Customer Reviews

Viking Stainless Gray Hand Blender

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

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.

I've had only great experiences with the Viking Pro Han Blender. I use it several times a week. The dual speeds work fine, the motor is powerful enough to chop even very hard foods, and after many months, I've not had any problems. I've tried at least 5 other brands, and this one is a solid piece of equipment. Another reviewer had problems with his/her unit and customer service, but I've had only great performance from it (buy the optional chopping attachment to get the best use of it).

I have had this immersion blender for almost a year now and i agree with the reviewer that says how powerful it is. I also use it mostly for soups and in seconds its smooth. I would also like to address the other reviewer who is afraid to use it on his pots. I sue this with my Le Creuset cast iron, and there is a never even a mark on the enamel. I highly recommend this product.

I was so excited to get this "professional" blender after 20 some years of using several plastic blenders (Cuisinart)Do I miss these half the price hand blenders! I use it amost exclusively for pureeing soups and this blender leaves loads of stringy fibers, and takes 5 times as long to do a very poor job! I am a pretty seasonned cook and Iam very picky about what I serve. I have decided to actually throw this Vicking blender in the garbage because it is not worse the aggravation each time I use it! I gave it many chances to prove that it was not a flaw in my cooking technique. So, adieu et sans regrets! I am now investigating a Swiss blender, Bamix, unless I decide to go back to the inexpensive Cuisinart blender. Please, do NOT buy this product.

I having a Viking Cooktop that is awesome. My sister has a Viking stove that is awesome as well. Based on this experience, I have bought an additional 3 Viking products and been underwhelmed with them all.
Strike one: This hand blender isn't worth the money: My $20 Braun did a better job at everything. I can't get this to make a smooth puree....it overheats in less than a minute.
The design on this is clumsy as well: multiple parts that will break, wear out quickly (chopping bowl, whisk attachment), the power cord that is too short... This is just a terrible product. Stay away from it and save your money!
Strike Two:I had a similar experience with the new Coffeemaker that I had to return.In photos it looked great. In real life cheap plastic parts ($300 for a coffeemaker). Again, badly designed: a water tank that connects ON THE SIDE (potential for leaks, etc). We set up the coffee maker, primed the pump like an espresso maker and all the machine did was pump water over our counters .
Strike Three: My sister spent a small mortgage on their cookware. ( I have AllClads). The Viking pots and pans are overly heavy, and retain the heat too long. PLus all the tops are rusting in about two months....
Viking Stoves and cooktops are awesome. It is too bad Viking is taking their respected brand and trying to expand into other products. You pay extra for this brand but the quality, performance and value aren't there.

My wife got this for me as a gift. After about six months of light but constant use - immersion blenders are after all quite handy in the kitchen - whatever seals are in place to prevent moisture from entering the drive shaft failed. I never allowed the main body to get wet, and always dried the shaft attachment thoroughly after each use. But moisture and food still entered the main body via the shaft attachment, and soon the whole unit began giving off a very disagreeable smell. Mold, corrosion and rot had taken hold to the point that a foul black liquid would be ejected from the blade every time it was used. Not really something I wanted in my kitchen. I was able to take the main body apart and clean it, but could not dry or reseal the drive shaft in the blade attachment, so it was never the same. Soon it would only run for a few seconds before making a shrill whine, then would smoke and slow to only a few RPMs. Tossed it, and will not be buying another Viking product.

I have gone through three of these blenders in one year. On the first the power buttons did not function. For the last two, in everyday normal use, the drive shaft breaks apart from the plastic disk that connects to the motor rendering the unit useless. My local store has been good about replacing the unit - but this last time I insisted on a refund and am seeking another brand. I bought a Viking because I love the quality of my Viking Range Top and I love my Viking stand mixer. But this poorly designed item makes me question Viking's commitment to quality. I'm surprised they would put their name on such a poorly built item.
** UPDATE 10-16-11: Sur La Table cheerfully refunded my money for the last of my Viking hand blenders and recommended a Cuisinart hand blender that cost ~$30. The Cuisinart is used 3-4 times per week since I wrote the above review and has worked perfectly without breaking. Who knew that a 30 buck item would outperform the expensive Viking!?

I am so disappointed with this blender. Despite the promise of a quality product from a quality name, this blender does not deliver. After 5 months of use (for a breakfast smoothie and soup in the winter), the rubber on the button cover is peeling off. Worse, the motor sounds like it's starting to give and the blender shaft is loose. In comparison to other immersion blenders (Cuisinart, Waring), this product is not worth the hefty price and does not blend as thoroughly. Smoothies take longer to blend and soups do not puree as finely as with other brands. Not recommended.

We purchased it based on the brand and the unit's apparent ability to stand up to daily use. Within a dozen uses, the drive shaft has started binding, making a loud grinding noise and not rotating properly. The unit is no longer usable. This was light duty, home use. There is something very wrong with the design of this product. Avoid.

I bought this blender as a replacement for my Breville which gave out on me after 4 years ( the o-ring seemed to have disintegrated, if i couldve gotten a replacement for that it wouldve kept on going).
The design itself doesnt allow for smooth purees, since there is so much space left between the blade and the bottom of the pot, holder, etc. My Breville on the other hand had much less space there so pureed everything much quicker and left little to no bits and pieces.
For the price, you would think itd be better, though i do agree that the motor is much mroe powerful than the Breville.
I will however be returning this product and trying out a Kitchenaid or going back to my tried and true.