Cuisinart Smart Stick CSB-78

by Carl T
(San Diego)

When I first saw a handheld blender like the Cuisinart Smart Stick CSB-78 I figured it would be something like a handheld vacuum cleaner: less expensive than the full sized one. I was a bit surprised to see the prices on these handheld blenders are more expensive than the entry level model counter-top blenders, and about the same price as some of the better reviewed counter top blenders.

That being said, I still decided I wanted one. I guess you get what you pay for, and if you need the functionality of a handheld blender (and want one that is going to work well) I would say this Cuisinart Smart Stick Plus is a good bet.

I happen to love split pea soup, and I absolutely hated pouring the pre-blended soup into my counter-top blender a bit at a time (I make big batches of soup and then freeze them). It's not just a hassle but always ends up making a huge mess too. This let's me blend the soup right there in the pot and that alone is worth the price of admission.

My wife has starting finding uses for it too. Not having to pour stuff in and out of the pitcher on the other blender just makes your life a LOT easier. Not to mention the fact that cleaning this is much easier than cleaning out that pitcher every time I use it.

You do need to be patient with the Cuisinart Smart Stick CSB-78, especially when blending very large batches. That being said, a handheld blender like this is the only way you even have the option of blending like that, and the fact that it's cordless means you have a lot more flexibility not just how you blend, but also where.