If you’re tired of slaving away in the kitchen, trying your best to create mouth-watering meals, then you are probably in the market for a stand mixer. These incredible appliances make food preparation a breeze, as they do all the work for you. The fact that they can be used on just about any dish makes them even more attractive.
But, before you rush out to purchase one of these handy appliances, here’s a look at the top features you’ll want to look for in a stand mixer.
Countertop Size
Because you will likely end up using your stand mixer on a fairly regular basis, there’s a good chance you’ll want to leave it out on the counter. With that said, it’s a good idea to consider the size of the machine. Will it fit on your counter or will it take up too much space?
The range of stand mixers by VonShef are ideal for those wishing to leave the mixer on the counter and still have room left to work with.
Take a Look at the Power
As you start to shop around for a stand mixer, you’ll notice that there is a big variance in pricing. Much of this is based on the power or the wattage the stand mixer has. The higher the wattage, the more power it’s got, which means the more capable it is of heavy-duty duty mixing.
Now, before you rush out looking for the highest wattage possible, it’s a good idea to ask yourself if that’s really necessary. Unless you are a professional baker or chef, there’s a pretty good chance that a mid-range model is more than adequate.
What is the Capacity?
One of the most important features is the capacity of the bowl. Again, they range in size with the bowls being labelled in litres. Think about what kind of dishes you want to use the stand mixer for and that will help you decide what size you need.
How Many Speed Settings Are There?
Stand mixers feature a number of speed settings, which is important when mixing various recipes. You want to have a least a few to choose from, but at the same time, you may not need too many.
What About Accessories?
Some stand mixers offer accessories so you can do such things as make fresh pasta or stuff sausages. If this isn’t important to you, then you don’t need a model that offers accessories. Keep in mind the more accessories you want on the mixer, the higher the power should be.
Are the Parts Dishwasher Safe?
No-one enjoys the clean-up, which is why you’ll want to check that the model you are interested features dishwasher safe pieces. It’s much easier to put a flat blender and bowl in the dishwasher than wash them by hand.
Do Your Research
Before rushing out to buy a stand mixer it’s a good idea to do a little research to ensure that you pick the best model for your needs.
Aren’t stand mixers great, but as you say there are lots of aspects to think about. Our stand mixer sits in the corner of the work surface, but it’s so heavy to move into a working position! It’s not easy to slide into place because of the suction feet (to stop it potentially dancing around whilst it’s in use), so we have it positioned on some paper so I can slide the machine easier on the paper until it’s where I want it.
I’m lucky I’ve got a large kitchen and mine sits on the work surface where it can be used