No need to pull that regular old blender out. This tool gets it done right in the pot, quick and simple. It fits inside containers 3 inches or wider, often coming with 5 speeds to get that texture just right (depending on the make, model, and brand).

I’m talking about an immersion blender. It’s marvelous because it’s such a multi-purpose kitchen tool that can help unlock new techniques for a range of recipes.

It’s called an immersion blender because you immerse the blender blades into your ingredients, rather than pouring ingredients into a blender jar.

Also called hand blenders or stick blenders, a handheld immersion blender can perform many of the same tasks as a standard blender. But not only does it do the same jobs as a standard blender, it does them with less muss and fuss, thus saving you time.

The time-saving comes from being so EASY TO WASH! Once you’re finished with your mixing, just hold the end of the blender under hot running water and rinse it clean. It’s as simple as that. I’ve been using my hand-held blender for around eight years and I absolutely love this little appliance.

You can use it to mix customized fruit smoothies or other fresh-fruit drinks, right in their serving glasses.

Also, smaller amounts of food don't always combine as easily in a regular blender. But aaan use an immersion blender handles little bits of this and that well. For instance, for tasks like emulsifying salad dressing for two, making a jar of homemade Sriracha or quickly chopping a handful of nuts, the immersion blender can handle it quickly and easily.

And they come with variable speeds. Use lower speed settings for softer or liquid recipes like ultra-smooth gravy, batter, frothed milk and more. Or increase your speed for pureed soups with harder vegetable chunks, smoothies with fibrous greens, and even homemade nut butters.

You can find cordless immersion blenders and models with a variety of attachments. KitchenAid, for example, has makes one that can transform into a handheld food chopper, powered whisk, and more.

And to top it off, its size makes for compact storage. Just tuck it away in a drawer like your favorite well-worn cooking spoon.

This tool does it all: blends, chops, whips, and purees. And while a standard blender can only between 32 and 60 ounces at a time, the immersion blender can process unlimited amounts, all at once.

A typical immersion blender will cost between $50 and $60 dollars, depending on the make, model, and brand. So, considering all it does, this is one affordable, versatile, and super time-saving tool!