An immersion blender, or stick blender is a kitchen appliance to blend ingredients or puree food in the container in which they are being prepared. They are sometimes called wand blenders, hand blenders, Bermixers (after the brand name of professional models made by Dito-Electrolux), or boat motors (a nickname for larger commercial-grade immersion blenders, popularized by Emeril Lagasse and Alton Brown). They may be used for pureeing soups and emulsifying sauces. Some can be used while a pan is on the stove. Immersion blenders are distinguished from blenders and food processors that require food be placed in a special vessel for processing. They are distinguished from hand mixers which do not chop the food as it is blended.