Stand Mixers vs. Hand Mixers

Thanks to their massive versatility & array of gorgeous finishes, stand mixers are becoming increasingly popular and are seen in many kitchens.

Our collection of KitchenAid stand mixers are some of the most sought after on the market. They come with a bunch of useful attachments, meaning they can be used for more than just mixing cake batter. Stand mixer attachments typically consist of a:

• Wire Balloon Whisk
• Dough Hook
• Paddle

KitchenAid stand mixers have other attachments that you can purchase for an additional cost, including:

• Pasta Roller
• Ice Cream Maker
• Ice Shaver
• Meat Grinder
• Food Processor
• Spiraliser
• Sifter
• Scale
• Juicer

KitchenAid stand mixers cost around £549-£599 while other models on the market typically start from around £100 and can cost up to £700. Any attachments you want will, of course, incur an additional fee.

As stand mixers have a lot of features, they are quite big. Even “small” stand mixers are much larger than the average electric hand whisk. Whether you keep your stand mixer on your countertops or stored in a cupboard, they do take up a significant amount of space. If you want a stand mixer, you should definitely consider if you have the space for it first.

Typically, when cakes don’t turn out the way we want them to, it is because of user error. This can be anything from overbeating your eggs to using salt instead of sugar (it happens more than you would think!). However, a poor mixer can also contribute to disappointing results, especially if it under or over mixes your ingredients.

Stand mixers take the pressure off you completely, gently folding ingredients for the most even results. You can set your stand mixer to the exact speed specified in the recipe and let it do the hard work for you! Stand mixers also work hands free, letting you clean up or prep the next part of the recipe while it mixes for you.

Electric hand mixers are a staple in most kitchens, allowing you to precisely beat and mix ingredients with the same gear mechanism as a stand mixer. If you are currently using a hand whisk to mix your ingredients, you will certainly see the benefits of an electric whisk. They are a game changer when it comes to durability & efficiency and cost anywhere between £25-£300.

Hand mixers usually have 5-6 speed settings and are very compact in design.  If you have limited cupboard space, but want to upgrade your manual whisk, a hand mixer is easy to store. On all hand mixers, with a slight twist and a pull, you can remove the mixers from the main body of the appliance. This makes for exceptionally easy cleaning and allows you to store the appliance in any cupboard or drawer.

For whisking up ingredients, hand whisks are great with small loads. However, if you’re planning on mixing a lot of ingredients together at one time, you may struggle. The durability of a hand mixer is a major upgrade when compared to manual whisks, however, they don’t do so well with large quantities. They may also overheat if used for a long time.

Hand mixers come with a handful of attachments so you aren’t too limited on what you can use it for. Usually, you’ll find hand mixers with a paddle attachment, balloon whisk, and dough hooks.

Hand mixers are cheaper and lighter than stand mixers, making them a tempting choice. However, they do come with a lot of limitations. Hand mixers come with fewer attachments, reducing how much can be properly mixed, and they have limited speed settings. You also need to hold and move the hand mixer while it’s on, meaning you can’t do anything else until you’ve finished with it – not to mention the arm ache! While you definitely can use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer, you may want to consider a stand mixer first.

Both types of electric mixer have their pros and cons. If you are a passionate baker or enjoy spending your Sunday afternoons baking with the grandchildren, you will certainly feel the benefits of a stand mixer. If you are short on space and only find yourself baking once or twice a year, a hand mixer will be more up your street.

Thanks to their versatility and stunning design, we are proud to stock KitchenAid stand mixers at Appliance City. Shop the colourful collection now!