Stand Mixer vs Hand Mixer? What Should you get?
Stand Mixer vs Hand Mixer: Which one to Get? The Simple and Short Answer to is… For beginners or those with limited space, opt for a hand mixer—easy to use, portable, and budget-friendly. Seasoned bakers seeking power, capacity, and versatility may prefer a stand mixer, despite the higher cost.
Having a stand mixer or hand mixer should be a staple in every kitchen. But while they’re both great, they also have their strengths and weaknesses.
Saying that one is better than the other is subjective. What may be better for someone may not be better for you.
This article explains the benefits of each type and answers a common question “Should I get a stand mixer or hand mixer.”
Hand Mixer vs Stand Mixer? Difference & Benefits of Each one.
Benefits of a Hand Mixer
Here are some of the great benefits of a hand mixer that will make your mind to buy a hand mixer.
Easy to Use
Hand mixers are easy to use, as they do not require a lot of effort to get the best results. They also give you more control over your mixing and are lightweight from 750 grams to 1.5 kilograms, making them easy to handle.
You can make small batches with a hand mixer instead of needing large quantities at once, like when using a stand mixer.
This allows you to save money since you won’t be throwing away food that went bad due to improper storage or processing times!
Easier to Clean
Another significant benefit of a hand mixer is that they are much easier to clean than stand mixers. Since there are fewer parts, it’s not as time-consuming or difficult to clean up after using the hand mixer.
In a hand mixer, the blades are hidden inside the mixing bowl. Therefore, when we use it, only fewer parts get dirty.
While using a hand mixer, the cleaning part becomes a breeze. You just have to take some warm water into the bowl and let the dirty parts soak for 15 minutes. Wipe the residue with a damp cloth or sponge.
More Control
You can use a hand mixer to control the motor’s speed, direction, and power. This feature allows you to mix at different speeds depending on what you’re mixing and how much air is being incorporated into it.
For example, if you want to incorporate more air into your whipped cream or frosting, simply increase the speed of the hand mixer.
Portable and Lightweight
The hand mixer is a portable and lightweight kitchen tool. It doesn’t take up valuable counter space, making it easy to bring it along when traveling or camping.
This convenience makes it the ideal choice for cooks who love to experiment but don’t have access to state-of-the-art equipment at all times.
Quieter
Stand mixers are significantly louder than hand mixers. The average sound level for a stand mixer is about 80 to 90 dB, compared to 70 to 75 dB for a hand mixer.
Benefits of Stand Mixer
Using a stand mixer helps make your holiday baking experience more enjoyable. Here are some great features that a stand mixer offers.
Powerful
Stand mixers are more powerful than handheld mixers. This is because stand mixers have heavy motors of generally between 250 watts to 575 watts, which means they can handle large amounts of ingredients without overheating.
High Capacity
The capacity of a mixer refers to how much batter or dough it can hold, and that’s measured in cups, liters, or quarts.
Stand mixers are generally larger than handheld mixers. They have a higher capacity than smaller handheld devices. The most popular size of the stand mixer bowl is 5-quart (4.7 L).
The bowl sits on top of a stand rather than being held directly in your hand (like with a hand mixer).
The motor has more space to move and mix ingredients thoroughly without getting blocked by anything else you may have on your countertop.
Wide Compatibility
Stand mixers can be attached with a meat grinder, pasta maker, and other accessories to make the task of cooking more accessible. You can also use it to whip cream, knead the dough for bread or cake and make ice cream.
It’s no secret that stands mixers save time in the kitchen. They’re incredibly versatile tools to help you get more done, faster, and with ease.
Safer
A stand mixer is also much safer. When you turn on the stand mixer and lock it into place, it will not move around or fall if bumped.
This makes it much safer than using a hand mixer. For instance, if you accidentally bump your hand while holding a hand mixer, you’ll end up with ingredients on the floor or yourself.
This won’t happen with a stand mixer because it will be locked into place until you decide to unlock it again!
Stable
Stand mixers have a large base, making them much less likely to tip over than their handheld counterparts—especially those with plastic bases.
They also have larger motors, making them run more quietly (and keeping the noise level down in your kitchen).
Stand Mixer vs Hand Mixer: Which one Should I get?
If you are a beginner cook or looking for something to whip up a batch of cookies and don’t have a lot of kitchen space, you should get a hand mixer. They’re less expensive than stand mixers and easier to store.
Also, if you’re just starting and want to see if you’ll like baking or cooking, it’s much easier to experiment with a hand mixer than with a stand mixer.
On the other hand, if you’ve enjoyed baking and cooking for a while now and your budget allows, getting a sound quality stand mixer is recommended.
Stand mixers cost anywhere from $100 to $500, depending on what brand you choose and modifications of its features.
Conclusion
Should I get a stand mixer or hand mixer? A question that often pops into our minds while shopping for gadgets. The above-mentioned detailed guide will help you decide.
In conclusion, Choose a hand mixer for easy use, portability, and small batches. Opt for a powerful stand mixer with high capacity for versatile tasks, safety, and stability in handling larger projects.
