Hand mixer vs. immersion blender: which one should you use? You cook a delicious meal for family and friends to enjoy, and now you want to mix up the ingredients.
You pull out your trusty hand mixer, but then remember that there’s no way you can do any chopping.
Your immersion blender is sitting in a drawer somewhere at home. What should you do? Don’t worry! We’re here to help.
This blog post will review the pros and cons of hand mixer vs. immersion blender. That way, you can decide which one will be best for your kitchen needs.
What Is An Immersion Blender?
An immersion blender comes with a stick-shaped motor, and a rotating chopping blade is used in cooking.
The purpose of the chopping blades is to transform solid foods into liquids, where the ingredients combine to produce the appropriate texture.
To blend the food items, you can place the blender right into the dish or any container that contains the ingredients.
That’s how the immersion blender got its name.
It operates differently from a standard blender, which requires that you add ingredients before starting the machine.
What Is A Hand Mixer?
A hand mixer is a handheld appliance with whiskers attached to mix ingredients.
Hand mixers produce several types of ingredient consistency depending on the components you put in the container.
Most hand mixers have at least 250 watts of power, which is more than enough to meet baking needs.
So you don’t need to worry about whether they have enough power.
Hand mixers use a method known as “direct-drive,” which uses the friction created by two distinct surfaces.
An arm directly attached to an electric motor using gears designed to increase torque even at low RPMs generates friction.
Hand Mixer Vs. Immersion Blender: What Are You Blending?
So we’ve covered the definitions between hand mixer vs. immersion blender. But what about their respective performances?
While you can use an immersion blender to blend, its primary purpose is to puree food and make soup.
So if you’re looking for something that can do it all—blend, mix, and whip—then you’ll probably want a hand mixer.
However, if you only need an immersion blender for specific tasks like making soups or sauces, then there’s no reason not to do that.
Hand Mixers Are Better At Mixing
The main reason hand mixers are better for mixing than immersion blenders is that they can handle numerous recipes.
With an immersion blender, you’re limited to thinner sauces and batters.
But with a hand mixer, you can make all kinds of foods—including desserts like cake batter or muffins!
And if you have a lot of ingredients to combine, like when making bread dough or brownies.
Even though using your mixer instead of an immersion blender might take longer, the result will be much better.
Hand Mixer Vs. Immersion Blender: Consider What You’re Chopping
In terms of chopping, an immersion blender is a clear winner. Because they are handheld and portable, you can use them to chop food directly in a vessel or pot.
However, hand mixers have a blade attachment that allows them to chop soft foods like whipped cream or mashed potatoes.
But they don’t work well with hard foods like frozen fruit or vegetables.
Here’s how each tool works:
Hand Mixer Vs. Immersion Blender
The hand mixer has two speeds—high and low—and uses a motorized blade to blend ingredients.
So if you’re just looking for some gentle blending action or mixing of ingredients, this appliance will suit your needs perfectly!
However, stick with an immersion blender if you want more precise control over what’s being blended.
For example, if there’s something specific that needs extra crushing.
And that’s because its blades are easier for users who aren’t experts at using kitchen appliances yet.
In addition, this style only comes with a one-speed option (versus two options).
So it may not provide enough power when trying out new recipes.
However, if the recipes require blending high volumes without slowing down, you can use it.
What About Aesthetics?
When it comes to aesthetics, immersion blenders are superior. Their sleek design and portability make them a great choice for any kitchen.
Hand mixers, however, are bulky and unattractive.
They look like they belong in your grandmother’s kitchen!
Hand mixers also take up more space in your cupboards than immersion blenders.
You can easily tuck an immersion blender under your cabinets or store it in a drawer when you’re not using it.
But hand mixers require more room on your countertop or shelf.
Hand Mixer Vs. Immersion Blender: Which Is Safe To Use?
- Immersion blenders are safer to use. And that’s because they have a rotating blade, whereas hand mixers have a spinning whisk.
- Hand mixers are safer to store. They don’t have sharp blades like immersion blenders. So there’s no risk of accidentally cutting yourself on the handle when your hand mixer is in its storage container.
Both kitchen equipments are equally safe for use in the kitchen overall.
However, if you want an appliance to help you avoid accidentally injuring yourself, consider an immersion blender.
But if convenience and easy access are more important, consider a hand mixer.
Let’s Talk About The Hand Mixer Vs. Immersion Blender Size
Immersion blenders are smaller, so they’re easier to store. Most hand mixers are larger than immersion blenders. Some of them are even as bulky.
If you have a lot of kitchen gadgets or appliances, then an immersion blender might fit better in your space.
Hand mixers are more versatile than immersion blenders. You can use a hand mixer for many tasks. For example, whipping cream and making fluffy mashed potatoes.
Immersion blenders aren’t perfect for anything outside of soups and sauces.
Hand Mixer Vs. Immersion Blender: Ease Of Cleaning
Hand mixers are easier to clean than immersion blenders. Immersion blenders can only be immersed in water.
So you need to use a brush for difficult parts like the blade or wash it by hand. Hand mixers have more parts that are dishwasher safe.
Pros And Cons Of Hand Mixer Vs. Immersion Blender
If you want the best of both worlds, look into a stand mixer. Let’s take the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Stand Mixer, for example.
It’s a great choice if you want an appliance that can do everything from whipping eggs and cream to kneading bread dough.
That said, it’s quite large. And unlike the hand mixer vs. immersion blender, this one must sit on your counter.
You should also consider the size of whatever food processor you’re thinking about buying.
Most models have attachments that allow them to function as a blender or chopper.
However, if yours doesn’t have those attachments included in its package, those functions may not be available.
Sometimes, they can even cost extra. So if that’s important to you, then make sure before buying!
Conclusion
So hand mixer vs. immersion blender: which one should you go for? Ultimately, it comes down to what you want in a blender.
If you’re looking for something that can do everything and more, then go with an immersion blender. Consider a hand mixer if you’re looking for something simple and compact.