How to choose a mixer for the home - expert advice

When choosing a mixer you need to pay attention not only to its power and equipment, but also to other parameters.

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1. How to choose a mixer: the main criteria
2. Types of mixers
3. Mixer selection options
4. Summary: how to choose a mixer
5. How much is a good mixer
6. Top Mixer Manufacturers
7. Video selector mixer

How to choose a mixer: the main criteria

When choosing a mixer, it is recommended to adhere to the following criteria:

1. Mixer type (immersion or stationary);

2. Power;

3. Material manufacturing bowl and its volume (for immersion mixer);

4. Housing material;

5. Modes of operation;

6. Equipment;

7. Weight (for immersion mixer).

8. Also important is the manufacturer of the device.

Types of mixers

Construction mixers are divided into two types - submersible (manual) and stationary.

Submersible (hand) mixers

Submersible mixers are the most common and classic version of such kitchen appliances. The design or delivery package of such devices does not include a bowl. The mixer itself is a block with electric drive, in the lower part of which rotary corners are installed.

When working, these corollas are immersed in the product, poured in advance or folded in any kitchen container - bowl, pan, etc.

Important parameterdetermining the performance of immersion mixers, is the length of the rims. The higher it is - the more products will be able to mix the device.

Stationary mixers

Stationary mixers differ from submersibles only by the absence of a handle and the presence of a stand. The corollas of such devices are located in a special reclining "head". Products are supposed to be put in the supplied cup - however, with the compatibility of dimensions, you can use any other household dishware.

Many of the operational parameters of such a mixer are determined by the included bowl. Its volume shows how many products the device can process, and the material - how practical the device will be.

Mixer selection options

When choosing a mixer, consider the following parameters:

1. Power;

2. Material and volume of the bowl (for stationary mixers);

3. Housing material;

4. Modes of operation;

5. Nozzles;

6. Weight (for a hand mixer).

Power

Power determines not only the maximum rotational speed of the rims, but also the “compatibility” of the mixer with various types of products. So, if you plan to knead a thick dough or similar viscous substances, you should choose a model with a powerful drive. For other purposes, it is not particularly needed.

High power mixers, in fact, not needed. For mixing the vast majority of products, including minced meat, liquid types of dough and fruit puree, enough device designed for 200-500 W of current consumption or 80-350 W efficiently consumed.

In rare cases, if it is necessary, for example, to whip creamy foam, prick ice or knead thick dough, a more powerful mixer is needed - from 500 watts.

Bowl material and volume

The material and volume of the bowl determine the practical qualities of stationary mixers. It can be made of plastic, glass or metal.

Plastic bowl

Plastic - the most budget option. Mixers equipped with such a bowl can cost up to several thousand rubles.

Glass bowls

Glass bowls are rarely found in stationary mixers due to their mechanical fragility. However, they have an attractive design and are easy to clean.

Metal bowls

Metal bowls are most often found in mixers of the upper price segment (from 20 thousand rubles). They differ in the highest durability.

If the budget allows - it is worth taking a mixer with a metal bowl. If it is limited, then with plastic. Glass, despite its decorative and operational appeal, is still too fragile.

The volume of the bowl is also important. The more it is - the, accordingly, more products will “fit” into it. But too capacious bowls are also not recommended for two reasons. The first is that it will be trite to install it hard (when filled, it can weigh from 3 kg). The second is that the quality of mixing will suffer.

Thus, the ideal solution for home use are bowls of 1-3 liters.

For the highest quality mixing, which is especially important for some products like dough or sauces from ingredients of different consistencies, you should choose a mixer with a rotating bowl. Such a device to ensure the greatest uniformity of the structure of the finished dish.

The disadvantage of the rotating bowl is the lack of cross-compatibility. That is, in such a mixer will not be able to install another container. Conventional kitchen bowls or models from third-party manufacturers will fall off the moving surface.

Body material

The material of the body does not have a special impact on the functionality of the device, but the design and operational period of the mixer depend on it. This technique can be plastic or metal.

Plastic mixer housing

Plastic is the most widely used material in hand mixers. It is lightweight, which is especially important for this type of device.

Metal mixer housing

In metal cases, stationary mixers are usually performed.

Modes of operation

In addition to a variety of speed, mixers offer several additional modes of operation, allowing you to perfectly mix certain types of products:

1. Turbo mode In it, the device operates at maximum speed, effectively whipping, mixing, or even splitting products;

2. Pulse mode. In it, the device operates at high speeds, periodically turning off. This avoids the risk of overheating of the device drive and its damage, at the same time qualitatively mixing or crushing products;

3. Slow start. Allows you to run the mixer at low speed to gently mix the products or add something to the mix;

4. Overheat protection turns the mixer off when its engine reaches extremely high temperatures.

All these functions (except for protection against overheating) have rather narrow areas of application, so buying a mixer equipped with them is worth it only if you plan to use it to prepare the corresponding dishes.

Nozzles

The number of nozzles depends on the number of nozzles. Usually the set includes rims and hooks. However, the nozzles for the mixer are as follows:

1. Whips for beating are intended for mixing and beating of various liquid and pureed products;

2. Dough hooks allow you to replace the liquid, medium or even thick dough;

3. The nozzle blender is intended for preparation of mashed potatoes from soft products (fruit, boiled vegetables, some grades of meat);

4. The universal grinder is similar in functionality to the immersion blender and can “cope” even with solid products.

The more nozzles in a mixer kit, the better.

Hand Mixer Weight

The weight of a hand mixer is directly dependent on its power. Models equipped with a 300-500 W drive have a mass of about 0.5-1 kg. But powerful mixers (from 1 kW) already weigh more than 1-1.5 kg.

The optimal weight of a hand mixer is up to 1 kg inclusive, and the smaller it is, the better. Because heavy device in the hands to hold uncomfortable.

Summary: how to choose a mixer

When choosing a mixer, you can follow this algorithm:

1. Rate the budget. If it is less than 10 thousand rubles - it is better to buy a high-quality hand mixer. If it is more - then you can pay attention to stationary models;

2. Rate the place in the kitchen and the desired usage scenarios. If you want to free your hands, and on the working surfaces there is a lot of free space - you should buy a stationary mixer. If there is no space, and the freedom of the hands does not matter much (it is not often planned to use the device) - an immersion model will do;

3. Rate planned use cases. You will need to prick ice, mix thick dough or minced meat, prepare salads using a mixer, whip cream - you need a more powerful model. It is planned to simply mix different liquids - then the device will be enough for 80-500 W;

4. The more nozzles in the kit - the better.

How much is a good mixer

Mixers cost from a few hundred to several tens of thousands of rubles. But the vast majority of models are in the price range of 1-4 thousand rubles for manual, 2-5 thousand for stationary with a static bowl and 25-55 thousand rubles for stationary with a rotating bowl.

Durable, high-quality and functional mixers are:

1. 2-3 thousand rubles for hand (submersible);

2. 3-5 thousand rubles for stationary with a static cup (not luxury brands like KitchenAid or Smeg);

3. 45-50 thousand rubles for stationary with a movable bowl (including luxury brands).

Top Mixer Manufacturers

Among the manufacturers of mixers can be identified:

1. Panasonic, Polaris, Philips - quality models of the budget price segment;

2. Bosch - quality models of the average price segment.

3. Products of the luxury brands KitchenAid and Smeg are also distinguished by excellent durability (the operating period for most models is more than a decade), but their price often exceeds 40-50 thousand rubles.

Video selector mixer

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.