Mixing bread dough can be a time-consuming and labor-intensive task for many home bakers. To make the process quicker and easier, a quality stand mixer is essential. In this article, we will explore some of the best stand mixers for bread dough on the market, and we will discuss their features, pros, and cons. This information will assist you in making an informed decision when investing in a stand mixer for your kitchen.
- Best Stand Mixer – Reviews
- Buyer’s Guide
- FAQ
- What makes a stand mixer ideal for bread dough?
- Can I use a hand mixer to make bread dough?
- What attachments do I need for making bread dough?
- How do I maintain my stand mixer?
- Are higher wattage stand mixers better for making bread dough?
- Can I knead bread dough with a whisk attachment?
- How long should a stand mixer knead bread dough?
- Are stand mixers multifunctional?
- Do I need to invest in an expensive stand mixer for bread dough?
- Conclusion
Best Stand Mixer – Reviews
KitchenAid KSM150PSAQ Artisan Series 5-Qt. Stand Mixer – Review
The KitchenAid KSM150PSAQ Artisan Series 5-Qt. Stand Mixer is an eye-catching addition to your kitchen, being available in more than 20 different colors. Its power hub transforms the stand mixer into a versatile culinary center, offering over 15 optional attachments for various tasks. You can mix dough for up to 9 dozen cookies or 4 loaves of bread in a single batch, thanks to the 5-quart stainless steel bowl with a comfortable handle.
The mixer also features a 59-point planetary mixing action, meaning there are 59 touchpoints for every rotation around the bowl, providing thorough incorporation of ingredients. The tilt-head design grants you clear access to the bowl and attached beater or accessory, making it easy to add ingredients as needed.
Not only is the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Qt. Stand Mixer powerful enough to handle virtually any task, like stirring wet and dry ingredients, kneading dough, or whipping cream, it also comes with several useful accessories. These include a coated flat beater, coated dough hook, 6-wire whip, and a one-piece pouring shield. The flat beater and dough hook are dishwasher-safe, making cleaning up after use a breeze.
Overall, this KitchenAid stand mixer combines style, versatility, and high-quality performance to make it a valuable addition to any kitchen. Whether you’re an avid baker or just looking to make everyday cooking tasks easier, this stand mixer will not disappoint.
Pros:
- Sturdy and well-built design
- Powerful motor for efficient mixing
- Versatile with the ability to add various attachments
- Large mixing bowl to accommodate higher quantities of ingredients
- Time-saving, making recipes faster to prepare
Cons:
- Somewhat heavy, but contributes to its robust build and stability
Hamilton Beach Classic Stand and Hand Mixer – Review
The Hamilton Beach Classic Stand and Hand Mixer is an excellent addition to your kitchen, providing a two-in-one solution for your baking needs. With its lightweight design, you can easily detach the hand mixer from the base, allowing for extra mixing versatility in tackling any recipe.
Featuring 290 watts of peak power and 6 adjustable speeds, this mixer offers the ability to match the exact speed you need for anything from a fast whip to a slow stir. The QuickBurst function provides an additional burst of power when needed. The mixer’s Bowl Rest feature allows it to sit on the edge of the bowl, eliminating messy drips, while the Shift & Stir feature rotates the bowl for thorough mixing.
This mixer comes with a 4-quart stainless steel bowl, which is large enough to accommodate your favorite recipes while being dishwasher-safe. The versatile attachments included in the package are traditional beaters, a whisk, and dough hooks, perfect for various baking tasks.
The brushed stainless steel design of the Hamilton Beach Classic Stand and Hand Mixer is not only functional but also adds a touch of elegance to your kitchen decor. Its combination of power, versatility, and style makes it an essential tool for every home baker. With this mixer in your kitchen, you can enjoy preparing a variety of dishes while saving time and effort.
Pros:
- Versatile with both stand and hand mixer options
- 6 speeds with QuickBurst for easy control
- 290 watts peak power for strong mixing
- 4-quart capacity works for various recipes
- Bowl rest feature for convenient use
- Compact design saves counter space
Cons
- Mixing tines don’t reach the bottom of the bowl (but great for larger batches)
- Not suitable for heavy dough (but works well for other batter types)
KitchenAid KSM7586PSR 7-Quart Pro Line Stand Mixer – Review
The KitchenAid KSM7586PSR 7-Quart Pro Line Stand Mixer is a great addition to any kitchen, especially for those who love baking and cooking in large batches. With a 16-Cup Flour Power capacity, it can efficiently mix dough for up to 14 dozen cookies in a single batch. The mixer comes with a PowerkneadTM Spiral Dough Hook, Flat Beater, and Stainless Steel Wire Whip, giving you the versatility to mix, knead, and whip ingredients in a breeze.
The professional bowl-lift design ensures sturdy bowl support and stability when mixing heavy ingredients or large batches, making it the largest capacity residential bowl-lift stand mixer available. The power hub turns the stand mixer into a culinary center with compatibility for more than 15 optional attachments, such as food grinders, pasta makers, and more – this mixer truly is a multi-purpose addition to your kitchen.
The 7-qt. stainless steel bowl comes with a comfortable handle, making it easy to lift and pour your ingredients. This KitchenAid mixer, with its sugar pearl silver finish, not only delivers on performance, but also adds a touch of style to any kitchen counter. It is perfect for those who require a stand mixer that can handle a variety of tasks, from mixing dense mixtures to kneading dough for bread and pastries.
Designed with convenience and efficiency in mind, the KitchenAid KSM7586PSR 7-Quart Pro Line Stand Mixer is a reliable option for both amateur and professional home chefs.
Pros:
- Solid upgrade from Artisan model
- Long-lasting (30+ years of use)
- Great quality and well-built
- Beautiful painted finish color
- Multiple speeds and quality accessories
Cons:
- Quite pricey
Vospeed 5 IN 1 Stand Mixer – Review
The Vospeed 5-in-1 Stand Mixer is a versatile and multi-functional kitchen appliance designed to make your cooking and baking experience much easier and more enjoyable. This 850W mixer comes with a range of useful accessories, including a dough hook, whisk, beater, juice blender, and meat grinder.
One of the standout features of this mixer is its 7.5-quart stainless steel bowl with handles, which is more than enough to handle all your mixing needs. Additionally, the 1.5L glass jar is perfect for making fresh juice for your family. Thanks to the planetary stirring system, you can expect thorough and even mixing every time.
With six speed options available, you can choose the perfect setting for your recipe, and the pulse option allows for quick bursts of high speed. The mixer is equipped with a powerful 850W pure copper motor and built-in temperature chip sensor to prevent overheating and ensure the machine’s longevity.
The splash guard is a helpful addition to this mixer, allowing you to add ingredients without making a mess. To give you peace of mind, the Vospeed Stand Mixer comes with a 5-year warranty and 7×24 hour customer service support.
Whether you’re making cakes, bread, cookies, smoothies, salad, or sausage, the Vospeed 5 IN 1 Stand Mixer has you covered, making it a valuable addition to your kitchen.
Pros:
- Versatile 5-in-1 appliance that includes a mixer, blender, meat grinder, cookie and pasta disc attachments
- Larger 7.5 QT stainless steel mixing bowl suitable for big batches
- Suction cups on the mixer base for stability during use
- Attachable lid minimizes mess during mixing
- Tilt-head feature allows for easy attachment and removal of mixing tools
Cons:
- Sausage stuffing tubes are not included, but can be easily purchased separately
Aucma Stand Mixer – Review
Offering a powerful 660W motor and an elegant champagne color, the Aucma Stand Mixer is not only a functional kitchen appliance but a stylish addition as well. It operates at a low noise level (76dB) despite the high performance of its pure copper motor, and robust ABS housing ensures durability.
This mixer comes with a 6.5QT stainless steel bowl that can accommodate all your baking needs. The dual handles on the bowl provide extra convenience while handling, and the tilt-head design makes it easy to install or uninstall the bowl and its accessories.
The Aucma Stand Mixer features six optimized speeds with a pulse function, giving users greater control and a variety of options for diverse recipes. Its stainless steel decoration belt and blue LED power indicator lights contribute to its sophisticated exterior.
Included with this mixer are three mixing accessories: a whisk, dough hook, and mixing beater. The splash guard with access hatch helps you add ingredients without creating a mess.
The Aucma Stand Mixer’s exquisite design and impressive performance make it an ideal gift for friends and family. If you ever encounter any issues or have questions during use, their customer support is readily available to assist you. Expand your culinary abilities with this versatile and beautiful stand mixer!
Pros:
- Excellent mixing and whipping performance, surpassing Kitchen Aid mixers.
- 6.5-quart capacity with powerful 660W motor handles heavy doughs effortlessly.
- Easy to use with three attachments, making baking tasks quicker compared to a hand mixer.
- Ease of cleanup.
- Compact size for small kitchens or limited counter space.
Cons:
- The bowl may initially need scraping for thinner mixtures before the mixer works its magic.
Buyer’s Guide
Now that we’ve reviewed some of the best stand mixers for bread dough, let’s take a step back and consider some of the features that may be essential in helping you make an informed decision.
Capacity
The size of the mixing bowl will determine how much dough you can make at once. If you plan on making large batches of bread dough or baking for a crowd, you’ll want a mixer with a larger capacity. For example, the KitchenAid KSM7586PSR offers a 7-quart capacity, which means you can mix up more dough at once compared to the 4-quart Hamilton Beach Classic Stand and Hand Mixer.
Power
A powerful motor is necessary for kneading thick, heavy bread dough. The wattage of the motor is an essential factor to consider. Higher wattage usually means a more powerful motor, allowing you to mix stiffer dough with ease. The Aucma Stand Mixer comes with a 660W motor, powerful enough to handle most bread dough recipes.
Attachments
Make sure the stand mixer you choose comes with a dough hook that is designed to knead bread dough properly. Most of the mixers in our list come with additional attachments such as whisks and beaters, giving you versatility for other mixing tasks. The Vospeed 5 IN 1 Stand Mixer goes above and beyond, including a meat grinder and a 1.5L glass jar for added functionality.
Speed Settings
Having various speed settings is crucial in ensuring proper mixing and kneading consistency. Lower speeds for gentle mixing and higher speeds for vigorous kneading can make a significant difference in your baking results. Look for a stand mixer that offers a wide range of speed settings to accommodate different types of dough and batter, like the KitchenAid KSM150PSAQ Artisan Series mixer with 10-speed settings.
Tilt-Head or Bowl-Lift Design
The mechanism for accessing the mixing bowl should be easy to use and efficient. Tilt-head models, such as the Aucma Stand Mixer, allow the user to lift the head of the mixer to access the bowl, while bowl-lift models, like the KitchenAid KSM7586PSR, require you to lift the bowl to reach the attachments. Consider which method is more convenient for you.
Price
Stand mixers can range from affordable to high-end, so set your budget beforehand and consider the features you value most. If the most advanced features aren’t necessary for you, a more budget-friendly option like the Hamilton Beach Classic Stand and Hand Mixer might suit your needs.
Durability and Warranty
Opting for a reputable brand with a guarantee of quality can save you from unnecessary expenses in the long run. Many trusted brands offer warranties, ensuring reliable performance and coverage for potential defects. The mixers on our list come from reputable manufacturers known for their durability and reliability.
Ease of Cleaning
No one enjoys spending too much time cleaning up after baking. Look for a mixer with dishwasher-safe parts and attachments to save time and effort when cleaning up. The Vospeed 5 IN 1 Stand Mixer is a good example, with all removable parts being dishwasher safe.
Compact Size and Weight
If you have limited space on your kitchen countertop, you might need a compact and lightweight mixer instead of a more considerable, heavy-duty model. Something like the Aucma Stand Mixer — which offers a good balance between power and compactness — could be perfect for you.
Noise
Stand mixers can sometimes be noisy, especially when working with heavy dough. If noise is an issue in your household, you might want to look for a stand mixer with a quieter motor or a noise reduction feature.
Horizontally Rotating vs. Planetary Mixing Action
Mixers with planetary mixing action, like the KitchenAid models, have beater or hook attachments that move around the bowl while also rotating on their axes, guaranteeing even mixing. Horizontally rotating mixers, on the other hand, may not provide consistent results when kneading dough.
Take time to evaluate your needs and preferences when choosing the best stand mixer for bread dough. Paying attention to these essential factors will help you select the mixer that best suits your baking goals and requirements.
FAQ
What makes a stand mixer ideal for bread dough?
The best stand mixer for bread dough should have a powerful motor with high wattage, preferably above 600W. A mixer with a large capacity, such as over 5 quarts, will be useful in making larger batches of dough. Additionally, a dough hook attachment is essential for kneading heavy bread doughs.
Can I use a hand mixer to make bread dough?
While a hand mixer can be used for lighter doughs and batters, it’s not recommended for heavy bread dough. Hand mixers do not have the necessary power and efficiency for kneading heavy doughs. A stand mixer would be more suitable for the job.
What attachments do I need for making bread dough?
The most essential attachment for bread dough is a dough hook. Dough hooks are designed to mimic the kneading process, providing the perfect texture to your dough. Some stand mixers also come with wire whips and beater attachments that can be useful for other baking tasks.
How do I maintain my stand mixer?
Maintaining your stand mixer is essential for prolonging its life and ensuring optimum performance. Regular cleaning and proper storage are key. After each use, ensure you clean all parts (bowl, attachments, and mixer housing) with warm soapy water, and dry them thoroughly. Avoid submerging the mixer base in water. To store, cover the mixer with a cloth or store in a dust-free location. Periodically check if your mixer needs lubrication, and if it does, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Are higher wattage stand mixers better for making bread dough?
Higher wattage usually means more powerful motors, which can be beneficial for handling the heavier doughs associated with bread making. Mixers with higher wattage motors are less likely to struggle or overheat when kneading bread dough. However, it’s also essential to consider other features such as durability and attachment variety when selecting the best stand mixer for bread dough.
Can I knead bread dough with a whisk attachment?
Whisk attachments are not suitable for kneading bread dough. Whisks are designed for lighter tasks, like whipping cream or beating egg whites. Dough hooks are specifically designed for kneading and should be used for bread dough.
How long should a stand mixer knead bread dough?
The optimal kneading time can vary between recipes, but generally, it’s advisable to knead bread dough in a stand mixer for around 8 to 10 minutes. Always refer to the specific recipe’s instructions for accurate times.
Are stand mixers multifunctional?
Many stand mixers are multifunctional, offering additional attachments or compatibility with additional functions. Apart from the basic mixing and kneading, some stand mixers come with attachments such as meat grinders, pasta rollers, blenders, and juicers. These extra features provide versatility and can add more value to your investment.
Do I need to invest in an expensive stand mixer for bread dough?
Investing in a higher-priced stand mixer can have benefits, such as increased durability, more features, and better performance. However, it’s not always necessary to purchase the most expensive model. There are several quality models available at varying price points, so it’s essential to consider your specific needs and budget before making a decision.
Conclusion
Finding the best stand mixer for bread dough requires considering factors such as power, capacity, and attachment options. Among the mixers we reviewed, the KitchenAid Artisan Series, Hamilton Beach Classic, KitchenAid 7-Quart Pro Line, Vospeed 5 IN 1, and Aucma 6.5-QT models stand out. Evaluate each mixer’s pros and cons to determine which one is the perfect fit for your baking needs and budget. Happy kneading!