Immersion blender

Immersion blender

An immersion blender, or stick blender is a kitchen appliance to blend ingredients or puree food in the container in which they are being prepared. They are sometimes called wand blenders, hand blenders, Bermixers (after the brand name of professional models made by Dito-Electrolux), or boat motors (a nickname for larger commercial-grade immersion blenders, popularized by Emeril Lagasse and Alton Brown). They may be used for pureeing soups and emulsifying sauces. Some can be used while a pan is on the stove. Immersion blenders are distinguished from blenders and food processors that require food be placed in a special vessel for processing. They are distinguished from hand mixers which do not chop the food as it is blended.

The immersion blender was invented in Switzerland by Roger Perrinjaquet, who patented the idea on March 6, 1950. He called the new appliance "bamix", a portmanteau of the French "bat et mixe" (beats and mixes). The immersion blender has been in use in European professional kitchens since the 1960s, and was adopted for home use in the United States market in the 1980s.

Models for home use usually have a shaft of ten to twelve inches, but models are available for professionals with a shaft up to two feet. Home models are available in corded or cordless versions.

See also

• Blade grinder
• Blender
• Food processor
• Mixer (cooking)

References

• "The spin on sticks," by Janice Matsumoto. Restaurants & Institutions, March 1, 2000.Vol.110, Issue 6, page 95.
• "A Whirling Dervish That Dips Right Into Your Pot," by Amanda Hesser. New York Times, August 19, 1998, page F.3.