In every household, there is one instrument that’s used to make the food preparation process easier: a mixer. While they are often viewed as a luxury item, having one makes it easier for you to mix food and create tasty snacks.
While the hand mixer vs stand mixer debate can last for ages, whichever one you use is up to you. Let this guide help you know the difference between both tools so that you can utilize them to your advantage.
What Is A Stand Mixer?
Stand mixers work by driving the rotation action of the machine by a stand or a frame which holds the device. Usually, stand motors have a more powerful motor and are stronger than hand mixers.
They have a bowl that stays in place when its mixer is in operation. Usually, stand mixers contain a whisk which is used to whip egg whites and creams.
Stand mixers come in either floor models or countertop models. Large commercial models have a bowl capacities that's over 25 gallons. But most models that have 1 gallon. Here are some subtypes of stand mixers that are available:
What Is A Hand Mixer?
Hand mixers are hand-held and are more mobile than stand mixers. The handle is placed over an enclosure that contains the motor. It works by using drivers the mix the ingredients together.
For it to work, the motor has to be under 5 lbs because the user manually supports it while it's operating. Alternatively, the user can use a kitchen container. This helps them keep the ingredients in place while it's mixed. First time cooks like using a hand mixer because they are inexpensive and easy to use.
What Are Pros And Cons Of Each One?
To get a realistic expectation as to how both mixers work, here are the pros and cons of each:
Stand Mixer
Pros
The three main reasons why bakers and home cooks like stand mixers are: speed, hands-free, and its power. A good stand mixer is able to use bread dough. It takes less time to mix different ingredients as a hand mixer.
You can leave the mixer alone for it to finish its job while it continues to mix other contents. If you’re trying to make multiple recipes, a stand mixer can reduce the time it takes to finish the task.
In fact, you can opt for a table top mixer. Table mixers are larger and can handle multiple batches and volumes of ingredients. They can also use attachments such as a juicer, pasta maker, and a food grinder which makes it more efficient than a hand mixer.
Cons
Due to their size, stand mixers can only be used in large kitchens where there is enough space. And, they are more expensive than their hand mixer counterparts because they have a larger motor.
If you do need a stand mixer, make sure you have a good budget for it. We suggest that you have a $100-$300 budget to ensure that you get one will work correctly.
Hand Mixer
Pros
Hand mixers are smaller than stand mixers which is great if you have limited space in your kitchen. You don't have to create a permanent area for it. Simply place it in a drawer or a cabinet and use it whenever you need it.
Its portability is another advantage of hand mixers. For instance, you can place it on the counter, sink, or the stovetop if you're mixing and cooking food simultaneously. Also, you'll only have to spend 3 minutes to clean it.
Users also like hand mixers because of its easy operation. There are fewer buttons to manipulate and less functions to remember it. Because it can be moved around, there's no issue of scraping the contents inside of it. Users can use any bowl with it, and it will still work properly.
Cons
Hand mixers are less efficient than stand mixers. This is because they have a weaker motor and require manual user input. If you’re planning on getting a hand mixer, make sure that it’s suitable for the cooking project you plan on doing. This ensures that you get one that can handle simple tasks and small batches.
Which One Should I Choose?
Still wondering whether to buy a hand mixer or stand mixer? Use this table as a checklist to see which one works best for you:
Hand Mixer | Stand Mixer |
|---|---|
If you’re on a low budget and need a quick mixer for your ingredients. | If you want to mix your food quickly. |
Quick and Easy Clean Up. | Multiple accessories such as timers, programmable settings, and automatic shutoffs. |
You have limited space in your kitchen. | You have ample space in your kitchen. |
Used for quick tasks such as mixing egg whites and whipping cream. | Used for heavier tasks that require a powerful motor (ex: thick dough or batter). |
If you want to use any bowl to mix your material. | You want to multitask and cook other ingredients and walk away from the bowl. For example, if you’re mixing dough for 5 minutes, you don’t have to hold the mixer. |
Conclusion
Remember, both mixers are used to achieve the same goal: to mix your desired ingredients in a quick and effective manner. Ultimately, check to see which mixer suits your needs best so that you get the most value for your money.
Do you have any additional insights on stand mixers and hand mixers?
Tell us in the comments below!
