Whether you’re lumping the finished dough into a baking pan or simply using it to create an oversized batch of red velvet cake batter, a stand mixer has never been easier or cheaper to purchase. In fact, the upfront investment is offset by what you’ll save in time and effort. In response to a recent request for recommendations, here are a few of the latest models I’d recommend. Though a stand mixer is not essential, it will ensure your baked goods will always come out beautifully.
Choosing your new mixer
The KitchenAid Classic Series 5-quart has all of the features one would expect from a top-of-the-line appliance. It comes with a steel bowl and paddle design that ensures even distribution while kneading (which occurs at speeds of up to 3 mph). The extra large stainless steel mixing shaft makes it easy to stir batters, cake batters and cookie doughs without scraping or over stirring.
The kneading process is efficient, quiet and simple to use thanks to the direction control switch. It has 14 speeds and weighs about 16 pounds. That makes it simple to move around the kitchen when necessary, an important feature for the consumer who works with large recipes like baking sheets of cookies or sheet cakes.
“Once you have thisstand mixer in your kitchen, you’ll wonder how you ever got by without one,” one satisfied customer wrote in their customer review. “I have owned this mixer for four years and it still meets my high standards. I love the fact that I can add ingredients while it is mixing. This is a very powerful machine. I wouldn’t try anything too big in this as you will have to go slower. The only thing I wish they could improve on is the cord; it is stiff and difficult to move around.”
Catering to health-conscious consumers, the Kenmore Professional Series 5-quart stand mixer has nonstick Bake n’ Go Bowls (made of aluminum) in place of plastic or rubber that can trap out bad odors and flavors. They’re designed for use with batters that are baked in sheet pans, like lemon bars and pound cakes.
The mixer also comes with a flat beater and dough hook designed for use with breads and cakes. The mixer comes with an assortment of attachments for all mixing needs, including a whisk and spatula. The extra-long power cord virtually eliminates the need to unplug.
“I was hesitant to buy this product because it is a lot of money, but I am glad I did,” one customer wrote in their customer review. “It’s easy to use, the attachments are easy to use, it is very powerful. I was worried that it would not be powerful enough because I have read reviews on other products that said they didn’t think they were as powerful as they needed to be.
How do you whisk by hand?
Whisking by hand takes a very different approach than using a stand mixer. To whisk by hand, you want to be at arm’s length, as if your arm were a long pole with a whisk attached to the end. The reason you want to do this is so that you can keep your arms in the same position and swivel back and forth at the same rate of speed without stopping or slowing down.
I’ll demonstrate how it’s done:
First I make sure that my bowl isn’t too far away from my body (you don’t want the bowl in front of you), then I start moving my arm with moderate speed from top to bottom. Your arm should be in a very relaxed position and held close to your body. As you do this, you’ll want to move your wrist with a bit of a flick so the whisk hits the bottom and top of the bowl. This is more useful if you’re using a metal whisk (instead of plastic) since plastic has more resistance.
How do you use a stand mixer?
When using an electric mixer, it’s important that you remember that there is an ON switch as well as speed settings for your mixing bowls. If there’s batter in your bowl, don’t flip it on until the ingredients are properly blended and mixed together; otherwise you could have quite an eventful day in the kitchen.
The first thing you do when using a stand mixer is be sure to wash the bowl and whisk attachment(s) thoroughly. Next, if you’re using just a whisk, you’ll want to make sure that it’s clean and that there are no stubborn clumps of flour, butter or sugar in the bowl. Assemble the mixer on the bottom bowl; then add the egg and milk mixture until it reaches 2 inches below the top of the bowl. Note: The speed for this should be about 4 or 5 for any light-weight batter or dough (like pancakes). Then with your hand still in control, turn on your mixer once all ingredients are blended to a smooth consistency.
Is whisking by hand better?
When using a whisk to mix dusty clumps of sugar or flour into your batter, you can make sure you’re getting an even consistency throughout the bowl (unlike with a heavy mixer that can leave these clumps behind). But other than that, it’s hard to describe much of a difference in taste or quality.
Using a whisk to mix ingredients together is really only needed if you’re cooking for a large group (and figure out the easiest way to do so).
How do I use my whisk?
There are four basic ways in which most people use their whisks: up and down, across, pushing and pulling.
Pushing and pulling: This is the most simple technique to use, yet it’s still the one that can produce the best results, especially for lighter batters like crepes.
This method works best for a basic pancake batter, or any batter that has chunks of butter or other ingredients to add a bit of richness. Simply dust your whisk in your batter (you can really use any kind of whisk you have) and then continue to mix it in the same motion as you would if you were using sour cream or cream cheese in a recipe; up and down, across and back again.
Flipping: This method is usually used when making pancakes.
Is a whisk the same as a mixer?
A whisk isn’t the same as a mixer, but they’re both used in essentially the same way to mix ingredients together.
When using a whisk, you’ll want it in your hand rather than directly against an electric mixer bowl. The reason you do this is because it gives you a much wider range of motion as you move the whisk back and forth, giving you more control over what ingredients are well-blended with one another.
If you use a mixer, then simply turn it on and set the speed for speed 6 or 7. This will produce very similar results.
Can you replace whisk with stand mixer?
If you use a stand mixer, then you won’t be able to replace the whisk attachment with a regular whisk. The reason for this is that the two are just about as different as kitchen tools can be.
A whisk is used to mix ingredients together; whether that’s butter and sugar, eggs and cake batter or flour and water on the stove. It works very much like a paintbrush does in mixing colors.
Can you use a mixer to whisk?
Yes and no. While a mixer absolutely can be used to whisk ingredients together, there’s no telling how well or quickly the end result will come out. The key to using a mixer is to have it on speed 1 or 2. If you’re using a regular whisk (not the flat one), then you’ll want it on speed 3 or 4.
If you’re using just butter and sugar, then use speed 3; if you’re using heavy cream, then go ahead and set your mixer on 6.
Whisking tip: If you’re using a whisk and you’re going to be in the kitchen for a few minutes (or more), then use the same whisk that was used to make your batter. This will prevent it from being contaminated with any unwanted flavors or odors.
How can I create a better whisk?
There are several ways that you can improve on your current whisk.
The most popular way is simply by changing the type of brush that you use: kitchen shears are often considered to be ideal for this purpose and some manufacturers produce specifically geared-for-whisk-use brushes.
Do stand mixers make better cakes?
It’s certainly true that when you use a stand mixer to mix your cake or pie batter, then it will come out much better than if you’d used a whisk.
This is not just because the whisk doesn’t have all of the speed settings to help with the consistency, but also because there’s no way to pour in liquids without having some of the batter splash over the sides.
In addition, using a mixer allows you to mix ingredients together faster and more efficiently since it has multiple speed settings unlike a whisk.
Final Thoughts:
It’s true that using some home cooking tools in the kitchen can really speed up your cooking process, but it’s also important to choose only the tools that will make your job easier.
Stick with what you know, and continue to learn from others. The more you do this, the better a cook you’ll become; and the better your time in the kitchen will be.
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