Kitchen gadgets make cooking easier, but after making soup in my Instant Pot that needed blending, I found myself wondering: can I use a handheld blender in an Instant Pot?
You can use a handheld blender in an Instant Pot. However, if the immersion blender has a stainless steel shaft & blade assembly, do not scrape it across the bottom of your Instant Pot stainless steel insert as it could scratch.
Unlike a countertop blender or food processor that requires transferring hot liquids, an immersion blender lets you blend right at the source. This means less mess and better control over the final texture.
I’ve found that using a cordless immersion blender gives me even more freedom to work with the pot. The powerful motor in most models can easily handle everything from creamy soups to homemade mayonnaise.
The best feature is being able to reach the bottom of the pot where larger chunks tend to hide. With just the press of a button, you can transform chunky stews into smooth purees without dirtying additional dishes.
Whether you’re making sweet potatoes, baby food, or hot soup, this combination offers an excellent way to achieve that smooth consistency you’re looking for.
Also, make sure and check out my Best Fast and Slow Cookers Buyer’s Guide.
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What is the difference between an immersion blender and a regular blender?
The main difference is how you use them. A traditional countertop blender stays in one place while you add ingredients to its blender jar. An immersion blender (also called a stick or hand blender) is handheld and goes directly into your food.
Regular blenders typically have more powerful motors and can handle tougher jobs like crushing ice or making peanut butter. They work great for larger batches but require transferring hot liquids if you’re making hot soup.
Immersion blenders shine when blending directly in cooking pots. With the press of a button, you can create smooth purees without moving hot food between containers. This means less mess and better control over the final consistency.
Many immersion blenders come with attachments. The whisk accessory is perfect for whipping egg whites or heavy cream. Some models like the Braun MultiQuick even include a chopper cup for small batches of ingredients.
For Instant Pot cooking, an immersion blender is the perfect choice since it can reach the bottom of the pot where large chunks often hide. You’ll achieve that creamy consistency in split pea soup or sweet potatoes without dirtying additional dishes.
One common concern people have about the Instant Pot is whether or not it’s true that they sometimes explode.
I recently dug into that topic in a recent article, and the results really surprised me; especially what I saw on Snopes!
Will an immersion blender scratch the bottom of my Instant Pot?
In short, it could, but not from the blade.
Most immersion blenders, or stick blenders as they are sometimes called, have a stainless steel shaft and blade assembly. Some, however, have a plastic shaft and housing around the blade. Those are far less likely to scratch your Instant Pot.
With the stainless steel ones, you’ll want to make sure and keep the bottom of the stick blender a little bit away from the bottom of your Instant Pot.
Because the blade is housed inside the blade housing, the blade itself can’t come into contact with the Instant Pot insert. But the housing, if it’s made of stainless steel (or any kind of metal) could definitely scratch the bottom of your Instant Pot insert.
So just use caution when moving your stick blender around the food in your Instant Pot.
DO move it around, pulsing as you go, at different angles and at different depths. Just avoid scraping it across the bottom of your Instant Pot insert, and you’ll be just fine.
While some immersion blenders do come with rubber feet on the bottom of the blade assembly, my favorite immersion blender is still the Kitchen Aid 2 speed hand blender (click to see current price on Amazon).
It features a removable blade/arm assembly for super-easy cleanup, is dishwasher safe, and comes with a 3-Cup BPA-Free blending jar for crushing ice, frothing milk, or chopping veggies.
An Instant Pot Ace is basically an Instant Pot and a blender all in one.
Ultimately as to whether the Instant Pot Ace Blender is better than using a regular Instant Pot and an immersion blender, I’d have to say no.
The Instant Pot Ace looks a lot like a regular blender, so right away, you know the capacity to hold food is a lot smaller than a regular Instant Pot. Now, if you just want soup for 2 people, the Instant Pot Ace might be just fine. But the capacity is just 7 cups.
By comparison, while there are a few different models of Instant Pot, they typically start at 3 quarts (12 cups), and go as large as 8 quarts (32 cups).
It can, however, do a whole lot more than just soup, which I get into below.
But considering the Instant Pot Ace isn’t dishwasher safe and can’t be immersed in water due to the heating element, it lacks not only the large capacity but also the convenience. After all, stick blenders usually have a detachable shaft that is dishwasher safe, and the Instant Pot stainless steel insert pan is also dishwasher safe.
You also can’t adjust the temperature on the Instant Pot Ace, making it a lot less flexible than your Instant Pot/Immersion Blender combo.
Ultimately, I would rather have an Instant Pot and an Immersion Blender. But the convenience and flexibility are only a couple of the pluses of the Instant Pot.
I covered ALL the advantages and disadvantages of Instant Pots and other pressure cookers in a recent article. Take a look and see exactly what those are, especially some of the food items you should NEVER cook in an Instant Pot.
Is it better or faster to pour food from an Instant Pot into a blender to blend?
Pouring hot food from an Instant Pot into a traditional blender is actually more dangerous and time-consuming than using an immersion blender directly in the pot. When transferring hot liquids to a blender jar, you risk serious burns and spills.
Most countertop blenders aren’t designed to handle hot soup safely. Steam builds up inside the blender, creating pressure that can blow the lid off and spray hot food everywhere.
While a powerful motor in a full-sized blender might create a smoother consistency for certain recipes, the benefits rarely outweigh the risks. You’ll also dirty more dishes and lose all that rich flavor clinging to the bottom of the pot.
With a cordless immersion blender, you simply press a button and blend right in the Instant Pot. This gives you better control over the texture – whether you want perfectly smooth sweet potatoes or split pea soup with some small chunks remaining.
Even celebrity chef Alton Brown recommends immersion blenders as the best way to blend hot food. They’re less expensive than premium Vitamix blenders and make cleaning up afterward much faster.
What is the best immersion blender?
After testing many immersion blenders for my Instant Pot recipes, I’ve found a clear winner.
The KitchenAid Variable Speed Corded Hand Blender stands out as the best choice for most home cooks. Its 8″ removable blending arm with 4-point stainless steel blade makes quick work of soups, sauces, and purees right in your cooking pot.
I particularly love the variable speed trigger switch that gives you precise control. Just press harder for more power! The removable pan guard (US patented) is another thoughtful feature that protects your Instant Pot’s interior from scratches.
Currently priced under $50 on Amazon, this Amazon’s Choice product offers exceptional value. It comes in 11 beautiful colors to match any kitchen décor. You can even choose a version with additional accessories if you need them.
CLICK HERE to check the current price on Amazon.
While the Braun MultiQuick and Vitamix immersion blenders have their fans, they cost significantly more without offering better performance for everyday cooking tasks. The KitchenAid’s 3-cup BPA-free blending jar with lid is perfect for smaller blending jobs too.
With almost 15,000 near-perfect reviews, customers praise its powerful motor and easy cleanup. The entire blending arm is dishwasher safe, making it a practical choice for busy cooks who value both performance and convenience.
Final Thoughts
After trying many different methods, I’m convinced that an immersion blender is the best way to blend hot food directly in your Instant Pot. The combination offers better control and a smooth consistency that’s hard to match with a traditional blender.
Remember to use lower speed settings when starting, especially with hot liquids like soup. This prevents splashing and gives you better performance as you work through large chunks at the bottom of the pot.
While a full-sized blender or food processor might offer higher power, they can’t match the convenience of blending right in the cooking vessel. Plus, the whisk attachment that comes with many models is perfect for whipped cream, egg whites, or even homemade mayonnaise.
My Braun MultiQuick was my top pick for years, though the KitchenAid and Vitamix immersion blenders are excellent options if your budget exceeds that dollar threshold. Whatever model you choose, look for a comfortable handle and detachable blending wands for easy cleaning.
From oat milk to split pea soup, this kitchen duo handles a wide range of recipes with less mess and richer flavor. It’s definitely worth the additional cost over a standard blender for anyone who regularly prepares small batches of smooth purees.
Again, make sure and check out my Top 11 Recommended Small Kitchen Appliances Ultimate Guide.
I take all the headache out of kitchen shopping by only listing the best of the best, conveniently broken down by category, including pressure cookers like the Instant Pot.
These are items I either own, have used, or in some cases just researched thoroughly so I know they are the highest-rated and will get you exactly what you need.
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