A stand mixer food grinder is an essential kitchen appliance. It’s powerful enough to quickly whisk, beat and whip up a storm in the kitchen. They are also a great appliance for keen bakers, as they can mix up large quantities in less time. They make preparing mixtures easy by eliminating manual effort. It can be confusing to choose the right stand mixer with so many options available on the market. Doing some research and learning about some basic factors can help you make the right choice.
We also have a stand mixer buying guide that will help learn more about these mixers.
Top 4 Stand Mixer Food Grinder
KitchenAid 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
KitchenAid 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer’s reviews claim that it features 10-speed slide control that ranges from a very fast whip to a very slow stir. It comes with a power hub that allows for additional attachments. This model is equipped with unique mixing action that offers quick and efficient mixing results.
Dash Stand Mixer
Dash Stand Mixer offers a 250-watt motor and 6-speed options ranging from low to high to whip. Its compact size saves valuable storage space. The fully tilting motorhead of this mixer makes removing the mixing bowl easy. Its retro design and variety of trendy colors options will accent any kitchen.
Hamilton Beach 6 Speed Electric Stand Mixer
Hamilton Beach 6 Speed Electric Stand Mixer’s reviews show that its built-in powerful motor provides stable and efficient mixing. This model is equipped with a tilt-up head that allows adding ingredients easily. All the attachments of this mixer are dishwasher-safe that allow easy cleaning.
Cuisinart 5-1/2-Quart 12-Speed Stand Mixer
Cuisinart 5-1/2-Quart 12-Speed Stand Mixer is made of durable die-cast metal. It offers 12 speeds and a 5-1/2-quart stainless-steel bowl. This model also comes with slow-start and gentle-fold functions. It comes with a whisk, flat mixing paddle, dough hook, and splashguard.
Things To Consider Before You Buy A Stand Mixer Food Grinder
Bowl Size
Smaller bowl sizes vary between 4.5- to 5.5-quart capacities. If you’re a casual baker or plan on only operating your mixer sometimes, a smaller bowl size will fulfill most of your requirements. If you’re planning on making bigger recipes, bulkier doughs, or plan on using your mixer frequently for a variety of projects, consider stepping your bowl size up to a 6- to 8-quart mixing bowl.
Power
You should also scale the power of your stand mixer to the volume and type of projects you’ll be using it for. The minimum recommended wattage is 250 watts, but some mixers boast up to 1000 watts. A less wattage appliance will get the job done if you plan on mixing and whipping up small cake batters and liquids that don’t require a long mixing time. If you’re planning in working with thicker cookie doughs and immense volume foods, a 325-watt motor or more will give your project the power it needs.
Controls And Settings
Mixer controls vary from dials and knobs to buttons. Whatever features your stand mixer has, they should be simple to understand and use. Stand mixers like KitchenAid KSM150PSAQ Artisan Series 5-Qt. Stand Mixer generally have somewhere between three and 12-speed settings. Low, medium, and high speeds are basic, but the more additional speed settings you have, the wider the scope of control over the recipe you have.
KitchenAid is a great brand to consider while buying stand mixers. We have created a blog on top KitchenAid stand mixers for more information.
Price
Price is also an important factor to consider while buying stand mixers. Their price range starts from 100-200 dollars and goes up depending on the features they offer. Know what you want to use the stand mixer for and spend the desired amount accordingly.
We have also created a blog on the best affordable stand mixers that you can have a look at if you are on a budget.
Color And Design
Color and design selection is one of the most exciting choices when buying a new stand mixer. Choose a color and design that complements the overall vibe of your kitchen.
Types Of Stand Mixers Food Grinder
Tilt-Head
Most of the home-use countertop stand mixers like Kitchenaid Artisan Mini Plus are tilt-head models. The bowl is connected at the base of the machine, and the mixing attachments are secured at the top of the machine, lifting in and out of the bowl with a simple tilt of the head. Switching mixing extensions without removing the bowl is a breeze, and since you can push the head back, the bowl is more convenient when you need to add or remove elements or scrape the sides.
Bowl-Lift
Bowl-lift mixers are generally higher-grade and professional or commercial-level appliances. The bowl snaps into the side arms and the back of the device and is lifted into place with a lever on the side. These mixers are on the larger end of the size spectrum and are generally a little heavier and more durable. They pack a more powerful punch, handling more challenging doughs and mixing projects more effortlessly than their smaller and lighter counterparts.
Bottom Drive
There are only some options for this kind of mixer on the market, but those who use them swear by them. The motor of this device is at the base of the machine, underneath the bowl. The mixing extensions are attached inside at the base of the bowl, leaving the top of the bowl completely unrestricted. This is particularly useful for recipes needing multiple additions, and it delivers a clear view of the action while working.
Planetary Mixing
For the most practical and consistent mixing, look for a device with planetary mixing action. On this type of appliance, the mixing extension spins on its axis while also rotating around the rim of the bowl. This motion helps reach the elements at the edge of the bowl.
Stationary Mixing
Stationary mixers generally have two beaters that spin in place, while the bowl spins underneath them. This motion is less useful for mixing all of the components, so stopping the device to scrape down the sides and combine elements by hand is usually necessary.
What Can You Make With A Stand Mixer?
A stand mixer is created to handle baking and mixing tasks that would otherwise be challenging to do by hand. This comprises whipping an immense amount of liquid, creaming butter and sugar together, kneading a smooth dough, and incorporating ingredients that might be hard to handle from extreme temperatures. Most stand mixers can be used for whipping, beating, and kneading, and for both pastry and savory cooking projects.
How To Use And Care For A Stand Mixer?
The simplest way to care for your stand mixer is by cleaning it with soap and warm water. Remove any extensions and make sure to cleanse the spring and pin your attachments as well. These can get blocked with food particularly if you’ve started the machine on a high setting and splattered your batter.
How Many Watts Is Good For A Stand Mixer?
Most high-quality stand mixers have wattages varying from 250 watts to upwards of 1000 watts. If you’re planning on operating a stand mixer for more heavy-duty baking tasks, 500 watts or more is an effective option for most experienced bakers.
Conclusion
You can mix batters and knead bread dough by hand but these tasks are much more efficient with a stand mixer food grinder. These mixers can whip cream, beat egg whites, and cream sugar and butter into light, fluffy batters with ease. They make the cooking process quick and convenient. You can find stand mixers in different sizes and designs to fulfill different needs.
AESA rates and reviews hundreds of best stand mixers, top meat grinders, and best hand mixers based on their size, noise level, and performance.
