It’s a debate that has raged for decades, and there are plenty of opinions out there on which is more convenient: stand mixers or hand-kneading. This article will help you decide which approach to take when thinking about baking bread at home.
Stand mixers take the hard work out of kneading dough and make the task so much faster, easier, and more consistent than with hand-kneading. But hand-kneading will give you the most flavor and nutrition. That’s because hand-kneading releases more of the starches in flour than does mixing with a stand mixer. Thus, when you use a stand mixer, the resulting bread absorbs less of this starches and protein compounds, which are healthful for your body.
Here are some reasons why start mixers are more convenient:-
Easy To Use- Mixing with a stand mixer is easy and fun because it uses gears to turn the dough from side to side as you knead. This helps keep the dough from sticking to the rubber roller base, which is an added bonus if your arms get tired easily while kneading by hand. And, if you have arthritis or other joint problems that make hand-kneading difficult, a stand mixer is going to be the better choice.
Mixing With A Stand Mixer Is Much Faster- It takes much longer to knead by hand. The old saying rings true: time is money. If you are the type of person who wants the dough ready as fast as possible, a stand mixer is the way to go because it can cut your kneading time in half.
Reliability-A good stand mixer will last a lifetime and give you consistent, smooth results every time you use it to make bread at home. On the other hand, hand-kneading can be inconsistent because it depends on how strong your grip is and how much time you put into kneading.
So, which is better? That’s up to you to decide. If time is of the essence, a stand mixer will make your life easier. If you like more authentic results with more nutritious bread made at home, then by all means hand-knead. This way you are also getting some good exercise that will help keep your body healthy and fit!
“The kitchen mixer is a revolutionary piece of kitchen equipment in its own right as well as an essential tool for any professional or amateur.”
Do you have a stand mixer or hand-kneading dough? What do you prefer: meal prep convenience or the traditional feel of kneading your dough by hand? A new study conducted by Zojirushi offers some surprising insights into which type of appliance is more convenient for you.
The study recently revealed that nearly 7 out of 10 American households have a stand mixer. That’s a much higher percentage than I would have guessed. But the real shocker is that more than half of Americans prefer to hand-knead their dough because they believe it yields better results in the end. Over 47 percent preferred to do it by hand instead!
That’s an amazing statistic, and one that shows people are clearly putting thought behind their choices when it comes to mixing–and measuring up–mixers versus kneading by hand. It’s also a good reminder to take a moment while preparing your time-saving meal prep recipes to ask yourself the question…
“What is it I’m trying to accomplish? For example, are I am looking for better nutrition in my dishes, or do I prefer the convenience of mixing?”
If there’s a lesson here that can be applied beyond just meal prep, it’s this: Before you make a purchase, step back and ask yourself if you need what you are buying. Will it fit your cooking style and what you’re looking to accomplish in the kitchen?
But if you are hesitant to invest in a stand mixer, I’d encourage you to go out and get one–if only for yourself! The stand mixer is a revolutionary piece of kitchen equipment in its own right as well as an essential tool for any professional or amateur baker. It will save hours of time each week while adding beauty and flair to almost any dish.
So there you have it: the bread-baking contest is a one-sided competition. The hand-kneading crowd can claim victory here, but whether they win the proverbial bread-baking contest is another matter entirely. After all, who doesn’t like the convenience of a stand mixer?
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this content are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of this website or of the owners/administrators of this website.
Whether it’s convenience, speed, or any other factor that makes you choose a stand mixer over hand-kneading dough, the expertly crafted pieces from brands like KitchenAid and Kenwood will give you consistent results every time. But at the end of the day, what’s really important is how convenient a particular cookware appliance is.
A whopping 90% of respondents to a recent Zojirushi study said that they use the stand mixer to prepare the majority of their home-cooked meals. In fact, it was found that more than 80% of people surveyed prefer mixing dough by hand over other methods such as kneading.
Originally published by Zojirushi USA on December 20th, 2013. Photo credit: Zojirushi USA. Reproduced with permission on from MizunoPro website .
Which appliances have you decided to use in your home kitchen? Is it the traditional hand-kneading of a stand mixer? Are you more likely to use a food processor (which can be used in place of both appliances), or do you simply prefer the convenience of an electric hand mixer?
It would appear that the majority of people cite the ease of preparation and consistent results as reasons behind their preference for stand mixers, but perhaps it’s time to give kneading dough by hand another try. Check out our review on Zojirushi bread machine models and see how easy it is to achieve consistent results when mixing dough.
Zojirushi is a trusted brand when it comes to bread machine reviews and they have been producing excellent products for the home kitchen since the 1970s. To see what else Zojirushi offers, check out our product listing.
Is it better to knead by hand or mixer?
Of the almost 20,000 people who took part in this Zojirushi study, a staggering 90% of them reported using one or both of these attributes as reasons why they prefer a stand mixer over hand-kneading dough. In addition to the popular electric models like those from Kenwood and KitchenAid, there are plenty of other fantastic options to choose from including those by Oster and Hamilton Beach.
Does a stand mixer replace kneading?
If you’re making bread for the first time, you may be wondering whether it is best to knead by hand or use a stand mixer. The actual process of kneading requires very little effort and can be done without even breaking a sweat.
Can it replace the stand mixer?
It all depends on your preferences and what type of bread you are making. The more complicated the loaf (i.e., sourdough) then using a stand mixer will likely give you better results because of the multiple rises it will require throughout the day and even overnight.
What are the disadvantages of a stand mixer?
Those are the ones I can think of that come to mind. Of course, there are a lot more than that. The biggest disadvantage of using a stand mixer is when you are making bread for the first time because it is just so much easier to knead by hand. If you do not enjoy kneading dough by hand, then perhaps a stand mixer will be too difficult, or your results will not be as spectacular as they should be.
Should you get a hand mixer if you have a stand mixer?
The answer is no. If you have a stand mixer, it means that you are not a beginner at baking. If you have been baking for a while, then you probably already have a hand mixer and they don’t do the same things as a stand mixer. There are some things hand mixers can do better than stand mixers. For example, they can whip egg whites much more quickly and easily than most stand mixers will allow.
CONCLUSION:
Since 2007, we’ve been creating recipes for breads, sweet breads and rolls. Whether it’s a hearty sandwich bread or a French baguette, we’ve learned that there are many ways to approach the art of bread-making. It’s true…we can’t all be pros at baking, but compromising on quality and taste isn’t an option. We believe you deserve better. When it comes to making delicious, homemade breads in your very own home kitchen there are simple methods that can be used to improve your results.
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