How to choose a mixer for whipping. Rated hand mixer as the best solution for your kitchen

Mixer- a popular kitchen device for mixing products and enriching the whipped mass with air. With the help of a mixer, cream, dough, mashed potatoes, cocktails, eggs, sauces and other products are mixed and whipped. I often confuse a mixer with a blender, although the latter is not intended for mixing, but for grinding or grinding foods. However, modern models mixers can also be equipped with a blender attachment and cope with chopping nuts, coffee, ice, etc. More functional devices are equipped with attachments for chopping vegetables and hooks for kneading thick dough.

The best economy class hand mixers: budget up to 3000 rubles

3 Polaris PHM 3013

In third place in the ranking is its most budgetary representative - Polaris PHM 3013. This hand mixer is in good demand due to its affordable price and optimal power of 300 watts. The device will not please you with its design and rich equipment, but the Polaris is easy to use, compact and fits comfortably in your hand. The mixer has 5 operating modes, among which there is a useful turbo mode, which, when turned on, significantly increases the speed of rotation of the nozzles. This allows in a matter of seconds to puree soft and delicate foods or break up lumps in the dough.

Among the main advantages of the mixer, users note a strong body, a light weight, convenient handle, turbo mode and dough nozzle included. Among the shortcomings, only a short power cord is mentioned, which is not critical when working with the device.

2 VITEK VT-1409

blender attachment

And reviews

The country:
Average price: 2560 rubles.
Rating (2017): 4.6

The second place in the rating is the universal mixer VITEK VT-1409. A feature of the model is the ability to use the mixer both in manual mode and in stationary mode. The bowl is rotating, quite roomy and comfortable, according to user reviews. Many speak positively about the pleasant design, shape and quality of the plastic mixer from Vitek. An additional plus is three nozzles in the kit, including a blender nozzle. 330 W of power is enough for many culinary tasks, from whipping cream to kneading thick dough and butter. For particularly hard products, such as ice, the mixer has a special pulse mode.

Which type of mixer is better: manual or stationary? Each type has both its advantages and disadvantages, which will be discussed in the following table:

1 Bosch MFQ 4020

Best Performance

And reviews

The country:
Average price: 3100 rubles.
Rating (2017): 4.8

The leader in the ranking of manual economy class models is the Bosch MFQ 4020, one of the best-selling mixers in 2015-2016. This is a very comfortable device, which is praised, first of all, for thoughtful ergonomics and very quiet operation. The manufacturer made optimal balancing, added a rubberized handle and a vibration damping system. So with a Bosch mixer you can work for a long time without straining your hand joints.

Despite its light weight, Bosch MFQ 4020 is one of the most powerful inexpensive mixers. The power consumption is 450 W, which, combined with five speed settings, makes it easy to knead the dough, whip the proteins or mix the ingredients for an omelet. According to user reviews, the device is very comfortable in the hand, works almost silently, has an excellent design and mixes well even heavy dough. Recommended!

The best hand mixers: price - quality

3 KitchenAid 5KHM9212ECU

The best professional hand mixer

And reviews

Country: USA
Average price: 12,990 rubles.
Rating (2017): 4.7

Third place in the ranking - KitchenAid 5KHM9212ECU, a mixer from the legendary manufacturer professional equipment for kitchen. The model has a very quiet operation, due to low power - only 85 watts. Although in reality, this does not affect the performance of the device in any way. It, like its powerful analogues, copes with whipping cream, kneading dough and chopping nuts. At the same time, in terms of economy, the mixer will leave many competitors behind. The engine in KitchenAid has amazing efficiency, which, combined with 9 speed settings, allows you to smoothly pick up speed without leaving splashes on the kitchen table.

The body material is made of metal, plastic is only on the shaker nozzle. The device is extremely easy to clean, which is noted by many satisfied users. Yes, a “fat” minus a mixer can be delivered at a high price, but the user must understand that he pays for high quality and proven reliability!

2 Braun HM 3137

The most comfortable and lightest (weight only 820 grams)

And reviews

The country: Germany (produced in Romania)
Average price: 7290 rubles.
Rating (2017): 4.7

The second place in the ranking is Braun HM 3137, a quality mixer from a popular German brand, which is assembled in Romania. The main advantage of the mixer, which favorably distinguishes it from competitors, is a thoughtful design and very light weight. The motor in the "brown" is located vertically, which significantly reduces the load on the hands. Moreover, the weight of the device is only 820 grams, about 30% less than the mass of the competitors in question. The complete set of the device is the most optimal for a home user: a universal chopper, a whisk for whipping, a hook for kneading dough and a high-quality blender attachment. The manufacturer did not stint and even put a 600 ml measuring cup in the package. Very comfortably!

When choosing a mixer, many users are faced with the question of choice optimal model for price and features. On the one hand, the device must fulfill all the wishes of the "cook", on the other hand, it should not cost too much. In any case, the choice of a particular mixer depends on the tasks that the user sets for him.

Power

One of the first characteristics that you should pay attention to when choosing a mixer is power. Performance depends on power. The higher it is, the more tasks the device can perform. But, the price of productive models is much higher. So, a low-power mixer will be difficult to cope with kneading a dense dough, but it will cost 1.5 - 2 times cheaper. If your culinary plans only include the preparation of batter and light products, then the best option there will be a purchase of a mixer with a power of up to 250 watts. In the case of frequent work with solid products and dense dough, a device with a power of 300 W or more is required.

bowl material

Mixer bowl can be made of plastic or of stainless steel. Plastic is the most available material, differs in good density and is painted in the most different colors. Mixers with a plastic bowl are inexpensive, but plastic is not the most environmentally friendly material, and it is also prone to deformation. Stainless steel is more expensive, durable and most best material. In budget models, you will not find stainless steel bowls. There are also glass bowls, but they, despite all their beauty, are quite fragile.

bowl volume

Bowl volume or capacity is not the most important indicator for a home user, but an important one for a restaurant or cafe (with heavy use). The larger the bowl, the more products can be processed in one cycle. Sometimes mixers with a large bowl are slightly more expensive. Therefore, for the home, it is optimal to take a mixer with a bowl volume of up to 3.0 liters, so as not to overpay for the “extra” volume. At frequent use devices for prof. purposes suitable mixers with a bowl of 4 - 5 liters.

Operating modes

Special modes will help to make the work of the mixer more comfortable. The most common of them: pulse and turbo mode. Pulse allows you to turn on the engine with short pauses, which helps when processing heavy products such as ice. Turbo mode is useful for quick whipping of thick dough, as it allows you to significantly increase the speed of rotation of the nozzle.

Nozzle set

Each mixer contains several types of nozzles, as a rule, from 2 to 5. These can be: a whisk nozzle, a blender nozzle, a spatula nozzle, a hook nozzle, a pastry nozzle, a mixing nozzle, a wipe nozzle; a nozzle that prevents the dough from sticking to the walls of the bowl. The most useful of them: whisk attachment. It helps to quickly whip liquid foods such as eggs, batter and cream. For frequent work with the dough, it is recommended to look at the presence of a hook nozzle in the kit. If there are small children in the family, then the blender attachment will be useful to help prepare puree and baby food.

1 Bosch MFQ 4080

The best technical equipment at an affordable price

And reviews

Country: Germany
Average price: 5040 rubles.
Rating (2017): 4.9

The leader in the ranking of hand mixers - Bosch MFQ 4080, the most popular multifunction device. Thanks to the rich equipment with all kinds of attachments, the Bosch mixer can beat, chop, knead thick dough, mix chopped meat, chop the onion and grind the fresh berries. It is easy to clean, and thanks to the long power cord, you do not have to worry about the distance to the outlet (by the way, a short cord is a disadvantage of many models).

The power of 500W is more than enough for the home user. Five speed modes, including pulse and turbo mode, allow you to choose the optimal speed for different types products. Users appreciate the Bosch MFQ 4080 for stylish design, compactness, ease of use and thoughtful design. In terms of price - functionality, this is one of the best devices On the market.

Best Economy Stand Mixers: Planetary Rotary Bowl Models

3 Zelmer 481.6

Best value for money

And reviews

Country: Poland
Average price: 3045 rubles.
Rating (2017): 4.4

The third place in the rating is the Zelmer 481.6 mixer, which captivates with the absolutely best price-performance ratio. At a very modest price, the device has optimal power (400 W), 5 speed modes and three nozzles. Among the competitors under consideration, the mixer stands out not only for the presence of a blender attachment, but also for wiping, which allows you to prepare puree. But that's not all. The package includes a nozzle that prevents the dough from sticking to the walls of the bowl, which lovers of home baking will appreciate. The change of the nozzles themselves is simplified to the maximum - by pressing a special button, the nozzle is automatically disconnected after the end of work. The rubberized handle makes work more comfortable, preventing the handle from slipping in the palm of your hand. Among the shortcomings - there are complaints about the appeal under the guarantee. Apparently, not everyone comes across "successful" models.

2 Bosch MFQ 36460

The best ratio of price and quality. Popular stand mixer

And reviews

The country: Germany (produced in Slovenia)
Average price: 4255 rubles.
Rating (2017): 4.6

In second place in the ranking of stationary mixers is Bosch MFQ 36460, a popular model, the advantages of which are quiet operation, optimal power and affordable price. Together with the nozzle, the bowl of the mixer rotates (with the help of a special automatic drive), due to which the products are mixed especially thoroughly. Assembly - Slovenia, so there are no questions about the quality of the construction. The capacity of the bowl of 3 liters "with a mountain" is enough for culinary tasks, and 5 speed modes allow you to choose the optimal speed for different types of dishes. Complete with the device, the user will find a whisk for beating and a hook for kneading the dough. There are not many nozzles, but the most necessary ones. Installation and removal of the nozzle is carried out by pressing a special button on the mixer handle, which is very convenient.

• No turbo
• Insufficient rpm even at top speed

Video review

1 Kitfort KT-1308

The best technical equipment. Stainless steel bowl

And reviews

The country: Russia (produced in China)
Average price: 6328 rubles.
Rating (2017): 4.8

The leader of the planetary mixer rating is Kitfort KT-1308, the most powerful device in the TOP-3. The mixer received high marks due to the material of the stainless steel bowls, which are traditionally considered more environmentally friendly and durable compared to plastic counterparts. Among other advantages, it is worth mentioning the capacity of the bowl, which is as much as 4.2 liters. More than enough for home use. Many users will appreciate the presence of a special lid on the bowl, which prevents splashing during intensive mixing of products. This Kitfort KT-1308 compares favorably with its closest competitors.

In independent tests, the Kitfort stand mixer proved to be stable and reliable, with a nice design, solid fixation on the table and quiet, vibration-free operation. The planetary system works beyond praise, whipping proteins, apple mass and even dense dough with high quality.

The best professional stand mixers

2 KitchenAid 5KSM150PSE

The best ratio of price and quality

And reviews

Country: USA
Average price: 57,999 rubles.
Rating (2017): 4.6

In second place in the ranking of professional mixers is KitchenAid 5KSM150PSE, another successful model from a well-known American brand. It is completed with three nozzles: nozzle-whisker, nozzle-shovel and nozzle-hook. The bowl is made of high-quality stainless steel - the norm for devices in the high price segment. The volume of the bowl is 4.83 liters, the largest in the TOP-3. The bowl itself rotates during operation, that is, it functions on the principle of planetary mixing. The power may seem low, only 300 watts, but for most operations it is enough. In addition, this has a positive effect on the efficiency of the device.

Among the shortcomings, there are only rare complaints about the failure of the speed switch. Otherwise, it is a reliable, convenient and low-noise device that does its job perfectly.

1 BORK E800

Best performance and package

And reviews

The country: Russia (assembled in China)
Average price: 49,990 rubles.
Rating (2017): 4.7

The leader in the rating of professional mixers - BORK E800, model with the best design and the largest set of nozzles on the market. The high performance of the device is due to high power– 1000 W and 12 speed modes. At the same time, the user does not need to think about what speed is optimal - the automation itself determines the viscosity of the mixture and sets the desired speed. The set of nozzles includes: nozzle-confectioner, nozzle-shovel, whisk, dough hook. Unique nozzle - confectioner allows you to achieve uniform mixing. The bowl after its use remains almost clean.

Electronics allows you to set right time kneading dough (countdown timer). The user does not need to follow the process - the device independently kneads the dough for pizza or pancakes, and the cook can do other things at this time. Despite the high power, the stationary mixer works quietly. The design, according to users, is made beyond praise. The case is metal, made to last. In addition, the guarantee for the mixer is as long as five years. Recommended!

Video review

Depending on which version of the kitchen mixer you chose (manual, stationary or planetary), the criteria for choosing a particular model are also determined. So, a hand mixer should not be too heavy, the gearshift lever should be pliable. The dimensions of a stationary, and especially a massive planetary mixer, should be chosen for the place available in the kitchen - it is inconvenient to get it out of the cabinet every time.

Which mixer is better to choose?

When choosing a mixer, you need to pay attention to the manufacturer, materials, number of functions and attachments, check the quality of work.

• It's better to stop at brands with a good reputation. The mixer contains many rotating parts, gears, electric motor. Poor assembly and poor quality of components can lead to the fact that a device that normally works “idle” in a store refuses to knead tough dough (for which it was actually purchased) or “burns out” during operation.
• Worth to prefer stainless steel mixer attachments and bowl(a cheaper option is a plastic bowl). They can be washed by any means, including dishwasher, they are durable and do not emit harmful substances into food.
• Additional functions help to save, for example, on the purchase of a blender.
• The device must be checked for marriage at idle. It is possible that the nozzles cling to the mixer bowl and to each other, the mode switch is stuck, or the bowl refuses to turn, although it should. All this can be established only empirically for a particular product.

And we will consider the most successful models of 2016 in our ranking of the best mixers.

Mixer indispensable assistant in the kitchen, they can knead dough, beat eggs and mix other liquid foods. But when they come to the store, many ask the same question, how to choose a mixer? What to look for when buying, what nozzles to choose, what power is better? You will find answers to all these and many other questions in this article.

Type

Modern models are divided into three types: manual, stationary, combined. The principle of operation is the same for everyone.

• A hand mixer, the price is from 300 to 3700 rubles, the engine is located in the mixer body itself, this type is convenient in that it can be used anywhere, light and easy to use.
• Stationary mixer, the price varies from 3,000 to 40,000 rubles. The engine is in a stand that is placed on the table. On this very stand, a bowl is installed in which everything is whipped.
• Mixed type mixer (combined), this type is more like a stationary type of mixers, it can also be used with a bowl, but by pressing one button, the mixer itself can be detached from the stand, and it turns into a manual type. Such mixers cost between 800 and 4000 rubles.

Convenience of the mixer

A hand mixer must be constantly held in your hand, while stationary ones are installed on a stand, it is enough to put products in the bowl and press the button, the mixing process has begun.

A handheld device can be mixed in any dish, from a saucepan to a plate, a stationary type mixes only in its own bowl. So, which type to choose, it's up to you, someone is comfortable with manual, and someone else is the opposite.

What type of device is better to choose?

If you are planning to buy an inexpensive mixer within 1500 rubles, then it would be right to choose a hand mixer. good models cost from 1000 to 1500 rubles. Cheap models are made of poor quality material. If the budget allows you to buy a device up to 3500, then it would be right to purchase combined model. Such models can be found from 2000 to 3500 rubles.

This model can be used both in stationary mode and in manual mode. Very convenient type of mixers, which is ideal for the kitchen.

The stationary type of mixers is more suitable for big family, and for those who use the mixer very often. The main advantage of the combined type is the volume of the bowl.

This type can be purchased within 5000-10000 rubles.

Power

The power of hand mixers is from 100 to 350 W, and combined and stationary from 150 to 550 W. The power of mixers primarily affects the volume of mixed products. For example, a device with a power of 150-200 W can only knead 500 grams of dough. Manual type mixers with a power of 350-400 W can knead the dough in a volume of 1.5 kg, and combined and stationary with the same power can handle a volume of 4 kg.

It also depends on the power how quickly it will cope with the given work. True, this is noticeable with a large difference in power, for example, the difference between 200 W and 400 W.

But if the difference is 50 W, for example 200 W and 250 W, then you will not notice such a difference.

For hand-held devices, 250-300 watts of power is enough. If you choose a device for the home with a power of less than 250 W, then they can only beat eggs and dough for pancakes. A mixer with more power will cost significantly more. For combined and stationary devices, 350-400 watts is enough.

Number of speeds and turbo mode

Manual models usually have from 2 to 15 speeds, combined and stationary ones from 2 to 10. Turbo mode is a change in the speed of the device to the maximum mark, when you press one button, this mode only happens in combined and manual models.

Different products need their own speed of work, for whipping eggs you need a high speed, knead the dough at a lower speed. Also, if you whip foods in a bowl with low walls, with high speed, then there is a high probability that splashes will fall on walls and nearby objects.

For a mixer, 4-7 speeds are enough. More and less is not worth choosing.

nozzles

Before choosing a mixer, you should also pay attention to the nozzles that are included with the mixer. What are the nozzles:

• Whisks (Ideal for whisking liquid products, cream, eggs, cream, batter)
• Dough hooks (good for kneading hard dough)
• Nozzle blender (allows you to grind different products, using this nozzle you can cook puree soup, fruit puree, chop vegetables)
• Chopper universal (this is a kind of mini food processor in which you can cook minced meat, grate vegetables, cut sausage, etc.)
• Puree attachment (This attachment can be used to puree)
• Nozzle sieve (using this nozzle you can sift the flour and wipe the berries)
• Electric knife attachment (suitable for cutting bread, vegetables, fruits, etc.)

The minimum set of nozzles, which is required, is included in the kit, these are beaters and hooks. The need for other nozzles depends on your needs and desires, as well as on the availability of a similar one. For example, if you have, then you do not need a blender nozzle. Stationary models come with only two nozzles, these are beaters and hooks.

Volume and material of the bowl of the combined and stationary appliance

The volume is usually from 2 to 5 liters. They are made of stainless steel, glass and plastic. The volume of the bowl directly depends on how much you can fill. But do not forget that you should not fill the bowl to the brim, everything will fly apart at high speeds, 25% of the volume of the bowl remains free. Therefore, before buying, consider this parameter.

Usually for a family of 2-3 people, a bowl volume of 2.5 liters is enough. If the family consists of 5-6 people, then you should think about a large volume, for example, 3.5-4 liters.

Combined mixers with a steel or glass bowl cost between 1,500-2,000 rubles, while a stationary one will cost from 15,000 rubles.

Additional features

• Rotating bowl (during operation, the whisks rotate in one direction, and the bowl in the opposite direction, thereby whipping the products faster and more thoroughly)
• Tip eject button (to remove the tips, just press the button and the tips will eject automatically)
• Protection against overheating and overloads (will not let the motor burn out, when the protection is triggered, the mixer will simply turn off)
• Wall mount or accessory storage shelf (allows you to store your accessories compactly and conveniently)
• Rubberized handle (will not allow you to jump out of wet hands)
• Long cord (than longer cord, the more convenient it will be to use the device)
• Special compartment for storing the electric cord (the cord does not have to be wound around the mixer every time, with this function the cord is retracted inside the mixer, the principle is the same)

Video how to choose a mixer:

A good mixer can greatly simplify the life of both an avid cook and a lover of simple omelettes. The main thing is to arm yourself with the device that is right for your lifestyle, culinary ambitions and budget. In this article, we will tell you how and which mixer to choose for your home, in which case you should prefer a blender to a mixer, and why a stationary model is better than a manual one.

What to choose - a mixer or a blender?

The main difference between these devices is in different functions:

• The purpose of the blender is to grind the product with knives, and the purpose of the mixer is to beat with a whisk, as well as knead the dough with a hook. A mixer cannot make creamy soups, baby food, smoothies and shakes, chop nuts, and a blender cannot turn cream into foam or knead yeast dough.

But since the immersion blender always has an additional whisk attachment and sometimes even a dough hook, the question arises - can a blender replace a mixer? Yes, but only in part.

• The fact is that the blender in its capabilities is comparable only with a hand mixer, but not with a stationary one. After all, only a stationary device is able to quickly and efficiently knead a thick and dense dough, say, for pies and dumplings. Neither a blender nor a hand mixer will cope with this task.

But with such non-trivial tasks like beating eggs or pancake batter, a blender will do almost as well as a hand mixer (but a mixer is still more efficient and easier to use). long work). If you like the idea of ​​3 in 1 devices, then we advise you to choose either an immersion blender with a power of 500 W or more with a hook included, or ... as powerful as possible a mixer blender that looks like a mixer, but has a chopper attachment. You can find out other nuances of choosing a blender in our step by step guide(see material: Guide to choosing a blender submersible and stationary type). And this video will help you not only understand the difference between two similar devices, but also choose a mixer for the kitchen.

6 step selection

Step 1. Decide on the type of mixer

Mixers are conventionally divided into three categories: manual, stationary and stationary with a planetary mixing system.

1. - light and low-power (200-500 W) device with two beaters and two hooks included. Excellent for beating eggs, cream, butter, and for kneading semi-liquid dough, such as biscuit or pancakes. It is good because it is inexpensive (from 500-3000 rubles), takes up little space, is easy to clean (just remove and rinse the nozzles) and allows you to conveniently beat very small portions. Unfortunately, the power of a hand-held device is not enough to knead yeast dough for pies or tough dough for dumplings, dumplings and manti. However, if you rarely cook these dishes, then a hand mixer is an excellent choice.

1. Stand mixer (household type)- This is a stationary device with a bowl, stand and mixer, all with the same beaters and hooks. Thanks to such a device, the device can process the product without your participation. All you have to do is load the bowl with ingredients and start the motor. Since in modern stand mixers not only the nozzles rotate, but also the bowl itself, the mixture is processed evenly. In addition, due to the greater power (400-700 W), such a mixer is able to knead even tough dough. If necessary, the mixer can be removed from the stand and used as a conventional handheld appliance. Disadvantages: high price compared to manual (average price 2500-8000 rubles), larger size, more engine noise and thicket rotation. Another inconvenience is the need to wash the bowl before processing the next product, while a hand mixer only requires cleaning the nozzles. Compared to a planetary mixer, the standard mixer is much cheaper, but it is less stable, its motor is much less durable and reliable. Who is a stand mixer suitable for? To all those who not only beat eggs and biscuit dough, but also prepare flour products from thick or yeast dough. But he does not do this every day, but only from time to time.
2. - this is the same stationary mixer, but more powerful (500-1200 W), and most importantly - with a nozzle rotating according to the planet's rotation principle, that is, around its axis and at the same time around the entire circumference of the bowl. Thanks to this “focus”, it is possible to achieve the ideal quality of the mixture in the shortest possible time. If you cook often and in large quantities (especially cakes, sweets, pies, dumplings), then the planetary mixer will become the most sought-after “workhorse”. By the way, some models of planetary mixers have another bonus - the ability to equip with additional devices: a meat grinder, a grater, dough and noodle rolling, a chopper and even a juicer. Such multifunctional mixers are often referred to as food processors or kitchen machines. The disadvantages of planetary mixers include, first of all, the high price (from 5 tr. to 130 tr.), heavy weight and noise.

To better understand the difference between the three types of mixers, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the following video review.

Step 2. Pay attention to power

When choosing a mixer, the first thing you need to pay attention to is power. As a rule, the productivity and speed of processing products largely depend on it. The more power, the more dough the device can knead. At the same time, the more powerful it is, the higher its cost and the more electricity is consumed.

• For a hand mixer that only whips / kneads liquid and semi-liquid mixtures, 250 W is enough power. If you use a hand mixer often and for a long time (more than 10 minutes), then choose a more powerful mixer - 350-400 watts.
• Stand mixer power for domestic use should be at least 500 watts.
• It is advisable to purchase a planetary mixer for periodic use with a power of at least 600 W, for everyday use - at least 900 W.

Step 3. Look at the body and bowl materials

Cases of inexpensive stationary mixers are most often made of plastic, and models are more expensive and planetary mixers are made from stainless steel.

• Steel cases of stationary mixers are more stable due to their weight, which is especially important when kneading dense dough. In addition, they are much more beautiful and durable. However, metal mixers are much more expensive than similar devices in plastic.
• Plastic cases under heavy loads often begin to smell, creak and shake. But they greatly reduce the cost of devices and they are easier to transport, move from place to place.

Mixer bowls come in plastic, glass and metal.

Also see our other articles:

• Glass bowls are eco-friendly, inexpensive, beautiful, but fragile. Plastic bowls are unbreakable and inexpensive, but can warp and discolor over time. Ideal material for the bowl is stainless steel.

Step 4. Choose the volume of the bowl

Mixers are completed with bowls from 1,5 to 6 liters. This indicator depends on maximum amount product you can beat / mix at a time. But there are no minimum limits for stationary mixers - even in the largest bowl, you can beat a couple of eggs or a dozen equally well. The secret of this ability lies in the same planetary mixing system or in the rotation of not only the nozzle, but also the bowl.

To determine the volume of the bowl, think about the maximum volumes you usually process in a mixer and add 200-500 ml to this number. Such a supply will prevent the mixture from splashing, and flour and sugar from crumbling outside the bowl.

By the way, about splashing. When buying a mixer, be sure to make sure that it comes with a special lid with a hole for adding ingredients. This simple item will protect your kitchen from stains and at the same time allow you to add and pour everything you need right during the workflow. Unfortunately, inexpensive blenders often do not come with such a lid.

And a couple more useful tips choice of bowl:

• When choosing mixers in the store, try testing their bowls by simulating, say, pouring biscuit dough into a mold. The handle of the bowl should be such that you can hold the container with one hand, and with the other hand, easily scrape off its contents with a spatula. The bowl itself should be easy to remove from the stand.
• It makes sense to buy an additional bowl so that when preparing multi-component dishes, you do not have to wash the already used container once again.

Step 5. Choose nozzles and accessories

Most often, a stationary mixer is equipped with only a pair of nozzles - a whisk for whipping and a hook for kneading stiff dough. Moreover, the hook can really be a hook as in the photo below (for kneading dense dough) or spiral (for more liquid dough). Sometimes the kit also includes a nozzle-shovel for mixing batter. Some mixers have a puree attachment and/or a blender attachment for making sauces, smoothies, shakes, etc.

Standard set of attachments for a planetary mixer

Mixers-combines, as we noted earlier, can be equipped with additional attachments: a meat grinder, a dough sheeter, a citrus press and a grater. Sometimes these nozzles are included in the kit, and sometimes they are purchased separately.

Step 6. Learn about modes, speeds and additional options

Mixers work in 3 modes:

• Standard - the device simply turns on, starts whipping or mixing.
• Impulse - the motor works impulsively, as if in jerks. This mode is more suitable for grinding (!) solid foods, rather than whipping and mixing.
• Turbo mode - in this mode, the mixer runs faster, but for only a few seconds, in order to avoid overheating the engine.

Mixer nozzle rotation speeds are available from 3 to 20. Than more speeds has a device, the finer you can adjust the degree of processing of the product, smoothly slow down or speed up the rotation of the nozzles.