Choosing a Freestanding Mixer

Keen cooks pause longingly in front of freestanding mixers – those designer appliances with a hefty price tag. They come in stylish colours to match your kitchen, they make short work of recipes on TV demonstrations, and they’re increasingly demanded by baking cookbooks. But is a freestanding mixer a great investment… or an indulgent mistake?

You Spent HOW MUCH on a Kitchen Aid?!

There’s no denying that this is an investment purchase. But it’s far more PRACTICAL than a pair of designer shoes or a diamond ring! Busy cooks will quickly get their money’s worth from a freestanding mixer. It enables you to quickly make your own bread or Biscuits, whip up ice-cream and mince leftover meat. Making all these things yourself saves money on premium brands – and gives you more satisfaction too. If you need an excuse for buying yourself a freestanding mixer (and Christmas isn’t coming up), try one of these:

• A freestanding mixer replaces an Electric Whisk and Food Processor.
• It also replaces a Breadmaker and (with attachment) ice-cream machine!
• You can add attachments that juice oranges, grind meat, and make pasta.
• The huge capacity of these machines means you can make two loaves or up to 72 cookies in one go!

Prices of freestanding mixers

Time to talk money. A freestanding mixer will cost between £260 and £500+. You can save money by purchasing second-hand, although as with all electrical goods, it’s usually safer to buy new and take advantage of the manufacturer’s warranty.

KitchenAid’s entry-level mixer (the Classic) is pitched at home cooks. With a capacity of 4 litres and endless versatility (it takes all of the Artisan attachments), this mixer is £80-£100 cheaper than the professional-level Artisan. It is pitched at ‘home cooks’, with a less powerful motor – and this means, according to reviewers, that it might not be suited to high usage. But with 10 speeds, this mixer is suitable for every baking task – from whipping eggs to creaming butter and churning silky Ice-cream. Shop around, and you can find this mixer with a 5-year guarantee.

Kenwood’s entry-level mixer (Classic Chef) costs around the same and, like the KitchenAid, comes with three basic attachments: a flat beater, a whisk and a dough hook. The difference is the motor – at 500 watts, it’s 200 watts more than the Classic. It has 6 speeds, and a similar range of attachments (pasta cutter, meat grinder, and so on). The Kmix also features a larger bowl (5 litres).

Premium Freestanding Mixers – How Do They Compare?

If you’re prepared to part with more money, take a look at the ‘professional’ options. They have larger bowls, higher specification, bigger motors, and more accessories – although you’ll have to decide whether the extras are worth the money.

The KitchenAid Artisan is the mixer you often see on display in contemporary kitchen shops – it’s the only one that comes in 25 different colours (from Green Apple to Cobalt, Pink and Chocolate). But it’s not just the finish that’s been upgraded. The motor is 325 watts and the bowl can hold an extra litre, allowing you to make three loaves at once if you like. The powerful motor means that this mixer is better able to cope with sturdy dough and high usage. The Artisan bowl also features a handle, which makes it easier to manage.

Kenwood also offers some premium mixers, including the Titanium Chef. With a motor of 1000 watts, it’s a powerful machine. The bowl is stainless steel (an upgrade on the Classic’s aluminium) with handles for easy manoeuvre. The Titanium Major is a similar machine, with a larger bowl (6.7 litres – the biggest of the lot) and a huge engine with a 1500 watt capacity. You can add a juicer and liquidizer to the top of the machine. Kenwood suggest this one is perfect for those who cook and prepare food every day. This premium machine has a more contemporary look than the charming KitchenAid alternative, but it’s certainly well-designed and will serve its owner for years.