Hand mixers good in soup pot?

[abricots]

Can you use a hand mixer like an immersion blender in a soup pot to puree soups?
Thanks

[mojoeater]

Thank you for asking this! We have some amazing new Le Creuset and want to keep it beautiful for many years. The info that came with it says no hand mixers. Are stick/immersion blenders safe?

[Chemicalkinetics]

The immersion blenders' blades shouldn't hit the cookware, so you are safe from that. However, the immersion blenders' bases/casings can possibly scratch the bottom. So pick one that is not made of metal.

http://i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/uim...

[paulj]

If you can use a metal spoon in your pan you can use an immersion blender with a metal housing.

[Chemicalkinetics]

Agree, Paul. Some people think it is fine to use metal utensils for enameled cast iron cookware like Le Cresuet), and some don't. So if the person feels comfortable using metal utensils, then it is ok. That being said, this does not translate to hand mixers which are much more aggressive.

[Kelli2006]

I wouldn't use a stick blender in a Teflon lined pan, but I cannot fathom a reason why it cannot be safely used in stainless, CI or an enameled pan.

[Kelli2006]

A mixer isn't going to work like a stick blender because the speeds aren't high enough and the blades arent close enough to produce the same effect. You either need to use a imersion blnder or ladle the spup into a traditional blender carafe.

[abricots]

Exactly what I needed to know. Thanks much.
I really hate the transfer-to-puree part of soup-making, but always assumed blender would spatter everywhere,. Immersion blenders came to my consciousness only recently; I didn't want to buy something new if there was a trick to using a hand mixer in the same way.

[Chemicalkinetics]

I agree with Kelli. In addition, a hand mixer can really scratch the hell out of your pot.

[paulj]

What kind of soups do you want to puree? For potato soup, a mixer might work, as would a potato masher. But tonight I made a fish soup using onion, garlic, fennel and chickpeas in the creamy base. The immersion blender did great; I can't imagine a mixer doing much.

[John E.]

You can buy an immersion blender at Goodwill or another thrift store for little money. I bought our Braun immersion blender for $4. At that price if something goes wrong with it you can just go buy another one.

[Kelli2006]

I'm on my second stick blender because it gets so much use from making soups and sauces. I bought the Kitchen Aid stick blender last year after my cheaper Hamilton Beach stick attachment broke for the second time. The motor is fine but the plastic keeps breaking.

[twyst]

Yes, immersion blenders were pretty much invented for that purpose.

EDIT Whoops, I misread your question. No, the mixer wont be as good as an immersion blender.