10 Types Of Mixers And Which Are Best

There are many types of mixers. There are different kinds of mixers for different purposes. The mixer you need depends on the ingredients and type of dish you're making. This article will take a look at some popular examples, as well as a few that might be new to you:

Stand Mixer

Stand mixers are typically the largest and most powerful of all mixers. They're also the priciest, which makes them a good choice for commercial kitchens or those that want to make lots of bread dough at once.

Stand mixers attach to a stand, which helps you place it on your counter top. They come with several different types of attachments, including multiple paddles and blades. It's the best choice for doughy dishes such as breads or pizza dough.

Stand mixers are also good for sugar syrups and whipping cream. Stand mixers typically cost from $250 to $500. You can find stand-mixer attachments on eBay, as well as in specialty stores.

Hand Mixer

It's much smaller and lighter than a stand mixer, so it's ideal for smaller dishes or if you don't plan on using your mixer all that often. It's also less expensive so it's a good choice if you're on a budget. Hand mixers are easy to operate and come in handy when making small batches of foods.

Speedy prep tip: If you like baking bread, but don't want to buy a stand mixer, consider purchasing an attachment for your hand mixer. It will do the same thing, but save you some money.

and mixers are also most similar to a stand mixer in terms of appearance. It's enclosed in a plastic container, usually with buttons on the top that allow you to make your mixing job easier by selecting speeds.

Manual Mixer

If you don't have a stand mixer or hand mixer, it's the next best option. It has two blades and is great for simple recipes such as vanilla pudding. Note: manual mixers aren't commonly used in modern kitchens, but they're still an excellent choice if you need something simple to get started.

Manual mixers have a handle that you grip with one hand while turning the crank with the other. After a few pulls or turns, it will be mixing your ingredients very well. It's ideal for someone who doesn't need anything fancy and is just starting out in cooking.

Speedy prep tip: If you're manually mixing, the order in which ingredients are mixed has a big impact on the final product. It's always best to place wet ingredients first and dry ingredients last. That way, you'll get a smooth and consistent texture like we like it!

Immersion Blender 

If making soups and sauces is your thing, then this is the perfect addition to your kitchen arsenal. It has a hand-held design that allows you to blend right in the pot or pan. If you have one of these, getting a food processor would be a waste of money since it can do everything that's needed for soup.

Immersion blenders are also excellent for making smoothies, which is why they're so popular in the morning. It's not just convenient, either. Using a hand blender will leave your drink less foamy and give it that nice consistency you want. Plus, it doesn't matter if you have to use frozen fruit since it cuts back on the amount of ice you need anyway.

It's less powerful than a full-sized blender, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It will do all the basics you need without taking up space or costing too much.

Hand held immersion blenders range from $20 to $60.

Tilt-Head Mixer

This is the best of both worlds. You get the power and quality of a stand mixer, along with the affordability and portability of a hand mixer. This is ideal for people that have limited counter space or don't want to spend as much money on their mixer as they could. It's a great choice for households where more than one person cooks.

Tilt-head mixers are great, but they do take up a little more space on your counter because of the tilt-head design. It's also one of the heavier types of mixer, so you'll need to make sure that its weight isn't too much for your countertop. A sturdy stand can help with this problem.

The accessories you get with a tilt-head mixer depends on the model. They often include beater attachments such as the dough hook and flat beater, but some will come with other items too.

If you're getting a tilt-head mixer, be sure that it has enough wattage to get the job done properly. Anything over 300 watts is ideal for recipes that require lots of mixing time and effort. Stand mixers are larger than hand mixers, so they often have more wattage so they can handle tougher tasks.

Bowl-Lift Mixer

Basically, these are the exact same as other mixers—they just have a bowl-lift design. They give you more power and speed than tilt-head mixers, but come at a higher price tag.

If you find that a stand mixer is too expensive for your budget, then this option could be right up your alley. One of the only drawbacks is that bowl-lift mixers are pretty heavy as well, so make sure your countertop can handle it.

Bowl-lift mixers are a little newer on the market, but they're great if you need more power. They're also ideal for larger batches of food.

Dishwasher Safe

These are great to have if you're tired of hand washing your mixing bowl and attachments. If you use a lot of power or find yourself making soups and sauces often, then this is definitely one of the better options for your kitchen. They also make cleaning up much easier because all parts are dishwasher safe.

The only downside is that they can be more expensive than the average stand mixer. Dishwasher safe mixers are the best option if you have a dishwasher. They take care of the messiest parts of being a cook, making cleanup much faster and easier.

Flat Beater Mixer

If you're making a large batch of cakes, cookies, or even brownies, then flat beaters are your best choice. They come in handy if you need to mix several items together at the same time. Think about the last time you made chocolate chip cookies and had to stir all of the ingredients together. Using flat beaters will make this process much faster!

It's also a good choice if you have a large family. It can get tedious standing in front of the mixer for ten minutes trying to mix everything together at once, so it's nice to have help. Just remember that using multiple attachments increases your chances of getting messy, so be prepared to spend a little more time cleaning.

Flat beaters are also great if you have trouble reaching behind the bowl and need something that will reach in front. Many people don't care for this feature, though, so it's not a major selling point. It just helps to give you more control over your mixing process.

Retro Mixer

If you want to add some retro appeal to your kitchen, then a retro mixer may be right up your alley. It's a fun way to spice up what otherwise would be an ordinary looking piece of equipment. Of course, it doesn't just stop there. A retro mixer also outperforms its plain counterparts in the durability department and has the same options for attachments.

If you want something that stands out and will make your kitchen look different from everyone else's, this is the way to go. It's also a way to show your love for vintage things.

Speed Control Mixer

This is a feature that many people overlook when purchasing a mixer. As you probably know, a stand mixer has a lot of power. This can sometimes be hard for less experienced bakers to handle.

If you find yourself making a lot of cookies or cakes, then this is definitely one of the better options on the market. It's also great for people that have small children in their home. Just be prepared to spend a little more money on your mixer because this feature often increases the price tag significantly.

Speed control mixer features allow you to change the speed of your mixer and choose whether or not it should run at a higher or lower RPM.

FAQS

What should I look for when purchasing a mixer?

The speed, power, and attachments are all important factors. You shouldn't go out and buy the first mixer you see unless you know exactly what your needs are. It's also a good idea to make sure that it's a reputable brand so that you don't end up with something broken in a few months.

What makes one brand better than another?

Some are built better than others, but overall, it comes down to the reputation of the manufacturer and whether or not they offer additional warranties for their products. You should also be wary of brands that sell their mixers very cheaply because this often means that there's something wrong with the product.

Can I use a mixer for other purposes?

You can always use them for more than just baking. Some people even enjoy using them to make dough and pasta, so it's important to know how they will be used before purchasing one.

What do I need to know about attachments?

You have two basic options: the paddle and the wire whip. Paddle mixers tend to be used when you don't want any air in your mix, but if you want something fluffy, then a wire whip is definitely the way to go.

There isn't much difference between brands for these accessories, but it's always a good idea to read up on reviews and opinions from other customers before making your decision.

Does the price reflect quality?

That depends entirely on the product. Some are more expensive than others for no particular reason other than purely greed. You can find some great deals if you know where to look. Just be careful when rolling the dice, as you could end up with a lemon.

What is the best kind of bowl to purchase for my mixer?

This all depends on your individual needs. There are some great deals when it comes to sets that include bowls and attachments in one package, but if you're just looking for something simple to use, then a glass bowl is probably the way to go.

Make sure that you take everything into consideration when searching for your next mixer or bowls. If you just buy a product because it's cheap, then you're going to regret it in a few months.

It doesn't hurt to spend a little more money up front if it means that your equipment will last longer. You may even want to consider finding a local shop that specializes in high-quality mixers or bowls so you can test them out before making your purchase.

Where can I find more information about different brands of mixers and bowls?

There are plenty of resources available on the internet, but you always want to know what other people have to say about the equipment that you're thinking of buying.

You have to keep in mind that anyone can post a review on their blog, so make sure you check out the more reputable sources. If a company has been around for years and they continue to provide quality products, then they should be easy to find online.

How noisy are mixers?

This really depends on the type of mixer that you purchase. Stand mixers are known for being extremely loud, but there are also more expensive models that can be just as noisy and even have a tendency to rattle the bowls.

If you're concerned about noise, then try to find one that has some sort of sound-dampening feature. It's not the most important thing when purchasing a mixer, but it can be a big factor depending on what else is going on in the kitchen at the time.

Is there any reason to invest in more than one type of mixer?

You don't always have to own an ultra-expensive stand mixer to get your job done. You can use hand mixers for most things and then use a stand mixer for the heavy-duty stuff.

If you don't plan on doing any baking or cooking that requires anything more than light mixing, then it might not be worth your time to buy both types of mixers. However, if you're like most people who use their kitchen equipment for multiple purposes each day, then owning two types of mixers is the right choice.

Where should I buy my new mixer?

It doesn't hurt to shop around. You can find a number of independent stores that will carry the mixers and bowls that you're looking for, but it's important to do your research first so you don't roll the dice with an undesirable product.

There are also online stores that offer better quality equipment for less money than what you'll find at your local shopping center. Make sure that the store is reputable before giving them your credit card number or making a cash payment.

Conclusion

This probably isn't all of the information that you'll want to know about mixers, but it's a good start. With so many choices available on the market, you need to do your research before making any decisions. You don't want to buy something that is going to fall apart after only a few weeks or months of use.

It doesn't cost a lot of money to find the best mixers for your kitchen, but you do have to invest some time and effort. Never purchase something just because it's cheap or convenient. Make sure everything is going to work well with your current setup before pulling out your wallet.