(WARNING- IN DEPTH REVIEW for those who are really looking for help in deciding what hand blender to purchase. If you would like a quick summary, see THE BOTTOM LINE section at the end)
I can not tell you how much time and research I have spent trying to decide on a stick blender (hand blender). Every year, I do a lot of food preservation. We do very large amounts of tomato sauce and tomato soup at a time. One of the things that I have been doing is using a Cuisinart Smart Stick hand blender to take some of the tomato sauce and blending it into a large amount of tomato paste. There are not lumps and it is smooth and luscious. I have used this blender for years, but thought perhaps a stronger one could do the job better, and I could enlist the Cuisinart blender for soap making, as it is important to have a hand blender dedicated for soap only and not use them for food at that point.
WHAT IS THIS BRAUN HAND BLENDER LIKE?
First of all, let me say that a hand blender is not meant to replace a BLENDER- the kind that sit on your counter. What they will do is make a smoothie out of fruits and/or veggies, but not green smoothies. They will blend shakes. They will blend soups of COOKED vegetables and as I am using tomato paste into tomato soup. There is not a whole lot of things that these are meant to do other than these things. Perhaps some powders into liquids also.
This hand blender comes in two pieces and snaps together nicely. It is easy to take apart by pressing two buttons on either side of the bottom extension. It has two blades and a scalloped edge to keep the blender from sucking to the bottom of the pan or container. The top has a safety button which glows red and when you press it, it turns green and then you are good to go if you press the trigger button within 5 seconds. If not, you need to re-press the security button. The cord is about 5 feet long. The hand blender bottom is a little over 8 inches long which is as long as other blenders which claim to be bigger.
The set also comes with a whisk and adapter, a cup for smoothies and mayonnaise, and a very small food processor.
IS THIS HEAVY?
I did not find that the hand blender was too heavy to use although if you are really short, you may want to stand on a step stool for large pots of soup.
WATTAGE
My Cuisinart Smart Stick has 200 watts which is a pretty nice hand blender. This Braun, however, is 400 watts and it is designed to use it well and be effective.
HOW DOES THIS HAND BLENDER WORK?
I have to say that the Cuisinart hand blender I have been using is wonderful. It is 200 watts of power and has done a decent job of blending tomato paste and tomatoes and cooked vegetables into soup. When I tried out the Braun for the first time, I was not prepared for what I experienced. The difference was amazing. What usually took me about four to five minutes to do- blending tomato paste and cooked vegetables into smooth soup, literally took under a minute with the Braun. It is powerful, very easy to use, and if you press and re-press the trigger before the five seconds are up, then you can still use the blender in pulse fashion instead of constant running of it. You don't want to use it continually more than three or four minutes, however, as it can get hot. These are not meant to be used at a constant rate, but in more of a pulse fashion.
I have also made mayonnaise with the cup and this blender and it did make a decent mayonnaise in just a couple of minutes. That is a great feature.
I also wanted to say that I didn't experience a lot of splashing or mess at all when using this either in the cup or a large pot. It is easy to control the speed with the trigger. That was the one thing I liked about the Cuisinart which this has also- a nice responsive trigger button.
WHIP
First of all, you need to understand that the whip on this blender is designed to whip eggs and cream. That is pretty much it. If you are thinking of doing heavier work, you need a REAL mixer. I suggest
Cuisinart HM-90S Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed Handheld Mixer with Storage Case, White
which is the best mixer I have come across in many years. This hand blender with the whip attachment makes whipped cream in a very quick amount of time. I simply put it in a 1 quart canning jar (or similar size) and fill up about 1/3 of the way with cream and honey or maple syrup and whip away. The cream whips up very quickly and is easy to serve too.
FOOD PROCESSOR
This attachment is meant to do SMALL amounts of chopped vegetables such as salsa for one or two people, chopped vegetables for salads, etc. This is not meant to replace a table top food processor. This is more of a quick small food chopper for quick small amounts. It is not for large time processing. This processor works great for herb chopping and onions or garlic. It is important not to fill above the line and it works quickly and chops well without leaving large pieces afterward. I still prefer my Ninja chopper with double level blades, but this is a decent quick chopper.
IS THE SAFETY SWITCH A BOTHER?
I have to say that one of the reasons that I did not want to get this set is because of the safety switch. I was worried it would be such a pain that it would frustrate me enough to regret purchasing this blender. I am happy to report that it is no problem at all. I have medium sized hands and it is easy to press the safety switch on the top with my thumb and then press the trigger switch with my fingers. I can still turn the blender on and off without issue as long as I press the trigger within four second intervals. I have not had a problem with the safety switch at all getting in the way of my processing and I am happy I can tell anyone else about this so you don't have to wonder about it.
SOAP OR LOTIONS?
Yes, you can use this to make soap, but keep in mind that you can adjust the speed with the trigger, and you won't want to use this at top speed because it can actually whip the soap too much, you will want to use it at a lower speed. It is an expensive blender to use just for soap, but if you make a lot of it, and take care of this blender, I am thinking it would be an excellent hand blender and would last as long as several cheaper blenders so in the long run not any more expensive. It can also be used to make lotions. As for skin care creams, it would work too, but might not do as well with whipping air into it if that is what you are looking for.
THE BOTTOM LINE
For using to blend soups, mayonnaise, tomato paste, and basic smoothies (please don't try to use this with a lot of frozen fruits as it will burn out any hand blender), this hand blender is an excellent choice. It can also be used to make soap and lotions. It comes with a cup that is nice for quick smoothies and mayonnaise, a decent mini food chopper, and an excellent whisk for eggs and cream. Although this is not designed to replace an actual table top blender and food processor, it is a great tool for small food prep, and those who live alone. It is much more effective than the Cuisinart Smart Stick (which is now going for only $30 less than this one) and does the job in a fraction of the time. I have used other hand blenders which were inferior to the Cuisinart, but this one blows that out of the water too. With a security switch that is not intrusive, it is still easy to use for jobs, even large pots of soup.
At this point, I highly rate this hand blender set at five stars, but I would put it at 10 stars if I could. I am really glad I bought it.
UPDATES
I will update as I continue to use this set over time. If there is any more information that I can post to help you in your buying decision, I will do so over time.
There is a newer model of this item:
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From the manufacturer
Braun Multiquick 7 Smart Speed Hand Blender MQ777
The Braun MQ777 MultiQuick Hand Blender with revolutionary Smart Speed technology will make it easy to elevate your culinary expertise. With 400 watts of power you can easily chop, whisk, beat, blend, shred, mash or purée. And it comes with a variety of attachments, including a versatile 6-cup food processor for quick and easy meal preparation.
Features & Benefits
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Simply Press For PowerBraun’s revolutionary Smart Speed technology allows you to modify blending speeds without interruption by simply adjusting hand pressure. The unlock button is perfect for family use. |
Blend Faster And FinerPowerBell system blends food in a flash and reduces suction and splashing. Pureed mixtures stay where they belong – in the beaker, mixing bowl or stockpot. |
Take Hold Of Your RecipesNow you can chop veggies and puree your favorite soups and sauces right in the pot. The slip-proof ergonomic grip gives 'comfort food' a whole new meaning. |
Features & Benefits
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High-Precision And DurabilityThe high-precision, German-engineered motor is evenly balanced for power and long-lasting durability, while the EasyClick buttons make changing modes a breeze. |
Expand Your Creative ChopsWhether you need to chop, whisk, beat, blend, shred, mash or puree, there’s a Braun attachment designed to do the job. |
Global LeaderBraun, has opened up a world of new possibilities for creative cooking for you and your family with the Multiquick Hand Blenders. |
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| MQ505 | MQ725 | MQ777 | |
| Smart Speed Variable Control | 2 Speeds | ✓ | ✓ |
| PowerBell Anti-Splash Shaft | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Unlock Button | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power | 350W | 400W | 400W |
| Stainless Steel Blades | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ergonomic, Soft-Grip Handle | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| EasyClick Accessory System | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Included Accessories | Beaker, Whisk, Blending Shaft | Beaker, Whisk, Blending Shaft, 1.5-Cup Chopper | Beaker, Whisk, Blending Shaft, Masher, 6-Cup Food Processor, Chopping Blade, Insert Holder, Julienne Insert, Fine and Extra-Coarse Shredding Inserts, Slicing Insert, French Fry Tool |
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Customer Questions & Answers
Customer reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2016
Size: MQ725Color: Black
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2017
Size: MQ725Color: BlackVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2018
Verified Purchase
Cheap quality - not worth the price
By Jyo on April 1, 2018
the shaft connecting the main motor is made of thin cheap plastic . Wasted 150 bucks . I wasn’t even blending anything hard stuffs - I was just processing few walnuts and dates . If any of the attachments had gotten spoilt I still would have been able to use it . But the motor itself became unusable because of this cheap plastic which renders all other attachments unusable and waste . I barely used it 5-6 times - and that was just for blending some nuts and dates . Stay away from this guys . I am trying to decide if I should buy a motor again (if that’s even available ) just so I can use other attachments , or just let my $150 bucks go waste and switch to another good quality brand .
By Jyo on April 1, 2018
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Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2017
Verified Purchase
Good product, bad cup, disappointing customer service
By Skye A. on May 9, 2017
When it comes to the unit itself, I'm extremely happy. We use the immersion blender part daily, and have used the whisk and food processor several times in the last couple months. The blending cup it comes with is a piece of crap. We generally just set the blender in the cup after making bulletproof coffee. Less than a week after getting it, it got its first crack. No idea how as it's never been dropped and we don't have a dishwasher, but it was still holding liquid so whatever. Less than 3 months out, it's totally useless with multiple cracks and definitely doesn't hold liquid. I called Braun customer service and was told that there wasn't much they could do as if they were to send out a new one, it'd be the same thing, and the representative didn't even try to send it out. So if you buy this, just go ahead and buy a cup from another brand if it's something you'll need to use.
By Skye A. on May 9, 2017
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Top reviews from other countries
No-name
Unsafe and not easy to clean
Reviewed in Canada on January 24, 2019Verified Purchase
Unsafe and not easy to clean
Reviewed in Canada on January 24, 2019
You rejected my feedback once before and this is inappropriate. Selling unsafe products that can cause serious diseases is not acceptable. If I have read a review noting the presence of harmful chemicals in the product, I would have never bought it.Reviewed in Canada on January 24, 2019
It is not honest to hide my review from being published to other customers.
Also, it is not easy to clean. Parts of it should not be washed and can only be wiped with a towel . Knowing that those parts get directly in contact with food like meat or cream...etc.
Really unhappy with this product and wish you can publish my review this time
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Gerardo Hernández
Si no sabes nada de estos aparatos pero sí de videojuegos, ya encontraste tu salvación.
Reviewed in Mexico on May 12, 2020Size: MQ725Color: BlackVerified Purchase
Faijai
Good purchase for the price
Reviewed in Canada on February 9, 2018Verified Purchase
Jacqueline
Motor died 4 months after I bought it.
Reviewed in Canada on December 10, 2019Verified Purchase
Sarah
Fonctionnement
Reviewed in Canada on May 13, 2020Verified Purchase
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