Walk-in shower ideas are trending hard, and for very good reason. Midway between a fully enclosed shower and a completely open wet room, walk-in showers offer the best of both worlds. You get to enjoy the spaciousness and level-entry access of a wet room but without having to tank the entire room.

Walk-in showers are similar to regular shower enclosures but without a door. However, unlike a wet room, they do have some form of screen or partition wall that protects the rest of the room from shower spray.

One of the simplest ways to install a walk-in shower idea is to buy a specialist walk-in enclosure, complete with low-level tray and screens on one or more sides, depending on whether it is to be installed in a corner, alcove or centrally on a wall. The entrance will always be open, but you won’t need to worry about tanking or draining gradients to ensure the water flows away properly and the rest of your bathroom stays dry.

Walk-in Shower Ideas

The great news is that walk-in shower ideas can work brilliantly no matter what size your bathroom. When considering small bathroom ideas, a walk-in shower with access at one end can prove an effective space-saving solution. Tucked in the corner or an alcove, you can achieve maximum showering area, without suffering soggy toilet roll.

In bigger bathrooms, consider a centrally-positioned walk-through shower, which has access either end for a really luxurious, boutique hotel look. Read on for shower room ideas featuring walk-in showers, as well as plenty of advice from bathroom design experts.

1. Invest in a designer screen

Image credit: Pier1 Bathrooms/Industville

Walk-in showers are pretty unobtrusive compared to full enclosures but that needn’t equal boring. Crittall-style screens, which mimic the metal framing of Crittall glazing are now widely available, and more affordable. ‘Matt black is so on-trend in bathrooms just now. We love incorporating Crittall-style screens into our designs to achieve that striking, urban-chic look,’ enthuses bathroom designer Rosie Proto, from Pier1 Bathrooms.

‘The Merlyn screens we use have the black coating fully integrated into the underlying aluminium substrate, so it cannot chip or peel, making it really durable. It’s the perfect screen for a minimalist yet impactful walk-in shower.’

2. Build in storage

Image credit: Ripples

Storing shampoo and soap within arm’s reach is key to showering comfort, not to mention a clutter-free bathroom! If you’re building out stud walls to accommodate a new walk-in shower, adding in smart shower storage ideas like niches makes the best use of the empty void behind the tiles. It also looks far slicker than protruding shelves, and you won’t bash your elbows on them while lathering up!

There are two important points to remember when building in storage. First, don’t position your storage niches directly under the shower head, otherwise your toiletries will be forever sat in a pool of water.

Secondly, make sure you tile the shelf on a very slight gradient to encourage any water to drain away. For extra spa appeal, include waterproof downlights inside the niches and enjoy atmospheric lighting by night.

3. Turn it on without getting soaked

Image credit: Huntsmore/Chris Snook

Walk-in showers generally have the shower head located furthest away from the entrance to keep the rest of the bathroom dry. This can make it harder to lean in and turn the controls on, than in a corner enclosure or over-bath shower for example. Luckily the solution is simple, as Huntsmore’s director Eamonn Agha explains. ‘When designing a walk-in shower, we would ideally have the shower mixer controls at the entrance so that you can turn on the shower and adjust the heating to get the perfect temperature before entering,’ he explains. ‘It also means you can turn the shower on whilst fully dressed and not get cold or wet if trying to reach for the controls under the showerhead.’

4. Install a skylight

Image credit: Laura Stephens Interior Design/Paul Massey

Adding windows in the roof can transform a dark or dingy walk-in shower room. Particularly in the mornings when a blast of Vitamin D will help kick-start your day.

While perfect for loft conversions, skylights can also be used to brighten up any bathroom with no void between ceiling and roof, such as extensions with flat roofs and mansard rooms. In this cosy walk-in shower room, interior designer Laura Stephens has used glossy tiles to help reflect light from the above around the space.

Do invest in self-cleaning glass, especially if your skylight is hard to access from outside. Go as big as you can manage and position the skylight directly inside the showering area for maximum invigoration.

5. Step it up

Image credit: Murus Art/Chris Snook

Not every room is suited to a level-entry walk-in shower installation, especially if there isn’t sufficient plumbing space in the floor joists. This is a common scenario in period country homes and loft conversions but don’t despair; raising the shower tray has a number of advantages. Firstly, all those pipes can be easily stashed and the correct drainage gradients achieved with minimal disruption.

Secondly, a raised level will make it far easier to keep the rest of the bathroom floor dry, helping to prevent slip hazards in the process. We love the raised-level walk-in shower in this attic bathroom idea. Extending the width of the floor area inside the shower with colourful tiles increases the sense of space inside.

6. Swap out the bath

Image credit: Future PLC/ Jamie Mason

If you’re really not a bath person but would love a more spacious shower, go ahead and make the switch. Choose a walk-in shower enclosure, which is sized to match the dimensions of a standard bath – 170cm long – to make it an easy straight swap. These generous enclosures are aimed at homeowners looking to ditch the bath without having to replace the floor or tank the whole room.

The screen and tray are usually sold together, and the design includes a drying area at the entrance to help protect your bathroom floors. Just make sure you pop a towel hook nearby. Putting a bath back in again will be just as easy so you don’t need to worry about devaluing your home if you’re planning to move on.

7. Tank the floors

Image credit: BC Designs/Darren Chung

For a wet-room look without the soggy toilet roll, tank the room and install a single glass screen. This walk-in shower idea allows easy, level access, making it a great choice for inclusive use. For minimal visual interruption, choose a frameless screen – sometimes called wet room panels. A wall-mounted support arm is sufficient for small screens like this one. But larger panels should be fixed at floor level for extra rigidity.

‘High-impact floor tiles will help distract attention away from the screen, so you’ll barely notice it’s there,’ adds Barrie Cutchie, Design Director at BC Designs. ‘Continuing the same floor tiles throughout will also make your walk-in shower feel bigger and less busy.’

8. Protect your modesty

Image credit: Aqata

Not only is reeded glass fashion-forward but its softly defused surface will bring an element of modesty to your walk-in showering environment. Perfect for providing privacy in shared en-suite bathroom designs, a simple reeded glass panel is all you need for uninhibited showering.

Install the glass with the reeded texture on the exterior to achieve a smooth easy-to-clean surface inside the shower. The external rail on this smart screen is ideal for keeping your towel close to hand.

9. Work a walk-in in your loft

Image credit: Future PLC/ Polly Eltes

A walk-in shower is often the best solution in a loft bathroom where awkward ceiling angles can make it hard to install a fully enclosed shower. ‘Bespoke shower enclosures can be seriously expensive, but a simple screen and walk-in access means you can often buy a panel off-the-shelf,’ says Merry Albright, creative director at Border Oak.

‘Find the tallest wall and dedicate this to the shower head, as you’ll need the height to shower underneath.’ Positioning a skylight at the point where you enter the shower can achieve a little more head height to step inside. But it doesn’t matter if you have to bend a little to enjoy decent head space while you’re showering.

10. Choose sleek, seamless walls

Image credit: Fiona Duke Interiors/Anna Stathaki

The space inside your walk-in shower clearly needs to be waterproof but tiling from floor-to-ceiling can feel cold, plus grout cleaning is never fun! Microcement, a.k.a. polished plaster, is an on-trend alternative to tiles – providing a sleek, seamless backdrop to any walk-in shower.

‘Microcement is essentially a waterproof plaster that is built up in layers to create an easy-clean, non-porous surface,’ says interior designer Fiona Duke.

‘Pigments can be added to create whatever colour you like, and it has a subtly textured surface that adds a tactile dimension. In a smaller walk-in shower the lack of grout lines keeps the vertical surfaces simpler and enhances the sense of space.’

Is a walk-in shower a good idea?

‘Walk-in Showers not only look good, but are also the ultimate in inclusively designed bathrooms,’ says David Osborne, CEO of Roman Showers.

Whilst looking stylish, modern and on-trend, users of all ages and abilities find them easy to use and access – the lack of handles or mechanisms (and often steps or thresholds) makes them particularly appealing to those with arthritis, yet equally chic for younger generations.’

How big does a walk-in shower need to be to not have a door?

It depends on whether the room is fully tanked, and you’re just using the screen to keep the loo seat dry, or whether you really need to contain your shower inside the tray. In a fully tanked wet room situation, you can get away with a slightly smaller showering footprint.

‘For walk-in showers where you want to keep the rest of the bathroom dry, we always advise you allow around 50cm for the entranceway width. And from 50cm-60cm for the showering area’ says David Osborne, CEO of Roman Showers. ‘Therefore, for a really effective and comfortable walk-in shower, you should aim for an overall length of about 100cm-120cm’. Average walk-in shower widths range from 70cm-100cm.

‘If space is a little tight or you’re worried about keeping water contained, look out for wetroom panels and walk-in enclosures with small pivoting deflector panels that fold out to restrict spray when showering and then fold neatly back when you need to exit,’ adds David

The post Walk-in shower ideas – 10 ways to embrace this hot showering trend appeared first on Ideal Home.

If you’ve been hit by rising energy costs and are struggling to pay your gas and electricity bills, it can feel as if you don’t have many options. And not being able to afford to heat and power your home is stressful. However, there is some energy bill help available, with different solutions for different situations.

Addressing unpaid bills as soon as possible will help you get back on track, so make it a priority. You can then concentrate on how to save energy at home going forward, and hopefully avoid more headaches in the future.

Image credit: Colin Poole

How to get energy bill help if you can’t pay your bills

1. Call the energy company

It may feel like the last thing you want to do. But contacting your energy supplier should be the first step. Under Ofgem rules, suppliers must work with you to agree on a payment plan you can afford.

‘It’s really important that if people are struggling to pay their energy bills they get in touch with us so we can discuss their individual circumstances and how we can help to support them,’ says an E.ON spokesperson.

‘As part of this conversation we’ll aim to try to understand what the problem is. We would ask questions such as whether your circumstances have changed, whether you need more time to pay or if you or someone in your house is elderly, or have a disability or long-term illness. Once we have more information about a customer’s individual circumstances, we can look at the ways we can support them.’

2. Ask to pay in your energy bills in instalments

You can tell your energy supplier that you want to pay your debts in instalments as part of a payment plan. This means paying fixed amounts over an agreed period of time. It can be adapted to what you can afford – covering what you owe as well as ongoing use.

According to Citizens Advice, your supplier must take into account how much you can afford to pay. Therefore, you’ll need to give them details about your income and outgoings, debts and personal circumstances. They’ll also work out how much energy you’ll use in future. This is usually estimated based on past usage. However, you can give the energy company meter readings to make it more accurate.

You can also ask for a review of your payments and debt repayments, as well as more time to pay, payment breaks or reductions. Once the instalments are up and running, you may find that you’re still struggling to afford the repayments. Speak to your supplier again if this is the case.

‘If you’re finding it hard to pay your energy bills in difficult circumstances, see if you can be put on your supplier’s priority services register,’ says Alex Hasty, Associate Director at Comparethemarket.com. ‘This is a free service provided by energy suppliers and network operators. It offers customers extra help and support in vulnerable situations.’

Image credit: Max Attenborough

3. See if you could change your tariff

It could be that the tariff you’re on for your gas or electricity isn’t the right one for your circumstances. So it’s always worth asking your energy company if you can change it. There are fixed price tariffs, which set the cost of your energy for a certain amount of time – often a year or more. Variable tariffs, on the other hand, rise or fall depending on the market.

Government research has shown consistently over time that Standard Variable Tariffs are more expensive than fixed ones, with differences of 10% or more in recent years. Unfortunately, this currently isn’t the case, with most fixed rate tariffs being more expensive than variable rates.

It’s also worth asking about dual-fuel tariffs, where your gas and electricity both come from one supplier. These can be cheaper – but check it against the price of sourcing them separately.

‘As a rule, it is better to stay on a default or variable tariff than opt for a fixed rate alternative at present,’ says Alex Hasty. ‘As you will fall under the protection of Ofgem’s energy price cap. We have decided to show all available tariffs on our website, including those you cannot switch to via comparethemarket.com. This enables people to compare a range of prices relative to their current situation. Keep an active watch on Ofgem’s next price cap adjustment, which will be announced at the beginning of February 2022. It is predicted to rise again which could further impact energy bills from the start of April 2022.’

4. Ask to be put on a meter

Rather than dread a regular bill, you can ask to have a meter fitted. There are two types.

• Pay-as-you-go smart meters that show how much you’re spending and can be topped up in advance (or paid by Direct Debit).
• Prepayment meters are usually topped up with credit bought at a local shop or online.

Both allow you to buy your energy before you use it, so you won’t overpay for an estimated reading. However, it’s worth noting that tariffs for prepayment meters are typically more expensive per unit. Smart meters usually offer more favourable rates.

5. Request additional energy bill help from a charity

Some energy companies work with charities. Or have their own schemes dedicated to those who need emergency help to keep the heat and lights on. ‘We’d urge any of our customers who are concerned about debt to contact us as early as possible so we can discuss the support available to them,’ says Christopher Dalley, Director of Back Office Operations at EDF.

‘Help may include referring customers to our partners who can help maximise their existing income and manage their money. We also have a dedicated Customer Support Fund, which in 2021 provided support totalling £2.1 million. It can help with electricity or gas bill debts, and provide essential white goods such as a fridge or cooker.’

Image credit: James French

6. Claim government energy bill help

If you’re on a low income or benefits, or a pensioner, you may be eligible for discounts or payments towards your energy costs. ‘You may qualify for £140 towards the cost of your electricity each year under the Warm Home Discount, which is paid for by your supplier,’ explains an E.ON spokesperson.

‘If you received the guarantee element of Pension Credit on 4 July 2021, your energy account should be automatically topped up with £140 by your supplier by the end of March 2022. If you don’t fall into that category, but are on a low income and in receipt of other qualifying benefits, you’ll need to apply to your supplier. Energy suppliers set their own qualifying criteria in this broader group, and funding is limited. At E.ON, we deal with applications on a first come, first served basis, and close the scheme once the funding runs out.’

Other schemes you may be eligible for include Cold Weather Payments from the government. This is paid automatically into your bank account if you claim certain qualifying benefits and the weather in your area is very cold. The newly available Household Support Fund offers small grants to cover the cost of essentials. Speak to your local council. Eligible pensioners can also receive a Winter Fuel Payment, while those who receive benefits may be able to pay off energy bill arrears directly from them using the Fuel Direct scheme.

7. Consider switching suppliers

While it’s not always cheaper to switch suppliers, doing so may enable you to take advantage of a better deal as a new customer. However, it’s worth asking your existing company for their cheaper promotional deals. Especially if you’re near the end of your current contract.

8. Set a budget to recoup the costs elsewhere

It’s a good idea to record all your income and outgoings so there’s enough in the budget to cover energy bill payments, even if you’re only slightly behind. Try Money Helper’s Budget Planner, which separates your finances into categories and allows you to track your spending month to month so you can see areas where you can save.

If you need extra assistance budgeting, speak to debt charity Step Change. They can also work with you on a plan to repay and get help to pay your energy debts.

‘Until wholesale prices for energy change, it’s worth considering other ways of cutting back on costs, such as with other utilities and insurance products,’ suggests Alex Hasty. ‘By shopping around online and switching, you could save on average £267 on motor insurance and £110 on home insurance. This could help offset the increasing energy bills.’

The post Energy bill help – what to do if you’re struggling to pay appeared first on Ideal Home.

January is always a peak time for causal house viewing online as we escape the dreary month with a little property escapism. However, this property in Guildford, Surrey, caught more than a few eyes last month becoming the second most viewed property on Rightmove in January.

If we’re honest we couldn’t be less surprised that the mega estate developed a sizeable fanbase on Rightmove. The property is currently on the market with Knight Frank for a cool £23,500,000.

It is made up of not one house, but three different houses, altogether totalling 17 bedrooms and bathrooms. That’s not to mention the indoor pool, tennis court and luxury swimming pool.

The property is split into three areas Southways, Merrydown and Rowley Cottage. Southways is the largest house on the estate, so we thought we’d follow the rest of Rightmove’s lead and take a look around.

Southways, Surrey

Image credit: Knight Frank

The exterior is as grand as you would expect from a luxury home. The garden ideas are neat as a pin with a neatly mown lawn and a border of lush shrubs surrounding the patio.

Hallway

Image credit: Knight Frank

Hallway ideas don’t come much dreamier than this. The vast room has been broken up with small seating vignettes, offering space for guests to wait or to perch.

We can only dream of being able to fit two different seating options into our hallways, however, a carefully placed statement chair or bench will always make your hallway look that little be grander than it is.

Living room

Image credit: Knight Frank

Did somebody say crushed velvet? This room is the definition of plush. The soft purple sofas and armchairs look smart but inviting at the same time. We love the large rug that has been used to ground the whole room and give it a cosy feel.

Kitchen

Image credit: Knight Frank

Even the largest kitchens need smart kitchen storage ideas, and in this space, the overhead storage pan rack works a treat. The copper pans are kept out the way and are easy to reach, however, they also make a striking decor statement.

Bedroom

Image credit: Knight Frank

This is one of 7 bedrooms in the Southways house on the estate. The plush interior scheme has been continued into this room with golden flourishes from the four-poster bed and the window seat sofa.

Bathroom

Image credit: Knight Frank

Why choose between a luxury shower and luxury bathtub when you can have both? This marble bathroom has stuck to a simple colour palette but makes a statement nonetheless.

Walk-in wardrobe

Image credit: Knight Frank

We couldn’t resist showing you this show of the walk-in wardrobe. If you’ve recently started investigating walk-in wardrobe ideas for your home, can we please suggest you carefully consider your lighting? It really can make all the difference.

Swimming pool

Image credit: Knight Frank

The Gatsby-esque swimming pool is just one of the many incredible amenities this luxury estate has up its sleeve. You can see more of the property on Rightmove.

Can you see why people couldn’t stop looking at this property on Rightmove last month?

The post People couldn’t stop looking at this luxury Surrey estate on Rightmove in January appeared first on Ideal Home.

The best hand blenders are a fantastic alternative to full-size jug blenders and have sharp blades that are capable of blitzing soups and shakes into smooth tasty treats. Not only are they smaller and easier to store than many of the best blenders, but they can be used in any container, from huge pans of soup to small jugs of batter or baby food.

While you can buy a hand blender without any accessories, it’s common for them to come with attachments like whisks and mini choppers which makes them really versatile little kitchen gadgets. Mini chopper attachments are useful for chopping herbs and vegetables or making salsas and dips. But be sure to check what accessories you really need as well as what you already have, there’s no point doubling up, it’s a waste of money and the attachments will just gather dust in your valuable kitchen storage space.

We like the stick blenders that have added safety features built-in, there’s a reduced risk of switching the blender on accidentally, which is a great feature if you’ve got children in the house. Most come with a tall blending jug that’s the perfect size and shape for optimal results, but as we said, you can use them in almost any container.

What is the best hand blender?

We tested some of the best hand blenders on the market and the Braun MultiQuick 9 came out top, wowing us with its array of accessories and powerful blending capabilities. It replaces several other kitchen gadgets so is the perfect space-saving option. But if you don’t want a stick blender with a multitude of accessories, The KitchenAid Cordless hand blender is a great choice. It’s a sturdy stick blender that gives you the freedom to blend without being tethered to a power socket. For must-have soup accessories, take a look at the best soup makers.

1. Braun MQ9007 MultiQuick 9 Immersion Hand Blender

Best multipurpose hand blender

Power: 1200W
Speeds: 2 speeds and pulse
Accessories: 2 litre food processor bowl with metal blade, kneading blade and six grating, slicing and julienne discs, 500ml mini chopper bowl with additional ice crush blade, puree accessory, whisk accessory, beaker with lid.

Reasons to buy:
· Doubles as a food processor and mini chopper
· Lock feature for safety
· Comfortable grip
· Most parts are dishwasher safe

Reasons to avoid:
· Expensive
· Lots to store

The Braun MultiQuick 9 is far more than a simple stick blender, it offers all the functionality of a full-size food processor as well as a mini chopper. Add to this the puree and whisk accessories and there’s really no end to the number of foods you can chop, whip, blend, slice and grate.

Despite being the heaviest of all the stick blenders on this list, it didn’t feel it thanks to the comfortable rubberised grip and the fact that there wasn’t much suction towards the base of the pan. It also has a very effective safety feature which makes it trickier for children to switch on.

There might only be two speed settings, but the innovative Smartspeed technology means the more you squeeze the power button, the faster it blends. Yes, it comes with lots of different accessories to store, but if you’re looking to replace the best food processor, mini chopper, and a stick blender, this represents a space-saving solution that’s great value for money.

Ideal Home rated 5 out of 5 stars

2. KitchenAid Cordless Hand Blender

Best cordless hand blender

Speeds: One speed
Accessories: Pan guard, 700ml beaker with lid
Colours: Red grey or cream

Reasons to buy:
· Cord free blending
· Safety feature
· Easy to store

Reasons to avoid:
· Expensive
· Only one speed
· 2-hour charge

The KitchenAid Cordless Hand Blender is very tall and feels a little heavy in use, but the convenient cordless design far outweighs these minor grumbles. Gone are the days of moving your hot pan of soup closer to a socket so you can blitz it to a lump-free liquid. This stick blender gives you the freedom to blend anywhere, perfect if your kitchen’s lacking power sockets. But you do have to remember to charge it.

Two buttons have to be pressed simultaneously to operate the stick blender, a useful safety feature, but there’s only one blending speed. And it comes with a plastic pan guard that clips onto the blade shaft so you can blend in delicate non-stick pans without the worry of ruining the coating. With just a blending beaker included in the box, there’s not too much to store but this means it’s a pricey choice given that it can’t perform any other functions.

Ideal Home rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

3. Dualit 700W Hand Blender

Best premium hand blender

Power: 700W
Speeds: Adjustable speed dial and turbo
Accessories: 1 litre blending jug, whisk, 600ml mini chopper bowl

Reasons to buy:
· Most accessories are dishwasher safe
· Plastic foot avoids scratching pans
· Mini chopper has a feed tube to add ingredients during blending
· Good range of accessories

Reasons to avoid:
· Chunky handle
· No safety feature

All of the accessories for the Dualit 700W Hand Blender feel well made and sturdy. With a mini chopper, whisk and blending jug it offers plenty of versatility and will be a useful addition to your kitchen. Dualit describe the handle as having an ergonomic grip, but we found it chunky and not as well balanced as some others, which also made it feel heavy at times. We think it’s best suited to people with larger hands.

We enjoyed the range of adjustable speeds when blending soup, but felt some vibration up through the handle. Additionally, there was some suction towards the base of the pan but thankfully the plastic foot of the blender means it won’t scratch your pans.

Despite the premium look and feel, this Dualit blender has a lower price tag than most on this list making it a great choice as long as you can forgive some of the issues with the handle, which shouldn’t be too difficult given that it’s only used in short bursts.

Ideal Home rated 4 out of 5 stars

4. Smeg 50’s Retro Hand Blender

Best retro hand blender

Power: 500W
Speeds: 5 speeds and pulse
Accessories: Whisk, masher, 500ml mini chopper, 1.4 litre jug with lid
Colours: black, cream, red, pastel blue

Reasons to buy:
· Plenty of accessories
· Choice of colours to coordinate with kitchen

Reasons to avoid:
· Expensive
· Button is uncomfortable to hold in

In keeping with other Smeg appliances, the Smeg 50’s Retro Hand Blender has a familiar retro style and there are four colours to choose from. It comes with a good range of accessories, including a mini chopper, whisk, masher and jug, but in comparison to others, it’s still an expensive option.

The blending speed is adjusted using a dial on top and it feels powerful, but can vibrate through the handle on the higher speed settings. There was some suction towards the base of the pan which made it feel heavy and we also found the button uncomfortable to keep pressing.

Having said this, if you love the retro style and don’t mind paying a bit extra for it, you’ll get a good stick blender that’ll pulverise foods into smooth liquids.

Ideal Home rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

5. Breville Flow Hand Blender

Best budget hand blender

Power: 500W
Speeds: 2 speeds
Accessories: 500ml beaker with lid

Reasons to buy:
· Inexpensive
· Lightweight

Reasons to avoid:
· Low power
· No safety feature

With a very wallet-friendly price tag the Breville Flow Hand Blender is our budget choice. It’s a no-frills design that doesn’t come with any accessories other than a beaker. When blending soup, the normal mode didn’t feel very powerful, it was much better in turbo, although it took longer than the others to achieve a smooth consistency.

We noticed some vibration up through the handle, but thankfully there was very little suction towards the base of the pan. A big selling point of this particular stick blender is that it’s significantly lighter than all of the others on this list, making it a great choice for anyone with hand or wrist issues looking for a lighter model.

If you want a stick blender for occasional use or for simple tasks like creating smooth milkshakes and soups, this budget model will get the job done.

Ideal Home rated 3 out of 5 stars

How we tested the best hand blenders

We made a huge batch of chunky carrot and butternut squash soup and portioned it out into smaller saucepans for blending. This made sure we could compare the stick blenders like-for-like. We left the butternut squash and carrot pieces really chunky to ensure it was a particularly tricky task to puree the ingredients into a smooth soup. During blending we assessed handle comfort including the amount of suction and vibration as well as any other notable features.

The post Best hand blender 2022: for blending smooth soups, shakes and sauces appeared first on Ideal Home.