Cleaning your immersion blender usually takes less than a minute!
All you need is water, a sponge, soap, a dry towel, and a bowl or tall jar or glass. Just make sure to unplug your machine before exposing either component to water.
Below, I will share a step-by-step guide on how to clean an immersion blender and helpful care tips, so let’s begin.
How To Clean An Immersion Blender: Step-By-Step Guide
Immersion blenders, also known as hand blenders or stick blenders, mix ingredients into a liquid form.
If you have this type of blender, you already know it’s held directly into a bowl or pot and doesn’t require additional attachments. This makes it a very convenient tool to have around to make soups, sauces, and other blended meals.
However, it’s a nightmare to clean!
The blades of this blender come close to the food. Therefore, you want to make sure that you clean these parts properly. Otherwise, you risk bacteria growth.
The immersion blender has two key components that need to be cleaned correctly – the motor base and the blending wand.
You can clean the blending wand with hot water and brush to remove any leftovers from the blades, but stay cautious because they’re super sharp, and you could hurt yourself.
The motor base is harder to clean because of the gaps. You can either use a toothpick or brush to access the crevices. Then, rinse it off with some hot water, and you’re done!
Below, I will share a more detailed cleaning guide, so take a look and learn how to clean it properly.
Cleaning Tools You Will Need:
- Regular dish soap
- Clean sponge or soft cloth for cleaning the attachments
- Large bowl or tall jar/glass for spinning and cleaning the blades in hot water
- White vinegar (optional and can do the job alone or together with the dish soap to help loosen any particles on the blades. It’s also great for cleaning the small gaps on the handle)
- A few cotton swabs for cleaning gaps around the switches
- Some elbow grease!
Step 1: Unplug And Disassemble Your Immersion Blender
Once you’ve unplugged your immersion blender and removed the attachments, fill your sink with hot water, then soak everything except for the electrical parts for about 5 minutes. This will loosen most of the stubborn food particles.
Step 2: Wipe Attachments Down With A Soapy Sponge Or Soft Cloth
First of all, soak your sponge or soft cloth in warm water and add some dish soap. Then, wipe clean your blender’s attachments.
Step 3: Handle Stubborn Food Particles
Take a bowl or tall jar/glass and fill it with hot water. Then, add some dish soap or white vinegar. Put the attachment back in place and submerge the blades into the hot water.
Finally, run your unit for about 1 minute to remove any leftovers. Once cleaned, remove the attachment and let it dry on a drying rack or clean towel.
Step 4: Wipe The Handle Down Until It’s Clean
You should NEVER submerge the handle of your blender because it’s electrical. You can still wipe it clean with some white vinegar.
Just dip a cloth in white vinegar and wipe it with it. Make sure you only slightly dampen the soft cloth to prevent water from entering the electrical components.
Step 5: Remove Any Food Build Up Around The Buttons
Take a cotton swab, add a couple of drops of white vinegar, and carefully remove any leftovers that have built a life inside the crevices between the buttons and the housing.
Related Post: Best Ways To Use An Immersion Blender
How To Store Immersion Blender Properly?
With proper storage, your immersion blender will stay in good condition for a long time.
First of all, before storing your immersion blender, make sure it’s fully dry inside and out. Otherwise, excess water can lead to mildew on your blender, which isn’t great for your kitchen and food.
Then, wrap the cord around the widest section of the handle before storing. Make sure you don’t wrap it too tightly around a slim surface. Otherwise, small cracks can form where the cord bends.
Finally, put your blender in a dust-free storage place away from water and excessive heat like next to the oven.
Care Tips For Your Immersion Blender
I LOVE my immersion blender because it’s a convenient appliance. It helps me make milkshakes, sauces, soaps, and much more.
It’s also a cheap appliance (under $50). However, being frugal doesn’t mean that you should neglect your belongings. The following tips can help keep your blender in good condition, so take notes!
- Store your immersion blender out of reach of kids and pets.
- I suggest keeping your immersion blender in a separate container. That way, the blades will stay protected at all times.
- Clean your immersion blender after each use. Use the cleaning guide above as a reference.
- Always unplug your immersion blender before cleaning to eliminate the risk of electrical shock.
- Don’t immerse the motor body of your immersion blender in water.
Is Immersion Blender Dishwasher Safe?
Evidently, electrical parts of your immersion blender aren’t dishwasher safe, nor should they be immersed in water.
Please, read the instruction manual about which parts can be immersed in water and determine which of them are dishwasher-safe.
I prefer hand washing just to be safe. Also, I feel that dishwashing components every day can lead to damage or rust, so keep that in mind.
Finally, clean your immersion blender right after every use to prevent any food leftovers from drying out and turning into stubborn stains.
No Mess, No Stress!
This kitchen appliance is convenient, easy to use, and even easier to clean if you do it after every use. It’s a very cheap tool that can help you make some delicious homemade recipes, so take good care of it!
If you have any cleaning tips of your own, drop a comment below!
