An Indispensible Kitchen Gadget: The Stand Mixer

Out of all the kitchen appliances I own, my stand mixer is the one I use most. These mixers are not cheap, but they are worth it in the time they save in the kitchen.

I own a KitchenAid, and would highly recommend this brand as it is the gold standard. Their stand mixers come with a large bowl and three attachments: the whisk, the paddle, and the dough hook. The whisk will have a pot full of potatoes whipped up to perfection before you can say "lumpy potatoes." The paddle is the mixer attachment I use most frequently and is good for mixing batters. I can make a mean pizza crust using the dough hook.

A nice thing about KitchenAid mixers is that there are dozens of attachments that can be purchased separately, most of which will fit most any cook's needs. These include a pasta roller, a juicer, an ice cream maker, slicer, food grinder, and even a sausage stuffing attachment. The attachments are universal and hook to the front of the stand mixer using the mixer's motor to engage them.

The drawbacks of using a stand mixer are few. Sometimes it is difficult to add ingredients, as the mixing head is in the way. Although, KitchenAid mixers come with a chute down which you can pour things, but I usually use a flexible cutting mat. Another drawback is that it can be cumbersome to lug the mixer out of its storage space if not kept on the countertop, but it is so much more convenient to use that it is worth it.

KitchenAid mixers come in at least twenty colors, which is enough to match any decor. I would advise against purchasing a mixer with a trendy color. Stand mixers are durable and will be around a long time; perhaps longer than you wish to have a bright orange mixer.

There are several types of KitchenAid mixers. Some have a tilting head, while some have a bowl that moves up and down. They also vary with respect to the size of the bowl and the motor. KitchenAid stand mixers range in price from around $239 to over $500, so they are not cheap. For the beginning to intermediate cook and for those wanting a great quality mixer even the low end mixers are excellent.

With my stand mixer I can make a batch of cookies or a loaf of banana bread in about half the time it would take me using a spoon or a handheld mixer. I would highly recommend the gift of a stand mixer for the cook in your life.