A Review of Countertop Blenders and Immersion Blenders

There are two types of blenders; countertop and immersion which are also called handhelds. There are obvious differences between these two types of appliances. Understanding some of the these basic differences will help you decide which one best suits your needs.

Countertop Blenders

Countertop blenders have an electric motor in a base or housing upon which a jar or container is attached. The unit's motor powers the blades which are on top of the housing at the bottom of the container. Countertop blenders are more powerful than immersion units and are good at mixing and pureeing foods and liquids and chopping and crushing ice for drinks. These are the key attributes that shoppers should look for in a countertop blender.

Countertop blender's containers are made of glass, plastic, or stainless steel, and typically have a capacity of about 4 to 8 cups or 32 to 64 ounces. Glass containers are usually heavier and more stable than plastic ones. This means that the glass containers will be more stable, less shaky and also resistant to scratches. Plus, the glass allows you to see how the food is blending. Stainless steel containers are attractive but they obviously prevent you from seeing the blender in action.

Anywhere from 3 to 15 speeds are typically available on countertops. The speed controls can be touchpads, push buttons, dials and switches.

Immersion blenders

Immersion, or handheld, blenders are long, thin blenders that do not have their own container to blend food or liquid in. Instead, immersion blenders are held in your hand and placed into the food or drink that you are blending. Immersion blenders have rotating blades at the end of their shaft. Immersion blenders are used to puree, whip or chop foods and liquids in the separate containers that they are being cooked, simmered or mixed in.

Immersion blenders can be useful for mixing smoothies, milkshakes, and other powdered drinks. These blenders do not have the power, or number of watts, that countertop blenders do, thus, they cannot replace a countertop blender for chopping ice or mixing and pureeing several foods or ingredients. Immersion blenders are best at mixing foods and liquids that do not require a large amount of heavy ingredients to be blended together.