I recently treated myself to a new blender for my birthday, and I'm super glad I did. My previous one had a broken grinder, and the immersion part was a pain to clean – it wasn't suitable for all types of products. So, I decided to invest in another helper, priced at 3000 rubles.
Red Solution RHB-2985 immersion blender reviewWhen I was choosing a blender, I was convinced that it was just an old Redmond hiding under a new brand name. But after some research, I found out that the story is way more complicated than that. Apparently, after the Redmond ownership dispute, the commercial director, who wasn't involved in the ownership, created the Red brand and started poaching Redmond employees. One source told me, “The company is essentially using the same technologies and producing similar products.”
But as a customer, you shouldn't worry about all that drama. In reality, you're getting a product that's very similar to Redmond, not just in looks, but in all its features.I was looking for a blender with overheating protection – my previous model has been working flawlessly for two years, and it's never let me down. On the other hand, those cheap immersion blenders I used before would often burn out after a year of irregular use. So, overheating protection is a crucial feature to consider when choosing a blender.
I have to admit, the packaging for this blender from Red caught my eye – or should I say, it caught my attention for all the wrong reasons? The image of the girl on the box with her hair down just doesn't scream 'kitchen appliance' to me. I mean, it's more like something you'd see on a hairdryer or a styling tool. I'm not sure what Red was thinking, but it's definitely a unique design choice. And, as an added bonus, I'm pretty sure someone got paid for this...
Box from the Red Solution RHB-2985 Blender~ The Box Contents ~First things first, let's take a look at the manual. It's always a good idea to read through it before using the product for the first time, just to make sure you're not going to end up with a blown fuse. The manual covers everything from the components to maintenance and upkeep.
It's all pretty detailed, so take some time to read through it.
ManualThe box contains everything you see on the packaging (minus the girl and the strawberries, of course), which includes: the blender jar with the S-shaped blade, the immersion blender, the whisk with the adapter, and the motor block with the power cord and a large 600ml cup.
Blender RED RHB-2985 ContentsContents
Motor blockS-shaped bladeBlender attachmentWisk attachment adapterWiskChopper bowl with lidMixing cupUser manualService manualFeatures
I found that the length of the cord is more than enough to handle all my kitchen tasks.
Cord length: 1 m
There are only two speed modes, but that's perfectly fine for everyday use.
Normal mode speed: 14,500 RPMTurbo mode speed: 16,000 RPMThe device has two separate buttons for switching between modes. The blender starts when you press one of the buttons and stops when you release it. The silicone buttons are a bit of a letdown, though - they tend to attract everything, including fluff from cleaning cloths. It doesn't look great.
RED solution RHB-2985 Immersion BlenderThe design of this blender left me underwhelmed. It's not stylish, and the build quality looks a bit cheap.This model comes with overheat and overload protection. Here's how it works: the device will automatically shut down if it's getting too hot. If it suddenly stops working, it's not necessarily a sign that it's broken - just unplug it and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. Then, it'll be good to go again.
The maximum power output is 1300W, which is pretty impressive for a budget model.
~ Immersion Blender ~
I already had a working immersion blender, but it was a pain to clean, so I decided to use the old one for cooking meat and reserve the new one for blending raw foods like fruits, berries, milkshakes, yogurt, and so on.
Blender Knives RHB-2985 RED SolutionContinuous operation time under load: 1-2 minutes
Recommended break time between uses: 10 minutes
The immersion blender from Red makes quick work of blending berries into a pulp:
Blending strawberries with the RED Solution blenderThis thing is a game-changer when it comes to making various fruit and berry toppings, jellies, and soups – the possibilities are endless with this tool by your side. Blending cherries with the RED Solution blenderI also love that this immersion blender not only blends ingredients to a pulp, but also mixes them together to create emulsions – it's perfect for making mayonnaise and various sauces.~ Blender ~
I have to admit, I was thinking of buying this blender specifically for its performance, especially after my previous one broke down. The plastic part snapped, and the blades stopped spinning - what a bummer! RED has been working flawlessly so far, and I've been using it to puree all sorts of ingredients: meat (make sure to get lean cuts without fat or sinew, or you might damage the blades), chicken breast, and liver.
Blender RED Solution RHB-2985: A Closer Look at the Blades The 500ml capacity is perfect for any homemaker - it's just the right size.
Continuous operation time under load: 1-2 minutes
Recommended time between uses: 10 minutes
One thing that's really impressed me is the lid on the blender pitcher. It closes tightly and stays put, even when I'm blending away. I've had issues with flimsy lids in the past, like with my Scarlett blender - it was such a pain and made it hard to use.
Now, let's take a look at how the blender performs.
I started with liver:
The RED RHB-2985 Blender Tackles Meat with Ease Then I added some veggies for a liver patty: The RED RHB-2985 Blender Chops Veggies with Ease And voila, dinner is ready in 10 minutes. No need to chop or slice manually - what a blessing! The blender is a great substitute for a meat grinder when you need to process a small amount of meat into a fine grind. You can also add onion and bread to the mix, just like you would for a meat patty. Just one thing to note: it's best to use slightly frozen meat, as fully thawed meat can cause the blades to bind and the blender to malfunction.
The RED RHB-2985 Blender Tackles Meat with Ease Still, it's not a meat grinder, so you need to exercise caution. Beyond chopping meat and veggies, the blender can also be used to make the perfect crumb for a crumble topping - no need to mess around with a pastry brush or a bag! You can also add various nuts to the mix if you like a crunchy topping.
Sweet Treat for the Baker I've found that making desserts in a blender is a game-changer, especially when it comes to making sugar powder. Now, I know sugar won't turn into a fine powder, but after blending it, the crystals are so fine they dissolve way faster in cream - basically like a powder.
Blender Knives from RED With this blender, you can make all sorts of fresh juices, like orange. The immersion blender can handle it, but some fruits are way easier to blend in a dedicated juicer. You can strain the juice for a smoother texture or drink it as is - whatever you prefer. RED RHB-2985 Blender in Action ~ The Whisk ~ Continuous operation time under load: 30 seconds
Recommended downtime between uses: 10 minutes
I'm not a huge fan of using this attachment, mainly because I've got two full-fledged mixers: a handheld and a planetary one. The dilemma only arises when I need to whip up a small amount of product at low speeds – like a ganache on cream, for instance. Ganache is easy to over-whip, and my primary mixer is way too powerful, so this 'whisk' attachment on the blender comes in handy. Plus, it fits into tall, narrow cups way better than my manual mixer. The attachment comes with a coupler for attaching to the base.
Details of the RED solution RHB-2985 blenderIs it worth considering the more expensive models?
I'd love to compare this model to my immersion blender from Polaris, which, by the way, cost nearly twice as much. As you can see, the immersion part of the pricey Polaris blender is entirely metal, with thick metal and no plastic parts at all. The blades look sturdy and dense, with a titanium coating.
The immersion part of the more budget-friendly Red Solution blender is made of thin metal, and the top is just regular black plastic. The little blades also look a bit more basic, thin and made of stainless steel. I'd say it's pretty standard fare for budget blenders – and it doesn't stop them from doing a great job of breaking down ingredients.
Comparing the Blenders: Red vs Polaris I've found that the Polaris blender with its thick blades doesn't always get the job done, often getting clogged in tight spaces and stalling out. In contrast, the Red Solution with its thin blades is a breeze to use, effortlessly blending a wide range of ingredients.
Another key difference between the two is the number of speed settings - Polaris has a wide range, while Red has just two buttons. And when it comes to power, Polaris has a 200W edge over Red.
This comparison is meant to give you a clear picture of the difference between budget-friendly and high-end blenders. While there's certainly a difference, it's not critical - not everyone needs a wide range of speed settings or thick blades. Whether or not it's worth paying more is up to you and your specific needs.
The Box from the Red Solution Blender Maintaining Your Red Blender. It's business as usual when it comes to cleaning - wash immediately after use, using gentle cleaners to avoid damaging the plastic parts and dulling the blades.
The pitcher is a breeze to clean, thanks to its smooth interior and lack of crevices for ingredients to get stuck in. The S-shaped blade is also easy to clean.
When washing the whisk, you need to be careful not to miss any stubborn spots.
Just a heads up, don't put the immersion part of the blender in the dishwasher.
After washing, it's a good idea to wipe down the parts with a paper towel, especially if you have hard water – it helps prevent water spots and rust from forming on the metal parts.
Cleaning the RED Solution RHB-2985 BlenderI have to admit, I sometimes slack off on this and let the parts air dry, which leaves a white residue on them. But if you wipe them down right away, they'll last longer and look like new.
Cleaning the RED Solution RHB-2985 BlenderPros:
It's pretty affordable considering the current market price;It's a 3-in-1 device: blender, food processor, and mixer;It's pretty powerful and gets the job done;It has an overheat protection feature;The detachable attachments don't wobble.Cons:
The build quality feels a bit flimsy.
Blender RED Solution/Redmond I've gotta say, this blender model really won me over. I've been using it almost daily for two months now, and so far, it's been a reliable kitchen helper. In my opinion, it's a great choice for its price range.