Many committed chefs and busy cooks will tell you that there is no comparison between hand mixers and stand mixers. Other cooks will tell you that there is little difference between the two. If you do a lot of cooking, you’ll probably side with the first group because you know that being tied to any appliance while you use it (as is the case with the hand-held model) is an inconvenience that just isn’t acceptable. You need to be in six places at once while you’re cooking and having to keep starting and stopping one appliance while you tend to another is just not practical, especially if you are working on a meringue or some other recipe where timing is key to the dish’s success.
That these kitchen gems have been in existence and in constant use since 1908 is a testament to their versatility and utility. Starting as a commercial appliance for bakers, it took 11 years before a home version was introduced. Since that day, the product has been refined and redesigned a number of times, but the basic profile of the home model is still very much the same as it was in 1919.
Stand mixers are actually just hand mixers that are attached to weighted bases. This gives the cook freedom of motion, making it possible for him/her to use the appliance while tending to other tasks in the kitchen. This is particularly helpful when a batter needs to mix for more than 5 minutes. That’s a long time for a cook to be stationary in the kitchen when there are other dishes that demand your attention.
When the inventor started marketing attachments, these products became more “food preparation centers” than single purpose appliances. Now there are pasta makers that allow you to create your own spaghetti or raviolis, grinders that let you create your own sausages, and even mill your own grains. If you’re into natural products, you can purchase juicers to squeeze your own fresh fruit juice in the morning. When you squeeze it yourself, you can be sure there are no preservatives or pesticides making their way onto your family’s table.
If you’re unsure which of these products best meets your specific needs, take some time to go online and look at the product features, accessories, value, and dimensions. Investing a little time in research can help you narrow your choices. For more information, take some time to visit an online site for a stand mixer review. Sites such as Consumer Reports offer side-by-side comparisons of the top models and their many attachments. Often times, the site will also give its recommendations for best value, reliability, and versatility.
Many of these sites also have a section for consumer reviews—these reviews can be particularly helpful as they are from real people that have actually used the product in a home situation. They give the pros and the cons for each model, and can offer some honest personal insights that retailers aren’t always so willing to share. Having all the data in front of you can help you make the right decision about the appliance that best fits your particular needs. After just a short time, you’ll realize that these appliances are a “must have” in most busy kitchens.