A stand mixer is a kitchen appliance that can do the heavy lifting for your baking, cooking and more. Read on to find out how to purchase the right one for you, our top picks and reviews.
Choosing The Right Stand Mixer: Important Factors
In order to choose the best stand mixer for your needs, it’s important that you evaluate your priorities. For example, are you primarily interested in a stand mixer with an additional bowl that can detach from the machine? Or do you need a lower priced model with just enough power? Additional features like temperature control or digital display might be high on your list of must-haves.
Capacity – Most stand mixers today come in 5-6 quart capacities, but some are smaller. If you regularly bake for the holidays, or cook for a larger group of people, you will likely need a bigger model.
Speed – There are three basic speeds: slow, medium and high. Most kitchen experts recommend that beginners start on the lowest speed to master the basics before moving up to high. The first few recipes you make will likely be fairly simple and low-risk, so experiment with these first. Many new users find that they only need two speeds: low and high!
Structure & Design – The design of stand mixers has changed significantly over time. Many newer models resemble a kitchen appliance version of the Batmobile, but for everything that needs to be mixed, whipped and kneaded. Some models have additional attachments that are worth exploring, like a dough hook, pouring shield or “Whisk-Bowl.”
Power – Manufacturers use watts as the standard unit of measurement for power. Most stand mixers today have 200+ watts of power. While this isn’t something that you need to think about when purchasing a mixer, it is something you will want to consider if you plan on using the mixer with other appliances that are plugged into the same outlet. For example, if you have an electric hand mixer, it will not be used on a stand mixer because the peak power in that situation would exceed the maximum wattage of your mixer.
Price & Warranty – While there are many budget models on the market ranging from $40 to $200, most quality mixes cost several hundred dollars. And while they aren’t built to last forever, they do come with a warranty. Read the fine print! Does your model come with a 2-year warranty? Or 3 years? Or 5 years? If so and you know you will use it heavily, I would look for a model that comes with these longer warranties.
Accessories & Extras – One of the great things about stand mixers is that they are fairly hands-free. You don’t need to constantly check in and do a lot of stirring or whisking. But what happens if you want to add an extra ingredient or two? This is where accessories like a pouring shield can come in handy. In addition, you might also want to consider a dough hook or some decorative attachments.
Versatility – Stand mixers are great for a variety of kitchen tasks, including cake and cookies baking and breads. But they tend to excel at baking because they are designed to whip up stiff batters and batters that contain eggs. In the case of boiled sugar cookies, the lid helps keep them elevated while the mixer works hard on those sides!
Troubleshooting Your Mixer – If you need some repairs done on your stand mixer, you will want to make sure it is taken off the list of items that come with a warranty. Most manufacturers will recommend that you bring your mixer to a professional repair shop. Or if the time comes, they might suggest taking it to a brand new or replacement model.
Can Stand Mixers Be Too Powerful
The short answer is no! But there are some challenges with operating the powerful machines at higher speeds due to the risk of overheating. The best advice in this case is to practice by using them on very simple recipes like cakes, cookies and pie crusts. If you are lucky enough to have an older model with a lower speed setting that can safely handle this use, then go for it! It will be helpful in learning how the machine operates and get you used to the speed needed for other tasks.
How Do You Clean A Stand Mixer
Cleaning a stand mixer after use can be a bit of a challenge if you don’t have the tools for it. The best advice is to avoid reaching into the mixing bowl with your hands. You run the risk of getting dirty and your hands will likely stick to the bowl when wet. Instead, use oven mitts or thick rubber gloves to protect your hands from being burned by steam or heat. And if you have a delicate recipe you want to mix, like meringue, consider using a pouring shield that will help guide any spills or splashes just about anywhere but on your clothes.
Buyers Guide | What Are The Best Stand Mixer Reviews
In this section, we’ll go over some of the best stand mixers on the market. We’ve ranked them based on features and price, but you might also find our buyers guide useful when you’re trying to choose between different models and brands.
Last update on 2018-10-17 at 15:27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixer Review (Our Top Pick!) This machine may look tough, but it has a soft side! The KitchenAid KSM150PSER comes with a flat beater, whisk attachment and dough hook. And as you might expect based on the name, it can accommodate up to 5 quarts of flour or dough.
That’s a lot of space! It boasts a powerful 325-watt motor that will keep your ingredients moving at high speeds. The tilt head design is super convenient for cleaning, and it comes with a pouring shield to help keep messes contained. This model is well-loved by many users, and was named the “Quietest Stand Mixer” in our review.
Why does this matter? If you have small children or pets who are used to hearing the sounds of kitchen appliances running throughout the day, you should see how quiet this mixer really is!. It is whisper quiet! Unfortunately, there were a few complaints about the long power cord. Many users ended up not using it and instead plugging an extension cord into the wall. This does create some additional mess, but until KitchenAid can figure out how to make their plugs longer, buyers may have to go this route.
The KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan is our top pick for stand mixers with 5 MORE RELATED VIDEOS:
ONE LAST THING… If your trusty mixer already has a warranty (most of them do), you can contact the company to find out what kind of coverage it comes with. Some models won’t have any sort of warranty at all, so make sure you know what you’re getting before you purchase! Here’s a sneak-peak at some of the best stand mixers’ warranties and how they compare to one another.
Keep in mind that these are the bare minimums, and some manufacturers offer more with their warranties. We’ve picked out the ones that are most important to you based on your style of baking and kitchen use. Cuisinart CM300 Custom Classic Plus 6-Speed Stand Mixer This mixer is so beautiful it’s almost scary! The elegant silver and black combination looks like a high-end appliance straight from a magazine – and it is!
Cuisinart has packed the most powerful stand mixer in our top 5 models list. The powerful motor will have you whipping up those fluffy eggs quickly, making cookie batter or even kneading bread dough. The speed control will help you determine what speed setting to venture on, and you can use the two stainless steel beaters or the flat beater.
The mixing bowl is designed to make sure everything you’re mixing stays inside! The long power cord of this model can be a pain. They often break or get tangled in corners, which can create a mess if it happens to you. This is also a heavy machine, so it makes sense that they’d try to make it as light as possible (and they did!).
The cord is also long enough that if you need to reach across a countertop without having to unplug your machine, then this might not be the best choice for you. The machine is also a bit louder than other models, but if you have an open space in the kitchen this shouldn’t be a problem.
Do KitchenAid attachments fit all models?
They should! In general, most attachments fit all of the KitchenAid models. You might have to double check your guide for compatibility, but we’ve tested the majority of them and they should work. If you can’t find a compatible attachment for your particular model, then consider upgrading to a different model instead (or buying an entirely new mixer).
Is this the best stand mixer?
In our review, we compared 5 of the best stand mixers on the market today. The KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixer got our top rating because it had the most features, the nicest design and it’s quiet! If you want to know more before you make your decision, read our article on how to choose the best stand mixer. Now we want to hear from you! Have you tried any of these stand mixers? Do you think they are worth the price tag? Let us know in the comment section below.
Do KitchenAid mixers need maintenance?
The short answer is no. Stand mixers are built with strong motors and durable materials to ensure that your machine will last for years to come. While it could still be a good idea to give your mixer the occasional cleaning, we don’t recommend a deep-clean of the mixing bowl or parts more than once every year.
A few FAQs about our Best Stand Mixer Reviews And Tips
What’s the most important thing I need to remember when using my stand mixer? We do recommend that you read our full article on how to use a stand mixer! You can also take a peek at our blog post on 5 things every baker should know before using a stand mixer.
What do I do with my old KitchenAid mixer?
There are several options when it comes to how to dispose of your old, broken or otherwise unusable mixer. We recommend recycling your old mixer. You can find free, eco-friendly recycling centers that accept used hand mixers in several cities throughout the United States and Canada. If you live in an area that doesn’t offer this service, you can send your device to KitchenAid directly at this address: KitchenAid Corporate Headquarters
Why do KitchenAid mixers have Prop 65 warning?
Many of our readers have asked this question. KitchenAid has a standard warning that their products are strictly regulated by the California Air Resources Board (“CARB”) in an attempt to protect consumers from exposure to potentially toxic chemicals. The CARB regulation can be found under Proposition 65, and it applies to every product sold in California that is made from any part of the state of California.
How can I keep my mixer’s parts in good shape?
If you’ve recently purchased your first stand mixer, then we recommend taking some time to read up on its cleaning and maintenance before you start working with your new machine. Our blog post on how to take care of your mixer will give you some helpful tips for using and maintaining your appliance.
CONCLUSION:
This is the KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixer. It’s a heavy, powerful and durable mixer that will make your baking life a whole lot easier – if you use it properly! No matter which stand mixer you buy, you will be able to make professional-quality baked goods. There’s no reason why your kitchen can’t have the best equipment to get your baking done on time. Use your stand mixer to prepare every single ingredient before you start mixing. Even things like oil or butter that don’t need to be stirred should be done ahead of time so they aren’t still in liquid form when you start mixing.
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