1231 which I think is maybe 250 watts, 2 speeds.  It’s been fine for us, but I wouldn’t make margaritas with it.  Mostly salad dressing, soups and sauces for us.  

1911Man

BTW (side note), if you're looking for a stand mixer, I would avoid the KitchenAid Artisan and even Professional lines. I've killed both of those over the years with not crazy usage. I'm now trying out the Commercial mixer (1.3HP motor) which seems like it's going to at least through it's warranty (2 year). The Pro 600 I was using was NOT happy after making bread for about 6 months. I repacked the grease in the gears, but the motor was overheating and it made horrible sounds. I believe that if you run either of the other models at high speeds you'll probably be fine. But making bread/dough often (I make 6 batches a month) and it will be going into an early grave.

For note, I killed (as in completely dead) the Artisan after making a few batches of sausage. My sister has the replacement they sent (within the 1 year warranty). She doesn't do anything heavy-duty with it, nor does she run it for all that long each time.

Just words of warning.

HeavyG

KitchenAide. Doesn't take up much space as it came in a "briefcase" with a bunch of attachments and is on a shelf in the garage until needed.

Worth having around.