Will wrote:

>
> I have 3 blenders: Waring, VitaMixer, and Bamixer. The Bamixer is by
> far the most useful. It is a powerful immersion blender, also known as
> a stick blender, though it has little in common with the less expensive
> stuff ($40-$80) sold at Target, WalMart, etc.
>
> The reason it is useful is that you blend inside the pot you are
> cooking. So hot soups, beans, fruits, etc... can be pureed without the
> usual hot volcano that erupts from a standard blender.
> You can move the blending action around the pot to get everything the
> way you want it.
>
> Drinks like smoothies can be made in a pitcher or glass. My kids make
> their own fruit drinks, they even make their own pancake syrup from
> stewed dried dried fruit.
>
> It is a lot easier to clean.
>
> Google "Bamix".
>

I have a lowly Braun immersion blender and it does
everything you've mentioned plus ice or anything else I
throw at it. I don't see the need to spend big bucks for
them. Of course as always, YMMV.

After purchasing the Braun im., my "regular" blender broke.
That was two years ago and I still haven't seen the need to
replace it.

--
Steve