Which Stand Mixer Is Right for You

So, you’ve had enough of your hand mixer and you want to upgrade it to a stand mixer? Or, maybe you’ve not fully explored the options for stand mixers and are wondering whether they’re worth it? We’ve written a few guides on electric hand mixers and stand mixers to help you get an appliance that works for you.

If you haven’t yet decided on whether you’d like to upgrade your hand mixer, please have a read through our guide on Stand Mixers v. Hand Mixers. It’s full of information and gives comparisons between the two appliances to help you on your mixer-journey!

What is the best stand mixer for home use?

It entirely depends on your lifestyle and cooking habits. If you’re a keen cook or love to bake, you’ll want to invest in a high-quality product. If you’re looking for a stand mixer that covers the bare minimum, you’ll be able to get away with purchasing a decent stand mixer at a lower price.

It’s important to note that the cheapest stand mixers aren’t reflected in the durability of the product. Stand mixers vary in price; mainly because of their capabilities. You may find a really expensive, all-singing-all-dancing machine, but if you barely use it, what’s the point in spending that extra cash when a cheaper version would have sufficed?

Before you purchase a stand mixer, you need to think about what you’ll be using it for, how often you’ll use it, and your budget. From here, you can narrow down the categories so you don’t get overwhelmed with choice.

What size stand mixer do I need?

Again, this comes down to personal preference but you also need to consider what you’ll be using it for and your storage options. If you have limited storage space, you’ll need to purchase a smaller stand mixer however, if you don’t mind the stand mixer living on your countertop then the size won’t matter.

Our smallest stand mixer is the KitchenAid Mini Tilt-Head Stand Mixer which has a capacity of 3.3 litres. This stand mixer is able to hold the following weights and ingredients:

  • All-purpose flour: 680g
  • Mashed potato: 2000g
  • Cake 1800g

The largest stand mixer that we stock is the KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer or the KitchenAid Heavy Duty Stand Mixer. Both have a capacity of 6.9 litres. These stand mixers are able to hold the following weights and ingredients:

  • All-purpose flour: 2200g
  • Whole wheat flour: 1750g
  • Bread dough: 3800g
  • Mashed potato: 3600g
  • Cake: 4500g

How many watts should a stand mixer have?

Stand mixers need to have a watt measurement of 250 or higher. If you want to create more than a thin batter, you need to have a higher watt.

Our smallest stand mixer has 250 watts of power. Our most powerful stand mixers have a wattage of 800. If you want a stand mixer with high wattage, have a browse through our Smeg stand mixers.

Can I use a stand mixer instead of a bread machine?

You can use a stand mixer instead of a bread machine however it’s important to note that a stand mixer doesn’t bake the bread. If you don’t want to purchase a bread machine because of its limited use and you have an oven, purchase a stand mixer and create the bread with it, then pop your bread mixture into the oven. If you want an appliance that will bake the bread for you as well, a stand mixer isn’t the right option.

Can I use a stand mixer to knead dough?

Yes, you can. The majority of stand makers come with an attachment for kneading dough. When doing your research into stand mixers, you need to make sure that it comes with a dough hook attachment. A dough hook looks a lot like a metal hook however, they can be a spiral shape with a slight hook at the end, too.

For a more in-depth look at the attachment, please take a look at our Stand Mixer Attachments Explained guide.

What is the best stand mixer for making bread?

If your stand mixer comes with a bread hook attachment then it’ll be great for making bread. However, you want to look out for what the attachments are made from and the capacity that the bowl can hold.

For all bakers, ideally, you’ll want the bread hook attachment to be made from metal. For bakers who want to make multiple batches at once, capacity is going to be a huge deal-breaker for you. The best stand mixer for multiple batches of bread will have a large capacity as well as metal attachments.

Conclusion

Stand mixers are a great kitchen appliance; they’re versatile and durable however, they are costly when compared to a hand mixer.

It’s important that you take into consideration all the pros and cons of a stand mixer before you make an investment in one.
In our opinion, stand mixers make a great addition to any kitchen. If you’d like to take a look at our range of stand mixers, please do so!

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