A wonderful and indispensable device in the kitchen of every housewife is a hand mixer. With it, you can significantly speed up and facilitate the process of preparing a wide variety of foods. Thanks to a set of different functions, nozzles, modes and other characteristics, it will not be difficult to choose the most suitable option.
Mixer and blender. What's the difference
Mixer is a popular device that greatly facilitates the work with food and saves time on cooking. This appliance consists of:
- drive;
- gear train (for torque);
- body;
- fuse relay;
- power cord.
Similar in principle of action and layout is a blender. The difference lies in the purpose - the latter can only grind food.
Varieties of mixers
These devices have the same purpose and work on the same principle. But according to their characteristics, they are divided into three main categories:
- Manual. In such mixers, the drive motor is located in the housing. The power of "home" appliances is small - from 150 to 220 watts. The maximum figure is 350 watts. The number of speeds is from 5 to 9. Several attachments are included in the standard kit (for example, for whipping cream or puree)
- Stationary. These devices differ from the previous ones in higher power (from 270 to 400 W) and cost. The drive mechanism is located in a separate case - a stand, the bowl for cooking is completed in a set with a mixer. The number of different modes and even programs can reach 10.
- Professional hand mixers (combined). This type is a cross between manual and stationary. Outwardly, it resembles the second type, and in terms of characteristics and principle of operation, it is similar to hand mixers. A distinctive feature is the ability to use the device both with and without a stand.
- Professional also includes cocktail mixers. In everyday life, they are rare due to its narrow specialization.
Power and number of speeds. Why consider these parameters
The list of products that can be cooked, as well as time costs, depends on the first parameter. High power allows you to perform many tasks of various complexity.
Important! Do not forget that more powerful mixers consume many times more electricity. The best option for daily home use are manualmixers with power up to 350 W.
Design and principle of operation of the device
Most stand mixers consist of these basic parts:
- engine compartment;
- tripod;
- drive and driven shafts of the kneading system;
- height adjusters, motor head locks, attachments;
- bait handles.
Bowl and set of nozzles are supplied separately.
During the operation of the usual mechanism, the whisks make circular movements. The number of revolutions per minute depends on the speed mode and individual characteristics.
The planetary mechanism works a little differently - the whisks (or blades) rotate in one direction, and the bowl in the other. The planetary mechanism copes with the load faster than a conventional one. This feature helps protect it from overheating.
Hand mixer. How to choose the right one
- The most primitive mixer is suitable for those who are going to prepare simple dishes.
- For frequent kneading of complex dough, a stationary household mixer is ideal.
- For a large number of dishes and the complexity of cooking processes, it is better to choose a planetary type mixer. It is suitable even for a small bakery.
- The power of the hand mixer should be selected according to pre-calculated loads.
- The material of the body and bowl should also be considered when choosing. For example, for making dough for pancakes and biscuits, ordinary plastic is suitable, and for more complex types, only a metal container and case.
- For professional kitchenhand mixers, additional functions are important - a work timer and overheat protection.
- Complete set of nozzles also depends on the upcoming scope of work. Also, the kit may contain measuring devices, cleaning devices, etc.
- The volume of the bowl must be at least 2 liters. High sides prevent food from splattering on the work surface.
- The number of speed modes should not be less than two. The more modes, the more accurate and faster the process will be.
Additional mixer functions
These are:
- Rotation of the stand mixer bowl. In this case, the whisks make revolutions in the opposite bowl. This function allows you to get rid of lumps and knead the dough in minutes.
- "Anti-spray". This function is equipped with expensive professional mixers. Thanks to the anti-spatter, the work surface and the kitchen stay clean while cooking.
- Automatic weighing function. The built-in scale makes cooking even easier and saves extra space in the kitchen.
- Mounting nozzles on the instrument stand.
- Extended cord. According to the new requirements of sanitary standards, the length of the cord has been increased. This allows you to place the device in a more convenient location.
- Anti-slip handle. The rubberized handle prevents the device from slipping during operation.
- Ejection of nozzles. To do this, just press one button. By comparison, earlier models required folding out special attachments.
- Compartment forcord storage.
Kitchen hand mixers are equipped with additional attachments, for example:
- a blender attachment is used to grind food;
- electric knife - used for cutting bread, fruits, vegetables, etc.;
- sieve - thanks to vibration, this nozzle can be used to sift flour, grate berries, etc.;
- masher;
- chopper is a complex consisting of a bowl and a built-in knife, which resembles a food processor. Such a nozzle can be used, for example, for cooking minced meat.
Advantages and disadvantages of kitchen appliances
This indispensable device easily handles light products - eggs, milk, butter, etc. To determine which hand mixer is best, you should familiarize yourself with its characteristics and capabilities. With the help of additional nozzles, you can also knead uncooked dough, as well as cut vegetables, fruits and make mashed potatoes. The power of some models allows you to process a wide variety of products at high speed.
By comparison, a blender does only half the work of a mixer. With this device, you can grind food and prepare mashed potatoes. Modern industry allows you to change the knife attachment to a whisk, and then the blender can be used as a mixer. At the same time, you should pay attention to performance.
Despite the large number of advantages of kitchen appliances, there are stillcons:
- periodic overheating of the mechanism;
- breakdowns in the drive system;
- poor surge tolerance.
Each of the models has specific disadvantages.
According to the technical characteristics and parameters, stationary professional and semi-professional models are considered more suitable. The main disadvantage of the latter is their large dimensions - in a compact kitchen there is not always a place for volumetric appliances.
Pros and cons of professional mixers
Like manual mixers, kitchen mixers have a number of advantages and disadvantages. Given them, you can rank by popularity, price, etc.
The best professional mixers are recognized:
- BORK E800. This device has the largest number of nozzles (in comparison with similar mixers of competitors). 1000W power and 12 different speeds ensure its high performance. The automatic system selects the optimal speed depending on the type of product. The package also includes: spatula, whisk, hook, pastry nozzle. The latter allows you to achieve uniform kneading of the dough. The presence of a timer facilitates the work of the operator. The mixer emits a low level of noise and interference. The body is made of metal. This provides increased resistance to various damages and scratches.
- In second place is the KitchenAid 5KSM150PSE. The American manufacturer provides a set of three additional nozzles - a spatula, a whisk and a hook. The mixer bowl is steel. The device belongs to theplanetary, which means it does its job quickly and efficiently. Low power (300W) does not have a significant impact on performance, but only makes the device more economical.
A hand mixer is not always suitable for the job. Powerful professional in some cases will be more suitable for both work and home environments. In the price-quality ratio, the devices are arranged in the following order:
- In the first place is the domestic planetary mixer Kitfort KT-1308. An eco-friendly and durable bowl with a capacity of 4.2 liters is also equipped with a protective cover. The device is reliable in operation. During operation, it can be fixed on the work surface. The operation of the mixer is quiet, it emits almost no vibration.
- In second place - Bosch MFQ 36460. Number of speed modes - 5. Mixer type - planetary. Additional nozzles are not provided in the kit, but thanks to the presence of 5 speeds at once and a special mode, the mixer quickly and efficiently does its job.
- The last place in the ranking is occupied by the Polish device Zelmer 481.6. The price of the mixer is relatively low (up to 3500 rubles). The power of the device is 400 watts. The number of speed modes is 5. The delivery set also includes a blender nozzle and a special device to prevent dough from sticking to the bowl. The handle of the mixer is rubberized. This prevents the appliance from slipping during operation and protects against electric shock.
Rating among users
Rating of manualmixers priced as follows:
- The first place in this category is occupied by Bosch MFQ 4020. This model is very popular due to its characteristics - the mixer is ergonomic, lightweight and relatively quiet during operation. Despite the compactness and low cost, the power of the mixer is quite high - 450 watts. Number of speed modes - 5. Power in combination with a set of different modes allows you to easily knead the dough for baking.
- The next place is occupied by the universal device VITEK VT-1409. The mixer can be used with or without a stand. The bowl of the device is movable, voluminous and easy to use. Three additional attachments are included in the package. The power of the device is 330 watts. To work with solid products, there is a special mode - pulsed.
- The last place in this category is occupied by Polaris PHM 3013. The optimal price and good power (300 W) make the device popular among users. Number of modes - 5 (including "turbo mode"). The main advantages of this mixer are: a reliable case, ergonomics, additional attachments. The disadvantage is the short length of the power cord.
The rating of hand-held kitchen mixers in terms of "price-quality" is as follows:
- The leading position is occupied by Bosch MFQ 4080. The mixer can perform various operations for beating, chopping, slicing fruits, vegetables, meat, etc. Cleaning the device also does not cause inconvenience. Long networkcord allows you to connect the mixer in the most convenient place. Among the distinguishing characteristics is high power (500 W). The number of speed modes is 5. Also, the mixer has small dimensions and is easy to use.
- The second position in the ranking is occupied by Braun HM 3137. The German device is distinguished by build quality, reliable thoughtful design and light weight (about 800 g). Due to the vertical arrangement of the drive, the load on the operator is significantly reduced. The package includes additional nozzles for kneading dough, grinding food.
- Third place is rightfully occupied by KitchenAid 5KHM9212ECU. The mixer has a low power (only 85 watts), but at the same time its performance is high. The device emits a low level of noise and interference. The efficiency of the drive is 0.9. The number of speeds is 9. Thanks to this set, working with products becomes more comfortable, and work surfaces are not contaminated by splashes.
Manufacturer Reviews
To facilitate the process of choosing a kitchen appliance, you can read the reviews. A hand mixer, such as the Bosch MFQ 3010, is recognized as practical, reliable and easy to operate. The package includes a set of additional nozzles. The device is equipped with a special pulse mode (for making short powerful revolutions). By using this function, over-beating of foods can be prevented. The mixer of this brand can withstand up to 30 minutes of continuous operation.
Philips HR 1459 is also consideredone of the best hand mixers for the kitchen. The device is equipped with a turbo mode, as well as a convenient button for separating nozzles. The case is made of durable plastic, so the mixer is resistant to scratches and mechanical damage. Among the negative reviews, it is worth noting the need for sequential switching of speeds. This makes some types of dough inconvenient.
Philips HR 1560 is also a popular hand mixer. This manufacturer has earned trust among users, and the model has become popular due to increased power (compared to the previous model) and a special shape of whisks. The mixer operates at only three speeds, but additional nozzles allow you to take many products into work. Among the shortcomings are: an inconvenient process of changing nozzles, periodic overheating of the mechanism.
