Mixer buying
guide
For
whipping, pureeing, and a host of other food prep tasks, a reliable mixer is
essential. The market is divided into hand mixers and stand mixers that range
in price from $10 to $400.
Just about any stand or hand mixer will do
for simple chores. Hand mixers cost less but don't do as well at heavy-duty
tasks such as mixing dough. A few models we tested did a good job when we used
their dough hooks, though.
If you're buying a hand mixer, look for
one that comes with extra attachments. A separate whisk makes whipping easier.
Wire beaters are easier to clean than traditional center-post beaters. In
addition, mixers with slow start-up are less likely to cause splatters.
Stand mixers are the go-to
appliance for mixing big batches of cookie dough, kneading bread dough, and
whipping cream until it's light and airy. For an extra $60 to $140, you can add
attachments that transform the mixer into a grinder, ice-cream machine,
or fresh-pasta maker.
Our tests showed considerable differences in how well particular models of
hand and stand mixers performed. And while manufacturers stress wattage and
number of speeds, neither figure necessarily translates into better
performance. Use this mixers guide to help your buying decision.
Types
Match
the machine to the way you prepare foods. You might find you need more than
one. Which food-prep appliance best suits your style and the foods you prepare?
Hand mixers can handle light chores such as whipping cream or mixing cake batter.
And powerful stand mixers
are ideal for cooks who make bread and cookies from scratch. Here are the type of
mixers to consider.
Stand mixers
These are best for almost
everything a hand
mixer does, plus mixing cookie dough and bread dough. Their drawbacks are
that they are heavier and take up more counter space. Make sure you'll have
enough clearance in the "up" position if it will be sitting on a
countertop below an overhanging cupboard.
Stand mixers work in
different ways. Some use two beaters, which spin against each other. Others use
one beater, which spins in one direction and moves around the bowl the opposite
way.
Light-duty stand mixers
typically have stationary beaters and a bowl that sits on a revolving
turntable. The bowl sometimes needs a push to keep spinning.
With most stand mixers,
you tilt the mixer head up to remove the beater(s) or bowl; but on some models,
you crank a lever that lifts or lowers the bowl.
Attachments
Stand mixers generally
come with one bowl and either single or paired beaters, whisks and dough hooks.
Speed
Some stand mixers have as many
as 16 speeds and some hand
mixers have nine or so speed settings. We think that three
well-differentiated speeds are sufficient. The slower the lowest speed, the
better, as slow speeds prevent spattering. Some hand mixers have a "slow
start" feature, but you can achieve the same result by manually stepping
through three or so speeds.
Easy-to-read controls
With some of the
inexpensive hand mixers we tested, the switch you use to select speeds didn't
line up well with the speed markings.
Locking power heads
You should be able to lock
a mixer's power head in the "up" position so it won't crash into the
bowl when the beaters are weighed down with dough. You should also be able to
lock it in the down position so beaters don't ride up in the bowl when tackling
stiff dough.
Original from: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/mixers/buying-guide.htm
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