A hand blender, also known as an immersion blender or stick blender, is a versatile kitchen tool that can make quick work of blending, mixing, and puréeing tasks. Hand blenders are compact, easy to use, and simplify the process of blending ingredients right in the pot, bowl, or pitcher. No need to transfer ingredients to a standalone blender anymore!
Cuisinart’s Smart Stick hand blender is a popular model with great features for home cooks. This hand blender has a slender wand, one-touch control buttons, and a variety of included attachments. Here is a guide on how to use the various functions and attachments of the Cuisinart Smart Stick to get the most out of this handy appliance.
Getting Started with the Smart Stick
The Cuisinart Smart Stick has a slender wand that houses a powerful motor within. There are soft grip rubbers on the handle that make it easy and comfortable to hold. Here are the basic parts of the Smart Stick:
- Control Buttons: There is an “On/Off” button in the center and a “High/Low” speed button towards the top. The speed can be controlled with just one hand.
- Blending Wand: This contains stainless steel blades within the bell-shaped housing that does all the blending work.
- Detachable Shaft: The shaft where the attachments connect is detachable for easy cleaning.
- Blending Pitcher: A handy 48-ounce BPA-free blending pitcher is included to blend ingredients right in the container.
Before first use, wash the blending wand, pitcher, and attachments in warm soapy water. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
Blending and Mixing
The Smart Stick shines when it comes to basic blending and mixing tasks.
To blend:
- Place ingredients into the blending pitcher or any deep bowl/pot.
- Submerge the blender wand into the ingredients. Make sure the tips of the blades are fully submerged.
- Press the On/Off button to start blending. The blades will begin spinning.
- Move the wand around the container in a gentle circular motion to blend thoroughly. Use the High speed for thicker mixtures.
- Once done, press On/Off to stop. The Smart Stick has auto-stop senses to prevent overheating.
- Remove the wand and pour out the blended contents.
Blending right in the container saves you from transferring blended drinks and sauces to another jar or cup!
Chopping with the Smart Stick
The Cuisinart hand blender excels at chopping soft foods like herbs, garlic, onions, cheese, nuts, and more. Here’s how to chop ingredients effortlessly:
- Place the ingredients into the blending pitcher or a bowl. For small amounts, use a narrow container to bring the food closer to the blades.
- Submerge the wand into the center of the ingredients.
- Use the pulse setting, pressing On/Off repeatedly for 1-2 seconds each time. This creates a chopping effect.
- Move the blender up and down slightly with each pulse. Do not fully lift it out of the ingredients.
- Check frequently until the desired consistency is reached. Chop only as much as needed at a time. Overprocessing can lead to a paste.
- Scrape down the sides and repeat pulsing if needed. The chopping blades make quick work of most ingredients.
Pureeing with the Smart Stick
To puree soups, sauces, dips, and more, follow this method:
- For soups, use the Smart Stick wand to blend the cooked ingredients right in the pot.
- Start blending on Low and increase to High if needed. Move the wand around to fully puree.
- To puree liquids in a blender jar or pitcher, start on Low to prevent splatters. Use High speed to smooth out the texture.
- For thicker purees, add less liquid. For thinner consistencies, add more liquid as needed.
- Pulse first and then blend to achieve a smooth, lump-free consistency when pureeing vegetables.
Whipping Cream and Beating Eggs
While the Smart Stick is great for most blending tasks, it really shines for whipping cream and beating eggs.
To whip cream:
- Chill a metal bowl and beaters in the freezer for faster whipping.
- Add cold whipping cream to the bowl. Start on Low speed and whip just until soft peaks form. Do not overbeat.
To beat eggs:
- Crack eggs into a mixing bowl. Submerge blender and beat on Low until uniform.
- Add sugar or other ingredients and blend briefly to incorporate.
The slim wand provides greater control compared to bulkier beaters. You can whip small amounts of cream or beat just enough eggs for an omelet in a flash!
Using the Included Attachments
The Cuisinart Smart Stick comes with useful attachments like a chopper/grinder, whisk, and jar adapter.
- The chopper securely fits onto the blending shaft. Use it to grind hard foods like meat, nuts and peppercorns. Pulse to chop.
- The whisk attachment can whip up eggs, cream, and batter mixes. Use Low-Medium speeds to maintain volume.
- The sealed lid adapter allows you to connect mason jars to the Smart Stick to blend smoothies, shakes, dressings, marinades and more.
Attachments add more utility to the Smart Stick for a wider range of prep tasks. Always monitor carefully and use the right speeds when using any attachment.
Cleaning and Maintenance
- Always unplug the hand blender before cleaning. Do not immerse the base in water.
- Wash the blending shaft and attachments in hot soapy water. Use a bottle brush to clean inside the shaft.
- Do not place the stainless steel blending wand in the dishwasher. Hand wash only.
- Wipe down the power base with a damp cloth if needed. Store assembled or take apart.
- Regularly inspect blades for damage. Replace worn blades for optimal performance.
Proper cleaning and care will keep the Smart Stick working efficiently for years. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maintenance and service.
Conclusion
The Cuisinart Smart Stick hand blender is designed to handle a wide range of blending, mixing, whipping and pureeing tasks with precision and power. Its slim profile and one-touch operation makes it easy to use. With variable speeds and useful attachments, it can accomplish most daily prep jobs with minimal effort. Follow this guide to get familiar with the Smart Stick’s functions and attachments. With a bit of practice, you’ll find it indispensable for quick and easy blending directly in containers!
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use the Cuisinart Smart Stick blender for?
The Smart Stick is great for blending, mixing, chopping, pureeing, and whipping a wide variety of ingredients. You can use it to make smoothies, milkshakes, soups, sauces, whipped cream, mayonnaise, dressings, dips, omelets, and more.
How do I clean the Smart Stick?
Unplug it after each use. Wash the blending shaft and attachments in hot, soapy water. Do not place the stainless steel wand in the dishwasher. Wipe down the base with a damp cloth. Do not immerse the base in water.
What speed should I use to blend different ingredients?
Use lower speeds for lighter mixing tasks and higher speeds for thicker ingredients that need more power to blend smoothly. Start on low and gradually increase speed as needed. Use brief 1-2 second pulses to chop vegetables and herbs.
