Hand-held Blenders

[Zinnia]

I was thinking of getting one of these & thought I'd ask your advice. They look very
easy to use & some are expensive, so I was wondering if they are worth the money or if you can recommend one. Thanks! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Zinnia

[Shirley Panek]

Zinnia -

I know that on the food processor vs. blender thread that people were talking about hand blenders. (http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum1/HTML/001081.html)

I don't have one, but have been considering getting one. Although I'm not sure if I'd use it enough to justify getting another gadget.

Good luck, and I'll look forward to reading what others have to say.

http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
Shirley

[Jeanne G]

Zinnia & Shirley,
I definitely recommend getting one. Although I do not use mine all that much, it's nice to have one when you need one. I made a homemade marinara sauce not too long ago, and it was a bit "chunky" with the peppers, onions, tomatoes, etc. So I put the hand blender in there and it helped tame down on the chunks. It's also good to "whip" icecream if you're adding something to it to flavor. And they aren't too expensive. Look at Value City or Wallmart!!
Jeanne

[Karen from VA]

I'm thinking of getting one for my son-in-law whose culinary specialties are making salsa and smoothies. Would they work well for making those items?

[karen]

The Cuisinart SmartStick Extendable Shaft Hand Blender/Chooper/Grinder model CSB-55 is the one I am interrested in buying. I think it is a good brand name and something I would use often.The lowest price I have seen is $59 dollars.

Glad you posted this topic. Karen

[This message has been edited by karen (edited 09-18-2000).]

[karen w]

I too do not use mine all of the time, but when I do use it I love it. It's great for soups, sauces, and I even use it to make smoothies right in the glass I'm drinking the smoothie-can't beat that for clean up. It is also very quick and easy to clean whereas the food processors usually are not, so when I can use the stick instead I usually do so.

[food girl]

I really could do an infomercial on the benefits of the handblender. I use mine nearly everyday! It is great for making salsa, bean dip, milkshakes, smoothies, hummus, salad dressings, marinades, mixing up oj from concentrate, mashed potatoes, soups and yes, for those sauces that are just too chunky.

I give them as baby gifts along with a baby food cookbook. They are also handy for mixing baby formula.

I buy the Braun handblender (khols $15)because it comes with a 2 cup mixing cup and a bracket to hang it on the wall. Of course I hung mine close to the sink so that clean up involoves turning it on in soapy water, rinsing and hang. Try doing that with the blender!!

Ps don't try to chop nuts with it. You will end up with a tornado of nut-dust!


[This message has been edited by food girl (edited 09-19-2000).]

[Karen from VA]

You've all convinced me. I think I'll buy one for my son-in-law as well as for myself. (I still have just a bit of room on my counter next to my food processor and blender.) Thanks for all your recommendations. I actually did look at the Braun at Kohl's, but I think it was $25.

[Zinnia]

You have all convinced me too-I am buying one tomorrow! I think I may have a small
spot on the wall in the kitchen to hang it, there is NO room on my counter, lol.. They are actually alot cheaper than I expected.
Thanks! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Zinnia