What's Best For You? A Counter Top Blender Or a Hand Blender?

Once you have looked over all of the options, read reviews and did your shopping, you have finally chosen to purchase your blender!

Now, one of the most important things you have to do is read the instructions and take care of this purchase so that it will last you for a very long time.

The measures that you will have to take for keeping your kitchen blender in its best condition depends on the type of blender you decided to purchase.

There are two basic types of blenders:

Your stationary counter top kitchen blender. You know, the kind that mom had when you were a kid? Yeah, I remember those days...oh, where was I? Oh yes, there are also hand blenders (also called immersion blenders).

The two are quite different regarding appearance and functionality.

Stationary blender would be useful if you intend to frequently cook mashed potatoes, sauces and mix cocktails. This device works independently, but it is quite lengthy compared to the blenders.

Immersion blender is useful for grinding and mixing vegetables.

It is compact, takes up little space in the kitchen, but it should be kept in the hands during work. Let us dwell on the specifics of each of these types of blenders.

Your stationary blenders are equipped with a jar normally glass or plastic and base on which it is attached, the blades rest in the bottom of the jar, some are detachable and able to be removed, while others have the blades affixed to the jar.

To use this type of blender one simply puts all the items into the jar, selects the desired speed and you are off and blending!

A stationary blender will give you a variety of soups, puree', sauces, and even make some baby food and batter, right up to chopping ice for mixed drinks.

The big feature with a stationary blenders is that they are equipped with automatic cleaning function. In this case, after the end of cooking, you will simply pour a cup of warm water and press the 'cleaning' button or whatever speed you desire.

Your blades will rotate, and water will wash the inner surface of the jar and blades. I still think you should wash them by hand myself, but some people that cleaning setting is enough for.

While an Immersion blender is different in design, it holds some of the same utility as a stationary blender.

The hand blender has an elongated shape and two-blades for mixing and grinding at the end of the blending rod.

This is a manual utensil that is immersed in a container of food, or whatever you want to blend or puree. Immersion blenders are very useful for chopping small quantities of products, including onions, garlic, herbs, and nuts. In addition, it can be used to mix mashed potatoes and sauces.

The care and cleaning of a hand blender will not take you long time - all the parts come right off, most of them are even dishwasher safe. The hand blender is generally used for smaller one or two person tasks while the counter top version is for bigger or harder to do jobs such as making smoothies and ice cold mixed drinks!