There are a lot of immersion blenders on the market, and we’ve tested many of them here at Foodal. However, there is always the best of the bunch, and the Breville BSB510XL Control Grip is one of the best among them. Keep on reading to see why.
For the cook who is running out of kitchen space but still needs blending, whisking, and chopping capabilities, the Breville Control Grip is a terrific tool. The stacking ability of the included chopper and mixing pitcher help conserve cabinet or counter space, and the 280-watt motor gives it plenty of power to last through extensive use.
This model is available to purchase via Amazon as well as Sur La Table.
Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender, available on Sur La Table
And immersion blenders aren’t just for space saving. There are some chores (such as blending soups) that it’s just easier to whip out your hand model a full sized countertop unit.
At A Glance
Pluses…
- Top shelf dishwasher safe attachments.
- Ergonomic pistol-grip control grip with trigger operation.
- Scratch-guard bell-shaped base on immersion blender attachment.
- 3-cup chopper bowl attachment.
- Whisk attachment.
- 5-cup mixing jug with handle grip.
- 280-watt motor.
- 15 speed settings.
And Minuses…
- Chopper attachment not as robust as it could be.
Here’s a closer look at the details:
Features
Sturdy and Robust
For those who make smoothies with ice cubes, frozen fruits, and even raw veggies, this is the immersion blender for the task. The 280-watt motor and stainless steel blades are up for the job of churning out smooth milkshakes, cocktails, and smoothies.
The shaft of the immersion blender is 8 inches long, which makes it a great tool for large pots of pureed soups or tall cups for smoothies.
The 3-inch bell-shaped base has a no-scratch guard ring along the rim to protect pots from any damage. This is a significant benefit to those who are constantly on the lookout for ways to extend the life of their nonstick pots.
Above all, the real benefit is how little this immersion blender splatters or spits. Those who have used other immersion blenders know it’s tricky to tell the exact moment the immersion base has come up too far.
Because of the bell design of the BSB510XL, not only is it obvious when the lip is about to break the liquid surface, but the actual base does an excellent job moving the ingredients through the bell and blades without a lot of movement on the user’s part.
The Breville BSB510XL also comes with a few other attachments, such as a whisk and chopper bowl.
Whip It Up with the Whisk Attachment
The whisk is up to the task of whipping up heavy cream, turning egg whites into soft or stiff peaks, and blending light batters, so there’s no need to drag out the stand mixer for such recipes.
Breville does recommend being gentle with the whisk by keeping the tines away from the edges of bowls. For anything heavier than crepe batter, it’s best to switch over to a heartier whisk and/or stand mixer.
Chop and Change
The 25-ounce chopping bowl is also a welcome addition, ideal for making homemade mayo, small batches of gazpacho, or homemade breadcrumbs. For the best results, do not fill past the max line indicated on the side of the chopper bowl.
The plastic on the chopper feels robust than then cheaper options such as the Cuisinart CSB-179. The quality is just a couple notches better. Need to chop of some serious pesto? This is the model to get.
Pitcher Perfect
An upside is the chopping bowl can be comfortably stored in the 45-ounce mixing jug to utilize storage space efficiently.
The nearly 5-cup mixing jug features a handle and a storage lid that doubles as a non-slip base during use, both features that make this a great pitcher to use regularly. If you’re making smoothies for the whole family, this pitcher is a handy accessory.
Control Stick
The Control Stick houses the 280-watt motor and includes 15 speed settings for precision control.
There’s a lot of mobility available with the Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender as it includes a 6-foot power cord, so the user is not necessarily tethered to an outlet, as with the 3-foot power cords found on some hand blenders.
The motor-housed unit is ergonomically designed with a pistol grip, so the BSB510XL can be used for multiple dishes without causing strain on the hand.
The trigger operation and the soft-touch finish make this the easiest tool to fit in one hand.
Dimensions and Specs
The Breville BSB510XL has dimensions of 2.5-by-3-by-16.2 inches and comes in just under 4 pounds. It’s a heavier immersion blender, but because of the ergonomic pistol grip, it is easier to handle and operate than some other hand blenders.
What’s Included
- Motor Body
- Stainless-Steel Blending Shaft and Blade
- Chopping bowl and lid
- Stainless Steel Chopping Blade
- Whisk
- Dual-Purpose Storage Lid & Anti-Slip Mat
- Blending Jug
- User Manual
The user manual is printed in both English and French and has a few functional illustrations. It includes detailed instructions on how to use, care, and clean the BSB510XL, as well as a food preparation chart.
Warranty Information
Breville includes a 1 year limited product warranty.
Care and Cleaning
Aside from the motor housing unit, the whisk gearbox, and the chopper head, all other parts are top shelf dishwasher safe.
To extend the life of your Breville Control Grip housing unit, wipe it down with a damp cloth after regular use. It’s also a good idea to occasionally check the seals to make certain all those tiny particles getting pureed are cleared out during cleaning.
Techniques, Tips, and Tricks
If you like to mix up smoothies or milkshakes directly in a glass, make certain the diameter is at least 3 inches so there is room for the bell-shaped beaker.
Also, because of the design of the immersion blender itself, it doesn’t emulsify amazingly well. That’s why I prefer the chopper for emulsifying mayo, aioli, and creamy dressings. The multiple high-speed settings mean they turn out just fine.
Part of the fun of having a versatile hand blender such as this is discovering the ways to rework recipes that were traditionally made in a high-speed blender, stand mixer, or food processor! It takes some trial and error, but it’s definitely a worthwhile adventure!
The Next Best Thing
If you’re not sold on the Breville, check out it’s close competitor, the KitchenAid KHB2351. This 3-speed mid-level KitchenAid Hand Blender features the same interchangeable attachments, but with a few differences. For example, the immersion blending shaft and bell blade doesn’t have a built-in pan guard, but a pan guard attachment is available from KitchenAid should you want it.
Foodal’s Rating
- Power
- Performance
- Settings
- Build Quality
- Warranty
- Included or Optional Accessories
- Value
Summary
The Breville is one of the more powerful and better built immersion blenders designed for the home kitchen. Why they continue to offer 1-year warranties on their products when competitors such as Cuisinart offer 3-years baffles us. Despite this, the BSB510XL Control Grip still remains our number one pick for most people.
Before You Go…
Ready to shop? Review prices, information, and review on Sur La Table and Amazon.
Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender, available via Amazon
Do you have any questions about immersion blenders that we can answer for you? Give us a shout in the comments below. If you’re still comparison shopping, make sure to check out Foodal’s Immersion Blenders Buying Guide for even more hand blender options.
Photos by Mike Quinn, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. The second isolated background product photo courtesy of Breville.
About Taylor Shaw-Hamp
Taylor Shaw-Hamp has loved food ever since she can remember. The more she grew, the more she discovered, and the more she had to know. Now she loves to write about her food adventures through recipes, product reviews, and blog posts. She can be found at local coffee shops across the world, so if you see her, stop by the table and say hi!
