The Braun immersion (or stick) blender is cheap yet powerful. 200w motor is strong enough to crush ice, frozen fruit, nuts, vegetables, etc. and is typically used to make smoothies, ice cream floats and soups such as gazpacho--no more pouring batch after batch into the blender; use the stick blender right in the soup pot! It comes apart easily and can be dishwashed, top rack. There are more expensive stick blenders out there, with more speeds and attachments (which you don't need), but for $24.95 this can't be beat. Less