If you’re like most of us, your kitchen will be filled with a cornucopia of appliances — not just the standard oven and stovetop, but an electric kettle, microwave, espresso maker and slow-cooker. But there’s one thing that may be missing in this modern world; a hand mixer or stand mixer!
The best way to figure out which one is right for you is by considering what you’re going to use it for. For example:
* Are you looking for something to mix dough? A hand mixer might be better if you have a small amount of dough; a stand mixer would work better with more than two pounds.
* How often are you going to use it? If you are planning on using your hand/stand mixer daily, then get the best quality one you can afford. Cheap ones break easily and also burn out more quickly.
* For what kinds of recipes? Are you constantly whipping cream? Do you need a dough hook attachment to knead bread? Is whipping egg whites a necessity in your kitchen, or is just mixing cake batter okay?
* Do you have enough storage room in your kitchen cabinets? If not, it might be better to buy a smaller hand mixer.
* What design works best for your kitchen appliances? Make sure that the hand/stand mixer will match your current appliance collection.
* Are you going to use the hand/stand mixer in your home or will it be an extra appliance in your hotel room?
Some kitchen gadgets are meant for daily use, while others are only useful as a spare. Hand mixers and stand mixers fall into the latter category.
Hand Mixers
Hand mixers and stand mixers were common decades ago, but nowadays, most of the hand mixers available on store shelves are inexpensive kitchenwares with a few plastic attachments. The problem is that these inexpensive units aren’t made with durability in mind — they don’t come with all the bells and whistles standard stand up mixer have, making them less than ideal tools for professional chefs to use regularly.
James Beard-winning chef/author Andrew Carmellini, who has worked in New York kitchens for over 30 years, advises people to buy a hand mixer that comes with a “heavy duty bowl and a regular size mixer handle.”
Chef Carmellini’s suggestion of investing in a quality hand or stand mixer is also backed up by Tom Kennedy, chef/owner of Eataly, who says: “I’ve used both hand mixers and stand mixers; the one I used most was my $90 stand mixer. It lasted two years and it was great. I like the stand mixers; they do a better job.”
You can read real-life KitchenAid reviews here.
“It depends on the purpose for which you are buying it,” says Tom. “If you are using it every day, then get a good one; if not, then go for one that won’t cost too much money.”
The only problem with stand mixers is storage — they’re large and don’t fit easily in kitchen cabinets. But the advantage of this is that they’re countertop models and are usually more powerful than hand mixers.
Brand-new stand mixers are typically more expensive. But if you’re going to invest in a hand mixer, you might as well buy a quality unit with all the bells and whistles, so check out the reviews here.
Stand Mixers
When you have a large family, or regularly make big batches of bread dough or large batches of cookie dough for your school bake sale, or do a lot of heavy-duty cooking like making pizza dough in bulk, then you may find that it’s better to invest in a stand mixer instead of a hand mixer.
Mostly what separates the average stand mixer from its hand mixer counterpart is that it comes with storage options and attachments. A stand mixer is generally bigger and has more features than a hand mixer.
Stand mixers are typically countertop appliances, but some people prefer them to hand mixers because they come with extra features. They can be also easier to use in certain recipes, especially if you make a lot of meringue or heavy-duty things like pizza dough where the ingredients can easily spill out over the side of the bowl.
The advantage with stand mixers is that they’re more powerful. They can also be used for other tasks, like kneading bread dough and grinding meat. They usually have a large range of speeds and attachments that are ideal for making homemade pasta dough or whipping up cake batter.
As with stand mixers, you could also opt for a hand mixer if you don’t need all the other potential applications that a stand mixer has. If you’re making big batches of cookies and don’t want to use your kitchen as much, then a hand mixer might be the right choice. If you’re interested in purchasing a high-end stand mixer, take a look at this price comparison chart to see which hand or stand mixers are the most affordable (for your budget).
The Stand Mixer That’s Right For You
But which one is better? The answer can be very different for each person. It depends on what you plan on using it for, whether you have enough countertop space and where you’re going to be storing it.
As the oldest and largest maker of kitchenwares in the world, KitchenAid has come up with a series of stand mixers that cater to different needs. There are two main types: the Artisan Series and Professional Series (see more here).
The Professional Series has more settings than the Artisan Series but isn’t quite as powerful; if noise is a concern for you, then you’ll want to go for the Artisan Series. If you’re looking for a hand mixer instead, think about which one comes with the most attachments. For example, the KitchenAid Hand Mixer – KHM110RB is designed for people who want to whip eggs and make cake batter, meringue and homemade bread dough.
It doesn’t come with many other features aside from the three-speed control and a whisk attachment that’s great for making pancake batter or blending cocktails. But if you’re planning on making large quantities of homemade bread, then you’ll want something like the KitchenAid Heavy Duty Hand Mixer KHM1210RBK , which comes with a dough hook that can work with any dough or flour mixture.
There are also low-powered hand mixers, like the KitchenAid Hand Mixer – KHM400RB , that have more versatility, but there are cheaper options in the same category. The thing with a hand mixer is that it’s pretty limited in terms of applications, like whipping eggs or making batter for cake. If that’s what you need, then go with a classic KitchenAid stand mixer.
But there are also hand mixers that come with additional features like the Omelette Pro Express Hand Mixer, which comes with an extra sturdy egg whisk and a flat beater for even mixing. You could also consider an immersion blender or food processor instead to save space and your sanity when you’re in the kitchen.
Should I get a stand mixer or a hand mixer?
If you need a mixer that can do a lot of different things like knead bread dough, make the perfect meringue or stir up a huge batch of cake batter then you might want to consider a stand mixer. Other applications for hand mixers include whipping eggs, making pancakes, blending cocktails and making frosting. You’ll also find them in most commercial bakeries.
The blender is also an alternative but if you’re looking for ease and speed, then the blender will be too big if you don’t need all the extra features. So, if you’re thinking of getting a brand new stand mixer and want to look at what different variations there are, then check out the next section below.
Do You Need a Stand Mixer?
There are stand mixers that come with many features and attachments, like beaters and dough hooks. But which one is the right fit for you? How about this hand mixer? This heavy duty kitchen aid mixer is designed for people who like to make large batches of pancakes or muffin batter. If you don’t need all the added attachments, then this is a great choice if you want a more affordable option with more options. On the other hand, if you want to make bread dough or pizza dough in bulk, then the stand mixer might be a better option.
Of course, if you want to make cakes and cookies but also want to knead bread dough, then you’ll need a stand mixer with extra attachments for tasks like mixing and kneading. Interestingly enough, there are some stand mixers that can even boil eggs. It all depends on your needs and how hard you’re going to push them in your kitchen. There are plenty of hand mixers out there on the market (like this one) that do a good job of stirring cake batter and frosting.
Can a hand mixer do everything a stand mixer can do?
It can but you won’t get the same results. If you want to save space and money, then a hand mixer is the better option. But if you love to bake cookies and cupcakes, then a stand mixer is the better option. If your hand mixer only comes with two attachments, then you’ll need to use your whisk attachment for mixing cake batter and making whipped cream.
As there are fewer settings and attachments on hand mixers than on stand mixers, there are also less accessories that can help make things easier in the kitchen. Most stand mixers come with several attachments such as dough hooks and whisks. They also come with a tall, flat beater for whisking meringues and beating eggs for omelettes.
How many watts is good for hand mixer?
The best hand mixer will come with between 100 and 400 watts. These are enough watts for a hand mixer to do its job effectively, but not too much that it won’t fit in your kitchen. That said, the more powerful the motor, the more gears there will be to choose from.
But if you’re just planning on making a few batches of cookies and don’t have a lot of counter space, then consider getting a smaller hand mixer with less wattage. The same can be said if you’re planning on making vegan or vegetarian recipes as they don’t require as much power as baking recipes do (like chocolate chip cookies and cupcakes).
Can a hand mixer replace a stand mixer?
No, unless you’re looking for a lot of different settings or you’re preparing several large batches of food (like cakes). It’s also not as powerful. So if you want to make omelettes, cakes and other baked goods, then a stand mixer will be better. With more settings and wattage, it can handle these kinds of recipes.
And if all your recipes require a lot of kneading or mixing (like bread dough), then a stand mixer may be appropriate for your kitchen. The only time a hand mixer can be better than a stand mixer is when you’re preparing smaller amounts of batter, like frosting or meringue.
CONCLUSION:
As we’ve seen, there are many different types of hand mixers and we’ve covered all the popular and best models available on the market. Just remember that it’s up to you to decide which one is the best choice for you. A mid-range hand mixer will give you just enough power for your needs, but if you’re planning on making large batches of cookies or cake batter then a stand mixer may be a better fit. But if you’re thinking of making smoothies or soups just once in a while and don’t want to spend more money on a higher-end model, then go with a budget option like this one.
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