| Cooking Equipment Reviews Find out what equipment best suits your needs. Share your experiences with various kitchen equipment products, gadgets, and more. |  | 
11-08-2005, 04:11 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 136
| | immersion blenders My Braun immersion blender just died. In searching for a new one, I noticed that some have a steel shaft and basket while others have plastic ones. My old blender had a plastic casing, so I wondered whether the steel casings scratch or otherwise harm pots. I have already looked at the previous postings about immersion blenders from a few years ago. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Is the consensus still in favor of Brauns? Thanks! | 
11-08-2005, 05:46 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2003 Location: NJ
Posts: 577
| | I have a Kitchenaid and it's awesome. I could propel a small submarine with it.
Mark
__________________ Salad is the kind of food that real food eats. | 
11-08-2005, 05:53 PM
|  | ChefTalk Moderator | | Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: SLC UT
Posts: 3,912
| | But think of the cavitation! | 
11-09-2005, 06:13 PM
|  | Registered User Culinary Experience: At home cook | | Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,227
| | Good one Phil. I'll bet there aren't many on this board who know what Cavitation is. OK, that was a benign challenge
My old Braun, still alive and cavitating, has a cast aluminum frame. I like the newer models that have the removable stem so there is no risk of ruining the motor when washing it.
Jock | 
11-11-2005, 04:29 PM
| | Registered User Culinary Experience: Home Chef | | Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Burr Ridge, IL
Posts: 954
| | We've used a Cuisinart for quite a few years with good results. All immersible parts are stainless.
And yes, I know what cavitation is.
Mike
"Former Naval person"
__________________ travelling gourmand | 
11-12-2005, 02:59 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 136
| | Thanks for the recommendations, everyone. Can you submerge the stainless steel wands completely to the bottom of your pots without scratching and nicking their surfaces? I figure that you have to avoid using non-stick surfaces, but how about other types of pots? Thanks again. | 
11-15-2005, 03:51 PM
| | Registered User Culinary Experience: Home Chef | | Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Burr Ridge, IL
Posts: 954
| | Yes- the Cuisinart, at least, is shielded and guarded so that neither the bottom or the sides of the blade can come into contact with the pot. I wouldn't have any problen using it in a nonstick pot.
Mike
__________________ travelling gourmand | 
12-08-2005, 04:46 AM
| | Registered User Culinary Experience: Line Cook | | Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 237
| | Quote: |
Originally Posted by Brook My Braun immersion blender just died. In searching for a new one, I noticed that some have a steel shaft and basket while others have plastic ones. My old blender had a plastic casing, so I wondered whether the steel casings scratch or otherwise harm pots. I have already looked at the previous postings about immersion blenders from a few years ago. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Is the consensus still in favor of Brauns? Thanks! |
Do you need a small handheld version? Or something with a little more...oomph?
If you need the beefy "oomph" version, we use a (forgive my horrible spelling) beurre (it sounds just like that) mixer. It's this monstrous thing that I'm fairly certain you could propel a fishing boat with it if you put the right blade on it. | 
12-09-2005, 05:48 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 136
| | I'd like a handheld version. Mostly, it's to put into a pot for blending or pureeing soups or vegetables. Usually I let the blender rest on the bottom of the pot while I move it around -- thus my concern with the steel shaft and casing scratching and harming the pot. My old Braun was plastic, but alot of the newer versions seem to have metal shafts and baskets covering the cutting knife. Thanks again for your advice. | 
01-08-2006, 02:56 PM
|  | Registered User Culinary Experience: Culinary Instructor | | Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: MO
Posts: 2,491
| | Did you make a purchase Brook? | 
01-14-2006, 01:35 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 136
| | Haven't made the purchase yet. I'm still wondering whether the metal housings over the blades of many of the more powerful immersion blenders will scratch my pots! | 
01-16-2006, 11:58 AM
| | Registered User Culinary Experience: At home cook | | Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Minnesota
Posts: 898
| | I'm using a Bamix professional model, which is stainless steel blade, cage and stem, with a plastic casing which you hold in your hand. Two speeds and it hasn't damaged any of my All Clad pots at all. I really like it!
doc | 
01-29-2006, 06:21 PM
|  | Registered User Culinary Experience: Owner/Operator | | Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Gainesville Florida
Posts: 191
| | I keep looking at the better , and more expensive brands of Immersion blenders, and keep reaching for the old Braun 200 watt with twist off plastic shaft, when I need one. Darn thing just won't die, and it does a disgustingly good job. | 
03-30-2006, 07:45 AM
| | Registered User Culinary Experience: At home cook | | Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 2
| | russell hobbs immersion blender I am also in the market for an immersion blender. Any thoughts or comments on the W-S Russell Hobbs? |  |
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