How to Choose a Mixer

A mixer is a useful kitchen appliance, especially if you do a lot of baking. Mixers help to quickly and thoroughly combine the ingredients for your culinary creations. These devices come in two basic types: hand mixers that you hold with your hand, and stand mixers that are much bigger and come with their own bowl. There are many features that you may find on a mixer; these provide extra convenience and functionality.
First, make sure that you are comfortable with the mixer, suggests Consumer Reports. This will be especially important with a hand mixer. Consider a mixer that is balanced well and feels good in your hand. Remember that you might have to hold it for a few minutes as you are mixing something. If you purchase a stand mixer then try to get a feel for how heavy it is. You do not want to hurt yourself when you are trying to get it from your cabinets.
Take a look at the beaters that come with the mixer as different designs vary in the way they mix. Also, some traditional beaters may have a bigger center post that can be a lot more difficult to clean. A wire beater may be more convenient for you, but assess its sturdiness, suitability, rust resistance and durability.
Look for the amount of speeds on the mixers. Stand mixers generally offer up to 16 speeds, and you may find nine on hand mixers. You may not need all of these speeds, but a few are often needed. The Learning Channel points out that stand-mixers operate ‘hands-free’; stand-mixers are beneficial for longer and larger mixing jobs because they allow multi-tasking.
It is also a good idea to get a mixer that has a very low speed. Good Housekeeping states splattering is a problem when high speed is used for particular mixers. However, this occurs the least with the lower speeds, especially for more liquid mixes. Another feature that some hand mixers offer is a slow start. This may help reduce splattering since it does not start as quickly. You can replicate this by moving up in speed but you may find the automatic setting to be more convenient.
Make sure that you can read the controls easily. Consumer Reports also reports that speeds are not always clear on some of the mixers. Consulting a mixer instruction manual in addition to objective product reviews should also detail the pros and cons of various features that manufacturers add to their mixers.
One extremely convenient feature that some hand mixers offer is an indentation that gives the mixer the ability to attach to a bowl. This can save you from having to hold the entire time you’re mixing.
You should look for a mixer that has a locking power head. The advantage of this feature is you can keep it in the up position or in the down position. This avoids it from falling into the bowl or moving up if the food is too tough.
Finding the right mixer for you and your kitchen needs will affect how you cooks for some time to come after obtaining one. Look at the features available and evaluate what you will actually use.