If you’re a baker and like to be creative at home, then a kitchen mixer is an absolute must-have. A mixer is not only used for cake batter and cookie dough, but can be used to mix up batters for muffins, cupcakes, and frostings. A kitchen mixer is also essential if you like to make bread, pizza dough, or pasta. They are also useful in making mayonnaise, salad dressings, whipping cream, or even cookies. The list of things you can make with a kitchen mixer is endless! Here are some quick tips on how to get the most out of your new kitchen appliance.
5 things to know about a kitchen mixer
1. Know what you’re using it for
2. Choose the right mixer
3. Check the attachments
4. Use the proper speed setting
5. Clean your mixer
How to Use a Kitchen Mixer
Kitchen mixers are available in many different prices, sizes, shapes, and colors. They also have different attachments that can be added to them for specific uses. Before you use your mixer, make sure to read the instructions on how to assemble it and where all the parts are. Once you know what attachments go with your model, you can start using your new appliance. Simply attach the desired attachment to the front of the mixer by lining up the notches with two pins on either side of your attachment and turning it clockwise until it clicks into place. When assembling an attachment, make sure that all its pieces are connected properly before turning it any further, or otherwise it may come apart quickly. Now that your kitchen mixer is ready for use, you can get started mixing up batter! Let’s use cake batter, cookie dough, or frosting. Start by adding ingredients into a bowl and then attach the appropriate mixing attachment (usually a whisk or paddle) and your instruction manual should be able to guide you with this. To begin mixing, turn on your mixer at low speed until everything is combined together. Increase speed gradually until desired consistency is achieved. We recommend removing ingredients fairly quickly as they can settle fairly quickly leading to inconsistency or the need to remix them again.
There Are Two Types of Home Use Mixers
Retailers sell two types of mixers: stand mixers and hand-held mixers. Stand mixers are often used for thicker or larger quantity recipes such as mixing doughs or batters that require a lot of ingredients. Hand-held mixers are useful for lighter jobs like making whipped cream or egg whites.
Buying a Kitchen Mixer
There are a few important factors to consider prior to purchasing a mixer. For stand-up mixers, the size of the bowl is the most important aspect when purchasing a new mixer. The bowl should be large enough to hold all of your ingredients. A good rule of thumb is that the capacity should be at least double the volume of what you’re mixing. The best way to determine whether or not you have enough space for your new kitchen appliance is to measure how much free space is available on your countertop. Be sure to take into account any other appliances that will be on the same countertop, such as coffee maker, toaster, blender, etc. Another factor to consider when buying a mixer is whether it has attachments the proper attachments you’ll need for the types of recipes you intend to make. For example, some models come with dough hooks for making bread dough while others might come with an ice cream maker attachment. If you’re looking for more of an all-in-one machine that can do everything from kneading dough to whipping cream then look into buying one with multiple attachments.
Conclusion
The kitchen mixer is an essential tool for any serious kitchen. With so many different types of mixers on the market, it can be hard to determine which one to buy. We always recommend physically visiting stores that carry mixers so you can actually see what they look like, look at the dimensions, included attachments, etc. Popular kitchen mixer brands include KitchenAid, Kenmore, Hamilton Beach, among others.
