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I guess if you're only looking for 'cons' on stand mixers, then you only want to hear the bad parts? They're expensive and heavy, I guess could be cons. But if you don't move them, then heavy doesn't matter. We get ours at yard sales, so they aren't even that expensive, either. Just got a another green one yesterday. Woot! Old Kitchen Aid made by Hobart so it's vintage, too.
I'm not even sure how many stand mixers I have, at least a half dozen, maybe more. At the moment there's two of them in the kitchen, but I may put one of them down into storage. Might take a few of the ones in storage and sell them sometimes soon. Most of them need a bit of refurbishment, but that's mostly greasing and maybe new brushes. Most of them are older machines. The twp currently in the kitchen are both old ones made by Hobart which is who was making them before Kitchen Aid got involved. They're sturdier than the new ones, IMHO. In any case, old or new, I'd really hate to be without a stand mixer. I cook a lot and the stand mixer is just so much easier than a hand mixer or by hand.
Bread is baked once a week and the mixer is used for the two to three loaves made. The flat paddle and the dough hook are great. I can get really nice chewy crusts with the stand mixer when I want artisan bread and I'd hate to knead it that much by hand.
Mayonnaise is made with them using the balloon whisk. That happens about every ten days or two weeks. The stand mixer is also used for whipped potatoes (such as we had last night), noodles with the attached noodle maker, sausage is ground up with the attached grinder sometimes. Cakes, pancake batter, etc. It's perfect for waffles since that involved whipping egg whites til they stand on their own and then folding that into the rest of the batter. Since each stand mixer has multiple bowls, that's an easy process.
Clean up is easy, the bowls are washed, the beaters are washed and it has the no-spill ring (the old style is just one white plastic ring and not the clear two part plastic of the newer models) so there's no spilled things to clean up.
We don't have a hand mixer and about the only things mixed by hand is pie crust and that's because I don't want it over mixed. Other than the microwave and toaster, I'd guess the stand mixer is the next most used appliance in our kitchen. Well, unless you count the refrigerator, too.
For mixing, do you prefer using your hands, or a hand mixer, or a stand mixer? Are there any issues with hand mixer or stand mixer that make you to prefer just using your hands?
Have both.
Never use the stand.
Hand mixer all the way.
Also easier to clean.
I've always had a hand mixer because I don't use a mixer that often and I don't want something sitting out on the counter taking up space. I've had two in my life--the better one had heavier, more durable blades and it was easier to eject the blades when you were done. Make sure the controls are comfortable for you too. That's about it for recommendations.
The other item I use a lot (almost every day) is a Vitamix. It's a combination of a blender and a food processor.
Well, I also use a regular old fashioned egg beater if I'm literally just beating eggs or something like pancake mix. It gets regular use and you can just throw the entire thing into the dishwasher. No plug, no electrical.
This is a problem with stand mixers. If you don't have a lot of counter space you may not keep it on the counter and if you don't, you likely won't use it. We don't have a lot of counter space but we have every kitchen machine known to mankind. We do have a roll around island and another fold away table for preparations.
We have many food processors and juicers etc. that don't get used because they're tucked away.
Small kitchen, one countertop area about 3' long not in use so it houses my Kitchen Aide Pro stand mixer. Waited a long time to get it & love it more each time I use it which I use it a lot. I paid a lot of money so it stays loud & proud sitting on the counter instead of shoved into a cabinet or closet.
Mix up triple batches of cookie dough
Mix up egg noodle dough, let it rest covered in plastic wrap then use the noodle attachment to roll & cut them
Meatloaf
Bread
Mashed potatoes (or whipped if that is what you call them in your area)
Cheesecakes~ no way could I cream 5 bricks of cream cheese by hand or using a hand mixer
Make sausage
Put cooked boneless chicken, beef or pork have shredded meat in about 30 seconds.
Triple batch of peanut butter balls
Cakes & brownies I use my hand mixer.
Cons of the stand mixer:
Waited to long to buy one
It is heavy
Pros:
Able to mix large batches
Cleans up easily
Can pass it down to my kids or grandkids
Food processors are noisier in most cases. The reason the Kitchen-Aid is noisy because of it's planetary gears and a drive for grinding or other optional accessories. It's not that noisy.
How noisy/loud are the hand/stand mixers? ---comparing to food processors, which are noisier?
If they auction it off it is theirs to do so I reckon at that point but they both are fussing who gets it.
I think the stand mixer is quieter than both a hand mixer and food processor. I know there is less cleaning up with the stand mixer over a food processor too.
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