Bamix Deluxe Hand Mixer ( stick blender)

I had been researching for a stick blender for some time, when I saw Alton Brown use one on Good Eats on the Food Network, he highly recommended it, but never mentioned it by name. The Bamix DeLuxe Hand blender has a fairly distinctive design, so I researched on line until I found the Bamix. After reading descriptions and reviews, I decided that it was the blender for me. But beware, it's blades don't look anything like the ones you will see on the other brands of stick blenders out there, they look kind of puny, but they really work and the motor or the Bamix De Luxe is a powerhouse that does not poop out after a minute or two.
My main reason for wanting a stick blender is because I make a protein smoothie with ice almost every day ( and was looking for something easier to clean up after than my Braun stand blender). Most of the immersion blenders I looked into were not recommended for crushing ice - Bamix said no problem. Well, I looked all over my area (Virginia Beach) and could not find one, and was about to order it on line, when I happened to find one in a gourmet store in Chapel Hill, NC.

I got my Bamix Deluxe home and put it to use daily on my smoothies - it does great with practically no mess. I use the Multi-Purpose Blade (which also minces and chops and purees - great for pureeing a soup right in the pot!) This strange looking little blade is a powerhouse!

I can make a great smoothie just using it, but if I want it even fluffier, I easily switch to the Beater Blade - a round unassuming looking blade that really beats the daylights out of stuff for a very frothy finish.

When I have wanted to mix a small batch of mashed potatoes, I use the Whisk Blade ( doesn't look like any whisk that I have ever seen, - but here again it works! Good with pancake mixing, or cake batter too.

I have really not used my Bamix to all its potential yet, but I'm working on it. The grinder attachment, has been great grinding up flax seed, and basil for pesto.

The recipe book is helpful to get you started. And the video is useful to watch. The Bamix does take a little getting used to and some experimentation with the size container you should use. ( narrow high sided containers seem to work best with the things I have fixed so far)

I had a question about how to use one of the blades so I sent an email to Bamix, and heard back from them the next morning, with the answer to my question and some other helpful information.

If you are cooking for alot of people, you may find that the Bamix is better for smaller batches - I am cooking for 2 to 4 people most of the time and it is great. (and for my single shake it is perfect!) I have not taken out my heavy duty mixer since I got my Bamix (but for big stuff I will still rely on my heavy duty stand mixer)

Overall, I am very pleased with my Bamix De Luxe - I do wish that the deluxe model came with the 900ml polycarbonate beaker, but I may go ahead and order it. The Bamix is expensive, but from what I have read, it should last me many years and I know that it will get a lot of use. It cleans up easily and with the stand, I keep it set up and ready to use on my counter. I would recommend that you keep it unplugged when not in use. When I clean it, I run it in a cup of hot soapy water then turn it off and unplug it to rinse and remove the blades. You can immerse the Bamix part way up the main body to just below the switches which is helpful when using and cleaning. Always unplug the Bamix when you change blades (which is easy to do, just pull off one and snap on the next)