What Is The UK’s Best Stand Mixer?
In this guide we’ll look at the best stand mixers.
We’ve compared power, speed settings, capacity and cost
to give you our top recommendations.
Stand Mixer Reviews
Stand Mixer Buyer’s Guide
Manually mixing, kneading, folding and whisking can get tiring very quickly. If you love baking but not the exhaustion that goes with it, you need a food stand mixer. These high powered kitchen gadgets are an investment into your future baked goods, saving time on all your favourite recipes and making light work of even the trickiest bakes.
Not sure what to look for when it comes to the best stand mixer? Check out this buyer’s guide.
Motor
The priciest stand mixers have powerful motors, often exceeding 1000W. If you do a lot of baking with heavy dough, a powerful motor is better. Beginner bakers can go for a cheaper and less powerful mixer.
Some stand mixers have planetary action mixing. This ensures no mix is left behind and the consistency is even the whole way through.
Speed Settings
Different bakes call for different mixing speeds. Most stand mixers offer a range of speed settings, often up to 12 different options. All mixers should have a super slow start so you can easily add ingredients.
Capacity
The capacity of your stand mixer is measured in litres. If you are hoping to make a large amount of food in your mixer, you’ll need a larger capacity. Keep in mind that these take up far more space on your kitchen worktop, so ensure you have the space available or a designated cupboard for storage.
Design
Stand mixers are aesthetic and stylish pieces of equipment, and they can be purchased in a range of designs. Retro style mixers are a popular choice, while contemporary mixers look great in minimalist kitchens. You should have no trouble finding a stand mixer in your favourite colour.
A more practical design feature is a tilt head, where the head hinges upwards to lift the beaters out of the bowl. This is useful for adding ingredients without making a mess. KitchenAid mixers utilise a bowl-lift design, in which the bowl is raised to meet the beaters. These often have a larger bowl capacity, and the best KitchenAid stand mixer will also be easy to store.
Attachments
Most kitchen attachments will come with a dough hook, balloon whisk and flat beater. These are suitable for a huge range of recipes, although more complex bakes may require different tools. Most stand mixers will have optional extra attachments such as pasta rollers, strainers and shredders.
Ease of Cleaning
Stand mixers have a lot of components that need cleaning. For convenience, look for dishwasher safe bowls and attachments.
Stand Mixer FAQ
What to look for when buying a stand mixer?
Power, durability and ease of use are the main things to look for when buying a stand mixer. Other factors that may influence your purchase are noise level and ease of storage.
Have a think about what you are most likely to be baking, and set a budget from there. If you’re using your stand mixer to make simple bakes and desserts for a small number of people, a smaller and cheaper stand mixer is best. If you plan on wowing your friends with incredibly intricate creations, you’ll need a high power mixer.
How to use a stand mixer?
Stand mixers are designed specifically for easy usage, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble. First, ensure you have the correct attachment for the task you are tackling. Add your ingredients to the bowl, then lock the bowl into place and ensure everything is secure.
Turn the machine onto low before increasing the speed. Once the machine has started slowly mixing, you can add speed. The fastest speed should be reserved for whipping egg whites or cream, while the lower speeds are suitable for heavy batter and dry ingredients. If you need to scrape down the sides, stop the mixer to do so.
Once your mixture is the consistency you’re after, turn off the stand mixer.