How to Choose the Best Mixers?
Table of Contents
Top Best Mixers Based on Reviews and Price
How to Choose a Mixer?
Whether for beating, stirring or whisking while baking, making fresh pasta or ice cream, mixers are becoming a useful tool for culinary activities. These handy tools can speed up meal preparation while retaining all the nutrition (including fiber) available in food.
However, the popularity of these products has given rise to a wide range of options on the market. Hence, choosing the best mixer to satisfy your needs can be complicated. To make shopping easier and to get the ideal model, we have analyzed the advantages and downsides of each type.
These are followed by the features you should watch out for.
8 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Mixer
1. Different Types of Mixers
Electric Mixer
An electric mixer may also be called an electric whisk. It is a popular food processor that automatically beats with a pair of whisks, or a pair of hooks to mix cooking ingredients. To use it, you just need to connect the electric wire to the mains, then press the buttons.
An electric mixer can be operated with one hand. There is a mini electric mixer for people who want a compact device. It is recommended to use a bowl when using an electric mixer.
Mixer/Blender
The mixer/blender is a 2-in-1 multifunctional device. It combines the functions of an electric mixer and an electric blender to make all types of preparations. In addition to two slots for integrating the whisk and hook rods, it is possible to insert a mixer tip. Depending on your model, the integration of the tips to the mixer is done with a sheet system (a flat tip) or propellers.
Hand Mixer
What sets the hand mixer apart is its elongated shape. This ergonomic device allows it to be used in any container, which makes it very practical.
In addition, it allows you to reduce the dishes that you have to do after making your recipe. The beater mixer requires a single tip that is installed at the end of the mixer stand. It is an easy-to-use mixer thanks to its compact design.
Stand Mixers with a Bowl
These are usually larger mixers that have an integrated bowl. These baking robots are much easier and more comfortable to use since they are used when placed flat. There are even electric beaters with a rotating bowl.
These are more efficient and allow you to benefit from a much faster preparation. Please note that this is much more than a simple pastry robot since it enables you to prepare many different dishes.
Multifunction Food Processor
This works as a blender, chopper, and electric mixer. It is a device quite similar to an electric mixer with a bowl. However, it is generally much more versatile. It can also be used to beat eggs, but it can also be used as a chopper or blender.
This type of food processor has an integrated bowl and a movable arm, much like an electric potato masher. You should use it while it is placed on a table or work surface.
2. The Types of Materials
You will have the choice between a plastic or a glass bowl.
- The plastic one is certainly less expensive and has less risk of breakage. But it remains more fragile and difficult to maintain.
- A thick glass bowl is, therefore, more advisable because it resists shock and temperature differences very well.
Then there are the stainless steel and anodized aluminum mixers which are the most aesthetic of all. However, it all depends on the decor you want to bring to your kitchen.
3. The Bowl Capacity and Blade
That you have invested in a luxurious Bosch mixer doesn’t mean that everything you prepare with it will come out as perfect as you want. In fact, most large bowls do not allow food to be mixed in small quantities since they can end up under the blades.
Opt for smaller bowls for mixing dry ingredients in particular, and conversely, a taller and larger bowl for liquid preparations. Thus, the capacity of the bowl is to be adapted according to your needs. It can range from 0.8 liters to 2 liters.
Certain machine models can, however, be combined with several bowls of different sizes to allow various uses. But it’s not just the capacity of the container. Not all mixers or blenders have the same bowl. The best mixers are designed in ingenious shapes that facilitate not only the mixing of food but also the transfer of the preparation obtained from them.
Note that the models with blades screwed to the bowl are the most practical for recovering the remains around the blades. You will also choose serrated or bifunctional blades, depending on whether you only want them to chop, cut and mix, or whether they can pound, grind, chop and emulsify.
4. Commercial Countertops or Home-use Hand/Stand Mixer?
Buying a good mixer starts with defining the use you plan to make of the appliance before choosing a given model. Both of these machines can be used to beat eggs and cream, mix your bread dough, cake batter, frosting or cookie dough.
Choose a commercial countertop mixer in case you plan to use this device in a restaurant or for your large family.
Also, if you plan to use this device to mix only a limited amount of food, then it would be a good idea to opt for a hand or stand mixer that is smaller, compact and less expensive. This model works with a moderate level of power.
The hand mixer is also easier to handle, compact and less expensive while remaining powerful enough to mix smaller quantities of food or for occasional use. However, the hand mixer doesn’t come with a mixing or rotating bowl. But it is well inexpensive than the latter.
5. The Power of the Mixer
The power of a home-use mixer should normally vary between 100 watts to 750 watts for a standard model. By choosing a model with power within this range, you can have a satisfactory quality of mixture depending on the type of food to be mixed.
However, you can also go beyond 750 watts. This is if you plan to use this device for professional use, for which the saving of time is important. For this purpose, a mixer with power within the range of 600 watts and 1000 watts will be much more recommended.
6. Operating Speed
Some mixer models allow you to prepare your food with only one speed while others come with variable speeds. However, it’s ideal to choose a model capable of operating at least two different speed levels if you plan to use the device for different types of preparation.
But if you only plan to use it for one type of preparation, one-speed levels may be enough to get the desired result. On the operating speed, anything between 1,100 to 2,000 revolution per minute (RPM) will be sufficient.
7. Level of Ergonomics
This criterion refers to the general ease of use. You have to give special importance to certain elements such as the weight of the base of your device. A mixer must indeed be perfectly stable when mixing food, hence the need for a fairly heavy base.
It would also be great if it has an easy-to-remove cover to avoid splashing when opened. You should also choose models with the presence of a measuring cap. Hence, you won’t have to open the lid completely to add liquid or ingredients to your preparation when the appliance is on.
Finally, assess the mixer’s performance based on the noise it makes. The noise level of this device can determine the users’ comfort and health during use. In any case, the noise level should not exceed 70dB.
8. Accessories and Options
Manufacturers offer endless options and accessories on each model of the mixers. It is, therefore, essential to determine which ones you will need the most to facilitate the daily use of the device. You can, for example, choose a model equipped with a pusher, a tap, non-slip feet, an ergonomic handle, different types of bowls or even a filter.
On the other hand, many people prefer a silent mixer. They prefer a model with the pulse function, equipped with several adjustable speeds, a timer, and different integrated programs. And if the removable accessories can be washed in the dishwasher, that’s a plus!
So many options can make the difference between one mixer model and another. It’s up to you to select the ones that are most useful to you
Wrapping Up
To choose your mixer model, you must take into account the use you intend to make of it. Going forward, we saw some factors you will need to consider when purchasing a reliable and high-performance mixing machine. These include the power and operating speed, the integration of a bowl, the construction material and other in-built and on-body functionalities. There are powerful models that have sophisticated settings.
For kitchen uses, opt for a simple-to-use mixer instead. Choose a device that is simple to adjust with buttons that are easy to handle. Aside from the settings, also take into account its ease of cleaning and maintenance as this prolongs its durability.
By ensuring your choice of mixers is integrated with these features and criteria, you have an increased chance of getting the best mixer for the kitchen.
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