Best Hand Mixers

[MelissaH]

Point of clarification: are you talking hand mixer like the sort of thing you'd use to make a quick batter, or like an immersion blender aka blender-on-a-stick? I associate the Bamix brand with the latter, but to me "hand mixer" means something more like this: http://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KHM5APWH-5-Speed-Ultra-Power/dp/B000BVZ5X0/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1364316077&sr=8-5&keywords=kitchenaid+hand+mixer. We have a KitchenAid hand mixer, which I use when I don't need the oomph of a stand mixer but am too lazy to beat by hand, such as when I want to beat a few egg whites stiff. It's lasted through probably 15 years of intermittent use, so take that as you will.

[Katie Meadow]

I had an old KA hand mixer (not talkin' immersion type) that lasted 15 or 20 years, but then I had to replace it. The new one was awful--blades were lose and tended to fall out. The last Cuisinart I bought was also terrible. Last year I got a Viking, which came with two sets of different blades, digital control and is on the heavy side. Very satisfactory. I think it cost a little more than the other standard hand mixers, but it was def under $100. I don't own a stand mixer, so I use it frequently.

[Alex]

Five models of the Bamix are currently on clearance at The Foundary. I don't know how those prices compare to other retail outlets, but they're about 45-55% off list.

[Shel_B]

This week my bread and baking experiments will start. I was thinking that a good hand mixer might be a worthwhile tool. I have no immediate plans to make big batches, or even small batches, of bread dough that requires kneading, so I don't need heavy duty or large capacity. Plus, I really don't have the space for a stand mixer.

I'd like a beater that will take a whisk attachment as well as use regular blades. Other mixing accessories might be nice, but frankly, I can't imagine what they might be right now.

I'd like a mixer that can do low speeds, such as when starting a mixing job, but that can get up to a nice speed for those times when it may be needed.

So, being almost a complete novice with these things (I've only used a low quality hand mixer once or twice with poor results, and until now I've been pretty satisfied with my old Ecko manual beater), what features should I be looking for, what brands or models are worth considering? What's your experience been with these tools? Thanks!

[MelissaH]

I'm a bit confused, Shel, about why you'd like a hand mixer if you're going to start making bread. I've always either done bread in a stand mixer, or by hand. What breadmaking tasks are you thinking would be made easier with a hand mixer?

[Mjx]

I use a hand mixer for kneading bread, partly because I'm impatient, and partly becuause I [almost] only ever work with rather slack doughs, which a re a mess to knead by hand. This works really well (although you can't just stroll away from it the way you can with a stand mixer), and it has the advantage of being a really versatile piece of equipment, and cheaper than a stand mixer.

[Shel_B]

I'm a bit confused, Shel, about why you'd like a hand mixer if you're going to start making bread. I've always either done bread in a stand mixer, or by hand. What breadmaking tasks are you thinking would be made easier with a hand mixer?

I have no immediate plans to make big batches, or even small batches, of bread dough that requires kneading, so I don't need heavy duty or large capacity. Plus, I really don't have the space for a stand mixer. The breads I'm making can all be done with a hand mixer.

It's simply a matter of saving some time and energy over using my manual, 1960s Ecko beater.

[rotuts]

if you are familiar w any of the "Atrisan Bread in 5 min ... " books this hand mixer works great and is easy to store:

http://www.amazon.com/Danish-Dough-Hand-Whisk-Mixer/dp/B002U85906/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hg_2

Ive been converted to it and its a bit of fun too.

[Shel_B]

if you are familiar w any of the "Atrisan Bread in 5 min ... " books this hand mixer works great and is easy to store:

http://www.amazon.com/Danish-Dough-Hand-Whisk-Mixer/dp/B002U85906/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hg_2

Thanks for the thought and the pointer, however, I am definitely focused on an electric hand mixer.

Getting ready to make popovers today for the first time. The pan is scheduled to arrive today and I just returned from picking up the needed ingredients.

[ElsieD]

My KA hand mixer quit working and I need to buy a new one. I went to a kitchen store today and looked at a Breville as I have some of their other stuff and find it to be very good quality. The salesperson said that in his opinion, Breville was better than the KA as the beaters are heavy duty compared to the KA. One person in this thread mentioned that they had the Breville and were very happpy with it. Does anyone else have the Breville and if so, do they like it? I see that Dualit, Viking and Waring also got positive mentions. Before anyone tells me to buy a stand mixer, I already have a KA one. Like Shel_B, I am looking for comments on hand mixers. Thank you!

[Dave the Cook]

The handle on our GE hand mixer just cracked, so after 40 or 50 years (this was my mom's hand mixer), we're in the market for a replacement. Anything new in the way of products or advice since the community last (February 2014, I see; btw, @ElsieD: did you ever get a replacement?) visited the issue?

[Darienne]

I have nothing positive to say in this one.  We were in Moab Utah, which is not the center of kitchen ware, when my old hand mixer went, and we had no choices except the Hamilton-Beach Speedburst.  It's lasted a few years already...now that's good...cause nothing lasts anymore...but I wouldn't buy another one.  As I recall it was pretty inexpensive though. 

[MelissaH]

We have one made by KitchenAid. My husband had it when he was a postdoc, before we got married, so it's over 2 decades old at this point. It doesn't get a lot of use, but it works fine for those things that are too small to bother with a stand mixer.

[ElsieD]

51 minutes ago, Dave the Cook said:

The handle on our GE hand mixer just cracked, so after 40 or 50 years (this was my mom's hand mixer), we're in the market for a replacement. Anything new in the way of products or advice since the community last (February 2014, I see; btw, @ElsieD: did you ever get a replacement?) visited the issue?

 

I bought a Breville hand mixer and have been very happy with it.  Along with the regular beaters it comes with a whisk and a dough hook.  Both the whisk and the dough hook are useless, in my opinion.  I tried the whisk for the first time the other day to whip some cream and the regular beaters would have been faster.  As for the dough hook - it's kind of puny looking and I can't imagine it being useful.  I only mention it in case you go for the Breville thinking the other two parts might be useful.  One other thing, is that a fellow I know who owns a kitchen store told me chances are slim to none that you would ever get s replacement part for a KA should something break.  I found that out with my mini KA food processor.  He said Cusinart keeps lots of extra parts.

[Dave the Cook]

What do we think about whisks and dough hooks? Ease of storage? Wattage? Number of speeds? Warranty? Parts availability? Reputation?

 

[JoNorvelleWalker]

6 hours ago, Dave the Cook said:

What do we think about whisks and dough hooks? Ease of storage? Wattage? Number of speeds? Warranty? Parts availability? Reputation?

 

 

Dough hooks for a hand mixer??

 

[Dave the Cook]

17 hours ago, JoNorvelleWalker said:

 

Dough hooks for a hand mixer??

 

 

Oh yeah. They're not as common as whisk attachments, but lots of models come with them: here, here and here, for example. I'm pretty certain that I'd never use them (if I'm making something that requires a dough hook, I'm breaking out the stand mixer), or that whisk, either (if I've picked up the hand mixer, it's because a whisk can't do the job). For sure, I don't want to be paying extra for them. 

[JoNorvelleWalker]

12 minutes ago, Dave the Cook said:

 

Oh yeah. 

 

I learn something new every day!

 

[Shel_B]

Time to replace the beat up, second-hand, yard sale hand mixer that has done little more than take up storage space for the last eight years. I was surprised to find no discussions about this topic ... <shrug>

 

I've read a few reviews that speak favorably about the KitchenAid mixer, but there are several models and they have different beater shapes and accessory blades. I don't know about the pros and cons of the different beater blades or if the accessory blades are worthwhile.

 

The 5 speed:  (eG-friendly Amazon.com link)

The 7 speed:  (eG-friendly Amazon.com link)

The 9 speed:  (eG-friendly Amazon.com link)

 

Then there's the Cuisinart that looks to be a good value, especially with the extra blades and storage case:

(eG-friendly Amazon.com link)

 

I'm drawn to these because of name recognition, comments and reviews I've read, and because I'm ignorant of what else might be available.

 

How important is the beater blade shape? Do I need more than five or seven speeds? I'm totally out in left field here, so any help and suggestions are very welcome. I'd like to keep the price under $100.00 or so, but quality and usefulness are important and value is very important.

 

Edited to add: Almost forgot, I've also read some good reviews of the Breville mixer, and it's been a winner in some tests. It's a bit more than I'd like to spend, but not out of the question if it's a good value. I've been happy with my Breville countertop ovens, so I'm at least comfortable with the brand.

(eG-friendly Amazon.com link)

 

 

Edited Friday at 06:12 AM by Shel_B (log)

[Alex]

I've been using a Cuisinart since forever. I don't know how much of a difference it'd make in real life, but the one you're looking at (and mine) is 220 Watts, vs 60 or 100 for the KA, so perhaps there's more cranking power for tough tasks. It also has a 3-year warranty vs 1 year for the KA. Your use might differ, of course, but 99% of the time I use the regular beaters, which were the only ones that came with the mixer when I bought it. At some point I bought an aftermarket balloon whisk for making whipped cream, but I don't know if it's that much of an improvement. 

[ElsieD]

I have the Breville hand mixer model BHM500XL.  It has 16! speeds, a built in timer, and a turbo setting.  It came with the regular beaters, a whisk and dough hooks.  The 16 speeds are about 13 too many.  Using it on speed 1 is about the equivalent of the top speed of many other models.  Stuff goes flying.  Maybe it's just this particular model?  I've had the thing for maybe 15 years and the other day I used the dough hooks for the first time.  I was making a small loaf of multigrain bread and the quantity was too small for the KA.  It worked quite well.  If I ever bought a new one. I'd first see what the speeds are like before I handed over my $$.  Just my 2 cents.

[Shel_B]

3 hours ago, ElsieD said:

  If I ever bought a new one. I'd first see what the speeds are like before I handed over my $$.  Just my 2 cents.

 

Thanks. I vaguely remember now hearing something similar about "fast" low speeds. I appreciate the tip.

[Alex]

1 hour ago, Shel_B said:

 

Thanks. I vaguely remember now hearing something similar about "fast" low speeds. I appreciate the tip.

 

My Cuisinart's low is indeed low. Also, iirc, both the new KA and the new Cuisinart have a "soft start."