A stand mixer, also referred to as a counter-top mixer, is a kitchen device that is used for mixing ingredients and the mechanical action of kneading dough. In general, it can be used for other low-energy tasks such as making batters and doughs. Some of them are designed with additional attachments such as metal paddles or whiskers to facilitate mixing different types of mixtures in smaller quantities.
The best way to find out if a stand mixer is suitable is by measuring the total volume capacity that you need it for and taking into account any features that might be helpful during certain tasks. For example, a stand mixer that is designed for making dough and can also be used for kneading at the same time might be the best choice for a home baker. If you are baking, you should consider whether all your ingredients need to be mixed together, as well as how much time you will need to knead your mixture.
The best stand mixers can reach even very tough tasks such as kneading large batches of bread dough or homemade pizza dough. They can also withstand extra heat during cooking; therefore they are perfect if they will be used in the oven too.
So, is it possible to mix dough with a stand mixer? The answer is yes, but it requires some extra measures that are not included in most of the models.
Because of its motor power, the stand mixer might become overloaded and this will cause the motor to burn out. Therefore, you should always stop using it when you get close to reaching your total volume. Also remember that the machine must be unplugged before using it for any other task.
Best Stand Mixers for Kneading Dough: Find Out Which Is Right For You
The following table includes links to a variety of stand mixers suitable for kneading dough. This will help you to make an informed decision on which type of stand mixer to choose. As you can see, there are a lot of options to consider and some manufacturers offer special types of mixers for kneading dough.
To learn more about stand mixers, make sure to read the rest of the article. We have also included a buying guide which will help you make the right choice based on your budget and specific needs. Find out how I get 10% off my KitchenAid appliance purchase with my exclusive coupon!
In short, find out everything before you buy.
Inevitably, in a busy kitchen there is always some dough to knead. The question is: Which Kitchen Tool Should I Use?
In this post we will look at three potential tools for kneading dough: your hands, a stand mixer, and a bread machine. We will discuss their qualities and how to use them for best results. After reading this post you’ll be able to choose the best tool for your next kneading project.
Kneading dough, no matter how long or short it is, is probably the most difficult task in bread making. It’s hard to beat a machine at this job!
Hands: Perhaps the Simplest Method
Most books on bread making will begin with this method. If you are making a small amount of dough or if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, then by all means use your hands. It’s easy and not too much mess is made.
With your hands, you can control the friction and pressure you apply to the dough. The longer you knead, the more gluten will be produced. So if it’s a wet dough or if you want lighter bread, restrict your knead time. If it’s a dry dough that is meant to be rustic and high in whole grain, then knead it longer to develop more gluten so that the bread will have better structure.
Another benefit of using your hands is that it feels good (really!) and is sociable as others can share in the process.
If you do decide to knead by hand, use a bench scraper and a bowl scraper to help clean up after your work. Don’t use your fingers to scrape dough off the countertop. The dough will stick like crazy and it is hard to get it off without accidentally leaving some skin behind.
Your hands and arms will begin to ache after any extended period of kneading, so make sure you are using a large enough scale of work (e.g., not kneading individual portions). If need be, switch hands or take frequent breaks.
A Nice Second Option
For those who want to know the best Kitchen Tool for kneading dough, you will be pleased with the following results from using a stand mixer and mixing bowl.
A stand mixer has been designed specifically for this job. The dough is placed in a special bowl and slowly rotated by just means of turning on the motor and you’re off to the races. There are also special attachments available for this purpose, such as a round dough hook or a long handle mixer called a fluffer .
A stand mixer is by far the most efficient tool, as it will knead significantly more dough than a pair of hands. And if you need to pause in the middle of your kneading, you can just walk away and leave the mixer to do its thing. You can also program a stand mixer to complete certain tasks (e.g., mixing or kneading) while you handle other issues at hand. It’s completely silent and doesn’t require constant attention like a bread machine does.
The downside is the price; stand mixers can be expensive…but well worth it.
A Bread Machine Is Also An Option
For any number of reasons, you may want your bread machine to do the job. This too is a viable option, with many machines providing a “knead” feature. The machine will knead the dough for anywhere from one minute to five minutes, depending on the machine and recipe.
The advantage of using a machine is that it can be left to its own devices while you tend to other kitchen tasks or feed your chickadees. Or even fall asleep…I have done that before; it happens.
A disadvantage is the delayed kneading time. A machine can add several hours to any bread recipe or bread dough, which may not be ideal if you have a short time schedule or if you have other things to do while working on the dough.
Stand mixers and bread machines can also require some maintenance and attention, so make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for best results.
Is it better to knead by hand or mixer?
The best Kitchen Tool for kneading dough is a Pro Mixer (or stand mixer). But, if you must use your hands and don’t want the hassle of an electric machine, then you should use them. If you are going to use non-electric tools in your kitchen, then choose one that is mostly stainless steel (to avoid any electric shock issues) and has a continuously rotating bowl. This will help mix the dough thoroughly and evenly.
How much of this will you use in the dough?
Most recipes will tell you how much to use. For example, if a recipe calls for 2 eggs for each cup of flour, you’ll want to halve this calculation (1 egg per 1/2 cup flour) and add it to your total water or liquid. If you are making a sweet bread and are using 1 cup sugar per cup of liquid, multiply 1-1/2 times the number of eggs (therefore 3 eggs) to determine how much sugar you need.
Is a stand mixer good for kneading dough?
A stand mixer is a wonderful tool for kneading dough. It is capable of kneading and mixing bread dough much faster than an electric machine can. There are also other features that make it excellent for kneading dough, such as the ability to add ingredients to the bowl while it’s running, pause to scrape loose bits from the bottom and add more ingredients, etc., all at once. The main drawback of a stand mixer is the extra noise and the vibrations that must be endured in order for it to work properly. If you’re trying to quietly prepare bread, a stand mixer may not be your best bet.
Is using a dough hook the same as kneading?
Yes, a dough hook will knead the dough and mix it well enough to produce a good bread recipe. It is best if you use a machine to make bread dough, as the longer kneading time will result in a better loaf of bread. A large mixer or commercial mixer would be ideal. This is because most of the time spent making bread (such as waiting for the yeast to rise) involves more time than kneading. So using your hands to mix and knead bread dough can result in very messy hands and arms, while an electric mixer can take care of mixing with no effort on your part.
Does a mixer replace kneading?
For most dough recipes which call for yeast, a mixer can replace kneading. However, if you are making a yeast-free dough, like focaccia or a yeasted French bread, use the dough hook to mix the ingredients together before adding your liquid. The mixer will then do the work of mixing it all together and kneading will be done by hand.
How many minutes should I knead my dough?
It depends on the type of dough and how dry it is. How wet or dry your recipe calls for determines how long it will take for you to complete that part of the process. For example, if a recipe calls for 2-3 cups of flour, that’s 2-3 cups cake flour (or bread flour) or the equivalent. Unless you’re using the very finest cake or pastry flour, it will be much drier than that. In order to achieve the proper consistency and kneading time, you may want to try adding 1/2 cup at a time (and slightly more afterwards) until you reach the desired amount of moisture. This may take quite some time and many batches (consider this as well). You can also reduce kneading time by turning off your mixer after five minutes and finishing off by hand.
CONCLUSION:
Tinkering with the dough can be fun and can result in some wonderful breads, but don’t get to attached to it before you have a successful loaf under your belt. Hand kneading is one way to achieve that goal, but for the first few times, it may be better to use a machine. Baking is fun and delicious! I hope you learn how to bake a great loaf of bread and enjoy the process as much as eating it. You can use many different varieties of flour in your bread recipes to make sweet or savory creations and tailor them to fit most any occasion. One day, you may want a chocolate or cinnamon raisin loaf, while another calls for cranberry or zucchini white bread. You will find this possible if you have at least basic knowledge of doughs, leavening, and ingredients.
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