The Ultimate Guide To Mixer

A good stand mixer will take all the hard work out of baking, mixing batter and kneading dough to


Perfection in seconds, leaving you to get on with other things. But some cost more than an oven or a
Washing machine, so it is worth ensuring you are purchasing the ideal model for you before splashing out
- and checking whether it is possible to get a good mixer for less. Stand mixers (also known as kitchen machines
Or food mixers) are a excellent option for keen bakers and for anyone who wants to create cakes, bread,
Muffins, pastry and desserts without spending hours in the kitchen preparing them. Below we explain
The different types of mixer, just how much you will want to spend and features to look out for. Alternatively,
It is possible to skip straight to our list of stand mixer Best Buys to discover the models that Which?
recommends. Which mixer do I need? There are two main forms of fixed-stand food mixer. Stand mixer
- these focus on classic baking jobs using the main mixing bowl and standard attachments for whisking,

A wider variety of food processing jobs from chopping and slicing to blending and mincing meat. You
Designed to
Tackle every food preparation job in one machine, they may be good 'starter' products when you're

Stand mixer, but it's worth bearing in mind the extra options a kitchen machine will give you. You can
Find all our reviews for stand mixers and kitchen machines by heading to our stand mixer reviews. How
Much do I want to spend to acquire a fantastic mixer?
Even more if you purchase additional attachments. What you get for the extra money, Aside from a major
Extras such
As a pause or 'folding' function, or a countdown timer, are available on fancier models, along with glass
Premium models also tend to be heavier
Because of their all-metal construction, but this can help with stability. The good news is that a decent
stand mixer doesn't have to cost more than #150.

Best buying tips for stand mixers
When buying a stand mixer, make sure you consider the following: Accessories Make sure the stand
Every model should come with a dough hook
It's also
Worth looking out for the following extras: Splashguard - to cover the mixing bowl and prevent

Edge on one side of a standard beater, allowing them to scrap all the ingredients off the face of the bowl
during mixing. Food processor attachment - if you're after a machine that will slice or grate, choose a
Stand mixer that has a food processor attachment.
You'll want a stand mixer with a jug blender attachment. These can sometimes also crush ice but you'll
Need to look at this, as models vary in their capabilities. Other, less common attachments include mincers
and sausage makers, ice-cream making bowls, biscuit cutters, pasta makers and spiralizers. Mixer Size
Stand mixers can be hefty machines, so make sure you have enough kitchen counter space for the
model you choose. Think in particular about the height of any cabinets above where you'll put the stand
Mixer, which may obstruct the lever-operated arm of the mixer's top section. Also think about how
Heavy the mixer is if you'll need to move it around or store it in a cupboard. Mixing bowl size Stand
mixers generally come with larger bowls than food processors, so can struggle with smaller amounts. If
You like to make particularly big batches (more than two cakes' worth at a time), you will want to go for a
mixer with a large-capacity bowl - at least 500ml. Dishwasher safe Washing stand mixer attachments by
hand can be a bit of a faff, particularly fiddly beater attachments. Search for a model with dishwasher-safe
accessories so that cleaning will be less of a headache. It's vitally important to check the instructions
To begin with, as washing parts incorrectly in a dishwasher can cause the plastic to split. Even parts listed as
dishwasher safe can be damaged by putting them in a washing cycle that's too hot. Some
Manufacturers warn against washing in temperatures above 40°C, and to prevent the drying cycle
Altogether, which can also cause the plastic to split. Often accessories should be washed on the top shelf
Only, so ensure you check the instructions first. Storage for accessories Some food preparation
Appliances come with a wide array of accessories, which can occupy a lot of valuable kitchen storage
space. If you think this is going to be a problem, look for a model that includes a storage box or
compartment. Some are designed so that you can pack away the accessories inside the bowl. Most brands
will have spares available - handy if you lose or break an accessory. Extra beaters, whisks, spare bowls
And parts Most brands, particularly well-established ones like Kenwood and KitchenAid, will have
spares available. These are handy if you decide to buy extra attachments, or a spare bowl to save on
washing up mid-bake, and also if one of your attachments gets lost or broken. Check the instructions for
Information on where to buy spares, or look on the manufacturer's website for details of what extra
Parts and attachments are available to purchase. You can also search online for websites that specialise in
selling spare parts. Speed settings and wattage You don't need to worry too much about this, unless
You particularly need a wide assortment of speed choices. We've found that the number of speed settings
And the wattage of the machine aren't reliable indicators of quality in regards to stand mixers. So
it's worth bearing in mind more doesn't necessarily mean better. However, some more pricey mixers
have extra mixer settings worth looking out for. These include: Pause - this allows you to stop the mixer
To add ingredients, and then restart on precisely the same speed setting as opposed to starting from scratch. Fold - a
Gentle mixing motion to fold in flour to cake mixes without beating the air from the mix. Soft-start -
Even if you crank the mixer up high, it will start gently to avoid all the ingredients being flung out of the
bowl. Timer - allows you to see how long you've been mixing for.