Wednesday, June 29, 2016

What is a Cheftronic Stand Mixer?

I just discovered a new brand of stand mixer called the Cheftronic.  The first thing I asked myself was "What is a Cheftronic Stand Mixer?"  After a little research I found this new mixer to be getting good reviews from new owners of this mixer.  Made by Cheftronic this stand mixer is powerful like a KitchenAid without the high price tag.

This stand mixer is a basic 6 speed mixer with a powerful 650 watt motor.  It has a planetary mixing feature and the mixer head swings 50 degrees for ease of use.  It comes with the basic beater attachments and one 5.5 quart metal bowl.  This brand has a limit of only four colors to choose from: red, white, stainless and black.

Besides the price tag of almost half the price of a KitchenAid brand, the Cheftronic has a quiet motor which is desirable to many of us who love to bake.  This new brand is from overseas and one complaint is that the instructions arrive in a foreign language which makes it difficult to follow for a new user or cook.


Cheftronic 650w Planetary Mixer


Sunday, April 10, 2016

The Hand Mixer Versus the Stand Mixer

An age old question: Which is better, the hand mixer versus the stand mixer?  If you are in the market for a new mixer for yourself, a new cook or a newlywed gift, then researching the best mixer to buy is a must before purchasing.  I hope I can help you with some "food for thought" in the differences between a portable hand mixer and a larger stand mixer.

One of the first items that may be on your list to research is price range that fits within your budget.  This is pretty much self-explanatory that a hand mixer with be much less expensive than a larger stand mixer.  Prices for the hand mixers range from a very inexpensive $15 to a Kitchen Aid hand mixer for $99.  Like the old saying goes, "you get what you pay for".  The less expensive mixers have smaller motors, less attachments and limited warranties.  The more expensive models are more powerful with extra attachments.  I own a Sunbeam hand mixer that is just as powerful as a stand mixer.  It was priced around $30 years ago.

Stand mixers are priced from approximately $99 all the way up to several hundred dollars or more.  Professional mixers range in the thousands but usually only commercial kitchens or professional bakers look for this type of mixer.  Just as with the hand mixers, the less expensive mixers have smaller motors, less speeds and limited attachments available.  The more expensive the stand mixer the larger the motor, more attachments are included and like with the Kitchen Aid brand there are many accessories to purchase in the future.

The next item to compare between the hand and stand mixer is size.  This means keep in mind the space you have available either in your kitchen or in the person's kitchen that you are buying for.  A portable mixer is small and will store easily in small spaces.  A large stand one will need a large counter space or cabinet area to store it in.  With some brands the style and colors are so attractive that you won't mind keeping it out on the counter where everyone can see it.  One popular brand of mixer actually comes out with one to two new colors each year to match home decor.

The last important question I have for you when deciding between the hand mixer versus the stand mixer is what are your actually baking and mixing needs?  Are you or your gift recipient an avid cook or baker?  Or are you just needing a basic appliance for once in awhile cooking?  Once you define the type of cook that is receiving this new mixer, then you will have your answer on which style of mixer to purchase, the hand mixer or the stand mixer.


Kitchen Aid 9 Speed Hand Mixer

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Best Stand Mixer for Holiday Baking

Holidays bring out the need for finding the best stand mixer for holiday baking.  Today is the Saturday before Easter Sunday and there is lots of cooking going on in the kitchen!  Potatoes are boiling, vegetables being prepared, ham is ready in its cooking pan and the baking is ready to commence.

Finding the best stand mixer for baking is very important.  Take a few minutes to think of the type of baking you plan on doing for any of the upcoming holidays and then review which mixer works best for you.  At Easter for example, I make breads stuffed with nut fillings, sugar cookies and fresh pies.  I need a mixer that can mix thick dough and whip meringue toppings.

In preparation for holiday baking, first I gather all the necessary supplies including food ingredients needed on the recipes, equipment including the mixer, baking pans and an area to work in.  I tend to spread out throughout the kitchen when baking goodies for the family gathering.

I will first mix the bread dough to set aside and rise.  Then I change the beaters from dough hook to regular mixing beaters.  I have an extra bowl for my mixer for when I am doing a variety a mixing projects.  I even have the whisk beater for making a nice meringue topping for my lemon pies.  Once a system is in place, this baking project is pretty easy.  The family sure looks forward to the homemade baked goods using our old family recipes.

I recommend the Kitchen Aid mixer if you need a range of mixing needs such as I do.  The mid-range mixer usually fits most budgets and will satisfy a variety of needs.  It comes with the three beaters mentioned above.  An extra bowl can be purchased separately.  If your budget is tight, then the basic Sunbeam Mixer works for basic mixing needs.  These two are my favorite mixers to own.
Kitchen Aid Classic Plus Stand Mixer