What to Look for When Buying a Stand Mixer

Stand mixers are useful for people who bake bread or cook large quantities of food that require ingredients to be mixed. Stand mixers are more stable and generally more powerful and easy to use than hand mixers. Buyers should take careful note of the capacity, size, type of attachments, and speeds offered by different models.

Capacity

The capacity of the stand mixer will determine how much a person is able to mix at a time. A bowl of 5-7 quarts is typical for most stand mixers. Also keep in mind that larger capacity mixers will be heavier. If the individual will need to take out and put away the mixer each time it is used, heavier mixers are less desirable.

Speeds

The best mixers will allow the user to change the speed at which the beaters mix. Some mixers have up to sixteen speeds, but speed on a mixer are similar to speeds on a bike - many do not get used. Also look for mixers that have a "slow start" option, meaning the beaters start slowly and gradually increase their speed so the ingredients do not splatter out of the mixing bowl.

Attachments and Beeter Types

Always examine what attachments come with the stand mixer before purchasing it. Most mixers come with a lone beater or paired beater, a whisker, and dough hooks. When examining the beaters, look for beaters that do not have a center post within the beater because this makes it much harder to clean.

References

• Choosing a Stand Mixer
• Consumer Reports Mixer Features

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