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This stand mixer felt light to move around the counter, and we loved the fingerprint-less surface.
Credit:Southern Living / Russell Kilgore
borosilicate glass bowl and 4-qt.
stainless steel bowl |Dimensions:11.4 x 14.8 x 14.3 in.
The iconic brand has been populating home kitchens since 1919.
Credit: Breville
The Artisan 5-quart model came in a close second to our top choice.
Though it lagged in time, it performed well.
Cookie dough came together cohesively with no need to scrape the sides of the bowl.
Credit: Southern Living / Russell Kilgore
The bread dough was elastic, but required additional kneading.
We found it was more effective at lower speeds.
Operation-wise, this stand mixer was easy to use and the hinge feature added convenience.
The stainless steel bowl locks in and out of place quickly, and the handle has a comfortable grip.
For more heavy-duty use, it may be worth investing in theKitchenAid Professional 600 Series 6-Qt.
Bowl-Lift Stand Mixerfor just $100 more.
|Dimensions:8.7 x 14.1 x 13.8 in.
The sleek, retro design comes in 10 colors, including an adorable aqua and an elegant Champagne.
|Dimensions:15.2 x 9.4 x 12.4 in.
And the noise level was only moderately loud.
We appreciated the modern, industrial design and the addition of the accessory port.
|Dimensions:8.9 x 15.6 x 13.6 in.
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We found it was not taxed at all,making whipped creamin a little over two minutes.
The accessories and the bowl are all dishwasher safe.
And bonus, its available in more than a dozen fun shades.
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|Dimensions:11.3 x 14.5 x 16.5 in.
At a diminutive 8 inches wide and 12 inches tall, it can fit in most tight spaces.
Like the other models from this family of mixers, the bowl and accessories are dishwasher safe.
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|Dimensions:7.8 x 12.3 x 12.3 in.
|Dimensions:13.3 x 14.6 x 16.4 in.
It performed well in all our tests.
We loved the sleek, Swedish design and the variety of color options available for the base.
Everything else is hand-wash only, with warm soapy water.
Capacity:7-quart stainless steel bowl and 3.5-quart plastic bowl |Dimensions:13 x 18 x 18 in.
If you want a more budget-friendly option that doesnt skimp on style or efficiency, choose theAucma 6.5-Qt.
During those tests, we observed how much the engine seemed taxed and the level of noise emitted.
Finally, we looked at the volume of whipped cream produced by each stand mixer.
Then came the cookie dough trial.
The last operational test we performed was mixing a batch of whole wheat bread dough.
Finally, we thoroughly cleaned each stand mixer.
In the end, we took all ratings across tests and evaluated the value of each stand mixer.
Lucas cites a wire whisk as the most important attachment.
Its very useful for whipping cream and fillings, making meringues, sponge cakes, and more.
He also sees a flat beater as essential to aid with soft doughs likepie crust,cookies, andbrownies.
Enache cautions against coated accessories, Solid metal does not chip over time like enamel-coated accessories tend to do.
Stand mixers come in different sizes with different bowl capacities.
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Lucas adds, Thevolume of your mixing bowlis very important.
If too big for your needs, it will be hard to whip small quantities of cream for example.
If too small, you will have to divide your recipes into smaller batches, which is very inefficient.
Credit: Southern Living / Russell Kilgore
For me, 5 liters (5 quarts) is the sweet spot for home use.
For heavier projects, likebread doughor multiple batches, look for at least 500 watts.
Whichever model you choose, be on the lookout for controls that are easy to operate.
Nice options are options designed specifically for dough, whipping cream, and other common tasks.
Warranties are especially important when you first get your machine.
Pay attention to how the motor is performing during operation.
If you find it overtaxed even with simple projects, this is where the warranty becomes important.
Most machines come with one to three-year warranties and can include the entire machine or just the attachments.
Questions and Answers
What is the lifespan of a stand mixer?
The general wisdom is a good stand mixer that has been properly cared for can last 10-15 years.
Still, when looking at the financial investment, its a good deal for such a long service life.
What are the different types of stand mixers?
Bowl-lift mixersutilize a mechanism that raises and lowers the bowl while the head remains stationary.
Bowl-lift mixers tend to have wide bases and are built to accommodate large or heavy batches of dough.
How much does a stand mixer cost?
There is a wide range in price when looking at stand mixers and many factors come into play.
Whats the difference between a hand mixer and a stand mixer?
you might use hand mixers to whip up icing or dressing, and even forscrambling eggs.
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Stand mixers should be used for making bread dough, pasta, and evenice cream.
Even though theyre different, both of these gadgets come with their own benefits.
Why Trust Southern Living
Carrie Honakeris a food and travel writer who believes in eating dessert first.
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She loves her KitchenAid 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer for tasks large and small.
Plus its beautiful mango hue looks stylish on the kitchen counter.
Credit: Southern Living / Russell Kilgore
Credit: Amazon
Credit: Amazon
Credit: Southern Living
Credit:Southern Living / Russell Kilgore
Credit:Southern Living / Russell Kilgore
