5 Things before you buy a Kitchen Stand Mixer

This are the first 5 things you should consider before you buy a kitchen stand mixer.  At this point I am assuming you have finally realized the advantages and disadvantages of the less expensive hand mixers and have finally decided you need to trade up for the increased versatility and uses of the kitchen stand mixer. 

There are 11 things you should consider when choosing which mixer to buy for your kitchen: space, mixer size and weight, capacity, functions, durability and quality,  power, warranty, price, customer service, esthetics and ease of use.   I am only going to discuss the first 5 things in this article.  The final 6 things are discussed in 6 More Factors to Consider Before You Buy A Kitchen Mixer.

Space is a factor when you consider how much room a full sized model will take up. If you are living in a very small apartment with a galley style kitchen then a full sized mixer is out of the question. There are models that are compact or smaller. A full sized model takes up approximately 24”x 24” worth of space. A compact model will only require approximately 12” x 12” of counter top and is easier to put away in a cupboard when not in use. A factor that is very important in small kitchens.

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Mixer size and weight is a factor to consider if you are going to be lifting, moving or storing it when it is not in use. One popular brand has a professional model that weighs 30 pounds. This is not a problem if you are going to put it on the counter and only move it to clean under it. The heavier mixer will not dance on your counter when it is working either. It stays where it is put. Smaller models weight as little as 9-11 pounds. A huge difference if you are going to take it out of the cupboard every time you use it. 

Capacity is a critical factor in my opinion. If you are preparing food for 3-4 people then a model with a 4-5 quart bowl that makes 2-3 loaves of bread or 1-2 dozen cookies is just fine. If, on the other hand, you are making cookies for the school bake sale or feeding a group of teenage boys then you might consider that a 6-7 quart capacity does allow you to mix triple and quadruple batches of cookies all at once. If you make a lot of cookies this can be a considerable time saver.

The number of additional functions that you can use a heavy duty multi-purpose kitchen stand mixer for is almost mind boggling. With optional accessories you can use the motor of your mixer to run a blender, slicer/shredder, food processor, berry press, meat grinder, citrus juicer, sausage maker, and pasta maker and more. If you are a serious kitchen wonk and you make everything fresh, can and preserve, and all that jazz then you definitely want to buy a mixer that is a serious all-in-one kitchen appliance. Yes, you can even buy a grinder attachment and grind your own wheat or coffee beans.

Durability and quality go hand in hand. A kitchen appliance that lasts ten, twenty or more years is obviously durable. You want a machine that will stand up to the toughest dough and mix it without bogging down. A machine that lasts with heavy use, and can handle the toughest jobs is one that is a quality product. 

These are just 5 factors that can make a big difference in what mixer you will ultimately own. But there are 6 more that you might want to consider before you push “the buy it now” button. Read 6 more factors to consider when you buy a kitchen stand mixer. These factors are power, warranty, price, customer service, esthetics, and ease of use.