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Best Stand Mixer Brands
Home - Editorial
by Melisa Kaya
More than 100 years have passed since the first stand mixer was introduced, and it has never lost its usefulness. Thanks to its functionality, it has always been an integral part of our kitchens. This situation does not seem to change for the next 100 years. Stand mixers first made the life of bakers easier and provided great convenience in the preparation of dough and mixtures. It made such a huge impact on the bakery industry that it soon began to take its place in the kitchens as a consumer good and became a helper for those who love to bake. Stand mixers are also known as kneaders or dough mixers.
When we look at the stand mixers, we see that the way they work is very similar to each other because their structure has been almost the same since the first day they were designed. Stand mixer designs haven't changed much since residential models developed in the 1930s. The general design lines of the products of the best stand mixer brands are also very similar to each other. A few different best stand mixer brands have succeeded in going beyond the generally accepted design and have made a difference with their own unique designs. The main differences that set the best stand mixers apart over the years have been their power, sound levels, energy consumption and design details.
The key features that make a stand mixer one of the best are its strength and stability during use. Its capacity is one of the features that makes a stand mixer stand out. We have become so accustomed to the existence of stand mixers in our kitchens that we even do simple dough kneading with it. However, we also like to push the limits with the very dense dough we want to prepare. The best stand mixers need to be both practical and ergonomic to do simple tasks and powerful enough to handle tough ones.
Using a stand mixer is much quicker and easier than kneading by hand. Stand mixers help you prepare dough for all kinds of pastries, whether you're making bread, cookies, cakes, or pies. The best stand mixer brands have also designed different mixing and kneading heads, taking into account consumer needs. While the stand mixer works on one side of your kitchen counter, you can take care of the other preparations and save a lot of time.
Let's take a look at more detailed information about stand mixers, our most efficient assistant in the kitchen.
What are the types of stand mixers?
There are generally three types of stand mixers. These are tilt-head, bowl-lift, and open-top stand mixers. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages, but what matters is the user's expectations and goals. Tilt-head stand mixers have hinged tops and can be lifted upwards to place the bowl on the base or put ingredients inside. The body and head of bowl-lift stand mixers are fixed and there is a level that allows the bowl to be raised and lowered. The moving part is the bowl. In open-top stand mixers, the motor is at the base and the bowl is mounted on it.
Tilt-head stand mixers are practical to use, but require a higher clearance to be used. Their capacities are often lower than other types of stand mixers, but it's easy to add ingredients in the process. Bowl-lift stand mixers have a high capacity. In essence, it is a modern day version of the original stand mixer design. Today, the designs of industrial stand mixers used in pâtisseries and bakeries are of this type. Due to the fixed body and head part, it has a suitable design for challenging dough kneading processes. Open-top stand mixers offer freedom to the user. It is easy to add ingredients during the process. It allows you to easily observe each stage. It is far from the usual design in appearance, but this is the basis of its functionality.
What are the advantages of using a stand mixer?
If you use a stand mixer, you do not have to get tired by kneading by hand. Of course, this is the most important advantage of using a stand mixer. But there is more. If the amount of dough to be kneaded is large, kneading by hand becomes both difficult and takes longer. Although the amount of dough is large, there is no change for you when you use a stand mixer, it can handle all the hard work by itself.
Using a stand mixer is like having an assistant cook in the kitchen. While the stand mixer is kneading the dough, you can do other preparations. This gives you extra time.
Since there is no need to knead the dough by hand, you do not have to deal with cleaning the flour and dough pieces that stick to your hands. When you need to add flour, salt or eggs, it is both easy and hygienic to do this with your clean hands. Precise measurements are very important in pastry, and it is very easy to measure the ingredients and add them to the mix when using a stand mixer.
What are the cons of using a stand mixer?
Well, you might ask, are there any cons to using a stand mixer? You're right, but there really aren't many answers to this question. Of course, there are a few negative aspects.
Whether the dough you knead is one portion or 12 portions, the same cleaning process is required. If you plan to knead for very small portions, maybe kneading by hand will be faster. One of the negative features of stand mixers is that it is somewhat difficult to clean.
In order to have a stand mixer, you need to set aside some budget. The best stand mixer brands often offer collections in the same price range. But when their price is compared with their efficiency, a positive result will emerge for a person who makes frequent pastries or desserts. In general, stand mixers are long-lasting machines when properly maintained.
Stand mixers are among the large-sized kitchen appliances used on the counter. Therefore, it can be a little difficult to find a place for them in compact kitchens. For those who don't use it regularly, finding a suitable storage place for them when they don't use it can turn into a puzzle. However, for active users, stand mixers find a place for themselves on the counter as products that should be right at hand.
How to choose a stand mixer
As with any product, it is important to clearly identify the needs first. At this stage, the bowl size and motor power of stand mixers are among the first features to be looked at. Attachments and accessories are also other factors that determine your choice.
Capacity and Power
Bowl size and stand mixer power are parallel concepts. The best stand mixer brands consider both user needs and technical requirements when designing their products. And as a result, stand mixers with motor power compatible with the job they will do take their place on the shelves. That's why you don't need to spend a lot of effort to match these two factors with each other. But if you say strong is good, of course numbers are important.
If you have a family of four and don't need to make many portions, a stand mixer with a smaller bowl is fine for you. But if you like to party or have a large family, stand mixers with a large bowl capacity and powerful motor are ideal for you.
Accessories and Attachments
Accessories and attachments are what make a stand mixer functional. Otherwise, a stand mixer consists of a rotating motor and body. The bowl is the first basic piece and is usually made of stainless steel, glass, or porcelain. Of course, the most durable are the stainless steel ones. Glass bowls are preferred because they make it possible to see inside. Porcelain ones also offer a variety of designs for those who value elegance.
The more accessory options there are, the more useful it is. Whisks, dough hooks, and paddles are like standard accessories, but you should still pay attention to what's in the package when choosing a stand mixer. Many accessories are available separately, thus extending the range of use of the stand mixer.
Attachments give the stand mixer completely different capabilities. Some of the best stand mixer brands take the functionality of stand mixers to a higher level with the attachments they offer. A stand mixer with a pasta roller is now a pasta machine. When you attach the food grinder attachment, the stand mixer turns into a food grinder. With different attachments, a stand mixer can turn into many different machines from a blender to a pasta cutter, from a food processor to a slicer.
Design
And of course, in addition to all its technical features, a kitchen appliance that stands in the most popular place of the kitchen must be stylish. Some of the best stand mixer brands offer a wide and bold color palette. Some brands are known for their stand mixers in colors that represent their brand identity. Whether you like classic-looking models with soft lines or prefer sharper and more modern ones, you can find stand mixers in the design you want or very close to it.
What are the consumer benefits of competition between stand mixer brands?
Competition between best stand mixer brands drive the continuous improvement of stand mixers. In this development process, ergonomics and power always share the first place. Different speed and power settings, easy-to-install systems, different paddle connection options, capacity, energy efficiency and additional functions are the main features that distinguish stand mixers. Stand mixers, one of the most functional kitchen appliances, make life easier in the kitchen.
What are the best stand mixer brands?
There are many options, but some of them manage to stand out with their expertise in stand mixers. Although stand mixers look similar at first glance, you can see the differences between stand mixer brands when you delve into the details. For those who are wondering what the best stand mixer brands are, I did detailed research and listed the best stand mixer brands. You will see brands from different countries in the list of best stand mixer brands. All the brands in this list are among the best stand mixer brands that have made a worldwide reputation with their stand mixers.
It is difficult to choose the best brand for many products. But that doesn't quite happen when it comes to a stand mixer. KitchenAid has almost arguably gained global recognition as the best stand mixer brand. Herbert Johnston developed the solution he found to make it easier for bakers to knead dough in 1914 and presented it as an industrial stand mixer. The first H series products were highly appreciated and soon began to take their place on both Navy ships and commercial enterprises. The C-10, the first product to carry the KitchenAid brand, one of the best stand mixer brands, was introduced in 1918 and KitchenAid was officially established in 1919.
KitchenAid was founded as the stand mixer brand of the Hobart Manufacturing Company. KitchenAid's first model, the H-5, was a product designed for home use. Its success was followed by the lighter G series. However, the classic KitchenAid stand mixer was designed by Egmont Arens and launched in the 1930s as the K series. Maintaining the same design to this day, KitchenAid managed to develop this classic design without changing it and maintain its place in the competitive market. Making the stand mixer much more functional with different attachments, KitchenAid offers products suitable for kitchens of every design with the bold colors it uses in its products. Starting to introduce new product lines and expanding its product range as of 1949, KitchenAid is generally recognized as one of the best stand mixer brands.
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