Stand Mixers: How to Choose the Right One

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Drew_Graham]Drew Graham
Baking is Easy with a Stand Mixer
If you do a lot of baking a stand mixer can really come in handy. Admittedly the cost of a good one can be pretty steep they are well worth the investment, they will make your life so much simpler. You do however have to make sure that you choose a good one, that is what this guide is going to help you do.
Before you even start shopping for a stand mixer you are going to want to make sure that you know what size you need. While it may seem that bigger is always better this is not really true. Certainly if you do a lot of baking in large volumes you are going to want a big one. However a big mixer can be a problem if you are doing small batches. Take a few minutes and think about the size of the batches that you normally use. This will give you a good idea of what size will be ideal for your needs.
A Stand Mixer Needs Power
Now that you have a good idea on the size that you are going to need the next thing to look at is the power. When it comes to stand mixers power is important, if it doesn't have enough power it is going to struggle with some of the thicker doughs or larger batches. The problem is that it is not always obvious how much power there really is. Usually power is listed by wattage, unfortunately this really doesn't tell you much. Wattage tells you how much electricity is being drawn not how much is actually being produced by the mixer. Some are more efficient than others so a stand mixer with a lower wattage may actually produce more power. The best bet is to base your power decision on the capacity that the manufacturer claims the mixer can handle, this is a far better guide.
Metal is the Best Choice
Durability is going to be an important factor, you are making a major investment you want to get a stand mixer that is going to last. That means that you are going to want to get one that is all metal. While this will cost you quite a bit more than one that is made with plastic it will be much more durable and will last a lot longer. Like most things you do tend to get what you pay for and in this case the extra expense for metal is well worth it.
Pay Attention to the Features
Probably the most important feature that you have to make sure that you get is more than one mixing attachment. You should get a dough hook, a whisk and a beater included with your mixer, this is important. Ideally you should also look for hubs that allow you to add on extra attachments like a meat grinder and a pasta maker, this will allow you to get a lot more use out of your mixer.
Other features that you are going to want to have are a head that tilts back so that you can get your dough out of the bowl easily when it is done mixing. You will also find that a splash guard and a timer make your life a lot easier and are features that are definitely worth having. Don't worry too much about how many speeds the mixer has. Manufacturers like to talk about it as if it were an important feature but in reality they all come with ten to twelve which is far more than you could possibly need.
One last thing that you are going to want to check on is the warranty that comes with your [http://vlad621.hubpages.com/hub/Stand-Mixer-Buying-Guide]stand mixer. They are not cheap so you are going to want to make sure the one that you get lasts you for years. That means that the manufacturer should offer a good warranty, make sure that you know how long it is for and what it covers.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Stand-Mixers:-How-to-Choose-the-Right-One&id=6724061] Stand Mixers: How to Choose the Right One