An immersion blender is one of the most versatile kitchen appliances we can pick up today. There are lots of top-rated blenders to choose from, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find one you like. Whether you want to blend smoothies or quickly blend ingredients into a soup, an immersion blender is a fantastic tool. That said, after you’ve mixed up your latest culinary masterpiece, your immersion blender is probably a mess. Depending on the level of chaos, you’re probably wondering how to clean an immersion blender. Don’t get too mixed up because we’re here to walk you through the whole process.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Cleaning an immersion blender usually takes fewer than ten minutes.
- You need access to water, soap, a sponge, a dry towel, and possibly a tall glass or jar to clean an immersion blender.
- Be sure to unplug your immersion blender before exposing the wand or base to water.
Ways to Clean an Immersion Blender
When it comes to sprucing up your immersion blender, there are two main ways to clean it. The first process is slightly different from traditional blenders, but we’ll still use soapy water and a sponge or rag. The second option is much quicker but not ideal for all situations. Ideally, whichever washing method you choose to clean your hand blender, it is best to start before food has a chance to stick to it. The drying and storage process is the same for both options. If you know how to clean a blender, neither of these methods should be too hard for you.
Option 1: Clean By Hand
Cleaning an immersion blender by hand is the only way to guarantee a solid cleaning. While a bit of effort is required, the process only requires a sink, sponge, soap, and clean, dry towel or drying rack.
Remove Attachment
Remove the blender attachment from the immersion blender’s wand, and clean it by hand using dish soap and warm water. Most foods should come off quickly with a sponge or rag, but it’s okay to let the mixing attachment soak in hot water for a few minutes. Soaking the attachment will make stuck-on food like egg whites soften and become easier to scrub off.
Option 2: Blend It Clean
This is the easiest method for cleaning the blender attachment of stick blenders. This works best after non-sticky jobs, like grinding ice cubes Grab a glass or container with tall sides and fill it halfway with hot soapy water. Place the blending attachment into the soapy water and start blending. Don’t forget to adjust the blender settings if necessary. Make sure your container is tall enough because water will splash everywhere if it isn’t. Once the attachment is mess-free, you can remove it from the container and dethatch to the blending attachment.
Dry the Attachment
Whether you went with option one or two to clean the blender attachment, you should use a clean kitchen towel to dry it. Alternatively, you can let the immersion blender air dry on a rack.
Clean the Wand
Now that the blender arm is spotless move on to your immersion blender wand. There might be food particles on it, and that’s no way to store a kitchen appliance. Instead, use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe down the blender handle and buttons. Be sure to unplug the wand before cleaning it with anything wet.
Store Your Immersion Blender Wisely
It is best to store your immersion blender and all the attachments in one place. Before making a smoothie, the last thing you want is to go on a scavenger hunt for your blending attachment.
Insider Tip
Ideally, whichever washing method you choose to clean your hand blender, it is best to start before food has a chance to stick to it.
F.A.Q.
Why use an immersion blender instead of a regular blender?
Use an immersion blender for soft foods and sauces. Immersion blenders are best for small servings and blending as part of a recipe.
How do you use an immersion blender without splashing?
You can avoid splashing liquid with an immersion blender by using a tall blender jar. Also, consider only filling a container halfway before blending.
Can you froth milk with an immersion blender?
Yes, you can froth milk with an immersion blender, but use a tall container to avoid splashing milk around your kitchen.
STAT: Under that scenario, manual dishwashing produced lower greenhouse gas emissions than any other alternative examined in the study, 18% lower than machine washing using recommended best practices. (source)
REFERENCES:
- https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/01/29/382422706/blending-vs-juicing-how-to-get-the-most-nutrition-from-your-fruit
- https://hamiltonbeach.com/
- https://www.nutrition.va.gov/docs/UpdatedPatientEd/BuildingaBalancedSmoothie2019.pdfr
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1YyrdK-XDI
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immersion_blender
