Is a Stand Mixer Worth It?

As we wrap up the holidays and you have just baked as much as you’ll bake all year long in the span of two weeks, you may be thinking about what kitchen tools you need that you didn’t have this time around. Yes, I’m talking about all of you out there without a stand mixer. You may be wondering, is a stand mixer worth it?

I get this question a lot, especially as someone who develops recipes that mainly use a stand mixer. So, I’m going to talk about the iconic KitchenAid stand mixer and answer your question. Is a stand mixer worth it? And I’m going to give you all the pros, cons, and benefits of a stand mixer.

Before we can dive into the pros, cons, and benefits of a stand mixer. Let’s get all the info on them for those that are unfamiliar first. For the purpose of this post, I’m going to talk about the KitchenAid stand mixers as I am most familiar with this brand. I have owned many KitchenAid stand mixers, probably about a dozen! 

While I baked all the time growing up, my mom was not a baker. So, we did not have a stand mixer growing up, we just had a hand mixer. And, I always wanted a beautiful colored KitchenAid stand mixer to look at sitting on my countertop and to use whenever my baking mood would strike.

So, I bought a KitchenAid stand mixer the second I could afford one. As soon as I got a good paying job (when I worked at Roxy!), it was my first purchase. My first mixer was sky blue! I have since owned a pistachio, lavender, light pink, stainless steel, black, gray, red, teal, and a handful of variations of white. And now I have a beautiful white one again.

What is a stand mixer?

A stand mixer is a countertop bowl mixer that has a motor so you can mix hands free. It has multiple mixing attachments such as a paddle, dough hook, and whisk. Stand mixers can come in different sizes and colors. KitchenAid is probably the most popular mixer out there and they have everything from the Mini 3.5 Quart Stand Mixer to the standard 5 Quart Stand Mixer and an even larger 7 Quart Stand Mixer that are all great options for home bakers depending on your needs.

What’s the difference between stand mixer and hand mixer?

The main difference between a stand mixer and a hand mixer is the stand mixer stands alone, so you can mix hands free. The hand mixer is exactly that, a mixer that you must hold with your hands the entire time. A stand mixer also has multiple attachments, such as a paddle, whisk, and dough hook. The hand mixer only comes with beaters. A stand mixer is a countertop appliance that will take up more space. Where a hand mixer can be tucked into a drawer as it is smaller. 

What is a stand mixer used for?

A KitchenAid stand mixer can be used for literally everything — cookies, cakes, breads, pie doughs, puddings, whipped cream, and so much more. You can even whip up whipped cream cheese in your stand mixer.

How much does a stand mixer cost?

Depending on what size mixer you buy, the costs can range. KitchenAid, being the most popular and the iconic stand mixer, their sizes vary from $379 for the Mini, $449 for the 5 Quart, and $599 for the 7 Quart. Amazon usually has better deals, these prices I got right from KitchenAid's website.

What size stand mixer should I buy?

If you are a hobby baker, being you bake on the weekends sometimes and around the holidays — then I would suggest either the KitchenAid Mini Stand Mixer if don't have a ton of space or the KitchenAid 5 Quart Mixer. The larger 7 Quart Stand Mixer is not something a home baker needs unless they are baking larger batches like if you have a home bakery business or cater often.

When do stand mixers go on sale?

They always go on sale around big holidays! Black Friday, Thanksgiving, Christmas being the big ones. But, they have sales all throughout the year. You can usually find good deals on Amazon.

Head Tilt Vs Bowl Lift Mixer

There are two types of KitchenAid stand mixers, the head tilt and the bolt lift. The head tilt is going to be the most popular kind, this is the one I have and that you see most people using. This means that the head of the mixer tilts up in order to change attachments and add ingredients into the bowl below. 

The bowl lift mixer is a design where the bowl latches onto the back and sides of the mixer and has a lever. You move the lever up or down and this moves the bowl up or down allowing you to change attachments or add ingredients into the bowl. The head of the mixer does not move. So, if you need to add ingredients into the mixing bowl, you move the bowl up or down instead of lifting the head.

Is head tilt or bowl lift mixer better?

This is a personal preference. But, as someone who has owned many of both kinds, I really prefer the head tilt over the bowl lift. I think the head tilt is easier to maneuver. With the head tilt mixer you just need to lock in the bowl, then you can lift the head up and down to add ingredients or change the attachment. The bowl lift mixer has three spots the bowl needs to click in and then a lever to move it up or down. Some of the larger mixers, like the 7 Quart are only available in the bowl lift. Versus the Mini Mixer is a head tilt and the 5 Quart has both options for a head tilt and bowl lift. 

Pros of a Stand Mixer

• Hands Free: This is probably the top pro of a stand mixer, being that it’s hands free. This means you can mix something and walk away. You can allow whipped cream to whip up while you wash a couple dishes or cookie dough to cream while you measure out chocolate. 
• Less Strength Needed: You don’t need as much strength in baking when you bake with a mixer! This does a lot of the work for you, so if you are lazy (like me!) then a stand mixer will step and take a lot of work off your plate. Especially if you are making bread or yeast recipes where you need to knead dough.
• Multiple Mixing Capabilities: With a KitchenAid stand mixer, it comes with a paddle attachment, a dough hook, and a whisk. This allows you to mix, knead, and whisk all with one appliance. 
• Consistency: A stand mixer will give you more consistency in your dough then mixing by hand or with a hand mixer. 
• Reduce Mess: A stand mixer can reduce the mess on your countertop because it stays contained in the mixer, versus a hand mixer things can splatter more easily. 
• Time Saver: A stand mixer is a time saver! For example, my Homemade Whipped Cream recipe will mix up in about 5 minutes in a stand mixer, versus 17 minutes using a hand mixer (yes, I tested this!). I will use my stand mixer every time I know it will save me time like that! 
• Long Lasting: A KitchenAid stand mixer will last pretty long. The most common issue with the KitchenAid stand mixers is that worm gear will die. You may think your mixer died when this happens, but it really actually does not! This is a protection mechanism that breaks when the mixer is in distress so the motor does not die. All you have to do is replace this! I’ve fixed multiple mixer with just this one simple thing, and the replacement only costs like $10! 

Cons of a Stand Mixer 

• Space: If you don’t have a ton of kitchen space, this can be a con for a stand mixer. Especially if you don’t bake often enough to make that real estate worth occupying. 
• Cost: The cost can be a con if you are on a budget. But, if you bake often then this will pay for itself in time alone!
• More to Clean: A stand mixer can be a little more to clean than a hand mixer simply because it’s larger. But, again, the time you save baking can go into that cleanup. 

So, you can see from the pros and cons list that are to so many benefits of a stand mixer, compared to not. If you are thinking of buying a stand mixer, I can only tell you that it’s totally worth it! I will choose to use my stand mixer every time, unless the recipe is just so damn easy that it can mix up in a bowl in minutes. Otherwise, it’s always best to use my stand mixer. 

The Takeaway

Is a stand mixer worth it? Yes! Do you really need one? Probably not. But will it make baking faster and easier? Hell yes. If you bake often or you want to level up your baking with more complex recipes then a stand mixer will only benefit you in the kitchen. 

Craving More?

• How to Make Pie Crust in a Mixer
• The Best Pie Pans to Bake With
• Tips for Baking With a Gas Oven
• 5 Easy Tips to Improve Your Baking
• Can You Make Pie with Frozen Fruit?

Join Our Organic Community