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Kitchen equipment · Mixer

Stand mixer

A powerful electric mixer with a tilting head and bowl; this catalogue record covers stand or hand mixers generally.

Useful to have · Electric · 59 recipes

What it is

A heavy countertop machine whose motorised head drives a beater, whisk or dough hook in a fixed bowl, often in a planetary motion that reaches the whole bowl. It works hands-free and handles stiff bread dough and big batches. In this catalogue the label 'Stand or hand mixer' means any electric mixer will do; the separate hand mixer record describes the lighter handheld kind.

What it’s for: Mixing, creaming, whipping and kneading without manual effort.

How to use it

  1. Attach the bowl and choose the flat beater (creaming), whisk (whipping) or dough hook (kneading).
  2. Add ingredients and start on the lowest speed to avoid splashing.
  3. Increase speed gradually; stop to scrape the bowl with a spatula.
  4. For bread, knead on low to medium until smooth and elastic.

Good to know

Tasks
creaming butter and sugar, whipping cream and egg whites, kneading bread dough, mixing cake batters, making meringue, mixing cookie dough
Cooking methods
Whipped, Oven-baked
Materials
metal body, stainless steel bowl, glass bowl
Care and cleaning
Wash bowl and attachments after use; some uncoated attachments are hand-wash only. Wipe the head when unplugged.
Limitations
Heavy, expensive and takes counter space; small quantities may not reach the beater.

Safety

  • Keep hands, hair and spatulas away from moving attachments.
  • Unplug before changing attachments.

If you don’t have one

  • Hand mixer — Handles most cake and cream tasks; not heavy doughs.
  • Whisk — Works with patience for cream and egg whites.

Equipment guide

How it works: A motor in the head drives a beater, whisk or dough hook in planetary motion: the attachment spins on its own axis while orbiting the bowl, so it reaches the whole bowl without moving the bowl. This beats air into creams and egg whites and works dough long enough to develop gluten.

MaterialGoodWatch out
Stainless steelDurable, non-reactive, dishwasher-safe, does not hold smells.Can scratch non-stick pans; conducts heat, so all-metal handles get hot.
Borosilicate or tempered glassNon-reactive, lets you see the browning on the sides and base; holds heat well once hot.Slow to heat; can shatter with sudden temperature changes (e.g. cold liquid into a hot dish, or from fridge to hot oven).
Die-cast metal bodyHeavy, stable and durable.Very heavy to move.
Plastic bodyLight and cheap.Can walk across the bench with stiff dough; usually less durable.
Tilt-head mixer
Head lifts up; easy bowl access.
Bowl-lift mixer
Bowl raises to the beater; stiffer for heavy dough.

Buying guidance

Starting out: A 4.5–5 litre tilt-head mixer with a beater, whisk and dough hook.

Keen cook: A bowl-lift or stronger model if you knead bread dough regularly.

  • Bowl: 4.5–7 litres
  • Motor input: about 300–1,000 W (input wattage is a poor guide to power at the bowl; gearing matters)
  • Metal gears and body
  • Planetary action
  • Attachment hub for extras

No brands or prices — check current reviews before buying.

Techniques:BakingKneadingEmulsificationFoams and airs

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Recipes that use it

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