Hand-held blenders

Is one right for you?

A hand-held blender may do the trick if you’re mainly pureeing soft foods or chopping vegetables. With a hand-held you can put the blender directly into your soup pot and puree the cooked ingredients. If you go for a model with a processing attachment you can also chop, grind and process hard foods – great for making curry pastes and chopping nuts.##Features to consider If you’re thinking about buying a hand-held blender, keep these points in mind.

Features to consider

Comfort

The blender should be easy to hold – so try out the grip to make sure it fits your hand. A non-slip grip makes it less likely the blender will slip from your grasp.

Controls

These should be large, easy to operate and clearly labelled. The on/off button should be within easy reach. A seal over the controls will stop food from getting in.

Cleaning

The motor unit mustn't be placed in water – so look for a blender with a detachable blade or shaft. Dishwasher-safe attachments make cleaning even easier.

Safety

The blender should have a stop-release mechanism so that it will stop whenever you take your finger off the control button.

Blade guard

There should also be a guard around the blade to prevent accidental contact - but you need to take care because the guards could damage bowls and saucepans. A pan guard prevents this scratching.

Some models have extra features:

Whisk – for whipping cream and beating eggs.

Processor – good for chopping raw vegetables or grinding nuts (but only small amounts at a time). It's a separate unit similar to a small food processor. A rubber base on the attachment will provide stability while you're using it.

Pulse – useful for small quantities of dry food. Activating the pulse button gives you short bursts of power that help to distribute the load and ensure the food is uniformly chopped.

Wall mount – for easy and accessible storage.

A jug is useful for blending.