Hand mixer recommendations?

[BarbaraL]

My brother and sister-in-law just asked for a hand mixer for Christmas -- their's just died! Any recommendations? (I have an ancient one that keeps plugging along, so I haven't looked for one in years). Kitchen Aid stuff always seems to be great, but more expensive than other brands. I had to switch gears for this post; I've been drooling over the KitchenAid stand mixer thread!

[Gail]

After nursing my old GE along for more years than I care to admit, I finally retired it and replaced it with a Kitchenaid 9-speed which I love! From the way the old one used to moan and groan each time I turned it on, I always felt I was disturbing it by using it. The new Kitchenaid is energetic-- eager to show off, purring along where my other one used to slow and protest, this one makes easy work of things. Yeah, they're more expensive-- and I hate to sound like Heather Locklear on that commercial-- but I'm worth it! So, was the mixer. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[junietoo]

I have a fairly new KitchenAid 7-speed hand mixer and I love it. The rounded, wisk-like beaters whip eggs and cream wonderfully. It's light and responsive. I haven't seen the 9-speed. I'm wondering whether it would be more powerful. I use my stand mixer for heavy work. I'm not sure how the hand mixer, being so light, would work on end-stage cookie dough. For things like quick breads, though, it does a great job. Check out the Amazon.com kitchen store for KA discounts. I saw some amazon coupons on dotdeals.com although I don't remember how much you had to spend. And I think they have free shipping right now.

[venus]

I know next to nothing about mixers, but I was just given a Cuisinart hand mixer as a wedding presents. I used it for the first time a few days ago and it made whipped cream in about 2 minutes. It also makes wonderful mixed potatoes.

[Kristi]

Again, my vote would be Kitchen Aid. I've had mine for over four years and love it.

[tobykitty]

My choice is a Bravetti. I found it on Home Shopping (I couldn't sleep one night). Anyways, what I love the most is that it has a retractable cord and you can pick a color. There are 6 translucent colors to choose from. And mine works wonderful. I think you can find it by going to hsn.com and searching for "mixer".

[Anne]

Hi Barabara. This isn't a recommendation but an opinion on something to avoid - my mixer has the cord comming out the front of the bottom rather than the back and it is a real pain. Unless I set it down very carefully, it sits on the cord and tips over - sometimes making it all the way to the floor. The kids find this funny, the dog finds it yummy, and I find it !!!. I finally resorted to tieing the cord to the back side of the handle.

[BarbaraL]

Thanks, everyone, I really appreciate your opinions. Trumpet fanfare. . . CHARGE it!

[bijoux22]

Another vote for the Kitchen Aid 7 speed hand mixer.

[Ralph]

To be different, here's a vote for the Cuisinart! Their most popular one has gotten rave reviews everywhere I've seen including the most recent Consumer Reports. The neat thing about it is that it's got a built-in count-down timer! No more hoping you can hear the timer across the kitchen!

[Norma]

The only thing I have against my Kitchen Aid is the cord. It is permanently attached to the mixer and it is STIFF. It's always sticking out somewhere and knocking things over. All you with Kitchen Aids...is your cord like this? Maybe I've got a bad one.

[Ed]

Hi,

Here's my 2 cents worth.

We have a Kitchen Aid hand mixer. I thought I really wanted one so about a year ago I went and bought it. But I find that I either use the big Kitchen Aid or I use a spoon. I really don't use the hand mixer as much as I thought I would.

Ed

[mommywannabe]

I have a new one for you to look at...we received a Presto SaladShooter Mixer Too (yes, that's the name http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif) a couple of years ago and we love it. It's about $30-$40, depending on where you buy it. Not only is it a mixer, but it has a built in grater that work's wonderfully for cheese, veggies, etc. (watch out when you grate carrots...it stains the plastic). It's really easy to clean, too.

[Mamasue]

Vote for Kitchenaid too! Gail...I love to hear you talk!! You and Ed should get together and do some writing together. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[JeanneW]

I have a Black and Decker hand mixer. Who knew they made home appliances!!! I love it though. I mostly wanted it for mashing potates and other quick things because I use the Kitchen Aid stand mixer for everything else. The B&D is great! Lots of power. Unfortunately, I can't tell you anything about the price, because it was a gift last Christmas. But I wouldn't be surprised if it was cheaper than the Kitchen Aid.

[Anne]

Jeanne - your reply about Black and Decker cracked me up. When our place was in construction mode and kitchen appliances were hard or impossible to get at we were known to resort to a Makita with a fork in the chuck to replace a hand mixer. I thought about sending the company a photo with a caption 'Makita' not your ordinary kitchen appliance. I regretted regaining access to normal kitchen appliances and the resultant loss of power and speed control.
ps - for those who haven't recently been involved in construction - our Makita is a cordless hand drill and the chuck is the part you would normall put the drill bit in. and power and speed control refer to the drill.

[This message has been edited by Anne (edited 12-07-2000).]

[JeanneW]

Anne - I guess we have our share of testerone, huh? Look out, Tool Man!