Equipment

How to Clean Your Immersion Blender Without Slicing Off Your Finger

Immersion blenders are handy, but they can be dangerous to clean. Get it done swiftly and safely.

Published Nov. 11, 2022.

The best thing I learned about immersion blenders during weeks of testing is that they’re incredibly handy. They allow you to blend soups and so much more without burning yourself or dirtying every pot and bowl in your kitchen.

I purchased our winner just in time for cozy soup season and I use it all the time.

The worst thing I learned? They can be dangerous, especially when it’s time to clean them. The blade is incredibly sharp, and they can be awkward to maneuver (especially with hot, soapy water).

Thankfully my fingers were spared, and yours can be too. Here’s what to do to avoid a nasty immersion blender nick.

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1. Don’t Wait! Detach and Rinse Right Away

Most important: Always unplug your immersion blender right after using it. No ifs, ands, or buts.

Most models, including our winner (the Braun MultiQuick 5 Hand Blender), have detachable blending shafts that must be connected for the blades to spin. As soon as you’re done blending, unplug your machine and disconnect the shaft (in that order!).

Immediately rinse the blades and blending shaft under hot water to remove as much soup or smoothie as possible. Do not touch the blade. The longer you wait to rinse the blade, the more your food will dry and harden, making cleaning more difficult.

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2. Blend with Soap

Now that the hot water has dislodged most (if not all) of the food, it’s important to continue cleaning with soapy water. To do this safely, fill a jar or bowl with warm water and dish soap.

Once your jar is prepped, reattach the blending shaft and plug in your machine. Blend the soapy water on the lowest speed for about 30 seconds to dislodge stubborn food bits. Remember to unplug and detach as soon as you’re done.

3. As a Last Resort, Use a Scrub Brush

We strongly advise against using a sponge to scrub an immersion blender’s blades. Sponges reduce your dexterity, are soft enough for a blade to cut through, and don’t do a great job on blades anyway.

Instead, if your blades still aren’t clean, it’s time to bring in the scrub brush (our winner is the O-Cedar Rinse Fresh Pot & Pan Brush). Scrub the detached blending shaft with warm, soapy water using a scrub brush. A brush allows you to provide strong scrubbing pressure while keeping your fingers out of harm’s way.