hand blenders

Sorry, I thought you meant a stick blender, Tricia. Thy are well worth while and not very expensive.

A stick blender is much less messy than the whisk type - my one has a mashing head too.

Thanks for the ideas. Husband bought me a food processor which has a liquidising attachment, in a goblet. but a little part has broken off and it doesn't work. Plus it makes a lot of washing up.
A hand held one is much simpler.

And doesn't splash!

I just bought a 'Masha', no I'd never heard of them either. The blades are plastic so no scratched pans, it's so quiet and blends in no time, it has 2 interchangeable blades, it also mashes potato, so smooth. Rubs fat into flour, whisks eggs, whips creams, makes batter, endless possibilities. Cost just over £20. Bottom of blender can also be put in dishwasher! But it's very easy to clean, no danger of cut fingers!

Don't switch it on until it's in the liquid and switch it off before you take it out. I don't have any problem with mine.

I put the bowl in the sink which helps with the splatters and I might do it in portions rather than the whole bowl best advice is to get Mr M to do it, as he can improve on anything I do!