I’ll say it proper up entrance: a hand mixer deserves a spot in your kitchen. Designed to expertly mix cookie dough and aerate cake batters, at the moment’s variations are a far cry from the rotary beaters of bygone eras. The latest fashions embrace expertise and comfort, and are speedier and extra highly effective than their predecessors, simply whipping egg whites or heavy cream into lofty peaks.
Whereas a stand mixer reigns supreme in terms of extra difficult baking endeavors, meals journalist Deanna Fox, a cooking faculty proprietor for 10 years, says it’s overkill for easy duties. “Muffins, brownies, and mushy cookie doughs all do exactly nice with the ability of a three-speed hand mixer,” she explains. “I feel a hand mixer retains baked items tender and makes mushy pillows of cream, as a substitute of globs which might be 30 seconds away from butter. Plus, many kitchens aren’t sufficiently big to justify a stand mixer for informal baking.”
Although hand mixers might really feel like much less of a dedication, it is best to nonetheless select properly. The number of choices makes it straightforward to spend slightly or fairly a bit. The frequency with which you bake and what you bake ought to assist dictate the kind that most accurately fits your wants. That will help you determine, I examined completely different fashions, and spoke with specialists throughout the spectrum. Listed here are our seven favorites in the marketplace.
Options to Hold in Thoughts
Pace and Energy
Hand mixers are usually categorized by their pace choices, some with as few as three and others boasting as many as 9. The vast majority of mixers are electrical, weigh in at 4 kilos or much less, and are appropriate with any appropriately-sized bowl. The facility vary for good-quality hand mixers is between 200 and 250 watts. Optimally, a hand mixer will begin working slowly—a gradual build-up that forestalls elements from splattering out of the bowl—finally reaching a robust excessive pace.
Increased-end fashions comfortably reduce by way of dense batters and bread doughs, nevertheless it’s essential to do not forget that hand mixers are historically geared in direction of lighter, shorter duties than these carried out by a heavy-duty stand mixer. And earlier than you whip yours out for the primary time, at all times learn the person guide. Each one is completely different, so it’s greatest to acquaint your self with the particulars earlier than diving in.
Attachments
Hand mixers often embrace two metallic beater attachments. Some fashions provide whisk attachments, and others would possibly embrace a pair of dough hooks. For individuals who get pleasure from frothy scorching chocolate or Dalgona-style espresso, search for fashions that supply a mixing rod. Relying on the producer, some attachments will be bought individually.
Upkeep
These small home equipment are fairly low upkeep; because the attachments will be faraway from the physique, they permit for simple clean-up. Whereas some components are dishwasher protected, others require hand-washing. Moreover, various mixers at the moment are outfitted with a storage bin or sack that homes the mixer with the attachments.
Stand Mixers vs. Hand Mixers
Customers typically assume that stand and hand mixers are interchangeable; they aren’t. Earlier than buying, ask your self how typically you envision utilizing a mixer and what sorts of batters you are inclined to favor. In case you are a severe bread baker, cheesecake maker, or cookie professional who bakes a number of occasions per week, then a stand mixer could be higher suited to your wants. For bakers trying to whip up the occasional batch of snickerdoodles, a tray of brownies, layer cake, or bowl of frosting, hand mixers are completely able to performing these duties. Moreover, hand mixers can work in tandem with stand mixers; for instance, whereas a stand mixer is thrashing cake batter, a hand mixer can be utilized to combine up the frosting.
Contemplate measurement and luxury, too: Not like heavy stand mixers, which require prime kitchen counter actual property, hand mixers take up minimal area, are transportable, and considerably lighter. When you plan to go handheld, it’s essential to discover a mixer that you may maintain with a relaxed grip and that may work with both hand. The main points will finally improve your baking expertise.
Our Prime Picks
Greatest General: KitchenAid 9-Speed Digital Hand Mixer
KitchenAid’s top-of-the-line handheld choice presents greater than substantial energy and beauty. Two turbo beaters, a whisk, two dough hooks, and a mixing rod present loads of mixing choices, plus a nifty storage bag retains all the things collectively. The facility lock secures the wire in place on both the precise or left facet (your selection), protecting it out of the fray. Weighing in at simply two kilos, this mixer is snug, impressively highly effective, and obtainable in 5 colours. Designed with a no-tip function, these of us who zip round a kitchen respect that it stays regular when standing upright. This mannequin stays quiet even because it breezes by way of cookie doughs, batters, heavy cream, and egg whites.
Greatest Worth: Hamilton Beach Professional 7-Speed Electric Hand Mixer
With loads of speeds to sort out a large number of duties, this was the primary hand mixer I bought with rubberized beaters. Even after a number of years, they’re nonetheless completely intact. Ultimate to be used in a ceramic bowl or stockpot, it’s nice for whipping up mashed potatoes and durable sufficient to distribute dried fruit by way of oatmeal cookie dough.
Although weighty at nearly 4 kilos, its ergonomic grip makes it snug and straightforward to carry, and for its measurement, it doesn’t sound like an airplane about to take flight. I’ve used the whisk and dough hooks on extra events than I may have imagined, leaving my stand mixer jealously watching from the sidelines. I’m a fan of its lockable swivel wire and the quick-release set off that removes beaters. The attachments will be saved beneath the mixer in a snap-on case, however be forewarned: it’s a bit fiddly. Go for this one in black over silver for fewer fingerprints.
Greatest No-Frills: KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer
I love this little mixer—it has stood the take a look at of time, even in a high-volume bakery. I’ve relied on this five-speed surprise for years, witnessing it whip up heavy cream and meringue on the fly, and even whirling its manner by way of commercial-size batches of pour-and-bake pie fillings (sure, even Thanksgiving pumpkin).
The highly effective motor begins gradual, builds to a comfortably excessive pace, is simple on the fingers, and fast to scrub. The chrome steel turbo beaters are the only attachments—however truthfully, they’re all that you just want. It is available in a crayon-box value of colours and because it’s obtainable at a snug worth level, that is the one I really like to provide as a present.
Greatest Cordless: KitchenAid 7-Speed Cordless Hand Mixer
For anybody with a compact kitchen or a scarcity of retailers, this hand mixer is certainly a dream come true. I used to be initially skeptical of a battery-reliant mixer, however after experimenting with two completely different cordless fashions, I used to be bought on this one. I just like the gradual stir choice for protecting all of your elements within the bowl, and for a small mixer, this does a nice job on light-weight batters (e.g. cookie doughs, brownies, 1-2-3-4 desserts).
The cordless comfort of whipping seven-minute frosting proper over a double boiler makes it definitely worth the worth; ditto for meringue. A number of phrases on the battery: Give your self loads of time, not less than two hours, to totally cost it. (For these of us which may go away issues for the final minute, there’s a 10-minute fast cost choice.) Pay strict consideration to the battery indicator mild, which helps you to know when it’s time to dock it—however doesn’t go away it sitting on the charger for days on finish.
Greatest Splurge: Dualit Professional Hand Mixer
The highly effective Dualit Skilled is a smooth little quantity with 4 speeds and a 300-watt motor which means enterprise. It’s snug to carry, if slightly weighty, surprisingly quiet, and well-equipped to sort out quite a few duties. I’m a fan of the flat blade beaters despite the fact that they could be thought of old style; they’re as much as most mixing, mixing, and beating challenges. Bonus factors for attachments, like a balloon whisk and pair of dough hooks, made from sturdy chrome steel. Certainly one of its most talked about options is the retractable energy wire that stows away into the rear of the mixer (admittedly, not with out a little little bit of coaxing). The no-nonsense eject button releases attachments on cue and the flat again sits handily on the counter.
Greatest Particulars: Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed Hand Mixer
Typically the little issues make an equipment stand out, which is the case with the Cuisinart Energy Benefit Plus. Speeds are illuminated by a transparent LCD show, and the mixer will be navigated comfortably with one hand; a swivel wire makes it straightforward for each right-handed and left-handed use. I respect a mixer that stands squarely on the countertop with out wobbling, as this one does. Be aware of the automated suggestions function which supplies a mechanism that makes energy changes primarily based on utilized stress. The mixer features a pair of beaters, a chef’s whisk, two dough hooks, and a spatula, all of that are dishwasher protected. I favored the choice of blending thick doughs with both the beaters or switching over to the dough hooks.
Although not as quiet as some hand mixers, 220 watts of energy and its ease of operation can’t be ignored. Every thing is backed by a three-year guarantee, and it will probably all be housed in a plastic storage container. I counsel choosing the white end, which is much less more likely to present stains and cleans up handily.
Greatest Retro Design: Russell Hobbs 4-Speed Retro Style Hand Mixer
This quirky, old style design is snug to grip and presents 4 speeds, plus a turbo enhance. Outfitted with two conventional beaters, two dough hooks, and a whisk, the attachments are dishwasher protected and the cherry pink colour is definitely eye-catching. Higher suited to fast, lighter mixes, it’s surprisingly adept for many small duties and comes with a two-year producer guarantee. At this worth level, it’s best fitted to informal bakers searching for a primary hand mixer.
Ask the Consultants
With what kind of bowls can I exploit a hand mixer?
Stainless-steel mixing bowls, glass bowls created from heat-resistant, tempered glass, and ceramic bowls are all appropriate. Ceramic bowls, nevertheless, are vulnerable to chipping and scratching and are higher paired with a hand-held mixer that makes use of rubberized beaters. Plastic bowls can be utilized in a pinch however are typically too light-weight to deal with mixing. Deeper bowls are most well-liked to stop splashing. Keep in mind to stabilize your bowl by setting it down on high of a barely damp kitchen towel, improve speeds progressively, circle the bowl with the mixer, and take the time to show off the mixer and scrape down the edges.
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