I was over at Mizfit's the other day and they were talking about this blender.  Pah!  I commented, that's a silly thing that would be a pain to wash.   This got me thinking about my Kitchen Aid Immersion Blender, a/k/a stick blender, and all the love it gives me.  Everyone should have this tool.  Shakes?  Smoothies?  Mashed potatoes?  This thing handles them with ease, and then there is one simple part to clean. 

Yesterday I wanted cornflake crumbs, but did not want to pull out the blender or food processor (and was not in the mood to do the zip top/rolling pin thing).  So, I put cornflakes in a deep measuring cup and got...cornflake rain!  Amusing, but not what I had in mind.  So, I tried covering the top of the cup with plastic wrap, but turned on the blender without holding the handle of the measuring cup, so, again, cornflakes everywhere.  I must mention that the dog was enjoying this very much.  SO, on the counter was a stadium cup.  You know the one that you get at sporting events that holds more soda than anyone needs?  And you really really wish your spouse would NOT buy the children or at least bring home the evidence?  As if bouncing children weren't enough?  Well, I took that, cut a slit in the lid and then enlarged a hole for the blender stick.  Voilà, crumbs and no (more) clean up!  Oh, as for that that cannister in the picture, mine got turned into a firefly catcher.  Complete with holes in the lid.  So I can't comment on it, except to say that it is way smaller than the measuring cup I was using.

If I can find a way for the stick blender to grind meat or make dough...the big appliances are going to be banished to the basement pantry.