I use mine when I make soup and I want it smooth or partly smooth instead of chunky. The puree thickens the texture. Same with say tomato sauce. Put the thing right in the pot and whirr.

I use mine for soups all the time and for anything that can be blended in the pot, and I use the little mini processor even more, for tasks like chopping nuts, onions, etc.

I also have a whisk attachment but I rarely use that. I prefer a hand cranked egg beater or a manual whisk for most of the things it can do.

If you are considering getting an immersion blender, I really like the fact that my KA is all metal so I can haul a pot off the fire and start blending immediately, without the cooldown period recommended for plastic heads/shafts.

No more pouring the hot soup into the food processor to puree it - perfectly smooth butternut squash bisque

Writers block I was planning on the kitchen aid what model do you have

I love Butternut squash but I've never had butternut squash bisque. That sounds interesting. Is it hard to make

Hi, rikerk. Unfortunately mine isn't made anymore. I have the variable speed motor with three attachments + bag. I think the KHB2351OB is probably the closest of the ones now. Mine has seven speed settings, but you can set it anywhere in-between, too. Now you have to choose between 3 or 5 fixed settings.

With an immersion blender no squash or potato soup is hard to make. :)

Just what I need another kitchen toy:)

At this point I would give up my regular (non vitamix-type) blender in favor of the immersion blender if I had to choose. Forgot to mention that I also use it for smoothies since it's good with ice.

Protein drinks!

I use mine when I make big batches of tomato sauce (blend right in the pot to destroy the chunks). I also like to make fruit smoothies with frozen fruit, plain Greek yogurt, and ice. It's great breaking everything up. I think I have a Cuisinart with a metal head and shaft.

One more question. Do you have a corded or cordless model and do you think it makes a difference?

Salad dressing! It does a perfect job of emulsifying oil-based dressings. It makes it really easy to whip up a fresh batch each night. I've also been making yogurt-based dressings to be healthier - put greek yogurt, vinegar, a clove of garlic, salt and pepper in a glass, and a couple seconds with the immersion blender and it's good to go!

And yes, I'll second (fourth? tenth?) that it's great for soup. I just made a fennel & carrot soup this weekend, and the immersion blender is so much easier than ladling hot soup into a food processor or blender.

So an immersion blender works on ice? Like, say, for margaritas? :) I am thinking abut outfitting for life on a boat. Storage is limited, so a blender or food processor are probably not an option. Is this a good all-purpose alternative?

Thanks rikerk, for letting me barge into your thread.

Only certain ones do, aok. Most don't, especially the ones with plastic parts. A friend has a Braun and I can't believe what a wimp that is in comparison. Of course, I don't know about the new KAs, either. Check the owners manual for any that you're considering buying. It should say yea or nay on ice.

Rikerk, corded.

Oh, I forgot mayonnaise. Immersion blender mayo is great, if you have a trustworthy egg source (not grocery store eggs).

My wife had a small low-end Bosch that worked wonders both blending and rubbing sage with the food processor blade. When we got fire from the on-off button I replaced it with a very heavy duty Bosch. Now it sits unused on the top shelf of the pantry. Too heavy for my wife and I don't like it or the many blender attachments nearly as well as the low end model. One up from the low end in another brand would be my reccomendation.

I just picked up the kitchen aid KHB2561ACS at Macy's for $79.99 as a Pre Black Friday special today. it is a 5 speed with all the attachments. Seems like a good deal

I use mine for soups, mashed potatoes, and applesauce. Also, salad dressing, humus, and the annual Thanksgiving sweet potato casserole.

My device is corded, though I can't recall what brand it it, as it's packed away for the reno. Kitchen will be installed in two weeks.

Had a Cuisinart smart stick, used it for shakes and such almost daily until I bought a vitamix. It did a much better job crushing ice than a normal blender. Now I just use it when I travel. Not the most durable item but it was only $30.

If I need to change a can of whole tomatoes into chopped/tomato sauce, I just blend directly in the can. I've used mine on beans in the can, too.

I *used* to use mine for baby food all day long for two kiddos. It is perfect for that. Now, don't use it much--though as everyone has said it is great for soups! To me it is worth keeping just for that; doesn't take too much space.

Thank you everybody for all of the wonderful ideas for my new immersion blender. Have a happy thanksgiving