Immersion Blenders?

[cgraz]

I think the really smooth soups are also put through a chinoise after they are blended.

[Run Amok]

I think the really smooth soups are also put through a chinoise after they are blended.

Yes, if you want it really smooth, you're going to have to strain it regardless. You definitely do not get a smoother texture with an immersion blender than a regular blender.

[ecodork]

I'm not sure what brand we have, but it's name is Phyllis the Phallus!

[merigayle]

I'm not sure what brand we have, but it's name is Phyllis the Phallus!

[omega lambda]

Yesterday, I picked up a pretty inexpensive immersion blender at an outlet store.  It's all metal up to the (purple!) handle and has two speeds and it was $20.00.  I'm going to give it whirl!  heh

[Magic Microbe]

Yesterday, I picked up a pretty inexpensive immersion blender at an outlet store.  It's all metal up to the (purple!) handle and has two speeds and it was $20.00.  I'm going to give it whirl!  heh

I want a purple one!

[merigayle]

me too! i will trade you red for purple 

[marjolaine]

We have Braun. I think we paid $50 for it 25 years or so ago. It's old, made of plastic, but works like new. We use it to make salad dressings, aioli, dips, and now I use it to blend fillings for my macarons that have fruit jam in it. I recently used it to make harissa sauce without dirtying up our processor. It's so much easier to clean than the blender or the food processor. <I didn't know how to clean it until last summer when we used it in the pastry class and chef O showed us how. It was like being shown magic. I've not used our blender since for this reason!>

[diablita]

what is the cleaning secret?

[marjolaine]

It's not a secret. But to me it felt like it was. You know the cup the blender came with? Fill it with hot water and some dish soap, and whirl the blades, repeating as necessary. Change the water to rinse whirling the blade until there are no bubbles in the water. I was so dumb for trying to clean it by running the faucet over it using a dish brush to clean out the stuck food particles after each use. I hated using it for this reason. I guess I should have read the operating instruction booklet. 

Also whirling the blades in a bowl of warm water keeps the food stuff from drying out in the crevices under the blades in between uses during food prep.

[diablita]

good tip!  I never read the instructions either

[Magic Microbe]

I put mine in the dishwasher...it says not to but I only rarely use it and it seems fine.

[omega lambda]

I put mine in the dishwasher...it says not to but I only rarely use it and it seems fine.

You put the whole thing in the dishwasher?  Or does it come apart?  I haven't used mine yet, nor have I read the instructions.

[Run Amok]

Whatever you do, make sure you clean immediately. As soon as those food particles dry on the blades and shaft, you're screwed.

[Magic Microbe]

You put the whole thing in the dishwasher?  Or does it come apart?  I haven't used mine yet, nor have I read the instructions.

It comes apart. I always soak it immediately also.

[marjolaine]

Whatever you do, make sure you clean immediately. As soon as those food particles dry on the blades and shaft, you're screwed.

That's what the bowl of water nearby is for. Whirl it in after each use. It's such a pleasure to use that thing once I got the hang of rinsing it immediately.

[Ice Cream]

It's not a secret. But to me it felt like it was. You know the cup the blender came with? Fill it with hot water and some dish soap, and whirl the blades, repeating as necessary. Change the water to rinse whirling the blade until there are no bubbles in the water. I was so dumb for trying to clean it by running the faucet over it using a dish brush to clean out the stuck food particles after each use. I hated using it for this reason. I guess I should have read the operating instruction booklet. 

Also whirling the blades in a bowl of warm water keeps the food stuff from drying out in the crevices under the blades in between uses during food prep.

Thanks for this, it makes sense, but I never thought of this.

[omega lambda]

I used it for the first time and like it.  It made quick work of my pumpkin soup.  I really liked the immersion blender, the pumpkin soup not so much.

[marjolaine]

I used it for the first time and like it.  It made quick work of my pumpkin soup.  I really liked the immersion blender, the pumpkin soup not so much.

Someone here posted a recipe for curried butternut soup. I heard it was delicious.

[MiniDriver]

I just burned out the motor in mine. Off to Bed, Bath & Beyond first thing tomorrow.