How to Choose a Mixer
Dec 1st, 2011 Jeff Schweppe
For most applications, stand mixers outperform hand-held mixers---mostly because stand mixers are larger and have more powerful motors than their hand-held counterparts. For example: any stand mixer can process bread dough, but most hand-held mixers cannot. Here are 4 basic considerations:
1. Available workspace
Determine whether you have the workspace in your kitchen for a stand mixer (about a square foot). If not, a heavy duty hand mixer will be your best choice.
2. How Often Will You Be Using It
If you spend more than a few minutes a week with a mixer, make the investment in a good stand mixer. The hands-free aspect of a stand mixer saves a lot of time in the kitchen---allowing you to do more than one cooking task at once. This is especially important with some recipes that require you to perform 2 food prep operations at once---folding chocolate into a mousse while mixing it.
3. What Will You Be Using it For
If you will be mixing dense dough-like ingredients, you'll be much happier with a stand mixer. It can handle heavy jobs like this better than even the sturdiest hand-held mixers. Also, the variety of interchangeable beaters available for stand mixers, allows you to customize the mixer to the task.
4. Recipe Size
Hand mixers are fine for small batches of thin to medium-consistency foods. If you regularly cook for a larger group (a big family, parties, etc.), your life will be easier with a stand mixer.
What Should I Look for in a Stand Mixer?
Do your homework---this is one of the most expensive small appliances you will ever buy for your kitchen. Also, there is a significant price range within the category---starting around $300 and going upwards of $2,000. Following are some of the aspects you'll want to be aware of:
-A powerful motor---given the choice pay for torque (force) over wattage
-Metal rather than less sturdy nylon gears
-Heaviness---despite the advent of lighter weight materials, there's no substitute for heft (at least 25 pounds). There are a number of advantages to weight, one being that you want it to stay in one place while it's mixing
-Multiple speeds, at least 6
-A timer
-Planetary mixing ability---the beaters and the drive shaft move in opposite directions. This ensures that the ingredients mix well
-A lift/tilt mechanism for raising and lowering the bowl
-A slow start option, which keeps the ingredients in the bowl for the first minute or so until they are moistened
-A locking mechanism, which keep the beaters firmly in the bowl-no matter how dense the ingredients
-An overload reset button---this is a safety feature that will automatically turn off the mixer before the motor overheats
-A generous bowl---at least 5 quarts
-Dishwasher-safe attachments
-A comprehensive warranty---at least one year on all components
In addition, there are a number of options that are nice, but not essential to have, like the ability to add attachments such as a meat grinder.
What Should I Look for in a Hand-Held Mixer?
Hand-held mixers definitely have their place. For many tasks, they perform as well (though more slowly and more labor-intensively) as a stand mixer. They are compact, easy to clean, and easy to store. They are also much less expensive. Hand mixers are best for small, quick jobs such as making whipped cream, mixing cake batter, and beating egg whites. Since they're portable, they'll go where stand mixers can't, such as whisking simmering ingredients in a saucepan (be careful with this). Here are some of the features to look for in a hand-held mixer:
-A powerful motor
-Lighter weight---easier on the hands
-Low noise
-Multiple speeds (at least 4)
-Multiple attachments---a variety of beaters and hooks are nice
-A slow start option
Stand-mixer vs. hand-held mixer really isn't an either/or decision. Professional cooks use both. Theoretically, you could be kneading bread dough with the stand mixer at the same time that you're whisking the egg whites to brush on top of it with the hand-held mixer. If you don't have the workspace and still want a stand mixer, consider a compact stand mixer with a smaller footprint, smaller bowl, but all of the power of its larger siblings.About the Author:
Jeff Schweppe is president of Schweppe, Inc. a walk-in, online, and phone order foodservice and restaurant supply business, with the best selection of professional-grade kitchen supplies and commercial equipment in the Chicago area. Schweppe's store, located at 376 W. North Ave. 1/2 mile east of I-355, in Lombard, Illinois, is always open to the public. Website: http://www.SchweppeInc.com.
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