Are immersion blenders safe?

[*bejeweled*]

I know this is a silly question.

But I just got an immersion blender and I'm kinda scared to use it. Just the thought of immersing a plugged in appliance into a liquid just seems

Anyone have one?

[Joyster]

Cannot LIVE without mine. My famous pureed soup, baby puree, smoothies, gravies, sauces. It's how my oldest gets half his veggies since I can puree them into oblivion on sauces and soups, which he loves because they "don't have veggies". *G*

I had one for 20 years, when it died, I wrote a eulogy for it (seriously!). I loved it, nearly as much as my mixer. I saw a KitchenAid one for sale for $40.00, normally, they're around $90. I grabbed it and have happily blended away. I've never gotten a shock or anything, just be careful when pureeing hot foods that it's in a big enough container or pot so you don't get splattered. You put mixers into liquids and blenders deal with liquids, this, same dealie, less clean up.

[pumpkinhead]

Definitely safe. Sort of along the same lines as outboard boat motors are safe but on a smaller, non-gas powered scale .

[*bejeweled*]

Thank u ladies. I'll try it soon. It's a pretty red Kitchen Aid that I got on sale for $40.

[mumkimum]

They're fantastic for soups and dips and other things - I also love it for mixing pancake batter. We replaced our old one this year (with a new one we'd saved that was a wedding gift 8 years ago - we wore out some of the attachments and it was nice to have new ones).

[pumpkinhead]

I loved my ancient Braun. It recently died. I used it for everything from mashed potatoes to soups. It was great when the kids were babies. Instead of mashing things, I'd just blend up what was left in the pot in terms of veggies and fruit. I used to blend up their soups as well to make them oatmeal consistency and easy to grab up handfuls of. Making applesauce was a breeze as well as freezer jam etc.

[CeciMami]

I LOVE mine! And it's the cheapy one and still rocks...i even learned how to use it to make my own lotion so now I own two, one for food and one for herbal lotion projects (which was only $5 at a garage sale ) Go forth and blend!

[sunnysandiegan]

Originally Posted by CeciMami

Go forth and blend!

[sapphire_chan]

Yes...
however if you're going to use them in a hot liquid, stir the liquid first (you can use the blender) before blending. Nothing like aerating a pocket of nearly-ready to boil up soup.

[*bejeweled*]

[*bejeweled*]

I used it tonight. Man it's awesome! I snuck some veggies into DD's tomato
soup. But she detected it. Next time I'm gonna put them in pasta sauce.

[proudmomof4]

Originally Posted by *bejeweled*

I used it tonight. Man it's awesome! I snuck some veggies into DD's tomato
soup. But she detected it. Next time I'm gonna put them in pasta sauce.

Tsk, tsk, tsk. I can relate! My now 9y old son who hardly ever has eaten a cooked veggie in his life (really, no kidding - unless you count potatoes as a veggie) will even eat pumpkin soup with it! I couldn't believe it. So, I've used the "sneak some pureed veggies in" technique quite a lot, as well.

Same warning here: make sure your pot or bowl is big enough ("high-walled") so the part with the blades is really submerged. Keep it straigth while working with it to avoid splatters. Make sure your pot is on a safe surface (I know - duh - but anyway...).

My immersion blender is a Braun and I've had it for almost 12 years now (wedding gift).

[momofmine]

I've always wondered about this...if you are using it in a pot or bowl, should you be careful not to actually touch the bowl/pan, or is it okay if the blades are actually hitting up against the inside of the bowl or pot? A pot seems like it would be fine, but what if you are doing something in a large ceramic bowl, would you scratch the inside of the bowl?

[Shellie]

On mine and others I've seen, the blades are recessed in the bottom a bit, so they wouldn't touch the pot or bowl. I use mine in glass all the time and they never touch. Love mine!

[ollyoxenfree]

Originally Posted by momofmine

I've always wondered about this...if you are using it in a pot or bowl, should you be careful not to actually touch the bowl/pan, or is it okay if the blades are actually hitting up against the inside of the bowl or pot? A pot seems like it would be fine, but what if you are doing something in a large ceramic bowl, would you scratch the inside of the bowl?

The blades are recessed, so they are protected. I am careful about avoiding the sides of the bowl/pan with the metal though. I think it is possible to dent it.

I now have the KitchenAid version, and I really like it. But I used to have a Moulinex that had rubber on the edge of the metal housing for the blades. I was much more comfortable letting it bump against the bowl.

[BunniMummi]

Originally Posted by *bejeweled*

I used it tonight. Man it's awesome! I snuck some veggies into DD's tomato
soup. But she detected it. Next time I'm gonna put them in pasta sauce.

The only thing I can consistantly sneak into tomato soup are lentils. Occasionally cauliflower or a little carrot if I don't put too much in. (All blended in of course, lumps are not allowed!) DS1 is pretty picky and I hear about it if I even dare to season with anything that shows up "No green stuff! What's that black spot!?".

Love my immersion blender though, so much easier to use and clean up than a normal one.

[*bejeweled*]

I'll have to try putting less veggies in the soup next time. Tricky stuff.

We used it for smoothies this weekend. She helped blend and liked the outcome. Fun.

[kyndmamaof4]

Had the same one for 12 years, and still love it.

[The Amber Lily]

Definately safe. Pefect for mixing pudding, blending soup, and a few days ago I made catalina salad dressing. It mixed it quickly and perfectly - it the oil hasn't even separated yet. Just be careful blending something hot, because it may splash...