A stand mixer is a kitchen appliance that sits on a countertop and functions independently. You don’t have to lift it or bend down to mix ingredients, and it’s great for preparing large batches of baked goods like cakes and cookies. It also comes in a variety of colors and styles, so you can find one that fits your personal taste and your kitchen decor.
The first stand mixers were released in 1922, but they didn’t start getting popular until the 1980s. American culture shifted in that time when people started to rethink feminism and domestic life, and they wanted to make cooking fun again. This paved the way for the kitchenaid stand mixer, which made home cooking easier and more accessible, Elias said.
There are many different types of stand mixers, but the most common are tilt-head models and bowl-lift styles. The tilt-head model is more compact and can work with smaller batches, while the bowl-lift style is best suited to larger batches. You can get a small, medium or large stand mixer that will fit your needs and your budget.
Some mixers are more powerful than others, depending on the recipe you’re working on. For example, if you like to bake a lot of bread or dense doughs and batters, you’ll want to get a larger motor on your mixer. This will help you get the job done faster.
Other mixers, such as hand mixers, can be better for mixing things like whipped cream and marshmallows. But, because they aren’t as strong as stand mixers, they can be less durable and more difficult to clean.
Whichever type of stand mixer you decide to get, you should make sure that it has a wide array of attachments for all your baking and cooking tasks. These can be as simple as a whisk or as complex as a spiralizer, which makes noodles out of vegetables for fancy salad garnishes.
These attachments can be expensive, but they can be worth the extra cost in the long run. They’ll save you time and energy when it comes to making food, and they’ll make your recipes more creative and delicious, too.
They also come with a warranty, which is a great bonus if you’re planning on investing in a new kitchen appliance. If something breaks on your mixer within the first year, you can return it for a replacement.
Some mixers even come with a splash guard, which helps keep your ingredients from spilling. This can be especially helpful when you’re mixing with wet ingredients, like flour or butter, which can be messy and difficult to clean.
What to Know About Care and Maintenance
While it is tempting to throw a mixer in the dishwasher, you should always wash your bowls and included attachments by hand, according to KitchenAid. This can extend the life of your mixer and ensure that it remains in good condition for a long time to come.
A good, reliable stand mixer is a must-have for any kitchen, but it’s important to take good care of yours so that it lasts you for years to come. It’s a good idea to wash your mixer every few weeks or so, and make sure to use a sponge and warm water when cleaning the beaters and attachments.