A stick blender is one of the most frequently used appliances in a professional kitchen – soups, sauces, purées and foams are made directly in the pot, without having to pour the food into another container. The most common mistake when choosing a stick blender, however, is looking at the power or the price rather than the pot the blender will work in. In this guide, we explain how to choose a stick blender by pot size.
In short: three things that determine the right stick blender
- The quantity of food in the pot – how many litres you blend at once. This determines the blender’s size class and power.
- The depth of the pot – the blender shaft must reach the bottom while the motor stays above the food. This determines the shaft length.
- What you blend – thin soup, thick purée, sauce or whisking. This determines the blade type and accessories.
Why is pot size more important than power?
A blender that is too small for a large pot runs constantly at full load: the motor overheats, blending takes a long time and the result is uneven, because the blade cannot get the whole mass of food moving. A blender that is too large for a small pot, on the other hand, is awkward – the heavy shaft does not fit properly in the pot and splashes.
That is why manufacturers give a recommended pot capacity in litres for each model. Choose a blender so that your usual quantity falls in the middle of that range, not at the upper limit.
How long should the stick blender shaft be?
The shaft length must match the depth of the pot: the blade must reach close to the bottom, but the motor section must not be immersed in the food. The number in a Dynamic model name shows the shaft length in millimetres – for example, the DMX 300 has a 300 mm shaft and the DMX 500 a 500 mm shaft.
A rough rule of thumb for a cylindrical pot:
| Pot capacity | Approximate pot dimensions (diameter × height) | Suitable shaft length |
|---|---|---|
| up to 5 l | 20 × 16 cm | 160–190 mm |
| 10–20 l | 28–30 × 25–30 cm | 225–300 mm |
| 30–50 l | 36–40 × 35–40 cm | 300–410 mm |
| 60–100 l | 45–50 × 45–50 cm | 410–500 mm |
| over 100 l | kettle, tilting pan | large mixer or turbo mixer on wheels |
If the pot is taller and narrower than usual, choose a longer shaft. To be on the safe side, measure your deepest pot before buying.
Choosing a stick blender by pot size
1–12 l: café, à la carte kitchen, bar
For small quantities, sauces and portion purées, compact and lightweight blenders are the right choice. The Dynamic Dynamix models DMX 160 (1–4 l) and DMX 190 (1–8 l) weigh about a kilo and have variable speed; the V2 versions have two speeds. If you would rather do without a cable, the cordless Nomad 160 or Nomad 190 is a good fit. The MD 95 is designed for pastry chefs and slightly larger quantities (4–12 l).
5–25 l: restaurants and smaller canteens
The 270 W blenders in the Junior series (225 mm shaft) are an everyday tool in a restaurant kitchen where soup or sauce is made in 10–20 l pots. You can choose between the DMX version with a removable shaft and the MX version with a fixed shaft, and with a Combi set you can also whisk using the same motor.
20–40 l: larger restaurants, hotels, canteens
The 350 W blenders in the Senior series are designed for 20–40 l pots. The DMX 300 has a 300 mm shaft; if your pots are deeper, choose the DMX 400 with a 400 mm shaft.
40–100 l: large-scale and production kitchens
The 600 W blenders in the Master series work in 40–100 l pots. Shaft lengths are 410 mm and 500 mm – for deep pots, choose the DMX 500 or MX 91-500. With the Combi and Trio sets, you can also whisk and make mashed potatoes using the same motor.
Over 100 l: kettles, tilting pans and production
For large quantities, there are SMX large mixers and kettle mixers (75–300 l), which can also be attached to a kettle or tilting pan, and Gigamix turbo mixers on a wheeled stand for 100–300 l quantities. They suit production kitchens and large catering businesses that make hundreds of litres of soup or sauce a day.
What else to consider?
Removable or fixed shaft
A blender with a removable shaft (DMX) is easier to clean, and the same motor can also be used with whisks, a masher or a chopper bowl. A blender with a fixed shaft (MX) has a simpler construction and is very durable.
Standard blade or blender
Instead of a blade, Blender models have a triangular stainless steel hammer with a titanium coating that homogenises food until smooth – soups and purées come out creamy and there is no need to sieve them.
Speed and ergonomics
Variable speed helps you start slowly without splashing and finish at high speed. With larger blenders, it is also worth considering a wall bracket or pot support that takes the weight off your hand.
Maintenance and spare parts
A stick blender is in constant use in the kitchen, so it is important that it can be repaired quickly. Dynamic appliances are built to be easy to repair, and spare parts are quickly available from the manufacturer.
Frequently asked questions
Does one stick blender suit all pots?
Generally not. A small blender cannot properly mix a large pot, and a large blender is awkward in a small pot. If your kitchen has pots of very different sizes, it often makes sense to have two blenders – a compact one for small quantities and a larger one for big pots.
What does the number in a stick blender’s name mean?
On Dynamic blenders, the number in the name (e.g. DMX 300, MX 410) shows the length of the shaft in millimetres. The deeper the pot, the longer the shaft you need.
Can I also whisk with a stick blender?
Yes, models with a removable shaft can be fitted with a whisk. The Junior, Senior and Master series also offer Combi sets that include both a blender shaft and whisks.
Is a cordless stick blender powerful enough?
For small quantities (up to 8 l), yes – Nomad blenders are well suited to bars, cafés and mobile catering. For larger pots, choose a mains-powered blender.
Ask for a quote
Haktek Seadmed will help you choose the right stick blender for your pots and menu. The full range is in the Dynamic mixers and food processors category. All products come with a warranty of at least 2 years, and we also provide maintenance and repair.
Ask for a quote – we will help you choose the right stick blender and take care of installation and maintenance. Contact us.
Read also: How to choose a cooking line? · How to plan a professional kitchen? · How to choose a combi oven? · How to choose a maintenance partner for kitchen equipment? · How to choose a blast chiller? · How to choose a dishwasher?
Author: Gert Laineste, Haktek Seadmed. Haktek has been selling, installing and maintaining professional kitchen equipment since 1997.
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