The immersion blender is a handy and minimalistic appliance that can blend soups, smoothies, and juices fast and efficiently. It is because they are simple that they have gained popularity. We also have compiled a guide that will help you choose Cuisinart Smart Stick, if you are looking for the best one.
Quite a few recipes call for immersion blenders today, which makes sense since they are so indispensable. If you don’t own one, what do you do in these situations? Fortunately, we have addressed this issue for you so that you can still make those new recipes without an immersion blender!
As an alternative to an immersion blender, you can use a variety of tools and techniques. The effectiveness of each varies depending on what you are trying to blend. These are 7 alternatives you might want to consider:
- Hand mixer
- Stand mixer
- Food processor
- Blender
- Electric whisk
- Chopper bowl
- Potato masher
There are many people who own immersion blenders, but that does not mean you have to. Getting the job done can be done in several different ways. In the kitchen, where there are so many tools available, this is even truer. The substitutes listed above can all be used, but one may be more effective than another. Read on to find out exactly how each of these alternatives compares to an immersion blender!
Hand Mixer
In terms of function, hand mixers are similar to immersion blenders and have been around much longer. Although traditionally thought of as baking tools, these gadgets can do much more than just make batter. Like immersion blenders, they can be used on soups and sauces.
Additionally, like immersion blenders, you can place them directly into a pot or container that contains the ingredients. In fact, they might be even easier to clean since you just have to take the beaters off and throw them in the dishwasher!
Stand Mixer
Although this option may seem a bit overkill, you need to use what you have to accomplish your task. You can certainly use a stand mixer if that is all you have. Due to the fact that the ingredients must be placed in the mixer’s bowl, it will not be as convenient as the handheld options. The machine is capable of doing large jobs at once, such as whisking large batches of soup. Although the cleanup for a stand mixer is not ideal, this alternative will get the job done.
Food Processor
When you need hard foods diced, such as nuts, you usually turn to a food processor. Immersion blenders are typically used for softer ingredients such as soups and sauces. However, this doesn’t mean they can’t be interchangeable under certain circumstances. A food processor can certainly be used for pureeing vegetables for soup.
Cleaning up after using a food processor is a downside. The design isn’t as minimalistic as an immersion blender. A food processor will make quick work of harder or larger ingredients.
Blender
Since most people who don’t own an immersion blender own a standard blender, this is an obvious alternative. Immersion blenders will be able to do the same jobs as stand blenders and even on a larger scale. Bigger motors and blades mean bigger jobs. In addition, you won’t have to worry about splatters that can occur when using a hand blender.
This option has the drawback that convenience is thrown out the window. All the ingredients have to go into the blender and then there are extra dishes to wash later.
Electric Whisk
Using this substitute is very similar to using a hand mixer. Sometimes, the tool is the same, it’s just an attachment that differs. The majority of hand mixers come with beaters, but you can easily find ones with whisk attachments as well. You can mix ingredients more smoothly with the whisk than with the beaters if you put it into a hand mixer. Using this tool requires the same cleanup as using beaters. Toss it in the dishwasher after removing it from the hand mixer!
Chopper Bowl
Food processors and choppers are very similar. A chopper bowl is manually powered, while a food processor is electrically powered. However, that does not mean that you can’t use a chopper bowl instead of an immersion blender to prepare your dishes. It won’t be able to liquefy things like an immersion blender, but it can finely chop up vegetables and fruits with a little bit of liquid to get close.
For a slightly chunkier soup, sauce, or salsa without the noise of an electric tool, this is a great option!
Potato Masher
While a stand mixer is a big tool for the job, a potato masher is on the other end of the spectrum. This classic tool may seem low-tech compared to all of the other options, but don’t disregard it. Using a potato masher is a great way to mash up soft vegetables for a sauce or soup. It doesn’t even need to be plugged in! It can also be used directly in the cooking pot, and it is one of the easiest substitutes on this list to wash after use.
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