How to choose a planetary mixer

There are tasks that technology can handle better than humans—a planetary mixer can knead dough or whip cream faster than a professional chef can do it with his hands. And this without loss of quality, since the design feature eliminates mass heterogeneity. But if the time has come to choose your assistant, it is important to decide for what tasks you need him.

How to choose a planetary mixer

The volume of the bowl, a set of attachments, basic and additional functions, power are the main criteria that visitors to a household appliance store focus on. And if the various models are the same according to the listed parameters, then the final choice is often dictated by price or design. This is the main mistake, which then entails negative feedback.

Bowl volume

It should be capacious and deep to prevent ingredients from splashing around the kitchen. Semi-professional equipment is equipped with a bowl with a capacity of 5 to 10 liters. Household - from 3 to 5 l. If the mixer will be used frequently and under heavy load, it makes sense to choose semi-professional equipment with the smallest bowl - this will be enough for a large family. For 2-3 people and infrequent use, it is better to choose a household option - this way you can save money without sacrificing quality.

Bowl material

The stainless steel container is durable.In such a bowl you can heat food if such a need arises during the cooking process. It is easy to wash and difficult to damage. But before purchasing, the container should be carefully inspected. Walls that are too thin and sag under the pressure of a finger may indicate poor quality material that will oxidize or rust over time.

The advantages of plastic bowls include lightness and the ability to visually control the operation of the whisks from the outside. But these dubious advantages come at the cost of durability - the container is very easy to damage. High-quality food-grade plastic allows food to be heated in a water bath. And it doesn't smell. If the aroma of chemicals emanates from the bowl, this indicates a substitution with a cheap analogue, the use of which is fraught with unpleasant consequences for health.

Nozzles

The standard set includes a whisk, a cream spatula and dough hooks. They are usually made of stainless steel or durable plastic. The first option is preferable, since the choice of plastic will not affect the final cost of the planetary mixer, and steel will last longer.

If you need more attachments, it is advisable to purchase a mixer that includes them. This way you can save both money and time searching for suitable options.

Control

Whether it is a touch or mechanical control panel, its main task is to provide smooth speed control. The first option looks more impressive and is typical for “advanced” models with a large number of options. Such a panel is usually built into the top of the folding part of the mixer. Its advantage is the ease of removing contaminants.

The mechanical version is represented by a rotary lever and is one of the signs of reliable technology. The smaller number of speed modes is compensated by a long service life. The only significant drawback is that dirt collects quickly near the regulator and is not very easy to clean.

Presence of a timer

The ability to set the operating time, after which the mixer will turn itself off, is a nice additional option. It relieves the cook of the task of “keeping track of time,” allowing him to be distracted from the bowl by other work processes.

General tips for choosing

The planetary mixer is originally designed for kneading and whipping. It can be additionally equipped with a mill and a blender, but the final cost of such a “combi” is not very encouraging. It is easier and more reliable to purchase highly specialized equipment.

A household mixer with a power of up to 1 kW copes well with common kitchen tasks. But if you plan to use it intensively at full load or with additional attachments, then it is better to pay attention to semi-professional equipment with a power of 1.5 to 2 kW. It will cost more, but it is cheaper than replacing a worn-out mixer immediately after the end of the warranty period.

IMPORTANT. Household appliances without overload protection should be avoided - they are dangerous and short-lived. It’s good if the level of security is increased by protection against restarting and switching on when the lid is open. Controlling the position of the bowl also reduces the risk of accidental injury.

And the last thing is the case material. Stainless steel has become almost synonymous with reliability, but “budget” plastic options are not much inferior to it in this regard. High-quality plastic used in the production of household appliances is wear-resistant and non-flammable.It can be broken by an accidental blow. But since the planetary mixer is a stationary device, the risk of damaging its body is minimal. Therefore, you can save money on it.