Kitchenware Mavens: Handblender Advice

My trusty Braun handblender just gave up the ghost tonight, right when I wanted to puree some fine Corn Chowder. The poor lil motor just coughed and sputtered, no speed at all. This has been one of my most valued kitchen tools, so great for soups and sauces, and has been a workhorse for eight years. It’s done it’s job well, no regrets.

So, I’m shopping for a new one, and am glad to pay for a decent one. Looking online for the newer models, but thought I’d ask here for good experience of the best ones.

I have a Braun Multimix that I adore, and I’ve seen it highly recommended by others. It has beaters, dough hooks, a 2-cup chopper, and an immersion blender as the attachments.

I got a new one, it doesn’t feel as sturdy as the older model I had but you can detach the blender end and toss in sink or dishwasher. Has a balloon whisk attachment too.

Check Cooks’ Illustrated. They rate all kinds of appliances.

What (TF!) is with the newest blenders that seem to all be stainless tipped? I make soup in a teflon-coated soup pan, I want something I can set on a non-stick surface and not damage it.