Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I've used several other hand blenders from Braun and Kitchen-Aid, and while some of those models were very capable, this is in a completely different class. This isn't just an "upgrade," it's an entirely different device. The Kitchen-Aid and certain Braun models are fine for most tasks, but they are like kids' toys compared to the Viking. This hand blender has so much more power than those models, which makes it much quicker and more efficient at its tasks. I mostly use it for pureeing soups, a task that takes forever with those lesser brands, and never comes out perfectly smooth. My practice was always to strain the soups through a fine-mesh sieve after blending, because it was always necessary--there would be little fibrous chunks left over, and the puree would never be as silky as I wanted. But with the Viking that's completely unnecessary. For a big pot of butternut squash bisque, for instance, it takes about 15 seconds with the Viking to get the entire thing silky smooth, whereas with one of Braun's "professional" models, I'd have to blend for a minute, then wait for the unit to cool down, then blend more, then finally force the puree through a sieve. I should note that the Viking's manual also recommends only one minute of continuous use--the difference is that I can't imagine anything taking more than a minute with this thing.
This Viking model creates such a vortex in the pot that it ensures no chunks are left by cycling through all of the liquid very rapidly. For the same reason, the puree gets silky smooth in almost no time.
You know how there's a big difference between the power of a Kitchen-Aid stand mixer and a Kitchen-Aid hand mixer? Well, it's the same way between a really nice consumer blender and a Kitchen-Aid or Braun hand blender. With the Viking, there is no such difference. This is as powerful as any consumer-level blender I've used.
In addition, the construction feels extremely solid. It's heavy, and it's stainless steel, which also means the business end can go in the dishwasher, if that's your thing. But it's still ergonomically designed so that it feels great in your hand. My one complaint is that you have to hold the button as long as you want to keep it going. I wish there were a way to set it to stay on a particular speed setting.
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Viking Stainless Gray Hand BlenderMeet your new sous chef. The Viking professional hand blender makes quick work of everything from soups to smoothies to coffee beans with a professional-grade 300-watt motor. And thanks to ergonomic design and heavy-duty stainless steel standard attachments, it looks good doing it too. With this powerful hand blender from Viking, you get a professional grade 300 watt motor that provides powerful stability and smooth processing. Heavy duty Viking design incorporates ergonomic non slip grip handle. Rubberized non slip grip allows you to grasp the unit without it slipping during processing. Two speed pulse control offers flexible performance and automatic safety shut off. The units shuts off when touch is lost from the power buttons (high and low speed). Standard accessories include stainless steel blending attachment, stainless steel whisk attachment, and 35 ounce mixing cup with lid. Five foot long power cord for mobility in the kitchen.
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