KitchenAid KHB2571SX 5-Speed Hand Blender, Brushed Stainless Steel

I have a Kitchenaid immersion blender that is about 6 years old and it's still going strong. However - I'm getting into some heavy duty cooking taking meals to older folks and doing a weekly Iron Chef challenge with my brother. I needed something I could get into deep pots without burning myself. The multiple heads and 2 different lengths were selling points for me - as is the Kitchenaid name. I read the negative reviews but there were more good reviews, so I trusted my instincts and bought it anyway. Glad I did!.I don't quite understand what the one poster meant about it sucking food up into the inner parts - never had a problem with my current Kitchenaid and this one is no different. Cleaning it is a breeze - I simply run it for several bursts in hot water to clean and it's ready for the next job. When totally done with it for that cooking session, I run it in hot soapy water, then hot water to rinse, put it in the dish rack and let it dry. I've had several immersion blenders and all of them had some "plastic" parts, including a previous Braun (given to my son and still working) and my older Kitchenaid. Never had a problem with any of them cracking in hot liquids, with the exception of my first one, a cheapie from Walmart.On to the good stuff. First, this blender screams "serious cook" It's ruggedly good looking, hefty and well made. The stainless look is a big plus for me - all my appliances are stainless, so this fits right in. The choice of wands and heads makes it very versatile, as does the chopper/food processor attachment and measured pitcher attachment. Both of these came in very handy today - I was making a peach vinaigrette with fresh peaches and candied ginger. I used the chopper to break up the ginger and and then used the whisk and the pitcher to make the vinaigrette. PERFECT blending! .I used the longer wand a few days ago to make an insanely good pumpkin soup and having the longer wand was wonderful - no splatter burns. Not to mention it turned the roasted pumpkin into an extraordinarily velvety puree.The blender is powerful but runs surprisingly quiet - more so than my older, smaller Kitchenaid (which will now be relegated to use by husband - hands off my rock star!)The carrying case is a very nice feature - but I prefer to keep my kitchen tools in drawers for ready access. The inner part of the case, which is molded to fit the blender, wands and heads, lifts out and fit perfectly into a drawer, leaving the case for other uses.Another really nice plus is the pan guard and the protective storage guards for the blades - great idea.This blender is hefty, but it is very easy to operate and hold - and I have some arthritis in my hands and wrists.I am extraordinarily pleased with this blender - well worth the money. Well done, Kitchenaid!!

Fantastic device! I had been reading reviews of hand blenders like this over the past couple of years, and had been considering picking one up for some time now. We were at Thanksgiving dinner at a relative's house this past November, and our host had a smaller stick blender - another brand - that he used a few times during meal prep. I was, frankly, blown away by the ease with which he was able to transform 20lbs of boiled potatoes into whipped potatoes, and was sold on the concept right there. At the end of the meal, I also watched as he used it to chop up leftover cooked veggies and turkey into broth that he was converting into a beautiful soup. I noticed, though, that while he worked, he complained a bit that the unit he was using (not the Kitchenaid in this review - another brand) was under-powered, and that he had to give it a rest fairly frequently. I kept that in mind while searching my the one that I would choose for myself.The week after Thanksgiving, I started searching, read dozens of reviews, compared brands, models, length, attachments, materials (including metal vs. plastic), features, etc. This Kitchenaid KHB2571SX stood out for me in several ways. It's extremely powerful and can likely handle thicker liquids, tougher items that need shredding or chopping, is more versatile than most with a LONG extension arm that can easily reach the bottom of a deep cooking pot, and is generally built like a rock. It's very easy to assemble and disassemble, comfortable to hold and operate, and the motor is one of the quietest on the market, with little vibration when in use. I love the storage case that comes with it as well -- it's like an attache case, with separate compartments for each piece, so it's easy to put away, knowing you can find all the needed parts next time you need to use the blender.I used it at Christmas, and it was fantastic for whipped potatoes. These were the smoothest -- and easiest to make -- I've ever made. We've used it for soups and whipped cream as well. SO many other possible uses -- I've barely scratched the surface. This truly is beautifully made, and feels comparable to Kitchenaid's commercial line of products. Very pleased with this, and it would be my #1 choice again without hesitation.