Kitchen helper——Stand Mixer

How to buy a Stand Mixer?

1. There are two big distinctions.

The major design difference between the various stand mixers is how you get the bowl in place to start the mixing process. Some have a lifting mechanism, which lifts the entire bowl up to meet the paddle or whisk. The others have a tilted head that rocks back and forth to give you access to the bowl. The tilted head will need room — behind it and above it! — in order to move. If you're short on a space and have to have a stand mixer, a lift might be the way to go.

2. You might need to buy some extra attachments.

If the mixer you're looking at only comes with a regular metal or coated beater blade, we recommend getting a silicone scraper blade to use instead. The silicone edges on this blade can do what your rubber spatula does, so you don't have to stop the mixer and do it yourself.

Additionally, people have strong opinions about C-shaped dough hooks versus spiral ones. If you're going to be mixing a lot of dough, the spiral is your best bet, as dough tends to climb the C-shaped hooks.

3. The attachment port is a nice bonus.

You can find a very basic stand mixer for $35, but it won't have a port attachment. Get one with a port attachment and you can buy all sorts of bonus tools, which means you can use the stand mixer for a lot more tasks. Various attachments include things like pasta makers and meat grinders.

4. The wattage doesn't matter.

Should you get a stand mixer that touts 800 watts or 325 watts? Turns out, it doesn't really matter. In this case, the wattage listed is actually how much power the mixer consumes — not how much power the motor produces. You can actually choose the one with the lower power consumption and save energy while getting the same mixing results.

The advantage of Stand Mixer

1. Hands-Free and Mess-Free

One of the biggest benefits of the stand mixer is that it allows for hands-free baking and prepping. With little effort, you can mix and mash and blend even the thickest of mixtures and you don't even have to get your hands dirty! With a dough hook, you can knead dough for recipes without even having to douse your hands in flour. Create delicious, rich chocolate cakes without getting a drop of frosting on your hands - unless of course, you like to lick the bowl. The upright construction of stand mixers alone allows you to work for hands-free while the beaters do the hard work. This makes it easy for adding in ingredients that are extremely sticky, hot or messy.

With your stand mixer, baking and cooking become mess-free. With your stand mixer, available in nine different colors, baking and cooking become mess-free.

2. Versatility

People often think of stand mixers strictly for cakes, dough, and meringues and therefore only an occasionally used product. Yet in reality, there are so many things this essential kitchen tool is capable of creating. From pizza dough and cupcake batters to whisked eggs and mashed potatoes, you can even mix meatballs, guacamole, and frosting! There are a number of times your stand mixer comes to the rescue.

3. More Power and Control

When you use the Stand Mixer, you gain even more controlled mixing power, taking the weight off your hands and arms. With a powerful 350-watt motor, 12 different speeds and the button you can rest assure that your toughest dough will be blended perfectly. Tilt-locking head and bowl selector provide complete control and for optimal convenience while mixing. Included with the stand mixer are chrome beaters and dough hooks, both of which enable even more powerful control over your mixing. And best of all, you'll never have to worry about splattered batter with the Soft Start technology.

4. Efficiency and Reliability

Most importantly, with the Stand Mixer, you can rely on its power and performance for years to come. Built on the tradition of lasting quality, its traditional die-cast metal construction is optimal for durability.

For recipes such as whipping cream and chocolate mousse cake that require upwards of 10 minutes of mixing, the stand mixer is a trusted solution for your everyday needs. Sure you could combine the batter continuously if you're looking to give your biceps a workout, but there's a better way. Not only does it save your energy and relieve your arm muscles from all that hard work, but the stand mixer saves you from standing up mixing in your kitchen for 10 minutes straight as well. When you rely on the stand mixer you know that the job won't just get done - but that it will be a job done well, time and time again.

Hurry up to make your kitchen better!