Any housewife will appreciate the presence of a mixer at home in the kitchen. It will make it easier to mix or whisk different ingredients when preparing food. But in stores there is such a large selection of these devices that it is difficult to understand how to choose a mixer, on which manufacturer to stop, what functions and capabilities may be useful, how not to overpay for unnecessary bells and whistles.
What is a mixer and what is it for
What is it for in the kitchen? To whisk or stir different foods. But do not confuse it with a blender, as it is faster, more powerful and converts food into an even mass with sharp blades. Compared to a mixer, it is less powerful, it has no blades.
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In stores, you can find two types of such devices: some are called manual, and others are stationary. They look different: their difference is not only in power, but also in size. The main advantage of devices with a bowl is that they are more powerful and work better, since they have a more efficient motor. Hand-held models are no worse, and in some cases even better. They are small in size and therefore can be used almost anywhere. But at the same time, they are less powerful in terms of power, since the engine is hidden in a more compact housing.
Some distinguish a third type of mixer with a bowl - mixed. This is when a special stand for it comes with the handheld device. This model is convenient in many cases. If you need to quickly mix or whip something, then it is not necessary to get the entire structure.
How does he work
The main device in the mixer is the mains-powered motor. The main task is to mix different foods during cooking. The first such devices were large and took up a lot of space. For this reason, they were only used in production. But in the 50s they became much cheaper and became widespread.
How to choose a mixer and which is better for the kitchen: stationary with a bowl or manual?
The main ones are mixers with a bowl and stand or without a bowl. The former can be classified as stationary, while the others are manual. Already by the name you can guess what their main difference is. The hand mixer during operation must be constantly held by hand, while the stationary mixer works automatically without any assistance. Therefore, most people prefer stationary models, as they are more powerful and do not require constant monitoring of the work. But the price for such a device will be much higher.
To make a choice in favor of a certain type and decide which is better, try to imagine how it will be more convenient for you to mix the necessary components. If you want to keep it in your hand all the time and control the process yourself, then there is no point in paying more for a stationary model. The result will be the same anyway, so start from your desires and habits.
The hand mixer has another important plus. It is easy to clean and wash up in a few minutes. This is all possible thanks to its compact size. But, in contrast to the stationary one, there is a plus, which the manual one is deprived of. During work, you can do any other business in the kitchen and thereby save time on the cooking process.
If the choice of a mixer was nevertheless stopped on a stationary model, it is important to take into account the volume of the bowl. Better to take with a bowl of maximum volume. But keep in mind that such a device will take up more space. Such a bowl will be up to 2.5 liters. Another characteristic of the bowl is the actual volume. It refers to the amount of product that can be mixed so that the mixture does not splatter. This volume will be less and will be about 1.5-2 liters.
Consider how much bowl is suitable for which dishes:
- 1 liter. In a bowl of this size, you can mainly cook only sauces or omelets;
- 2 liters. A bowl of this size will already be enough to knead the dough or whip the puree. But there are few models with such a bowl on sale;
- 3 liters. The most popular and versatile option. This volume is enough for the preparation of any dishes;
- more than 3 liters. Such a volume of expensive and powerful devices. But on the other hand, they are particularly reliable and are designed for frequent and active use.
The very material from which the bowl is made is also very important. Stands made of quality material do not crack or scratch, they are environmentally friendly. The main materials are plastic, glass or metal. The main advantage of plastic is its light weight. But low strength suggests more careful handling. Metal is more expensive in price, but it will also be more reliable in strength. Glass is considered the most environmentally friendly material, but also the most fragile.
There are also upgraded options on sale. In such devices, in addition to the attachments themselves, the bowl itself rotates. Moreover, it can rotate along a wide variety of trajectories. Although the price for such a device is higher, the components will be mixed more thoroughly.
Before buying, pay attention to the material from which the device is made. If the case is plastic, it is necessary to inspect for cracks or notches in it. Such places will become dirty, they will not be able to be cleaned. For this reason, a metal body is more desirable.
Buy models from well-known manufacturers only:
- Vitek. They are attracted by good design, quality of workmanship and the presence of a large number of functions at a low price;
- Polaris. Sleek, easy to operate, multifunctional, have a durable body;
- Bosch. Fast, quiet in operation, convenient size and with a rotating bowl;
- Bork. Professional models with stylish looks, quiet operation and powerful engine;
- Moulinex. This company stands out for its high reliability and long service life;
- Scarlett. Suitable for daily use, are the best option for the kitchen at home;
- Supra. Simple and inexpensive devices without unnecessary bells and whistles.
Power selection
The power of the device is directly related to the speed of work. But at the same time, this parameter indicates the amount of energy consumed. The more power, the better the devices are at mixing thick dough, because the mixing takes place at high speed. On average, for hand mixers, the power ranges from 160 to 400 watts, and for stationary mixers it can reach up to 1000 watts.
If you are planning to cook batter or cream, you can buy a model with a power of no more than 300 watts. To be able to whip marshmallows, a thicker and more powerful dough, consider options from 250 watts and above.
How to use the attachments
Together with the mixer comes from at least two attachments and more. These are various corollas and spirals. One nozzle is for whipping, and the other is for mixing the components. It is important to pay attention not to the shape of the attachments and the method of operation, but to what material the attachments are made of and how reliable they are.
There are often different attachments for preparing a mass of different products. A special nozzle, with the help of which it is possible to whip mashed potatoes in order to obtain a uniform mass without lumps. There are nozzles with which to prepare mixtures or purees for children from various fruits and vegetables. Including a special attachment can go to the device to grind products using a removable knife made of stainless steel. It can be useful if you need to chop onions, garlic, or other foods.
Required functions
Mixers usually have a large number of different speed settings. The cheaper ones have at least 3 modes. If we consider options for the middle price range and above, then in such models there may be 10 or even more speed modes. To make it easier to select the correct speed, you can refer to the pictures on the device. They will tell you which mode is best for a particular dish.
For faster preparation of the desired mixture, some models have a useful "Turbo-mode" function. When this function is activated, the mixer power, i.e. the speed, increases for a short period of time. This function can be useful if you need to quickly crush the lumps that remain during normal operation. The “impulse” mode works in a similar way. The main point of this mode is that the more the button is pressed, the more power and faster it works.
Explore the characteristics and choose a mixer with the following functions:
- ejection of nozzles;
- protection against overheating and clogging.
The button “eject attachments” will be very convenient. And the “overvoltage protection” function may be needed at the moment, if you are too carried away with the preparation of the mass and the mixer has been in operation at high power for a very long time. If the engine overheats or the attachments get stuck, it will shut off and will not malfunction.
Some devices have the function of moving the attachments up and down. There is no need to overpay for this feature if you do not need it.
For more comfortable use, make sure that the mixer has a rubber handle and a special compartment in which the cord will be hidden. A big plus will be the presence in the kit of various spatulas, measuring cups and brushes for cleaning. But use them for their intended purpose in strict accordance with the instructions.
Proper maintenance of your mixer
If the material of the attachments is normal and may rust, wash them separately. Stand mixers are often sold with aluminum attachments. This metal can become discolored after washing in the dishwasher. If the material of the tips looks like plastic, then most likely it is aluminum, which has been specially coated. In such cases, it is also prohibited to use a dishwasher for washing.
The mixer body itself cannot be washed under water, therefore it is wiped with a damp soft cloth or sponge. The valve is cleaned with a toothbrush or toothpick. But after that, be sure to blow it through to remove the debris. If there are children in the house, try to move it away.
Operating rules
Use the standard attachments only for whipping batter or cream. Never try to knead dough with it. If it gets thick or hard, the engine will burn out. Also, the mixer can easily overheat if you use a regular vegetable knife to puree solid foods. This knife is only intended for vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers or others. When preparing food, keep your hair away from the attachments.
Despite all the tips, it is useful to read the instructions for use before use in order to know the features of a particular model. And reviews on the Internet will allow you to find out the main advantages, disadvantages or features of use. Thus, you will learn how to choose the right mixer for your kitchen. After that, you will know which parameters of the electrical appliance are especially important and you will be able to purchase the most suitable model both in online stores and in household appliances stores in your city, without overpaying for unnecessary functions.
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