Purchasing a Stand Mixer
Choosing the right stand mixer can transform the way you cook and bake. Whether you’re whipping up fluffy meringues, kneading bread dough, or mixing cake batter, a stand mixer makes the process faster and easier. But picking the best one can feel overwhelming with so many options on the market.
Stand mixers come in various sizes, styles, and price ranges, each designed to meet different needs. Some feature powerful motors for heavy-duty tasks, while others focus on sleek designs and versatility. Before you invest, it’s important to understand what you’ll use it for and what features matter most to you.
For example, are you a bread enthusiast who needs a mixer with a strong motor and a sturdy dough hook? Or do you prefer baking cookies and cakes, where a lighter model with a whisk and paddle attachment will do the trick? Perhaps you want extra features like a pasta maker or food processor attachment to expand your culinary possibilities.
In this post, you’ll learn how to evaluate stand mixers based on performance, capacity, and durability. By the end, you’ll know how to choose the perfect mixer for your kitchen, helping you create delicious results with ease. Let’s get started!
What Is a Stand Mixer?
A stand mixer is a powerful kitchen appliance that simplifies mixing, whipping, and kneading. It features a motorized base, a stationary mixing bowl, and interchangeable attachments like beaters, whisks, and dough hooks. The mixer operates hands-free, allowing you to multitask while handling heavy lifting.
A stand mixer adapts to different tasks with adjustable speeds and various attachments. It can whip cream, beat eggs, mix cake batter, or knead dough for bread and pizza. Many models also accommodate additional tools, such as pasta rollers, meat grinders, or spiralizers, making it a versatile kitchen companion.
Thanks to their ability to maintain even mixing and blending, stand mixers excel at providing consistent results. Their sturdy design prevents wobbling, even with thick doughs or large batches. Whether you’re a casual home cook or a passionate baker, a stand mixer streamlines your workflow and ensures professional-level results every time.
Do I 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
Mix 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.
4 Responses
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
Yes, very useful article, I agree the stand mixer for mixing heavy duty, thank you I will read your review
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.
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.