About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

This immersion blender is a splurge, but you'll find plenty of uses for its three different functions.



Pros

• Whisk and mini chopper attachments add versatility
• Adjustable speeds
• Powerful motor
• Attachments click into place and are easily removed by squeezing side buttons

Cons

• Power button must be held down to operate motor
• Motor body is topheavy
• Expensive compared to many of the other immersion blenders on the market

Description

• 220 watt motor has 9 speeds
• Includes a blending beaker and lid
• Includes a chopper adaptor, blade and chopper bowl with nonstick base
• Includes a whisk attachment
• 5-foot power cord
• Includes a storage bag for motor body and attachments
• Instruction manual includes 25 recipes
• 1-year replacement warranty

Guide Review - KitchenAid Immersion Blender (Model KHB300)

I'm a big fan of cooking equipment that serves multiple purposes, so the KitchenAid immersion blender immediately caught my eye. It comes with whisk and mini chopper attachments, so you can use it for everything from pureeing soup to whipping cream to chopping nuts.

As an immersion blender, this tool makes smoothies in a flash, handling ice cubes or frozen fruit easily. The 24-ounce beaker is particularly convenient for making smoothies or pureeing small quantities of ingredients. Using the tool to puree soup in a saucepot is not quite as easy; the blender will kick up the hot liquid unless the blending tip is completely immersed, and the heavy motor body can be a little unwieldy.

You can't rest it against the side of a pot or a bowl; it's so heavy that it will topple over.

The whisk attachment is convenient for whipping cream or egg whites, particularly using the blending beaker. I made a cup of whipped cream in a matter of seconds, and the beaker and whisk attachment were easier and faster to clean than my big stand mixer.

If you don't already have a mini chopper, the chopper attachment and bowl is a useful perk. The chopping bowl does not hold much, but it's just big enough to mince an onion, chop a handful of nuts, or puree a cup of fresh salsa.

This set comes with lots of parts but KitchenAid has thoughtfully included a compartmentalized, drawstring storage bag for the blending attachment, the whisk attachment and the motor body. The blending beaker with its lid, and the chopper bowl with its rubber base and chopper attachment, stack quite nicely, organizing the rest of the parts.

Available in red, white or black, this immersion blender has a suggested retail price of $129.99, but many retailers carry it for under $100.