THE BEST MIXERS FOR YOUR KITCHEN

HOW TO CHOOSE = When shopping for the best mixers, you should know that three to five speeds are usually ample. Low or slow speed is needed to prevent splattering.

More important features include design, the shape of the bowl, and the movement of attachments. These affect overall performance.

Weight is a factor if you have to move your mixer in and out of your cabinetry. If you plan to use a mixer often, get a lighter unit to avoid hassles.

Look for a mixer that has a locking mechanism for the head. This will make it easier to operate since the head won’t tilt forward when the beaters are weighted with heavy dough, or ride up when mixing thick substances.

If you will place the mixer below wall hung cabinets, make sure it will fit. The clearance between counter top and cabinet is typically 24”. Measure the mixer – with the head tilted up – to make sure it will fit.

Bowls are important because they can make your job easier. Deep bowls will keep ingredients under control better than shallow bowls. Some bowls have an anti-slip surface on the outside, so they won’t slide as you use them.

THE REVIEW = The title of Best Budget Stand Mixer goes to the Hamilton Beach Eclectrics 63221. If you normally use your mixer for whipping cream and blending cake batter, reviewers say this is the mixer for you.

However, kneading bread dough and mixing thick cookie dough aren’t its strengths. The beaters of these best mixers are better at reaching the sides of the bowl than most rivals, and it comes with an exceptional 3-year warranty. This unit runs about $175.

Other Top Performers Include:

Best heavy-duty mixer = Cuisinart SM-55 in the range of $350.

Best hand mixer = Kitchen Aid Ultra power KHM7T for $70.

Best Budget hand mixer = Braun MultiMix 4-in-1 M880 @ about $30.

Best Price found in Nov. ’09 and again in May, '10 = except for an instance on E Bay, the best prices for all these models was found at small appliances at Amazon.com (MarketPlace).

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