All-Clad Immersion Blender Review

When we learned that we were testing the All-Clad Immersion Blender, we simmered dried beans on the stove to make refried beans and gathered eggs and oil to make mayonnaise. Did this hand-held blender puree these foods into the right consistencies? Read on to find out.

Design: Upscale

This immersion blender is larger than most home-use models we’ve tried, but not excessively so—we measured it at just under 17.5 inches tall when assembled. Because of the extra length, it keeps hands further from hot soups and sauces while they’re being blended.

The body and shaft of the blender are made of brushed stainless steel, so it looks both upscale and durable. We were easily able to put the shaft and body together because both pieces feature a ribbed black ring to showcase where the connection points are. The top third of the shaft is also covered in a black plastic that feels grippy and stays cool to the touch. All-Clad makes this immersion blender in two different styles. We bought the version that comes with a cord, but there’s also a cordless version available.

All-Clad’s immersion blender features two buttons—one to turn it on and one for an extra boost of power. Hold down the power button to operate the blender continuously. At the top of the blender is a round dial that increases or decreases the speed. While the rest of the blender is either stainless steel or durable black plastic, the ring on that dial appears to be a silver-coated plastic that looks less upscale. It’s not a flaw; just something we thought was a curious design decision.

Much to our surprise, the head of the blender didn’t fit into a large-mouth canning jar when we tried to emulsify salad dressings. We rooted around and found a tall measuring cup that was a good fit, but much of our blending was done in cooking pots and bowls.

Performance: Powerful and versatile

When the All-Clad Immersion Blender arrived, we snapped it together, turned it on, and could feel the torque from the spinning blade even before it met with food. The first thing we used the blender for was refried beans. The cooked beans were drained with only a small amount of liquid remaining, but the blender had no trouble pureeing them. As we added liquid back to achieve the texture we needed, the blender did a great job.

We also used the blender for corn chowder, starting with cooked potatoes in broth. Obviously, it had no issues with the soft potatoes. Then we added corn. At high speed, the corn vanished into the soup; when we used the mixer on low it chopped up the corn while leaving some in smaller bits in for a chunky texture. This high/low method was also useful for making blue cheese dressing.

We tried making mayonnaise too. The blender had no issues whipping air into two egg yolks before we started drizzling the oil in to make an emulsion. It created a perfect mayonnaise in no time, ready for use in salads and sandwiches.

Next, we tested the All-Clad Immersion Blender’s ability to make purees. We cooked plums and nectarines, including the skins, until soft. Then we gave the blender a spin in the pot and the skins disappeared from view, leaving us with a smooth compote.

While there are many other ways to make whipped cream, we decided to give it a try in a measuring cup. It worked remarkably well, quickly producing a thick whipped cream.

Instructions say the blender shouldn’t be used continuously for more than a minute, which seems short. It wasn’t unreasonable, however, since we often used the blender in short bursts. Tasks were also made quick because the blender did an impressive job drawing liquid into the blades.

Setup Process: Twist and click

Not much assembly is required. The base simply twists onto the top piece and lock/unlock icons make it easy to figure out how to connect the two. There’s a defined click when the pieces are together, so there’s no doubt that it’s positioned properly. The tight connection meant that when our hands were a bit wet or greasy, we sometimes had to grab a towel to twist the two pieces apart, but that’s better than having a loose connection that could come apart accidentally.

Features: Variable speed

We liked the variable speed control at the top of the blender and there was a very noticeable difference from low speed to high speed. The turbo button was also a good feature when we needed just a little extra boost of speed. But unlike other stick blenders we used, we didn’t feel a need to continuously boost speed with turbo since the high speed was impressive by itself. Meanwhile, the low speed was great to use with thin, splashy liquids since we could start slowly to avoid messes. The All-Clad Immersion Blender is compatible with accessories such as a whisk or mini chopper, but those items are sold separately.

Cleaning: Hand wash only

This must be washed by hand. The upper body should be wiped with a damp cloth, while the blade can be washed under running water, with care taken to avoid getting water inside the shaft. After we made our jam we found it was easy to get the sticky stuff removed by immersing the blender in a container with soapy water and turning it on for a minute or two. The fruit came off easily when we rinsed the blade under clean water. A small brush can also come in handy to clean small bits of food remnants that remain under the blade.

Price: High end

While there are immersion blenders that clock in at higher prices, many of them include accessories like milk frothers and blending cups that add to the price. This stand-alone blender doesn’t include extras, but its strong power and high-quality performance help to justify the price tag.

Competition: All-Clad Immersion Blender vs. Cuisinart Smart Stick Variable Speed Hand Blender

Both brands are known for quality products, but the Cuisinart Smart Stick Variable Speed Hand Blender is designed for a different market than the All-Clad we reviewed. The All-Clad is definitely geared towards people who don’t need accessories. Meanwhile, the Cuisinart is great for people who will use the included whisk, measuring cup, and grinder attachment. We’d choose the All-Clad for its heavy-duty power but would have no qualms recommending the Cuisinart to cooks who want more versatility.