How to choose a mixer for home - what to look for before buying

Contents:

. Why mixer

? Mixer is often confused with a blender, attributing to them a similar set of possibilities or saying thatBlender - this is the same device, but it is better, since it has additional options. In fact, it's hard to say what is best - a blender or a mixer, because the main function of the blender is to grind the proposed products with high speed and( for some models) prepare liquid mixtures, and for the mixer, a slightly different functionality is possible:

1. Liquid cocktailmixtures.

2. Whipping eggs, cream, mayonnaise into the foam.

3. Preparation of mashed potatoes.

4. Mixing both liquid and thick dough:

• for pancakes and pancakes,
• for pancakes,
• for patties and dumplings.

That is, if you really need a machine for kneading the dough and whipping the food, and not for grinding them and simply mixing them, then safely keep reading and you'll find out which mixer is best for home cooking of various delicacies.

Special features of

Putting before any new tasks, remember - not every device of a certain type is designed to perform absolutely all of them. Like any other home appliance, mixers work on the same principle, but they can differ in many other external qualities and capabilities.

General principles for the operation and operation of the

Regardless of the overall design, the following components are included in the mixer device:

• Housing, usually plastic,
• Power unit with electric drive,
• Attachment for the replacement tool - flanges in which the nozzles are inserted,
• Set of nozzles -kneading knives, etc.

In addition to the basic parts, the holder and cup can be included in the package, which are considered to be signs of the device's comfort.

The action of the mixer is based on the transfer from the motor of rotary motion to installed nozzles, which can spin at a speed of up to 2000 rpm, mix, and then whip food.

Mixer types

Mixers: manual and stationary

Classification of mixers for types is based on the possibility or impossibility of simultaneous execution by the hostess of other household chores:

1. Manual - so named because in the process of their work it is necessary to hold them above the container with the cooking dish. They differ in compactness, low weight and easy maintenance at relatively low power, which may not be enough for kneading a thick dough.

2. Stationary - initially fixed to the support and supplemented with a capacity for products. A stationary mixer with a bowl is a good kitchen assistant, able to free the hands of the hostess for the timely addition of ingredients in the mixture.

3. Mixed type - are manual models with detachable support and mixing tank. They can be used as manual or as stationary, at the user's choice.

When choosing the type of mixer, remember that the convenience and increased power of the stationary device are compensated by the possibility of a hand-held device to work with any utensils - even with small plates and deep pans. So, if you need a mixer for milkshakes, then you can choose any, and for cooking mashed potatoes - hand or combined.

Rules for choosing a good mixer

So which mixer is best to choose - with a bowl, on the support, manual, more or less powerful? All this depends on your goals, means and even on the features of the kitchen interior.

On the design features of

When choosing a mixer, you should pay attention to the following features of its device, which significantly affect its usability, performance, reliability and durability:

1. The general view of the mixer can be chosen based on how much space you can allocate to it. For a compact kitchen is much more convenient compact device, and large areas will accommodate even professional stationary devices.

2. The whipping capacity can be plastic, glass or metal. In addition to strength and aesthetics, this fact is reflected in the price of the chosen model. The bowl can rotate independently when the mixer operates, not only around the vertical axis, which gives a more even mix of products.

3. The volumes of the enclosed bowl will be determined by the number of products being prepared. It is usually from 2 to 5 liters in size, but its filling capacity will be somewhat less due to the need for accuracy in the whipping process.

Here it is already worth considering the appetites of your family:

• cooking dishes for 2 - 3 people "fit" in a 2-2.5-liter capacity,
• for 4 - 6 members of the family will be enough 3-3, 5 liters,
• for 7 or more should stop the selection on a 4-to-5-liter instrument.

4. When buying, look at the material from which the flanges are made-the nozzle holders. Plastic elements make the device cheaper, but wear out much more quickly than metal ones.

5. Nozzle can be one or two( pair working at the same time), the quality of the whipping results depends on this.

The kit for the kitchen can include:

• required - whisks for liquid whipping,
• often - spiral hooks for kneading steep dough,
• possible - various additions that make the machine versatile( shredders, blender nozzles, sieve tool, nozzle for mashed potatoes, elektronozhand etc.).

6. Addition of such optional trifles as the fasteners for placement on the wall, non-slip rubber pads on the handle, elongated to 1.8 meters supplying electrical cable( at a rate of 1 m) and a storage compartment, add convenience models.

The complete set of the above mentioned attachments is attached exclusively to hand mixers. The complete set of any stationary device includes only corollas and wire hooks for the dough.

On the technical possibilities of the

Among the purely technical characteristics of the mixer, the most important are the power and the presence of variable speeds, each of which has its own nuances:

1. The power range of the hand mixer lies in the range from 100 to 400 W, and in the models of combinedand stationary type, a stronger motor is used - from 150 to 500 W.This determines the number of products to be mixed( for the most powerful ones - up to 4 kg, and for the weakest - about 1 kg), their quality and speed of the process. For example, a mixer for kneading a dough at home should have a power of at least 300-400 watts.

2. The number of speeds allows you to select the desired mode of operation. They can be from 2 to 16, but practice shows that 3 - 5-speed is enough to work effectively with different products.

Some models offer a function of applying the so-called impulse mode. It means the possibility of rapid adjustment in the process of working from slow to fast revolutions, without going through all available modes.

Rating of the best manufacturers

Mixers of all kinds are produced by a wide range of companies, but in order to guarantee the quality and compliance with its requested price it is better to buy a mixer of a well-known company with extensive experience in such household appliances. By "merit" to consumers, there are 3 groups of companies:

1. The best mixers are offered by such companies as Bosh, Philips, Vitek, Moulinex, Tefal, Electrolux. These are reputable brands with a well-deserved reputation, whose products are made of high-quality materials and components. Products are distinguished by a high-quality electrics, almost noiseless operation, easy attachment of attachments and the presence of additional elements in a standard kit.

2. For approximately the same or slightly lower price, Zelmer, Fagor, Ariete, ProfiCook, Clatronic products are sold. They are sufficiently qualitative and durable, and with careful observance of the rule of non-fulfillment of the period of continuous work specified in the instruction, they can serve for a long time.

3. Mixers produced by Aurora, Viconte, Mystery, Steba, Maestro, Delfa and others will save money on their purchase and even serve you well. But in this group there is a technique that is afraid even of temporary overloading and requires particularly careful handling.

According to the given gradation the rating of the best mixers is made up of a number of the following most popular models:

• Bosh MFQ3555,
• Bosh MFQ4020,
• Philips hr1565,
• Moulinex hm6151,
• Tefal ht3001.

These devices are valued by buyers for a successful combination of reliability, performance, versatility and affordable cost.

If you want to buy a really high-quality device and use it for a long time, choose products of proven manufacturers. In addition to the general knowledge of the brand, in this you will benefit from the feedback and advice of the same users about specific firms and models.

Price range

Introduction to the prices of mixers raises another question: what kind of mixer is the cheapest or the best one? Their cost can range from 300 rubles to 44 thousand. Such a spread of prices is explained by the wide possibilities of materials, types, bundling and functional. Naturally, the increase in the number of metal parts, volumes, power, etc.increases the cost of the device.

Depending on the type of kitchen mixer stands:

• Manual without support and working capacity - from 280 p.up to 3,5 thousand rubles,
• Combined with a removable support and a cup - from 700 rubles.up to 5 thousand rubles,
• Stationary - from 3,5 thousand to 44 thousand.

The task of the buyer is to adequately balance the quality and money paid for it. So, for example, for preparation of only milkshakes, you can buy a mixer from the first group, while the preparation of mashed potatoes, dough and other difficult jobs will require investing a few big money, as well as guaranteeing a longer work without unexpected breakdowns.

Video: how to choose the mixer

All the parameters, including a preliminary acquaintance with the prices, can help you to choose a mixer with knowledge of the matter. We hope that it will be true - you will receive a reliable kitchen assistant for many years, perfectly performing the work assigned to him.