There’s an argument going on these days about stand mixers vs hand mixers: are their bigger bowls or better motors? We can only imagine how much time you could save with a stand mixer if it really did have a definitely better motor.
It doesn’t help that the latest models of both types of mixers are almost identical in price. But which one is for you? Let’s weigh the pros and cons to decide for ourselves.
Size – The most basic way to tell the difference between a stand mixer and a hand mixer is their size. A full size, heavy duty stand mixer will be on average 3-5 times larger than a hand mixer and will have 2 or more speeds on its motor.
To make things interesting, here are some handy measures: inches=feet, pounds=pounds-force (for both), cubic inches=cubic feet (for both) and cups=teaspoons.
Motor power, speed & torque – Now that you know how much space these mixers take up, let’s see how these mixers differ in their performance in what they do.
The article covers how to make the best decision when deciding between a hand mixer vs stand mixer. The author offers a thorough analysis of what lies beyond the cosmetic differences and weighs the pros and cons of each.
For example, it is interesting to know that both types of mixer can perform a similar task, but the way they go about doing it is different. A hand mixer just uses one single speed whereas a stand mixer has two or more speeds that enable you to control how wet or dry the mixture becomes.
If you’re in a hurry, then using a stand mixer is always going to be better because you can quickly whip up something sweet in no time at all by simply throwing everything into the bowl and turning on one of its multiple speeds.
If you have the time however and want to control the texture (and save a load of calories) then you’d be better off using a hand mixer. This is because of the speed variation that hand mixers offer. Simply use it on slow speed, or mix something wetter with it on high speed, and you’ll get exactly what you want out of your mixture in no time at all.
Did we mention that a stand mixer will take up more space than a hand mixer? There are models out there that are as big as 2-3 regular sized mixing bowls, so if space is an issue, look for one that has an easily collapsible base or smaller sized bowl.
Speed variation – Another thing a stand mixer will do better than a hand mixer is to mix on different speeds. This is because a stand mixer allows you to control the dispersal of the ingredients, while a hand mixer doesn’t.
Although it is true that it might take longer to mix something with a stand mixer at high speed, as you switch to other speeds, the texture of the mixture gets smoother and less watery. It’s not perfect however. You can still end up with some lumps in your mixture, especially if you whip something really dry or heavy (many people use stand mixers for this purpose).
Since a stand mixer can also be used for making bread, it is definitely worth investing in one if you’re into baking. Having a stand mixer around also means that you don’t have to go out of your way and spend extra time on tasks such as kneading dough.
Quality – Hand mixers are known to be better quality, but we are not saying that all hand mixers are high quality products. There are many hand mixers out there that fall short of the standards of a stand mixer.
The main problem with almost all brands of hand mixers is the motor. Many brands use low-quality motors, so they might not be able to keep up with functionality and build quality. If you have one, definitely think about upgrading it to a better model.
Stands on mixers – One of the biggest advantages that stand mixers have over hand mixers is that they have a stand attached to them. This means that you won’t need to keep your mixer on the countertop, which will free up those precious inches (and probably more importantly, space) in the kitchen for other important things like storing groceries and other kitchen stuff.
A stand mixer can also be easily moved out of the way when not in use. This makes hand mixers much less practical for people who want to add their own personal touches to their cooking tasks.
Ease of use – As mentioned above, stand mixers are definitely easier to use than hand mixers. Most people agree that using a stand mixer is like using an electric mixer, but with the added benefit that you can do the mixing in less time.
You don’t have to worry about anything either. You just add ingredients and turn on the switch. There’s no need for any other manual effort or skill whatsoever to get your mixture finished up in no time at all.
Are you going to be standing around watching your stand mixer go? Not at all! One of the best features of a stand mixer is that it has a bowl guard and splash guard over its top paddle attachment. This means that there is a lot less mess to clean up, because most of the mixture ends up in the bowl rather than splashed all over your countertop.
An additional advantage of the stand mixer is that it comes in different sizes, giving you more flexibility in your selection. You can either go with a bigger one so you can mix more things at once, or buy a smaller one if you want something lighter and easier to move around.
Types of stand mixers – Stand mixers come in many different sizes and styles. Their differences will be mainly noticeable in their power and design aspects.
The most standard of all stand mixers is the regular household stand mixer.
These can be fitted with a wide range of attachments and come in all shapes and sizes depending on the brand, model and price.
They are most commonly used to mix dry ingredients together, but you can also use them to mix wet ingredients together or even cream butter and sugar together. Make sure though that you don’t put too much liquid in your mixer at once if you’re just using it for dry ingredients. It will easily overflow if filled up with too much water or milk.
The Baker’s hand mixer is a bit different in its design than the standard household stand mixer. Most of these are made of metal, while others are made of plastic. They are lighter and cheaper than the standard ones, and have a smaller capacity than the standard one as well.
You can also buy premium versions of this type that come with more accessories, such as dough hooks for making bread dough or a wire whisk for making batter or icing. These are usually used by professionals in restaurants, cooks and pastry chefs who need extra tools to make their job easier.
Can a hand mixer do everything a stand mixer can do?
It is hard to say. There are models of hand mixers that can perform almost exactly like the stand mixer, but it depends on the brand and model you buy. The main advantage of a hand mixer is that they come with additional attachments that you don’t need to get when you get a stand mixer. They are also lighter and cheaper than their counterparts, so if you have limited space and are on a budget, it’s definitely worth looking for one of these. The main disadvantage of a hand mixer is that most aren’t powerful enough to handle heavy-duty baking tasks, although some actually can. There are specific models out there that are more powerful than the standard stand mixer. These would be ideal for people who want to mix doughs, cream their butter and sugar or make cakes.
Can a hand blender do everything a stand mixer can do?
Just like a hand mixer, you might take a while before you learn whether the hand blender can perform all of the same functions as the stand mixer. The difference between these two KitchenAid KHB100OB 4-Speed Hand Blender and has everything to do with how you intend to use them.
How big of a stand mixer should I get?
When it comes to the size of your stand mixer, the best advice we can give you is to measure your available space in your kitchen and go from there. Most stand mixers are going to take up a lot of room on your countertop, which may make you have to rearrange things in order to be able to put one in your kitchen. But then again, if you’re not planning on moving any time soon, it shouldn’t actually matter that much. If possible, make sure that you get a stand mixer that will most easily fit the space available in your kitchen so that you won’t have too much trouble when it comes time for cleaning.
What are the disadvantages of stand mixer?
There are some disadvantages to owning a stand mixer that you should keep in mind before deciding which one to buy. The wattage of the motor in stand mixers is slightly less than they are in the average hand mixer, so their mixing power will be slightly lower and take more time. This is a significant disadvantage if you have things like large quantities of flour and sauces which need to be mixed together by hand. Some people also complain that the bowl attachment is not as maneuverable as they would like it to be, meaning they will have to make adjustments more often.
Can you use a stand mixer for cakes and muffins?
Yes. There are some stand mixers out there that are specifically designed for doing multiple tasks at once, such as mixes and makes cakes and muffins. These are not necessarily more expensive than the ones that have only one model to do everything, but they still tend to be more expensive than the standard one which can only do one task at a time. The advantages of having this type of product is that you are able to mix several different ingredients at once and possibly even get the mixing done much faster than with the standard model.
Can I use a hand mixer in place of a stand mixer?
It depends on the task you want to do. Some hand mixers are powerful enough to do the same tasks that a stand mixer does, but the switches on those will be a bit harder to work with and may even sometimes malfunction. This will make it much harder to do all of your tasks at once, which is not really an advantage at all. The most popular kind of hand mixer you can find in stores today is made by KitchenAid and they also have attachments that perfectly match with their stand mixers.
CONCLUSION:
The stand mixer is a great way to cook. It’s made with heavy duty steel construction that handles many heavy duty tasks in the kitchen. They have more power than most hand mixers, which makes it capable of mixing kneading dough without breaking it apart and getting your hands dirty. A good electric stand mixer will last a lifetime and will not break down on you when you need it the most. That is why this article is so important, because we’re going to show you what makes a good electric stand mixer and how much these things cost.
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