The immersion blender, popularly known as a hand-blender, is an extremely useful tool in any commercial kitchen. It is an excellent accompaniment to the countertop blender and a versatile appliance that can be used to make soups, smoothies, sauces, and spreads. Generally, these are best suited for light-duty tasks that take a minute or two to perform. Immersion blenders are designed for single-handed operation and are lightweight, easy to clean and store. They are modestly sized and can be used to blend the desired food product directly in a bowl or any other utensil. This eliminates the need for cumbersome and difficult-to-clean heavy-duty food processors and countertop blenders for small tasks. Immersion blenders feature long shafts that can be submerged directly into the vessel containing the food product. The main unit, which houses the motor, sits comfortably in the palm of your hand, allowing you the comfort and ease of access to move the blender around. The freehand can be used to steady the bowl being used. After using and cleaning them, these blenders can be either stored in a drawer or placed onto an accessory rack that is usually fixed on the wall.
Types and Popular Brands of Immersion Blenders
Electrolux Professional and KitchenAid Commercial are both trusted brands that make premium models of immersion blenders for the commercial kitchen. Other brands like Waring, Hamilton Beach, and Robot Coupe also manufacture several competing products. Commercial blenders from trusted brands usually come with a plethora of easily replaceable accessories and a warranty for your peace of mind. While they were originally invented by the Swiss, the best hand-blenders, these days, are manufactured in the US and have easily accessible service centers. Depending on your needs, these blenders can range in price from around $100 to $1500.
Immersion blenders can be either corded or uncorded. Although the cordless models are better in terms of maneuverability, they are usually heavier than the hard-wired models and offer less power. The motors on the corded models can go higher in terms of power and the wire is usually long enough to reach the countertop anywhere within the range of a few feet.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Commercial Immersion Blender
Usage: Before making a purchase decision, it is important to know how often you will be using the immersion blender. If you are going to need them daily, it is a good idea to invest in a heavy-duty blender with a larger motor.
Hard-wired/Cordless Options: Cordless immersion blenders tend to be heavier because they house the battery inside the handheld unit and don’t have motors that are as powerful as their hard-wired counterparts. They also require time to charge and if you are going to be using the appliance frequently during the day, it may make more sense to go with a wired model.
Operating Speed: Immersion blender models come in various options in terms of operating speed, ranging from single speed to multiple, adjustable, and manual speeds. With more options for operating speed, you can have a higher degree of control over the texture of the food.
Motor Power: The motors for commercial immersion blenders start from ½ hp of power and go up to 1 ½ hp or more. The kind of foods you blend is a good indication of your needs - softer foods will require less power to blend while ice will require a more rugged motor to crush.
Shaft Length: The length of the blender shaft dictates how deep you can submerge the blender into a pot. It is a good idea to get a model with a longer shaft if you are going to use them for blending larger volumes of foods, like soups.
Type of Cage: The cage is located at the bottom part of the blender and houses the blades. Gaps in the cage dictate how food will pass through to the blades and how finely it will get blended. These gaps allow for varied textures in the food (such as salsas and guacamole) and solid cages are better suited to puree soups and sauces. Stainless steel cages hold up better for long-term usage than plastic ones since hot food will warp the plastic.
Design of the Main Unit: The design of the handle should be comfortable to hold. Large, oversized buttons make it easier to have better control over the blending process.
Weight: The weight of a commercial immersion blender should be a crucial factor when making a purchase decision. Since these are designed for portability and easy maneuverability, anything weighing over three pounds is going to be heavy and difficult to use.
Cleaning an Immersion Blender
Cleaning an immersion blender is as simple as rinsing the shaft with soap under running water. Most hand-blenders come with a detachable shaft that can be removed from the main unit for easy cleaning. The accessory blades at the bottom of the shaft are also removable and dishwasher-safe.
Our Top 5 Picks for Commercial Immersion Blenders
Globe GIB750-22 Immersion Blender
Immersion Blender, removable 22" stainless steel shaft, variable speed, interlocked power switch, overload protection, 8,000 - 20,000 RPM, 1 HP, 120v/60/1-ph, 6.0 amps, 750 watts, cord, NEMA 5-15P, cETLus, ETL-Sanitation, CSA Star
Robot Coupe MMP240VV Mini Power Mixer
The MMP240VV Mini Power Mixer from Robot Coupe is rated at 290 watts of power and features a 10” long blending shaft. The speed on this blender is variable and the blades can run from 2000-12,500 rpm. It can process food up to a maximum capacity of 15 liters. Also included in the package are a blade disassembly tool and a stainless-steel wall support.
Electrolux Professional 600354 (BP4555U) Bermixer Pro
This fantastic model from Electrolux Professional packs a 450-watt motor and a 22” long stainless-steel shaft. The (BP4555U) Bermixer Pro features a constant pressure switch and a variable blade speed. A wall mount is included in the package and you can purchase the whisk attachment as a separate accessory. Rated at IPX5 for water resistance, the Bermixer Pro comes standard with a 1-year labor, 2-year parts warranty.
Waring WSB70 Big Stix® Immersion Blender
The WSB70 Big Stix Immersion Blender from Waring features a heavy-duty 750-watt motor and an impressive 18,000 rpm maximum processing speed. The removable main shaft is 21” in length, and dishwasher-safe. Also included in the package are 5 stainless-steel interchangeable shafts. The Big Stix has a 50-gallon capacity and a continuous on feature that can be used to puree and emulsify without problem. This model from Waring comes standard with a 1-year warranty.
Robot Coupe MP800 Commercial Power Mixer
The Robot Coupe MP800 Commercial Power Mixer is one of the most powerful immersion blenders listed at Chef Buyer. The MP800’s 1000-watt motor can run the blades at an automatic single speed of 12,000 rpm. The main shaft is 29” long and the package includes a stainless-steel wall support, in addition to a blade disassembly tool. This model from Robot Coupe features an impressive 400-liter processing capability and is available for purchase at Chef Buyer.
