How Do I... Choose a Stand Mixer?
Think a stand mixer is just for baking? Think again, says 'MasterChef' star Anna Polyviou...
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning home and design questions. Here, Anna Polyviou, television star of Network Ten’s MasterChef Australia series and Kenwood ambassador, shares some practical tips for choosing the right stand mixer to suit your needs.
What are some of the most useful attachments for home cooks?
- Pasta roller
- Food processor
- Blender
- Frozen-dessert maker
- Spiraliser
What about tools for those who love to bake?
If you love baking, you’ll want high-quality versions of the following tools or attachments:
If you love baking, you’ll want high-quality versions of the following tools or attachments:
- Folding tool
- Beater
- Dough hook
- Creaming beater
- Splash guard
What should I look for when choosing a stand mixer?
- A powerful motor: This will allow you to mix large or heavy loads with ease. It also makes it easier to blend ingredients smoothly. Plus, a machine with a powerful motor can accommodate high-speed attachments such as high-power blenders.
- Stylish looks: Will you be leaving your mixer out on your benchtop? If yes, you’ll want to choose a colour and finish that suits your kitchen decor.
- The right-sized bowl: Think about the quantities you’ll be mixing and make sure the bowl size is sufficient.
- A variety of attachments: Think about what you like to cook and make sure the model you choose has the attachments you need either in the boxes or as optional purchases down the track.
- Multiple speed settings: This makes it easier to blend different types of ingredients.
Does wattage matter?
Yes. Wattage signifies how powerful the machine’s motor is. A machine with a higher wattage (and stronger motor) will blend tough ingredients more easily – for example, it will be able to knead heavy loads of dough with less effort.
Simple stand mixers start at around 250 watts – don’t consider any wattage lower than this, as it will be hard to mix anything thicker than a pancake batter. More high-tech models, such as Kenwood’s Titanium mixer, which has the strongest motor on the market, has 1,700 watts of power.
Yes. Wattage signifies how powerful the machine’s motor is. A machine with a higher wattage (and stronger motor) will blend tough ingredients more easily – for example, it will be able to knead heavy loads of dough with less effort.
Simple stand mixers start at around 250 watts – don’t consider any wattage lower than this, as it will be hard to mix anything thicker than a pancake batter. More high-tech models, such as Kenwood’s Titanium mixer, which has the strongest motor on the market, has 1,700 watts of power.
How should I clean the machine and attachments?
- Use a damp cloth to wipe down the machine after use.
- Use a toothbrush to get into any hard-to-reach gaps.
- Generally, the mixer’s bowls and attachments can go in the dishwasher, but to make them last longer, I’d recommend hand-washing them.
Tell us
How much do you rely on your stand mixer in the kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
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Looking to upgrade your kitchen appliances? Find a local appliance retailer here
How much do you rely on your stand mixer in the kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
More
Looking to upgrade your kitchen appliances? Find a local appliance retailer here
Not at all. The latest high-quality stand mixers are very versatile, with a range of attachments that allow you to make both sweet and savoury dishes.
You can also get creative when using the machine’s attachments and use them in different ways, such as: