There are always new devices hitting the market that are designed to make our lives easier, especially for someone who spends a lot of time in the kitchen. Stand mixers have been a topic of debate amongst home chefs and professional chefs alike, and the main question being, “Is a stand mixer worth it?” As a kitchen tool that is far more expensive than manual mixers, it’s important to ask yourself a few questions to know if investing in a stand mixer is worth it.
How Often Are You in the Kitchen?
First and foremost, you’re going to need to ask yourself how often you really bake or have the need for a mixer because if you’re only in need of one once a month or once a year, spending the money on a stand mixer might not be the ideal decision.
On the opposite side, if you’re the designated family member to make every birthday cake or that always makes special batches of baked goods for extracurricular activities, you should definitely buy a stand mixer as soon as possible.
For people who don’t really have an interest in baking or who make meals that can be beaten together with a traditional whisk, there’s no point in spending over a hundred dollars for a stand mixer; you’d be better off with a hand mixer.
What Type of Things Do You Bake?
It’s also important to think about what you typically mix together because one of the most iconic features of a stand mixer is that it has a lot of power under the hood to tackle ingredients that are tough to work with. For example, you can knead dough inside of a stand mixer instead of doing it with your hands.
If you’re someone who generally works with liquid ingredients, a hand mixer will work well, but if you use heavy and thick ingredients, a hand mixer will easily get overwhelmed, and you’ll burn out the motor.
Do You Want to Save Time while Baking?
The easiest way to figure out if a stand mixer is worth it is to think about the amount of time you’re going to save. You surely will spend more money on the appliance than you would on a hand mixer or a manual whisk. However, time is money, and the less time you spend in the kitchen, the more time you can spend with friends and family.
Stand mixers are well-known for getting the job done quickly, which is one of the main reasons as to why people decide to buy them. Instead of having to add all the ingredients and then mix them by hand, you finally can let a machine to do all the tough work for you. This allows you to move freely around the kitchen without having to keep an eye on the mixer while it’s doing its job.
How Much Space Do You Have in the Kitchen?
The vast majority of stand mixers are typically large, which means you’re either going to need to have enough space in your cabinets or on your countertop. With that being said, you can find plenty of mixers that are very aesthetically pleasing and can easily be displayed on your counter, which only adds to the comfortable feeling of your kitchen.
Compared to hand mixers where you’d easily be able to stow them away in your under-the-counter storage. It’s also important to remember that stand mixers are going to be heavier than other mixing equipment you may have in your home, which can make them tough for the elderly to use and maneuver around the kitchen.
Ideally, you’re going to want to choose a single space for storing the mixer so that you don’t have to pick it up and carry it around when you’re ready to start baking.
What Is Your Budget for Kitchen Appliances?
As mentioned, it’s also important to take your budget into account when you start wondering, “Is a stand mixer worth it?” This is because these devices are far more expensive than other small appliances that you might have around your home simply because they help to make cooking easier than ever before.
On average, a stand mixer can cost anywhere from $150 to over $400, depending on the features you’re going to be looking for. If you’re looking for a mixer that is simply going to work with basic ingredients, you can choose a lower-end model that offers convenience, whereas if you need a heavy-duty mixer, you’re going to need to be prepared to spend closer to $300 to $400.
What Features Would You Be Interested in Having?
Many people believe stand mixers are a one-purpose tool, but there are plenty of tasks that they can do for you. Not only do they mix ingredients, but they can also knead any dough, whisk liquids quickly, and more.
Depending on the mixer you choose, you may also be able to find additional attachments for specialty recipes. For example, some popular mixers have attachments for peeling fruits and vegetables so that they can be added to different recipes.
Before you settle on a single-stand mixer, it’s best that you make a list of the things that you’d need to use on a regular basis in order to make sure you’re making the right decision. The last thing you’d want is to invest in an expensive appliance only to have it sit in the corner of your kitchen for months without use.
Is a Stand Mixer Worth It? We’d Say So!
There’s nothing more valuable than being able to save time in the kitchen, especially if you’re preparing for a big and important event. With the help of a stand mixer, you won’t have to worry about monitoring every single step of the baking process, helping you to get more done in far less time.
Although they are more expensive than other tools you may own, they are well worth the cost, and you’ll immediately realize just how convenient they are after you use one for the first time. It’s time to revolutionize the way you bake by relying on a high-quality mixer that does all the hard jobs for you, saving you time but most importantly, helping you to enjoy spending time in the kitchen.