A few weeks ago we asked Kitchn readers who cook in small kitchens to share their most essential "pry-it-from-your-fingers" multi-tasking specialty tool or gadget. There were plenty of opinions, but one gadget kept coming up again and again, which gives us confidence to declare it the #1 essential tool for small kitchens. Can you guess what it is?
The immersion blender!
And we heartily concur! The handheld immersion blender is a multi-tasking whizz. It's lightweight and super easy to maneuver, it cleans up easily (soap, water, some parts can even be put in the dishwasher), and you can use it to blend, well, pretty much anything! Creamy vinaigrettes, smoothies, pesto, soup, whipped cream, dips... the list goes on. Top it all off with the fact that it's very affordable ($30 for the basic Cuisinart SmartStick, our favorite brand) and fits in a drawer, and we're sold!
Here's what you, our readers, had to say about it:
I ordered [an immersion blender] months ago and finally gave in and opened the box when I was making a strawberry rhubarb puree. I was a FOOL! Best thing ever and the blender has gone on the shelf. -Jules from Paleo Republic* * *I was gifted [a Cuisinart immersion blender that also has a whisk and mini-food processor attachment) ~6 years ago, and used it to its sad demise about a year ago, when I bought the exact same model again. It gets used (any one of the three attachments) every single day. -Carrborogirl
* * *Immersion blender. We have the Cuisinart one that is a immersion blender/mini food processor/egg beater all in one. It's amazing. We make mango salsa, pina coladas, pureed soups, everything. We specifically registered for it because we just don't have room for a blender or food processor otherwise. -Boatharbor
* * *An immersion blender was one of the first things I bought on my small budget when I began to cook on a regular basis and use I it for soups, salsa, whipped cream and for beans...probably a few more things too. - thedabble
* * *I just got the Cuisinart immersion blender over the holidays and, so far, it's handled everything I've thrown at it - soups and smoothies - very well. Very easy to clean, and, if you're like me in a tiny apartment with little to no kitchen storage, one main plus is its tiny storage footprint. - PHDyogi
* * *If you buy an immersion blender with a "kit", it replaces a ton of one-off gadgets including an ice crusher, blender, and food processor and provides an electronic whisk. The Braun that I use has all of these attachments, and allows me to skip having a separate device for each of these other purposes. -Orchid64
* * *Looks like the people who don't see the point to an immersion blender are also people who have a food processor and a blender. I can see how you wouldn't want to buy something that duplicates those appliances. However, I don't have an electric mixer or a blender and my mini food processor is on the fritz, so I use my immersion blender for everything now (chopping, blending, whisking). - Pandorathecat
The immersion blender clearly beat out all the competition, but coming in at a close second for the most useful multi-tasking gadget was the food processor. Check out all the recommendations here.
Buy It! Cuisinart CSB-76 SmartStick 200-Watt Immersion Hand Blender, $34.45 from Amazon
More on Immersion Blenders:
• My Essential Appliance: Cuisinart Smart Stick Immersion Blender
• Quick Tip: Use Your Immersion Blender to Puree Fruit
• Immersion Blenders: Should You Buy One?
• Should I Buy a Food Processor or an Immersion Blender?
• I Have a New Immersion Blender! How Should I Use It?
More on Small Kitchen Living
• A Tale of 13 Appliances: What Stays and What Goes
• The Great Appliance Purge: An Update
• 5 Small Appliances You Can Live Without
• Make Small Kitchen Living Easier With this One Tip
(Images: 1. Small electrics composite via The Kitchn; 2. Cuisinart)
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I agree - I love my immersion blender. It's incredibly useful for making simple shakes (frozen fruit and skim milk), blending up soups, whipping up whipped cream (with the whisk attachment). I use it several times a week. I have a Cuisinart now like recommended but was very happy with my Hamilton Beach (my first immersion blender) for several years.
It would be great to know what kitchen multi-tasking kitchen gadget was #2..maybe even a list of the top 5!
just be careful not to slice your finger... it happened to me! i went to get something that was stuck out of it and accidentally turned it on with my other hand (the switch is flush with the handle and easily turned on). i know it sounds really stupid but i've read others have done this too. 8 stitches and 5 hours in the ER later i still use it - i'm just very very careful now :)
just got one for father's day. anyone use these to make mayo? does it work?
Could you please link to the three-in-one tool that you picture? The links just go to regular immersion blenders (and Amazon doesn't show any "also bought" pictures with the other attachments...).
I'm on my 3rd one and this is by far my favorite:
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/all-clad-immersion-blender/?cm_src=E:blenders
1. 600 watts
2. extra long drive shaft
3. easy to attach and detach
4. Variable-speed dial and turbo buttons give you precise, adjustable control (meaning there's a dial to adjust the speed and the second "turbo" button makes it whiz extra fast)
I absolutely love this immersion blender!!! $99 and free shipping at Wm Somona.
I have been a foodie junkie for almost 40 years. Not sure the immersion is at the top of my list, but it has been wonderful during my kitchen remodel. And, by the way, loved the phrase "pry-it-from-your-fingers." That's how it feels when you have the tool you need in your hands when you need it.
I could not agree more! I got mine from Costco, $24.99 Best and most used utensil in my kitchen.
I wanted to make chicken salad for lunch from left over cold chicken for my 87 yr old Mom. She made a funny face at the suggestion (denture issues). I ground up the pieces of chicken into the most delectable tuna like consistency and boy was she happy.
Love love love this. The least used piece of the set for me is the whisking tool, but I'm sure I'll get around to it.
like JENNIFERS415 I have also sliced my finger open in an immersion blender. I still have serious nerve damage in the fingertip! It is a dangerous implement. (I still use mine, though. Can't resist. Must conquer fear!)
@jcesar4 It's the best for mayo!!! I use the imersion blender and the tall cup that comes with it like this: http://www.seriouseats.com/2011/10/the-food-lab-homemade-mayo-in-2-minutes-or-le.html
jcesar4 Try this Ruhlman tip: http://blip.tv/michael-ruhlman/make-your-own-mayonnaise-3635353
@sahmofthetree, we do say what the #2 gadget was, right below the reader comments. It was a food processor!
@maybith, I added a link where you can buy that version!
I've had a Braun Multipractic for decades but I haven't used it for decades either.
My one true cannotlivewithoutit tool is my Chef's Knife.
Ah! I saw this and I was like, "OMG OMG I HAVE ONE! AND IT WON, SO I WON! I WON!" How silly is that, right? I WON!
on a side note, I wish the whiskin tool had settings. I have used it to whip cream in a pinch, and man is it aggressive.
I have't broken out the little chopper yet since I have a proper food processor and never needed to pulverize a small amount of something. Is that weird?
Yes! The immersion blender is a must in a small kitchen!
How ironic that Huffington Post just tweeted about the top ten "Unnecessary Kitchen Appliances." Among them was the immersion blender (with the caveat that if you don't already have a regular blender an immersion blender can be a space saver).
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/19/unnecessary-kitchen-appliances_n_1609684.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003#s=1115850
Ooh, I had no idea the Cuisinart one came in all those pretty colors! That's tempting...esp. since the chopper attachment on my old Braun one is on its last legs... Hmm, but it looks like the one with the extra attachments only comes in the one color...does anyone know if you can buy the attachments separately??
@jcesar4 - I use mine to make mayo all the time. It's great because it only takes a minute and you don't have to worry about streaming the oil in while you whisk. Just dump everything in the cup and hit the button.
Also, a lot of people have mentioned the whisking tool for making whipped cream, but for single servings I just pour some cream into the cup and hit it with the stick blender for a few seconds. It comes out a little stiff, maybe, but for the speed and ease, it's worth it.
My Kitchen Aid Imersion Blender Doesn't have the food processor attachment, but it comes with a bowl and cover for chopping things; a whisk attachment; and it is variable speed.We love it.
100% agree! I am creating a posting with my top must haves in the kitchen and topping the list is my immersion blender. It's one of the first things I bought after I got married. Biggest mistake - not buying it sooner!!
Just a word of caution, to echo the others who have mentioned injuries....I loved my hot pink Cuisinart immersion blender...until I amputated my finger. It happened pretty much the same way JENNIFERS415 described. My hand surgeon said it is unfortunately not an uncommon injury. I'm guessing this is partly due to some naivete regarding how powerful these things are and the design which places the power button right under your hand.
My finger was reattached but will never be the same and I'll probably never use my pretty hot pink immersion blender again.
I totally agree that this is the # 1 gadget for small kitchens!! I bought one a little over a year ago and I have used it almost every single day! I have the cuisinart model with the mini processor and wisk attachments. I was lucky to buy it on sale at Costco for $19,00!!! What a bargain!! I immediately grabed one for me and three as wedding presents! All my friends who received the gift tell me it was one of their favorite most useful wedding present.
Brooklynnina- the one with all the attachments only comes in black, but u can get food processor and the immersion blender separately if you want the beautiful colorful ones! Its worth it :)
thanks for the mayo tips everyone!
We got this one a year ago and threw away the old regular blender with chopper attachment. The food processor attachment works like a real food processor with a feeding tube.
http://www.buy.com/prod/hand-blender-s-s-350w/223163887.html
Those things are so handy! I'd prefer to keep our food processor (it's... really good for chopping onions, okay?) and no other device can replace a good stand mixer, but I'm definitely trying to convince my family members that, no, we really DON'T need that blender, we have the immersion one, and besides, the regular blender LEAKS.
I don't even own an immersion blender, so I may be speaking out of ignorance, but once I didn't have a super teeny tiny kitchen and could store a food processor, I realized how many options I had been missing out on. I do have a regular blender and use it a lot, but I'd have to cast my vote for the food processor. I'd also probably end up being one of those people with an immersion blender injury story too...
Will have to find this! I love my four cup cuisinart, so this should be a fabulous tool.
Happy Thursday.
Teresa
xoxo
Here's my +1 for a list of the top 5. I was just talking to my girlfriend about purchasing an immersion blender. Great for those of us on a smaller budget. Thanks for the post.
Wow, I'm going to get one! I miss my immersion blender. It died years ago.
What happened to the #1 electrical appliance rule? UNPLUG BEFORE FIDDLING WITH IT. ;-) I think we can all save time & money with this trick.
I'm on my 3rd immersion blender in over 20 years. I fire it up nearly every day of my life if. It's even travelled with me. My best friend gave me my first one--he discovered it at his sister's house back in the early 80's. He presented it with one of those vaguely dismissive comments about how I might use it when I'm "fooling around in the kitchen."
Never messed with the blade end unless it was unplugged. I know that much from using electric yard equipment.
What's with everyone chopping off parts of their fingers with this thing? Never, ever, EVER stick your fingers near blades/moving parts when ANY electronic device is plugged in. Frank Lloyed Wright was right-- there *is* nothing less common than common sense.
interesting. I've never had one in any size kitchen, and the only time I've wished I had was when pureeing a soup (very, very rarely).
I use my food processor and stand mixer each about once every two weeks. I use a blender every other day to make smoothies for my daughter (and used it to puree food when she was tiny). Never used it much before that.
We have a small to medium kitchen and i have learned over the past few months that in addition to a good chef knife, my tool i can't live without is a vitamix. i know it takes up a lot of space but it is so versatile and performs so well. smoothies, salsa, healthy ice cream, salad dressing, marinades, and soups....amazing. if i had a smaller kitchen, i'd ditch the food processor and mixer (although the mixer is nice) and could live with the vitamix and a coffeemaker as my only electric appliances.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Bamix immersion blender. After burning out the motors of Braun and Cuisinart versions and feeling awful for tossing them so soon, I discovered Bamix -- company is from Switzerland - worth the price, and no environmental guilt from adding another item to the landfill.
The Cuisinart immersion blender you're touting is *not* a cheap $30, and I don't think it ever has been. (The Kitchn has claimed this in a number of posts over the years.) For $35 you can get the stick and a measuring cup. If you want the whole shebang it is close to $60. The version with the attachments that y'all always rave about is not terribly well reviewed, but can be found at
http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CSB-77-Blender-Chopper-Attachments/dp/B0006G3JRO/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1340461613&sr=1-2&keywords=Cuisinart+SmartStick.
I really wish you guys would consider a wider range of these before recommending Cuisinart.
I hope I don't sound like an idiot here, but does anyone have any suggestions about how to prevent splashing when using an immersion blender? I've tried using it on an off again numerous times to do things like puree soup, and I've never once managed to use it without getting small drops of whatever I'm pureeing everywhere. Big pots, little ones, lots of stuff to be blended, not so much to be blended, I never seem able to get it to work. I've got a Braun version, if that makes any difference. I'm just about read to consider a Blendtec/Vitamix mostly for soups but if I'm just being dumb I'd love to save that expense. Thanks.
Yes I can't agree more! I love vegetable soups, esp cream of broccoli and tomato + capsicum + carrot, so this was a very good investment for me! And I've also tried to have some yoghurt by making strawberry-banana smoothies. I've also used the whisk for pancakes. Haven't used the chopper though, I prefer my spices pounded and my garlic/onion chopped.
Just returned from the emergency room with my daughter who almost lost her index finger to this blender, 12 stiches and bone involvement. I recieved a similar injury last year and a trip to the emergency room...why is there no saftey device on these blenders! how many injury reports do they receive each year... they must put a saftey on this. The mechanism is in the handle, when in a rush it is so easy to forget to unplug,,, Please take this matter seriously.
I did nearly the exact same thing Jennifer did, 2 days before Thanksgiving this year. In my case I did actually amputate my left index finger and it could not be reattached. Yes, it is very foolish to try and clean the blades of any blender without first unplugging it. However, this blender has a dangerous feature in that the on switch is flush with the stick on the blender and turns on with the slightest touch. If a child were to pick it up the same thing could happen. It needs to be redesigned with an actual off/on switch that has to be turned off or on by hand. If using this appliance please be careful, better safe than sorry is a good motto to follow.
I am another victim of an immersion blender finger slice -- 5 stitches. No super serious nerve damage, but lots of scar tissue. Be SO CAREFUL with that "on" button! I bumped it by accident with one hand while the other hand was too close to the blade. I still love that thing, though it took me a few weeks to get back into my morning smoothie routine after the cut. :)