When it comes to buying new kitchen tools it's a constant tension for we home cooks who are short on space but also sometimes simply want more toys. Who among us hasn't wandered into a cookware store and stared at a [fill in the blank: ceramic ginger grater . . . spring-loaded lemon wedge squeezer . . . Japanese fish boning knife . . .] and thought, "oh, that will make me a better cook." More likely it only adds novelty. Once we get past the basics -- wooden spoons, a chef's knife, a sturdy sauté pan -- kitchen tools start reflecting the personality and proclivities of the cook. For example, I own no wok because I don't do stir-fries often enough to justify its storage space. But I can't imagine not having my salad spinner, which is equally clumsy to stow. Still, there are some tools and appliances that are worth making room for. They can make it easier to produce better results. Plus they don't take up much space. And an immersion blender is a good example. Invented in Europe in the 1950's and made popular in the U.S. in the 60's, immersion blenders -- also called hand blenders, stick blenders or wand blenders -- are electrified wands about 10 to 12 inches long with a rotary blade on the end.

Most are hard-wired but some models come cordless with rechargeable batteries (I prefer the hard-wired ones -- they're much more robust) and some are sold with accessories like whisks or choppers. The most popular brands are Bamix, KitchenAid, Braun and Cuisinart and cost anywhere from $30 to $100. Mine is a Braun that I've had for longer than I can remember. I was recently given a Bamix with changeable blades, including one for whipping cream, but I prefer my Braun because it has a shield over the blades making for less spattering. I also confess to liking the way my old Braun looks -- very Bauhaus. An immersion blender works just as the name suggests: you immerse the wand into the ingredient so that the blade is below the surface and using the same hand with which you're holding the wand, you turn it on and off (there's often only one speed -- on). As long as the blade is in the food and as long as you keep it turned on, it will mix with a fury. If you lift the blade above the food while the blade is whirring, it will spatter and spit.

You can use one hand to position the blade through the food, moving it around and up and down, leaving the other hand free to hold the container, which may be a hot pan still on the stove. Immersion wands are related to your blender, food processor, or hand mixer and it does some of what each of these other appliances do. A food processor does a better job of liquefying and also gives more control when it comes to chopping ingredients like nuts. So if you want a completely smooth purée for your vichyssoise or evenly chopped pecans for topping a fruit crisp, use your food processor. Some immersion blenders come with a whipping blade but the wand's aggressive speed means the cream can rapidly turn to butter; I also think it's too rough for mixing cake or cookie dough. So an immersion blender doesn't replace a hand mixer. And if you're a smoothie fan, a blender will aerate better. So what does an immersion blender do that these other appliances don't? But it takes up very little space, does much of the work of these three other tools combined, and because it's acutely handy, you will use it more easily and often, leading you to make recipes you might otherwise not.

Best of all, it lets you bring the blender to the food, meaning you skip the entire step of transferring the food to another container and back again. It does much of what the other three appliances do and in the spirit of the perfect being the enemy of the good, an immersion blender will purée a soup to 95 percent smoothness and for most of us, that's what we want anyway. They're also a snap to clean, not a small factor for home cooks. blenders pride price in vijayawadaJust keep the blender plugged in and immerse the wand and blade it into a glass or pot of hot, soapy water. bamix immersion blender monoGive it a couple of pulses and the blade will be spotless.cuisinart cbt-500 series blender

The OnePlus 3 and 3T don’t mess about when it comes to value. The smartphones features specs that are nearly identical to those on phones that cost twice as much, however, that doesn’t mean you should be treating these devices like throwaway smartphones. To keep the metal body in pristine condition, you’ll need to wrap your OnePus 3/3T inside a case. More: You can buy the OnePlus 3 in virtual reality right now for $400 Because the OnePlus 3/3T are so good-looking, it’s a shame to cover the design up, so you’ll want to ensure the case you end up choosing looks just as sweet as the phone itself. hamilton beach 2-speed bebe baby food hand blender reviewFailing that, it best be really functional, to keep your new phone safe if you’re prone to butterfingers. kitchenaid mixer caviar gloss

Here are 15 OnePlus 3 and 3T cases we can recommend right now. OnePlus Protective Case ($20+) Missing the traditional sandstone finish that has become synonymous with OnePlus phones? Then here’s your chance to add that grippy, gritty finish to the phone. The OnePlus Protective Case is a clip-on shell that provides both corner and edge protection, along with protection for the rear panel. While the sandstone effect will attract many, you can also choose a bamboo, rosewood, black apricot, or carbon weave finish. ninja kitchen system pulse 550 watts reviewsEach back adds around 12 grams of weight to the phone. cuisinart compact portable smartpower blender cpb-300The sandstone finish is currently the cheapest option at $20, but other shells only cost $5 more.

Buy one now from: Well-known manufacturer Otterbox has opted for a dual-layer design with this custom case for the OnePlus 3/3T, which adds considerable shock and drop protection to the phone. Thanks to a soft, silicone interior and a hard outer layer. The Otterbox looks really modern for a hard-shell case and surprisingly stylish. It’s also available in three colors. The only downside is the additional 3.5 ounces it adds to the phone. Orzly Fusion Bumper ($9) Here’s a great option if you really don’t want to cover up your OnePlus 3 or 3T, but still want to keep it safe. The Fusion Bumper is made of crystal-clear plastic that’s designed to show off the phone’s design, and it’s equipped with a rubber bumper around the edge, which provides shock and drop protection. There’s even a protective inner coating to stop it from scratching the finish on the phone. Plus, it’s incredibly affordable and comes in several colors. We think the black works best, but you can add a splash of color to your OnePlus device if you choose to do so.