Is A Hand Mixer As Good As A Stand Mixer

Got a kitchen that won’t accommodate a stand mixer but needs the power? Read on to see what you should buy.

A hand mixer is a tempting alternative to the otherwise bulky stand-up mixer. But while they may be less of an eyesore in your kitchen, they are typically much less powerful and can’t make as stiff of dough or mix batters as well. They also don’t have balloon whisks or as many other attachment options for blending tasks around the house.

But if you have space constraints and need a quick tool for occasional baking tasks, read on to see which hand mixer will best suit your needs!

A stand mixer has attachments such as whip, dough hooks, and a bread hook. It can mix anything in one bowl as long as it fits inside. A hand mixer lacks these attachments and can’t handle ingredients as heavy duty as some of those in a stand mixer.

As well, switching back and forth between the two attachments will require frequent cleaning between each use. The beaters are not interchangeable between the two styles of mixers, so you will have to bring out the big guns if you want to make bread or something that requires a whisk for cake batter for example (i.e., neither of these should be attempted with hand mixers).

Hand mixers come in various capacities, usually ranging between 2 and 10 cups. If you want to do certain doughs, such as heavy duty bread dough or a cake batter, you should expect to stick with the bigger hand mixers. Because the beaters are less effective than on stand mixers, your dough will be a little weaker and could possibly break during mixing. Also if you use vegetables or beans with too much liquid while mixing and they go through the beaters, they could cause damage to your mixer. A hand mixer really needs to be at least 8 cups (1 liter) in capacity; otherwise it will be difficult for you to make bread dough which requires mixing several ingredients that are superpowered.

Can You Use A Hand Mixer Instead Of Stand Mixer?

The answer is no. They should not be substituted for a regular stand mixer. They are designed to perform specific tasks and can’t make the same kinds of dough, be as gentle or sturdy on the ingredients, or have the same attachments that a stand mixer has.

If you really don’t want a stand up mixer, there are plenty of hand mixers that can do what you need. However, it is important to consider if you have enough space in your kitchen and whether you actually need the extra attachments that come with a stand mixer.

Each mixer will handle different tasks, so if you have the space, go for one with all the bells and whistles. As well, since they are not interchangeable between the two styles of mixers, remember that each hand mixer will require frequent cleaning between uses. If you want to do certain doughs that require heavy duty mixing of ingredients, expect to stick with a larger machine. Since the beaters are not as strong as on a stand up mixer, your dough will be weaker and could possibly break during mixing.

Which Is Better Stand Mixer Or Hand Mixer?

For those with the space, it’s a tie for hand mixers. Their versatility can be nice, although even though they are lighter, they will still require a lot of storage space. On the other hand, you can make a nice piece of dough in little time with a stand mixer. For those with limited space and need to use their hand mixer regularly, consider one that has only one bowl or has some attachments for sauces and other food/beverage blending tasks.

Since attachment types on a stand mixer are interchangeable between models and vice versa, so you won’t have to bring out the big guns if making bread (or cake batter) or if it makes healthier food (i.e. vegetables and beans, which are healthier options than sugar, flour, eggs and dairy). However if you’re making dough of vegetable pulp (i.e. pulped vegetables), they will go through the beaters causing damage to your mixer.

They are both easy to clean but it can be confusing when removing the attachments to clean them, because there could be small spaces that might get dirt in them. Stainless steel is something that should be considered when looking for a hand mixer or stand mixer. Stainless steel will not react with the ingredients that you are mixing and will not corrode or rust in any way. This is especially important for those with allergies and other health concerns when it comes to their food being mixed in stainless steel bowls.

Can You Use A Hand Mixer Instead Of A Stand Mixer For Bread?

Good bread recipes require a stand mixer for the long mixing time and light dough. You do not want to use a hand mixer for bread dough if you have concerns about the mixability of your ingredients, especially those with very large or heavy items (such as whole wheat flour). It is potentially possible to make bread dough by hand, but it will take a lot longer than with a stand mixer, and you might end up doing more stirring than is needed. In addition, any areas around the bowl where you are kneading may also become full of flour, making clean up more difficult.

It depends on how you want to make your bread; there is no one particular way that works for everyone. Use the recipe that has been tested and works for your particular needs.

Can I Use A Hand Mixer Instead Of Stand Mixer For Whipping Cream?

No! As mentioned above, hand mixers can’t handle heavy beaters or ingredients with a lot of liquid in them. In addition, they simply don’t have enough power to make the cream fluffy and consistent; frequently the beaters would end up breaking. You could try using the whip attachment if you have one (which might help with some heavy whipping), but this is not recommended for use without a stand mixer.

How To Make Bread Dough Using Stand Mixer?

While a hand mixer could be used to make bread dough, you will be better off making it with a stand mixer. This will produce a consistent texture and you won’t have to worry about the dough breaking since standard mixers are made to handle much more substantial mixing jobs than hand mixers. However, if you don’t have a stand mixer and still want to make good bread dough, follow these instructions:

Mix the yeast in with the lukewarm water. Wait for about 10 minutes for it to become dissolved; then add it to your flour in your mixing bowl. Add salt, sugar and beaten eggs to this mixture. Mix with the dough hook on medium speed until it comes together into a ball and no whole flour is visible. Keep kneading it till all of the flour has been mixed in. Add oil and begin kneading on medium to high speed, just as you would with a stand mixer. Knead until you have a nice, consistent dough ball; then let it rise for 25-30 minutes or until it has risen to about 1/2 its final size. When ready for baking, take out and divide into two equal parts. Place each section onto a cookie sheet that has been covered with parchment paper or waxed paper (to avoid sticking) and cover with plastic wrap.

Can You Use Hand Mixer To Mix Dough?

Yes! You can mix bread dough using a hand mixer just as you can with a stand mixer, although the consistency of the dough may be different. Make sure that you follow the same steps that you would with a stand mixer; making your yeast mixture and adding it before your eggs, flour and salt. Also make sure that each part of your bread dough is divided and placed on two sections of parchment paper or waxed paper to avoid sticking.

You will not be able to use a hand mixer to whip cream like you would when making it with your stand mixer. That is because the ingredients in hand mixers are different than the ingredients used in a stand-alone mixer. However, you can use a hand mixer’s whip attachment for cream that is thick and fluffy. Touch the bowl to make sure that it is not hot from being used. If it feels too hot, let it sit for awhile until it gets to room temperature. Fill the bowl halfway with cream and whip at medium-high speed until soft peaks begin to form; then increase the speed to high and whip until stiff peaks form. Serve immediately or chill in a covered bowl before serving.

A stand mixer is an essential fixture of any kitchen, no matter what kind of cooking you plan on doing with it.

Can I Use A Stand Mixer Instead Of A Hand Mixer?

A stand mixer is a much better option for making bread dough than hand mixers. Mixing dough with a stand mixer allows you to get the consistency that you want, and makes it much easier to incorporate the yeast into the flour. However, it is not as simple as using a hand mixer.

Final Thoughts:

If you have been looking for one or the other, then you must ask yourself a few questions: Do I want to mix with a hand mixer? Do I want a stand mixer? The answer may not always be so clear, but here are some suggestions.

If you want a stand mixer, then you need to consider how much use the mixer will get. If you are going to use it just once a year, then perhaps a hand mixer would suffice. If you are going to use a stand mixer more often than that, then you should really consider purchasing one. Since stand mixers can be heavy and voluminous, they will be harder to move around and store if they are not being used on a regular basis.

If you plan on using the machine for things other than making bread dough, such as cake mixes or salad dressings, then maybe buying one of each would make most sense for your situation.