Handheld Food Processors

What Is It and How Does It Differ from Regular Food Processors?
The hand blender, or handheld food processor, is kind of a magic wand that you wield in your kitchen, turning stuff into soups and purees. You'll be sorely disappointed if you expect it to perform like a traditional food processor, but if you know what you need, you'll find it indispensable.

Generally, these tools are about 15 inches long and have a nozzle at one end with a spinning blade. The handle fits comfortably and has a single button that sends the blade whizzing at impressive speeds. To be sure, the blade is often not even that sharp; its job is to crush, pulverize, and puree whatever it comes into contact with. The speeds are perfect for making soup, emulsions, and refreshing sauces. It does not, however, have attachments that can be used to incorporate air to whip cream or eggs.

How Do They Measure Up?
The finer versions of this tool feature removable nozzles that are dishwasher-safe. The other ones claim the best method for cleaning is to submerge in water and let 'er rip. Experience tells us that even with regular cleaning like this, occasionally you've got to get in there and do some detailed scrubbing.

Cuisinart HFP-300 Prep Express Handheld Food Processor-White

People used to a countertop food processor may not be impressed with the results achieved from a handheld food processor. To rival the smoothness achieved with a Cuisinart food processor, more thorough cooking is needed, and it doesn't hurt to get one of the nicer, more expensive handheld food processor.