When & Why To Use Each: Immersion Blender vs Hand Mixer

​Welcome back to our series on understanding your kitchen equipment. When you know how to use the right equipment, you'll have When it comes to kitchen tools, choosing the right one can make a world of difference. For home cooks, the debate between an immersion blender vs hand mixer is ongoing. Both handheld appliances have their place, but understanding their different tasks is crucial to achieving the best results in your home cooking.

Understanding the Basics

An immersion blender is sometimes called a stick blender or hand blender. It's a handheld appliance equipped with stainless steel blades that blend ingredients directly in a pot or bowl. It’s a versatile tool often used for blending hot soup, creating salad dressings, or puréeing cooked foods. One of the benefits of an immersion blender is its size. If you don't have a lot of countertop space, an immersion blender can fit comfortably in a drawer next to your other kitchen items. An immersion blender typically has high shear associated with the blade.

A hand mixer, on the other hand, is designed for beating, whipping, and mixing. It typically includes whisk attachments, dough hooks, and multiple speed settings to handle everything from whipped cream to cake batter. A Hand mixer usually only has beaters, not blades.

The main difference between these two kitchen appliances lies in their purpose: one is for blending, while the other is for mixing.

Types of Blenders & Mixers

Not all blenders are created equal. There are various types, including:

• Stick blenders (handheld and compact)
• Full-size blenders (for large batches)
• Personal blenders (great for smoothies)
• Countertop blenders (ideal for solid foods and crushing ice cubes)

Similarly, mixers are designed for different speeds and different purposes, including: 

• Hand Mixer, good for whipping and beating
• Stand Mixer – good for kneading, whipping, hands-free mixing

My Recommendations: 

Vitamix immersion blender

Breville Control Grip 

Cuisinart Immersion Blender

When to Use a Hand Mixer or Standing Mixer

A hand mixer or standing mixer is your go-to for all things baking. Use it when:

My Recommendations for Hand Mixers

• Kitchen Aid – Five Speed Hand Mixer
• Cuisinart – Five Speed Hand Mixer

Hand Mixer vs Immersion Blender: The Power of Blades & Motors

The performance of both an immersion blender vs hand mixer heavily depends on their powerful motor and stainless steel blades.

• An immersion blender features blender blades housed within a wide blade guard, preventing splattering while blending hot liquids like soups. The best immersion blender models, such as the Braun Multiquick, provide precise control with different speeds, allowing home cooks to blend ingredients efficiently.
• A hand mixer, however, relies on whisk attachments and beaters rather than blades. The strength of its motor determines how well it can mix thick batters, like cookie dough or bread dough with a dough hook.

Both appliances have their place, but if you're looking for an easier way to puree solid foods, an immersion blender is the better option.

Corded vs. Cordless Models

Convenience plays a huge role in choosing between corded and cordless models.

• A cordless immersion blender offers freedom of movement and is perfect for blending directly in a pot of soup without worrying about cords. Many top picks include rechargeable batteries for extended use.
• A corded hand mixer, while more powerful, limits mobility but is often preferred for handling larger batches of cake batter or whipped cream. 

If long-term use is a concern, corded models often provide more consistent power than their battery-operated counterparts. I prefer a corded model for longevity! 

Attachments & Accessories

The versatility of both appliances increases significantly with useful attachments.

For immersion blenders, these include:

• Mini chopper or food chopper for mincing herbs and nuts
• Chopper attachment for dicing vegetables
• Detachable blending wands for easy cleaning

For hand mixers, attachments include:

• Whisk attachment for aerating egg whites
• Dough hook for kneading bread
• Milk frothers for coffee lovers

Choosing an appliance with extra attachments allows for more versatility in the kitchen.

Speed & Control

Both appliances offer speed settings for precise control, but their functions differ:

• An immersion blender typically has a highest setting for smooth blending and different speeds to tackle fibrous ingredients or softer foods.
• A hand mixer has multiple speeds designed for specific mixing tasks—low speeds for delicate batters, medium for cookie dough, and high for whipping whipped cream.

For best performance, selecting an appliance with variable speed settings ensures best results for different tasks.

Ease of Use & Cleaning

One of the great things about both appliances is their compact design, making them easier to handle compared to larger appliances.

• An immersion blender is designed for direct blending in the blender jar, bowl, or pot of soup.  
• A hand mixer requires a mixing bowl, but its beaters are easy to clean and detach effortlessly.

Both are far easier to clean than a full-size blender, making them excellent choices for quick prep work.

The Best Blenders & Mixers on the Market

If you're looking for the best immersion blender, some top picks include:

• Vitamix immersion blender – powerful and reliable for blending hot foods
• Braun Multiquick – great for versatility with different speeds
• Breville Control Grip – an excellent choice for comfort and precise control

For hand mixers, standout models include:

• All-Clad immersion blender – a premium handheld blender alternative
• KitchenAid hand mixer – offers a powerful motor and whisk attachment
• Cuisinart hand mixer – perfect for handling large batches, easy to clean

Price & Value Considerations

When comparing regular price versus value, it's essential to consider:

• Dollar threshold – Investing in a high-quality appliance saves money in the long run.
• Corded vs cordless – corded will always be ready to use
• Hand mixer vs standing mixer – consider the amount of space you have. Hand mixers are compact, while standing mixers take up a lot of space and weigh a lot. 

Balancing cash value with culinary needs ensures you get the most out of your purchase.

Performance with Specific Foods

Both appliances shine in different cuisine areas:

• Immersion blenders excel at handling hot soup, liquid ingredients, and thick pastes like peanut butter.
• Hand mixers are the right tool for whipping cream, beating egg whites, and creaming butter and sugar for cookie dough or cake batters.

For crushing ice cubes or blending fibrous ingredients, a countertop blender or mixer grinder may be a better fit.

Comparing with Other Kitchen Appliances

Sometimes, other kitchen tools are better suited for the job:

• Counter blenders work well for larger batches but take up more space.
• Continuous feed food processors are better for chopping tasks.
• Mixer grinders provide additional grinding capabilities beyond what a hand mixer can achieve.
• Stand mixers take up more space on the counter, but they are so versatile and offer so many attachments!

Longevity & Durability

For long-term use, consider:

• Models with extra attachments for added versatility.
• Appliances with powerful motors to handle demanding tasks.
• The reputation of brands like Breville Control Grip, Braun Multiquick, and Vitamix immersion blender.

Best Results for Different Purposes

To achieve the best results, choose the right tool based on your needs:

• Handheld blenders for quick blending tasks
• Hand mixers for baking and aeration
• Larger appliances for heavy-duty processing

Each tool excels in different tasks, ensuring precision in the kitchen.

Final Thoughts on Choosing the Right Tool

The great thing about modern kitchen gadgets is that there's always a right tool for the job.

• If you're blending hot ingredients, go for an immersion blender.
• If you're whipping egg whites or mixing cake batter, a hand mixer is the better option.
• If you need a powerhouse for solid foods, a full-size blender or counter mixer may be necessary.

Choosing an excellent choice for your culinary needs ensures efficiency in your cooking routine.

hand mixer vs immersion blender: Know when to use which

Understanding the main difference between an immersion blender and a hand mixer is key to making the right decision. While both serve different purposes, having both in your kitchen arsenal guarantees convenience, efficiency, and best results. Whether you’re blending hot soup, whipping whipping cream, or preparing large batches of dough, selecting the best kitchen tools will make cooking a breeze.