Purchasing a Stand Mixer
One of the most expensive small appliances you buy for your kitchen is a stand mixer. With so many brands available, all offering what seem to be useful features, it pays to educate yourself so you get the most for your dollar, and so you end up with a stand mixer that will last you for years.
What Is a Stand Mixer?
A stand mixer is a stationary mixer with a motor suitable for medium—to heavy-duty mixing tasks. Unlike portable mixers, stand mixers hold the beaters for you, allowing you to do other tasks with two hands while your ingredients mix.
Most stand mixers come with standard attachments for mixing, whipping, and kneading. Many lines also offer various optional attachments to accomplish any task, from rolling pasta to juicing an orange.
Do I Really Need a Stand Mixer?
This is really a question that only you can answer. Here are some other questions to help you decide.
- So, you do a lot of seasonal baking?
- Do you bake at least twice a month during the rest of the year?
- Are you interested in making bread, or do you make it regularly?
- If you answered “Yes” to two of those three questions, then yes, you probably should own a stand mixer.
- What Should I Look for in a Stand Mixer?
Metal Gearing
They might make more noise, but metal gears are much less likely to strip out than the quieter nylon gearing. Buy a mixer with metal gears and it’s yours for life.
Planetary Mixing Action
The beater moves one way while the drive shaft moves the other. The bowl is stationary. Planetary mixing ensures that all ingredients are mixed.
Lift or Tilt Mechanism
Some mixers raise and lower the bowl; others have housings that tilt. Your choice should be based on personal preference
Slow Start Feature
Start mixing slowly for the first couple of seconds to help keep the ingredients in the bowl where they belong.
Locking Mechanism
It keeps the beaters in the bowl during mixing without “kicking up” and keeps them out of the bowl even if they are weighted down with dough.
A Good Array of Speed Options
You generally want to see at least six well-differentiated speeds to do everything from kneading dough to whipping cream.
Dishwasher-safe Attachments
A nice feature when it comes to cleanup.
A Powerful Motor
Many of the big brands tout their wattage, but torque (a measure of rotational force) is what really matters. Unfortunately, it is difficult to find reliable information on torque for mixers.
A Hefty Weight
Look for a mixer that weighs at least 25 pounds to minimize its “walking” when mixing heavy cookie or bread doughs.
An Overload Reset Button
This great safety feature will turn off the mixer before it overheats and fries. Even the most powerful mixers can sometimes overheat, especially when used to knead very heavy doughs or when working at high speed for long periods of time.
Reasonably sized bowl
Most manufacturers offer bowls that can handle 5-7 quarts.
Optional Features That Are Nice but Not Essential
- Capability of attaching a blender or food processor attachment
- Pouring shield/ splatter shield
- Wide variety of colors/finishes to match your décor
- Encyclopedic list of attachments: from meat grinders to cheese graters
- Remember, whichever mixer you choose, take care of it; it will take care of you for many years.
Be sure to read my full review of the Kitchen Aid Professional 5 Plus Series Bowl Lift Stand Mixer here.
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Theresa
So where's the comparison chart?
Theresa, gone. Not sure what happened to it when I moved over to the new format. I'll have to look for it or create a new chart. - RG
Alfian Harris
Yes, very useful article, I agree the stand mixer for mixing heavy duty, thank you I will read your review
Gregory Willard
I had no idea that you should look for a mixer that has metal gearing. My wife loves to bake, and she has been wanting to get a mixer. I will have to make sure that I get her the right one.
Tomas
Interesting. I never gave much thought to things like buying mixers with metal gearing or ones that had a slow start feature. For me it has always been about just grabbing one that got the job done. Very helpful guide which I will surely use in the future.