Meanwhile, you can get a large selection of models and functions, from the classic food mixer to the multifunctional all-rounder. What a stand mixer should be able to do cannot be answered in general. That's because the appliance should primarily be tailored to one's personal needs:
Perfectly equipped for big baking: If you want to primarily bake with the stand mixer, the motor power and capacity of the bowl are particularly important in addition to the equipment. In order to be able to process everything from egg whites and classic sponge cake to bread dough, it should be equipped with a whisk, a stirring hook and a dough hook.
A planetary stirring system ensures that the dough becomes smooth and does not settle at the edge of the bowl. As far as the power of the motor is concerned, 300 to 500 Watts are completely sufficient for light dough. When it comes to kneading firmer types of dough, a dough mixer with 1000 to 1500 Watts of power is recommended.
Regarding the number of watts, you should always keep in mind that this does not indicate the motor capacity. But it indicates the energy consumption of the machine. But a higher energy consumption usually indicates a stronger motor.
You should also always pay attention to the size of the mixing bowl. Usually, larger bowls with more capacity mean that the motor of the machine is also stronger. They are able to cope with the larger amount of dough.
The multifunctional aid for the kitchen: If you want to replace several kitchen appliances all at once, it should have the appropriate attachments. Such as mixing cups and mincers, in addition to the stirring and kneading module. In order to be able to grind harder materials, the machine should have a powerful motor with a wattage of 1000 to 1500 Watts.
The individual attachments should be easy to assemble and disassemble and easy to dismantle for thorough cleaning. If you also want to prepare hot meals in your kitchen aid, you need a stand mixer with a cooking function. Besides the motor capacity, the heating power is also significant here, and should be 1000 Watts for fast cooking and steaming.
In order to be able to steam gently and low in calories, the machine should have a fume attachment. You can save another work step by opting it with an integrated scale.
Versatile preparation methods at the touch of a button: These little all-rounders do not usually relieve you of the task of cutting the ingredients, but they do offer endless possibilities for preparation. When it comes to the question of what a stand mixer has to be able to do, the heating power is of course also a very important factor regarding multifunctional cookers.
With 800 to 1000 Watts of heating power, a multifunctional cooker can do everything from pressure cooking and steam cooking to roasting and deep-frying, and still consumes significantly less energy than a conventional kitchen stove. A start time timer function is also of particular advantage, so that the selected programme is automatically executed at the desired time and you can be woken up, for example, by the smell of freshly baked bread.
A non-stick coating is necessary, especially for multifunctional cookers, so that nothing gets burnt. This also makes the container much easier to clean. If you want to save even more work, consider buying an appliance with a self-cleaning function.
In addition to the features already mentioned, there are some functions that improve the handling and safe use of the device:
- Safety circuit: Lid or container must be mounted for use
- Cover/splash protection of bowl: To keep the kitchen clean during use
- Suction feet: For a firm stand without slipping
- Pulse function: For gentle processing of sensitive ingredients
- Timer function: Stops automatically after the desired time
- Overheating protection: Stops the machine if the engine gets too hot
