They beat the mixtures for us, they put the dough for us, they are consistent, they are diligent and most of all – they save us a lot of time.

The table mixers have long since become the secret weapon of any self-respecting kitchen and we completely understand why.

But just before you take your sourdough to the next level and invest in one, there are some important things to consider.

The mixer market is more saturated today than ever before. There are plenty of different sizes, shapes, features and capabilities.

The following guide is designed to help you avoid confusion in the store, and better understand what kind of mixer you need – and why.

place

It does a lot of things, but the mixer also takes up a lot of space.

Therefore, and before any other consideration, we would recommend understanding where you plan to keep it and how much space you have there for it.

Today’s mixers are designed and often used as a decorative item in the kitchen, so if you plan to use it a lot – maybe leaving it outside is the ideal solution for you.

But if there is a slight shortage of space on the counter, then it might be better to go for a more compact model.

bowl

The volume of the bowl will determine how much you can mix or knead at once.

Try to think about what the main uses of your mixer will be, how often and in what volumes you will need it – and decide accordingly.

More advanced mixers will come with a set of different bowls for different needs, allowing you to save space.

power

The engine is actually the whole thing. It is what distinguishes the table mixer from the hand mixer and it is what makes our lives easy, but here you have to be careful.

The easiest is to choose a mixer according to the number of watts listed on it, but this would be a mistake because there are other factors to take into account.

For example, a 1,000W mixer with precise speed control and a mechanism that prevents over-powering can provide a *much* better job than a 1,500W mixer.

Another factor is the unpleasant noise of course. In this context, you will be happy to hear that there are also “quiet” mixers (such as DAVO’s for example).

speed

It’s not exactly the speed that matters, as much as it’s your ability to control it.

A good mixer is a mixer that knows how to do both; Also to reach a high rpm for whipping of various kinds, and also to function well and produce the right torque at the low speeds. This is especially important for various types of dough work, with the potential of heating and tearing of the gluten – where slow and sensitive work is required.

The more control you have over the speed, the more control you will have over the outcome. Most self-respecting mixers allow for this gradation. Some even come with 10 different speeds, but who’s counting?

Special features

Start speed that builds gradually, digital screen, fixed programs for kneading dough, countdown timer, folding function, integrated lighting; This is only a partial list of special features offered by today’s professional mixers.

For most of us, these are features that are nothing more than nice to have, but we definitely recommend going through the list of features and seeing if there is something that speaks to you in particular and might sway your choice.

This is the case, for example, for the home bun baker – the possibility of kneading longer without heating the dough is a special feature that definitely justifies choosing a mixer like this and not another.

In conclusion

A mixer is not another electrical product that sits in your kitchen to meet one or two functional needs. Mixer is a fireplace. He is family. Choosing a good mixer is to a large extent a significant improvement in the quality of life and food.

Take your time, do research, compare, ask questions, and don’t be ashamed to take this article with you to the store and tell the seller that we said that the size of a bowl or a high wattage is not everything.

Good luck and bon appetit.