Immersion/stick blender choice

Zeus · Mar 20, 2016

Hey all,
I was wondering if all immersion blenders could be used, or are there specific types to steer clear of. We have an older Toastmaster 1740. I was thinking of using it for soap making. Is the plastic housing safe for mixing the lye water and oils?

IrishLass · Mar 20, 2016

I've got one of those for lotion-making, but it works for soaping, too. I also own a Hamilton Beach, a Kitchenaid and a Cuisinart. I've used all of them to make soap at one time or another, but I must say that my favorite to use for soaping is my cheapie Hamilton Beach that I bought about 11 years ago (still holding up great!). What I really like about it in comparison to all the others I've used is that the bell on the end of the stick is shaped/designed in such a way that it does not cause air bubbles in my soap batter. My next favorite one to use among the ones I've mentioned is my Cuisinart. It has a similar bell on it and does not cause me a lot of air bubble issues. My Kitchenaid is the worst of the lot as far as causing air bubbles. I've relegated that one for food use.

IrishLass

shunt2011 · Mar 21, 2016

I too use Cuisinart. I have a Hamilton Beach one I picked up at the Salvation Army for back up but haven't had to pull it out.

DeeAnna · Mar 21, 2016

Yes, your stick blender will be safe for anything up to boiling water temperature -- that covers most types of soaping methods.

If you want to use some soaping techniques in which you would be blending ingredients that are quite a bit hotter than boiling water, then I'd switch to a SB with a stainless steel mixing end.

I also like the type of stick blender that lets you detach the mixing end from the motor just because it makes cleanup easier -- I think most of those have a stainless steel mixer too.

dixiedragon · Mar 21, 2016

IrishLass said:
My Kitchenaid is the worst of the lot as far as causing air bubbles. I've relegated that one for food use.

IrishLass

Notice how for soapers, the good stick blender is for soap and the lower-quality stick blender is for food. Priorities - we haz them.

LittleCrazyWolf · Mar 21, 2016

This is the stick blender that I use. The stainless steel mixer detaches which helps a lot during cleanup BUT I find that I have to be really careful and/or tap tap tap to make sure I don't get lots of air bubbles due to the shape of the bell (the bell also tends to suction to the bottom of the bowl/pot). Also, this sucker is powerful...I have to stop at emulsion no matter what recipe I use if I want to have any chance of adding color. I like it a lot and it works well for me but it's the only one I've ever used so it is what I'm used to.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003NQE8B0/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20