[glasnost]

Looking for recommendations for a hand-held mixer, mainly for making cakes. We purchased the Kenwood kmix from DJs however my mum has one and she has tried to talk me out of it as she finds it very heavy. So we are looking to return it and buy another one.

I don't want a bench top one as we have limited space in our kitchen for storage and it will probably be used once a week fi that for making cakes etc. We are not huge bakers but have been mixing everything by hand and I am sick of getting a dead arm!

Probably looking to spend 100-150 but willing to pay more if it is really awesome and will last a few years.

[countrymel]

Nip down to Vinnies and see if there are any 70's hand helds there.

I was given a hand held mixer as a birthday present in 1978 when I was 7 - I still use it now!

I have had modern ones come and go around me but this little champ is still going strong!
I also got one from my great Aunt when we had to clear out her house, I imagine it was bought the year before or two than mine - my friend has it now and likewise it is still going like a little champ!

They were just made so much better in those days, a little heavier build than a modern one but that is because they used sturdy parts.

If you do go the new path - check the wattage - the bigger the motor the better.

[SierraX]

I've heard the Braun stick mixer is good. Can anyone confirm?

Will be watching this thread with interest.

[countrymel]

SierraX - stick mixers are all pretty good (again check the wattage) but they are useless for making cakes/whipping.

You need a set of beaters for that.

[Gioiello]

My Cuisinart ones are brilliant. Very well built, works beautifully, powerful motor and they have a nifty little box that fits under the motor unit and stores all of the accessories (beaters, whisk, dough hooks and a spatula) and the cord. It isn't too heavy either.

I think we ordered it for about $115 from Peters of Kensington, but you can buy them in many homeware shops like House, Matchbox and possibly Robins Kitchen.

[baby*girl]

I just got the triblade and I just love it. It practically does everything a processor does.

[SierraX]

CountryMel - thanks, I guess I thought stick mixers and hand mixers did the same thing! Is there an appliance that does the job of a food processor and cake mixer or no (I really am new to this cooking thing)?

The Cuisinart one looks great by the way.

[blackcat20]

I've got the Sunbeam one, it is fantastic. Cream is whipped in only a minute or two. You can often pick it up quite cheaply at Target etc.

[*cough*]

Is there an appliance that does the job of a food processor and cake mixer or no (I really am new to this cooking thing)?

Thermomix!

[MrsLexiK]

CountryMel - thanks, I guess I thought stick mixers and hand mixers did the same thing! Is there an appliance that does the job of a food processor and cake mixer or no (I really am new to this cooking thing)?

The Cuisinart one looks great by the way.

My food processor can do cake batches and whipping but personally I prefer my stand mixer for cakes and whipping and beating and my processor for slicing, dicing, blending etc. They both sit pretty on my kitchen bench and I find I use them a lot more this way then if they where in my cupboard. But that is me, there is a whole world of ladies/men who have brought into the TMX/thermo world that swear by it. Personally (and I have tried it) I wouldn't buy one because I found it a PITA to actually use and it didn't really save me much time. (Rissotto these days can be done in most rice cookers in the same time. My rice cooker cost $79 and is a much bigger bowel then the thermo's bowels. Which means when making rice for a tribe I only need to put in one lot not two which my MIL needs to do)

ETA: my stand mixer can also buy attachments that allow it to mince, shread veg as well. But same thing, I do prefer to use my food processor to take care of the mincing and the slicing.

This post has been edited by MrsLexiK: 04/02/2013, 10:46 AM