Cooking Resources

Hammster · 09-27-2011, 09:13 AM

Perhaps you might like something like this - found on Amazon for $14. Not a lot of money and will fit in a drawer, so no clutter.

CWS4322 · 09-27-2011, 02:20 PM

Do you need an electric mixer...no, is it handy to have one? Yes. I would go to yard sales, auctions, thrift stores and look for one. Let friends and family know you want one. Someone might have spare one kicking around. As s/one has already mentioned, you can download the manual on line. And, since Christmas is coming, you could do what I did when I was young, I gave my family a list of kitchen items that were on my wish list. My brother still buys me pieces of XMas Spode for Christmas and my birthday. I identified the brands I wanted, what I wanted, and made sure that there were things on the list that were inexpensive (a stainless steel "little" strainer--under $10, probably $5) to expensive (Spode, bread machine, knives). It took the challenge out of shopping for me, but also gave them a sense of what I would like and let them pick. I didn't get XMas presents I didn't want. Parents on the list (or grandparents/aunts/uncles/godparents) If you have kids in your life in their early '20s-30s who are not married, doing this is kinda like a bridal registry. Heck, even at my age, there are still things on my wish list! And, my list was used for YEARS. My godparents used it, my uncle, my aunts, my friends. It was great.

amyo16 · 09-27-2011, 08:13 PM

I got a kitchen aid mixer for Christmas and I LOVE it!!!! I use it almost every day, so i get its use out of it for sure. As everyone else has said, an electric mixer is not necessary but is way more convenient and easier. I would also recommend just getting a hand mixer as the stand mixer is a bit bulky and space consuming, not to mention they are very pricey if its not in the budget right now, but if you do bake a lot you will for sure gets its use out of it!!

Sir_Loin_of_Beef · 09-27-2011, 08:37 PM

For cake mixes, puddings, etc. you could use your blender if you have one. I got tired of setting up, then cleaning up the Kitchen-Aid for small jobs, so I picked up a hand mixer at Walgreens for less than ten bucks, and it came with a plastic case that held the chord and beaters and snapped on to the bottom of the mixer, making one neat package. I just keep it on the prep table behind my Kitchen-Aid.

**Dawgluver** · 09-27-2011, 09:36 PM

I think the Kitchenaid stand mixer, past and present, is a beautiful and useful machine, especially for avid bakers. That said, I don't own one and don't intend to, as I rarely bake. I use my little handheld mixer, also a Kitchenaid, but it takes up very little space and is easily cleaned.

Joshatdot · 09-30-2011, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by betterthanabox

Yard sales are a great place to look.

Yep Yep .. I got a Vintage Kitchenaid 4-C stand mixer for $5! .. I had to spend $30 for a bowl .. still much less than $75+ I see them for sale on the internet.

I'd also recommend Waring Pro WHM100 Professional 10 Speed Hand Mixer. Sure you can get a Kitchenaid handmixer .. but I've seen too many bad reviews that the worm gear or summat gets stripped in not-so-heavy loads.

SodiumPentathol · 10-03-2011, 12:03 PM

If you end up not getting an electric mixer, get a metal bowl for beating egg whites until they're stiff. They stay cooler so they get stiff faster ;)

gadzooks · 10-03-2011, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SodiumPentathol

If you end up not getting an electric mixer, get a metal bowl for beating egg whites until they're stiff. They stay cooler so they get stiff faster ;)

If you can find a copper bowl (for egg whites) at a yard sale or thrift store, get it and chill it before you whip. Be sure to scrub it with salt and lemon juice/vinegar, rinse and dry before you chill.

bakechef · 10-06-2011, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gadzooks

If you can find a copper bowl (for egg whites) at a yard sale or thrift store, get it and chill it before you whip. Be sure to scrub it with salt and lemon juice/vinegar, rinse and dry before you chill.

Actually room temperature eggs whites whip better than cold ones, you get more volume. Chilling the bowl works best when whipping cream.

kathrynb23 · 11-10-2011, 07:28 PM

I dont have one of those kitchen bench mixers, I've only got a electric hand mixer and that works great, relatively inexpensive as well I think mine was $15AUD (not even on sale) and it been years, never had to replace it yet. I really think a electric hand mixer is useful. I've tried whipping cream with normal whisk, and omg, it took forever!