1. Powered mixers come in two general varieties: hand mixers and stand mixers. Hand mixers are very mobile and lightweight but offer less power. Stand mixers are ideal for tougher or more time-consuming jobs as they offer lots of power and large, built-in mixing bowls.
2. Hand/stand combination mixers are usually less powerful than true KithenAid stand mixers, but are often a useful bridge tool for a cook who doesn't need the extra power of a true KitchenAid stand mixer but would like its hands-free convenience.
3. Commercial kitchens typically employ commercial stand mixers, some of which have mixing bowl capacities of over 100 quarts. Home Sunbeam stand mixers are smaller than their commercial counterparts, but still powerful enough to handle tougher ingredients.
4. When choosing a hand mixer, be sure to consider the weight and ergonomics of the unit. A busy cook will use his or her mixer quite a lot, and a heavy unit will tire an arm out quite quickly. The unit should balance well in the hand, and shouldn't give off excessive vibration that could numb the arm with heavy use.
5. A key to choosing the right kitchen mixer for you lies in determining exactly how much power you need. For the average cook, a reasonably powerful hand mixer or light stand mixer should suffice. However, habitual bakers should consider a heavier-duty stand mixer, as these units can handle large quantities of dough and provide a smoother consistency with a shorter mixing time.
6. Be wary of advertising gimmicks when choosing your Kitchen Aid mixers. Units that advertise high power (wattage) and large numbers of speed settings don't always offer much more in terms of performance than more-pedestrian models. Some models of mixers offer more than a dozen speed settings, but most cooks find that just a few well-chosen speeds will suffice.
7. Be sure that your kitchen cabinets can accommodate your Delonghi stand mixer. Most have tilting heads that will help with this, and all but the largest should fit comfortably. Still, be aware that these are generally not small machines. Hand mixers, on the other hand, should have no problems fitting anywhere.
8. When it comes to electric hand mixers, look for units that have wire beaters without the traditional center pole. The traditional design is still best at mixing, and these center-less beaters offer that same efficiency but are easier to clean and more lightweight. Luckily, these are pretty much standard on the top brands' mixers these days.
9. Most mixer accessories - beaters, whisks, and so on - are advertised as being dishwasher-safe. However, some of these so-called parts have an outer plastic coating that can crack and peel under the intense heat and water pressure of your dishwasher. Pay close attention to customer reviews in this regard, as they are often more truthful than advertising copy.
10. Be aware that while artisan stand mixers allow for set-it-and-forget-it hands-free mixing, this does not mean that they should be left unattended while in use. Most stand mixers have fixed beaters and a bowl that rotates on a spinning tray. These trays can sometimes stop spinning and require a push-start from the user. In general, you should always monitor your mixer while it is being used.
