The Immersion Blender Buyer’s Guide for Commercial Kitchens

An immersion blender (aka stick or hand blender) is a versatile tool that allows your commercial kitchen team to blend, whip, puree, or emulsify a wide range of ingredients. These blenders are an ideal tool for making soups, dips, and purees without the capacity constraints of traditional blenders.

• Some models feature interchangeable blades for blending, emulsifying, churning dairy, mixing batter, or chopping.
• The blender shaft is removable and dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. Larger models feature special cases or wall mounts for space-saving storage.
• Overcome the capacity limitations of traditional blenders by processing food right in the pan or container.
• Save valuable prep time by not transferring ingredients back and forth between a traditional blender jar and ingredient vessels.
• Immersion blenders run quieter than countertop blenders.

Also read: The Ultimate Sauce Pan Buying Guide

How to Select the Right Immersion Blender for Your Commercial Kitchen

There are three primary considerations when deciding between immersion blenders:

Power

Power is measured in horsepower for commercial immersion blenders. A more powerful motor allows you to process harder ingredients. As power increases, so does the electricity needed (watts), the size of the blender, and (usually) the price. The three categories of immersion blenders are:

• Light duty – 0.5 horsepower motor and 200 – 350 watts
• Standard-duty – 1-2 horsepower motor and 200 – 600 watts
• Heavy-duty – 2-3.5 horsepower motor and 600 – 1500 watts

Speed

Speed is measured by Rotations per Minute (RPM). The higher the RPM, the faster the blades will turn. Many immersion blenders feature variable speed motors for working with ingredients of different hardness and density.

The ideal immersion blender for your commercial kitchen will provide a good mix of power and speed. If the blender features high RPM but not much horsepower, the blender won’t be able to process dense ingredients well. Conversely, horsepower without RPM can slow down the time it takes to render lighter ingredients.

Shaft length or size

Commercial immersion blenders come in various sizes, from 12” handheld models to the weed-whacker-sized 21” Big Rig. Additionally, some models feature a range of sizes for the detachable blending shafts. Your kitchen team needs a blender that is large enough to handle its needs but not too large to make it challenging to process smaller batches. Purchasing multiple blending shafts in different sizes may make sense to accommodate various tasks and vessels. [Callout: Purchasing your first immersion blender? To ensure you get the most versatility from your investment, select a shaft length that’s 3” – 4” longer than your tallest pot. This will ensure your team’s hands are safely away from any hot items being blended.]

The key to choosing the right blender is to consider your menu and select the model that will provide the power, speed, size, and optional features to best support your prep team and line cooks.

Callout box: Other Key Factors

• Controls – The ideal blender uses intuitive controls and easy-to-use safety features.
• Grip and handle – The larger the blender, the better the handholds must be to support the weight. Many models feature non-slip silicone grip and other ergonomic features.
• Accessories – Some models come with splash guards, guide frames, or clamps to protect and support your kitchen staff, especially when processing hot food or large batches.
• Max run time – You will want to ensure that your blender has a long enough max run time so that your team will avoid overheating the blender.  

Also read: The Core Concepts of Highly Successful Commercial Kitchen Design

Selected Models

Most brands offer a variety of sizes and power capabilities. These are some of our favourites:

Light Duty

Dynamic features immersion blenders at each power tier. In the light duty realm, the Dynamic® MiniPro® is a durable and lightweight option for kitchens with small-batch preparations. It comes with four interchangeable attachments and a variable-speed motor that reaches speeds of up to 13,000 RPM.

Standard Duty

The Mini Power Mixer from Robot Coupe is an excellent choice for most moderately busy restaurants and commercial kitchens. This model features an ergonomic handle and a powerful variable-speed motor. Globe also provides solid options in 500W and 750W, with shaft lengths from 12” – 22”.

Heavy Duty

The Hamilton Beach Big Rig line is built for high-volume kitchens and food businesses. The Big Rig is available in sizes from 12” to 21” with 800W and 1000W motors–one of the most powerful motors in its class. It also features USB programmable controls and blending attachments of varying lengths.

With so many options on the market and factors to consider, working with a trusted expert on commercial kitchen equipment and supplies will simplify your buying process. Russell Hendrix has decades of experience collaborating with vendors and clients to outfit commercial kitchens.

Need help choosing your commercial immersion blender? Contact your local RH rep for advice or to set up an in-person demo.