Can You Use an Immersion Blender in a Stainless Steel Pot?

Immersion blenders or hand blenders are convenient for use in the kitchen since they allow food to be pureed in the container in which they’re being cooked. They’re easy to use and reduce the number of pots to be cleaned. 

Immersion blenders can and should be used in stainless steel pots. While blenders can be used in enamel pots, stainless steel pots can stand up to potential scratches. However, immersion blenders cannot be used in non-stick pots or pans.  

In this article, I will detail whether immersion blenders can scratch up your pots and how you can use your immersion blender correctly to minimize the damage. 

Will an Immersion Blender Scratch My Pot?

Immersion blenders work using a blade grinder on a shaft immersed in the food. 

Immersion blenders can scratch your pots if they’re stainless steel and don’t have a caging around the blades. Plastic immersion blenders will not leave any scratches on your pots but don’t last as long as stainless steel blenders. 

The caging or blade housing around the blades of your immersion blender may be made out of stainless steel, plastic, or silicone. This caging prevents the sides of the blades from touching the pot, which protects the pot from any damage. However, the bottom of the blades can still touch the pot and create scratches. 

This is why I recommend using your immersion blender in a stainless steel pot, as these pots can be scratched without being damaged.

Alternatively, you can use an immersion blender made of plastic instead of stainless steel like this Betty Crocker Hand Blender from Amazon, which has a detachable shaft that makes it both easy to clean and easy to use. 

Plastic blenders do not leave scratches in pans and can also be used safely in non-stick pots and pans. However, they aren’t very sturdy and break down faster than stainless steel blenders. 

Using an Immersion Blender Correctly

Immersion blenders can be incredibly convenient if they’re used correctly. They can make all kinds of things, including: 

  • Smooth sauces
  • Soups
  • Batters
  • Smoothies
  • Whipped cream
  • Mayonnaise

Some blenders can even be used directly on the stovetop. 

To make the most out of your immersion blender, you must use it correctly. This means holding the blender correctly, using the right material and shape of the container, the right amount of food, and taking the necessary precautions. 

Whenever you use a blender, it is important that you hold it a little above the base of the pan but still ensure that the blades are fully immersed in the food. This will ensure that the blades don’t scratch up the bottom of your container. 

Using the right material of a container refers to using your blender in a sturdy container like stainless steel or enamel. It won’t matter even if you scratch the pot a little bit with stainless steel, as the pot will be sturdy enough to take it. Enamel is also strong enough to withstand the blades of the immersion blender. 

The right shape refers to using a pot instead of a pan whenever possible. Pots are deeper than pans, making room for the vertical length of the immersion blender, ensuring that the blades are sufficiently submerged so that the food doesn’t go flying everywhere and gets mixed homogeneously. 

For the same reasons, it is essential to use the correct quantity of food. Too little food will mean that there isn’t enough volume to be blended. You can also tilt your pot to gather the food in a smaller area if you need to. 

When it comes to necessary precautions – there are two main ones—the temperature of food and the material of your container. The food temperature will determine how careful you have to be when using your blender. 

Blenders will fling food everywhere if they aren’t immersed correctly. If you’re working with hot food, it is a good idea to put a towel or lid across the top, so the hot food doesn’t splatter on you or your walls. 

If you’re using a non-stick container, you must use plastic immersion blenders rather than stainless steel ones. Plastic immersion blenders will not damage the non-stick coating, unlike stainless steel. 

Can You Use an Immersion Blender in a Shallow Pan?

You can use an immersion blender in a shallow pan as long as there is enough volume of food that the immersion blender is completely submerged without hitting the bottom of the pan. If there isn’t, you can try tilting your pan to collect the food in a smaller area. 

If the pan is too shallow, the blender will splatter the food everywhere, and the food will not get blended at all. Additionally, the blades will scratch your pan.