Immersion blenders and hand mixers are two appliances that are very useful in the hands of budding bakers and cooks alike. While at a quick glance it may seem like hand mixers and immersion blenders are pretty similar, don’t be fooled, these are very different appliances that have very different purposes.
At the most basic level, hand mixers are commonly used for mixing cake batter, cookie dough, making meringues, and all your favorite desserts. Immersion blenders, on the other hand, are for blending soups, sauces, and smoothies.
There’s a lot more you need to know about the immersion blender vs hand mixer comparison other than each appliance’s basic functions. Want to know more? Keep reading!
What is a hand mixer?
While making cake batter by hand or with a mixer substitute is certainly possible, it can take significantly more time and can become pretty tedious and tiring mixing with a spatula. This is where the hand mixer comes in to save the day!
A hand mixer is an electric hand-held device that is designed to mix, whisk or beat ingredients. It consists of two main parts: the handgrip and the attachment hub. The handgrip contains a motor that drives the beaters of the hand mixer. The attachment hub allows you to connect various types of attachments depending on what function is needed, the most common of which are dough hooks or whisk beaters. Hand mixers usually come with different speed settings that allow users to choose how fast they want their mixture to be mixed.
To use a hand mixer, you first need to attach the beaters. Then turn it on and adjust the speed as needed for your recipe. Once finished using it, press down on the “eject” button to remove them from their attachment points so that they can be cleaned easily afterwards. Hand mixers usually come with a few different attachments, such as dough hooks and balloon whisks. So, depending on your needs, you can find the right attachment to use for your recipe.
There are endless baking opportunities with a hand mixer and there are so many types out there to choose from. When picking a hand mixer, choose one that suits the type of baking and cooking you will be doing. If you bake and cook a range of things, you can get a mixer with many speed settings and more attachments. There are many mixers out there that include dough hooks, balloon whisks and spatulas.
Hand mixers are great for making cakes, cookies, whipped cream, meringue, bread dough, and even mashed potatoes.
The price of a hand mixer varies from very budget-friendly at $25 to high-end, ranging up to $100.
What is an immersion blender?
An immersion blender, also known as a hand blender, is a kitchen appliance that is unsurprisingly used for blending ingredients. It is a handheld device that has a blade at the bottom that blends the ingredients as you move it around. Immersion blenders are often preferred over traditional blenders because they are easier to use and more versatile. They can be used for everything from blending soup to making whipped cream.
This appliance has two parts – a cylindrical part that houses the motor and speed settings, and a thin wand that has blades at the bottom. The cylindrical part is where you will find the on/off switch, as well as different speed settings to choose from. The wand is what you will use to blend your ingredients.
The top section is very multifunctional as it can be attached to other attachments that carry out different tasks. The immersion blender is a great solution if you are wanting a blender but don’t have the space for it. Countertop blenders can be very expensive, big and bulky. A hand blender is small, portable, and takes up hardly any space in the kitchen.
The immersion blender is designed to puree solid foods, making them smooth in texture. The stick of the blender can be put directly into the bowl with the food that you are just about to blend. Hence why it’s called an immersion blender because it can be immersed into the food.
Once the blades touch the bottom of the bowl or container, turn the blender on and the blades begin chopping and pureeing. This is different to a regular blender where you add the ingredients you want to blend in the jug instead.
Immersion blenders are ideal for making soups, sauces, smoothies and even milkshakes. They can whip cream and even egg whites. They are great for making baby food and can chop vegetables and other foods. The top compartments of the blender can be attached to a small chopper and you can even attach a whisk to it.
Hand blenders can range from as little as $20 all the way up to $150 for a high-end one, like this Vitamix.
Hand mixer vs Immersion blender: What is the difference?
A hand blender and a hand mixer are two completely different appliances with completely different functionalities. Having said that though, some tasks, like whipping egg whites or whipping heavy cream can be done by either one. You could also say that both are ‘immersive’ in the sense the beaters and the stick are placed into the ingredients to mix and blend them up.
Key Differences: An immersion blender is a handheld device that has a blade at the bottom, whereas hand mixers have two beaters. Hand mixers are used for mixing ingredients together, while immersion blenders are used to blend them.
Immersion blenders can be used in all types of containers and cookware, but they should not be used in glass or ceramic dishes because it could break them. A hand mixer can only be used in a bowl, so you need to have one handy when using this appliance.
Can you use a hand mixer and an immersion blender interchangeably?
Some people might wonder if they can use a hand mixer and an immersion blender interchangeably. And the answer is yes – you can but only for certain tasks.
You can use an immersion blender to whip cream and egg whites, which is a task that can also be carried out with a hand mixer. However, you cannot use a hand mixer to blend ingredients in a container like you can with an immersion blender.
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Immersion blenders are the best option for people who have limited kitchen space or want something that can be used in a variety of ways. They are compact and easy to store, so they don’t take up much space on your countertop or in cabinets.
Hand mixers are a great option for people who need an appliance that can handle bigger jobs. They come in different sizes, and some have multiple speeds so that you can choose the right one for your needs. Plus, they usually include a few different attachments, such as dough hooks and balloon whisks, so you can use them for a variety of recipes.
Which kitchen appliance is best for you depends on your individual needs, but since both appliances do completely different things, why not have both in your kitchen arsenal? That way, you’ll be prepared for any recipe that comes your way.
