5 tips to use your immersion blender

With these useful tips, you can extend the lifespan of your immersion blender.

• Tip 1. Attach the attachments properly
• Tip 2. Don't use the immersion blender for too long at a time
• Tip 3. Be careful with the ingredients you mix
• Tip 4. Use the accessories for the right preparation
• Tip 5. Clean the immersion blender thoroughly

A common problem is that the immersion blender foot or other attachment doesn't click in place properly, or that you can't remove it anymore. That's often the case when the click system wasn't used properly. Note that you remove or click the immersion blender foot or other attachment in place correctly. With many models, you can press a button or twist the attachment to do so. Isn't it clear how the click system works? Check the manual of the immersion blender for specific instructions.

It's important that you mix in pulses, not for too long at a time. This way, you make sure the immersion blender doesn't overheat. The more powerful the blender, the longer you can mix. If you mix in pulses, it means you use short breaks while you mix. If you notice that your immersion blender gets warm, or if it makes a weird noise, stop right away. You can read after how many seconds you should briefly stop mixing below.

Low power (< 600W)

• After 30 seconds soft ingredients

Medium power (601 - 999W)

• After 45 seconds soft ingredients
• After 20 seconds hard ingredients

High power (> 1000W)

• After 1 minute soft ingredients
• After 30 seconds hard ingredients

High-end (KitchenAid and Bamix)

• After 1.5 minutes soft ingredients
• After 45 seconds hard ingredients.

It's also important you don't blend ingredients that aren't suitable for the immersion blender. This depends on the power.

• Low power (< 600W): occasionally mix soft ingredients, like boiled vegetables or soft fruit.
• Average power (601 - 999W): regularly mix soft ingredients and hard ingredients occasionally, like nuts and hard fruit.
• High power (1000W): regularly mix hard and soft ingredients.
• High-end blenders (Bamix and KitchenAid): mix hard and soft ingredients daily.

With some immersion blenders, you get various accessories. To make sure the accessories don't break, you have to use the accessories correctly. For example, use a long immersion blender foot to mix soup in tall pans, so the motor doesn't touch the soup. With the balloon whisk, you can only whisk light ingredients, like whipped cream or egg whites. In the food chopper, you can chop ingredients, like an onion or nuts. In addition, you can use the measuring cup to blend a smoothie or to whip cream. Doesn't it work? Check the manual of your immersion blender.

The easiest way to clean you immersion blender is right after you use it. Mix some dish soap and hot water in a measuring cup to clean the immersion blender. Rinse the immersion blender foot under the faucet and dry it. Note that the motor isn't water-resistant. With some immersion blenders, the immersion blender foot and accessories are dishwasher-safe. Check if this is the case for your immersion blender beforehand. Also make sure not dirt gets in the click system.