Kitchenetics Immersion Blender

I've had stick blenders from Cuisinart, Electrolux, and Calphalon before I got this Kitchentics by Blendtec version. While this isn't perfect, it combines the best from all the other brands, with one exception: the blade is much smaller than the Calphalon's. But the Calphalon doesn't come with the accessories that this does. The Electrolux has the accessories but not as much power. The Cuisinart, long the gold standard for stick blenders, has the power but not the accessories. The Kitchenetics wins as the best all-around stick blender. Plus, it comes with an organizer that keeps all the parts together and upright. For safety, all the parts lock in place with a twist before they will work. Sometimes that means a few seconds of fiddling to get things in place, but with experience, it gets easier. The motorized handle is surprisingly heavy, but once I saw the variable speed wheel at the top and the two on/off buttons, one for maximum power, I realized that it contains a lot of motor inside. It feels built to last. The whisk works exceptionally well. Since I have a stand mixer for larger quantities, this can easily supplant my hand mixer for whipping cream. I use the mini chopper most often, even though I have other appliances that will do the same job with the same volume. It just seems easier with the Kitchenetics. The one thing that really bugs me is a lack of instruction on how the pieces fit inside the holder. If you look at the product photo, it shows you where everything but the handle and immersion blade fits -- except that it's not really where they go. The big tip-off is the cord wrap behind the holder, shown holding the whisk attachment. The lesser one is that the immersion blade sticks up, dangerously exposed, in the only other slot it fits into. Nope. You want to attach the immersion blade to the handle and insert it into the holder and the beaker. The whisk attachment then fits with the innocuous whisk facing upward. The cord wrap doesn't work particularly well, so I expect to have the cord dangling most of the time. I've included photos to demonstrate how everything fits. This Kitchenetics immersion blender is a great all-around tool. I love the organizer (once I figured it out), the variable speeds, and all the attachments. If you aren't interested in the attachments, however, and just want a stick blender, you have other options to consider that might cost less. -- Debbie Lee Wesselmann