There comes a point in one's life when the small appliances department at John Lewis suddenly, overnight, becomes a little more interesting. It's usually just after the age at which you start becoming furious about litter, and just before you decide to check how much (how little) is in your pension fund.
It might not seem like it today, but one day in the future you're going to get a stand mixer and wonder how you survived without one. This is the one kitchen gadget that won't end up overlooked, which is why you'll never find a stand mixer in a charity shop, only ever juicers and spiralisers.
Baking bread becomes significantly more appealing when you can just chuck all the ingredients in a bowl and set the stand mixer to work.
Here's five of the market-leading stand mixes from frugal to fantastic:
Frugal: VonShef Stand Mixer
This is the perfect stand mixer for beginners and one of the best at the lower end of the market. It comes with a 4.5l bowl, three attachments: a balloon whisk, a beater, and a dough hook, and offers 8 speed settings. It even comes with a splashguard cover (which on more expensive models usually requires a separate purchase). Like many of the more affordable models, this does lack a bit of weight, so ensure you've got a kitchen surface that its rubber feet will stick to.
Value for money: ★★★★★
Build quality: ★★★☆☆
Range of included accessories: ★★★★☆
Range of accessories to purchase: ☆☆☆☆☆
Overall: ★★★★☆
RRP £69.99
Fantastic: KitchenAid Mixer Tilt-Head 4.3l Classic
KitchenAid - the leading manufacturer - offers a dizzying array of stand mixers, and the 4.3l 'Classic' version is their entry-level model. Three attachments are included - a balloon whisk, a beater, and a dough hook, but everything else needs to be purchased separately. That said, KitchenAid offers the broadest range of attachments (even running to a pasta press), which makes this stand mixer suitable for a huge range of cooking purposes. More experienced bakers will miss the extra power and greater speed settings offered on the higher 'Artisan' model.
Available in Onyx Black, Matte Black, Matte White, White, and Porcelaine White.
Value for money: ★★★☆☆
Build quality: ★★★☆☆
Range of included accessories: ★★★★☆
Range of accessories to purchase: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★☆
RRP £449
Although often available at a significant discount from KitchenAid or other retailers. However, during sale periods, the 'Artisan', which is the next model up, can be cheaper than this classic version.
Fantastic: KitchenAid Mixer Tilt-Head 4.7l Artisan
Although KitchenAid offers a higher 'Artisan Plus' model, the 'Artisan' is more than capable for all at-home baking tasks. With ten speed settings, this is the ultimate stand mixer for the non-professional cook. The build quality and motor power are exceptional, and KitchenAid guarantees that these products will be repairable for fifteen years. In reality, it's likely to last much longer, making it better value for money than more affordable brands that don't come with the same promise.
Available in Empire Red, Onyx Black, Contour Silver, Mineral Water, Fresh Linen, Milkshake, Almond Cream, Matte Black, Pistachio, and Porcelain White.
Value for money: ★★★★★
Build quality: ★★★★★
Range of included accessories: ★★★★★
Range of accessories to purchase: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★
RRP £459 with three accessories.
RRP £549 with six accessories.
Look out for sale periods; the 'Artisan' is the most commonly discounted model, occasionally offered at prices as low as £360.
Frugal: Cookworks Food Mixer with Stand
Another entry-level model, the Cookworks Food Mixer with Stand comes with ten speed settings offering more granularity than others at this price point, but doesn't offer planetary motor movement (the attachements move from a fixed point in the centre), which reduces the effectiveness of a dough hook. These shortcomings are balanced with a very generous 5l bowl and five included accessories.
Value for money: ★★★☆☆
Build quality: ★★★☆☆
Range of included accessories: ★★★★☆
Range of accessories to purchase: ☆☆☆☆☆
Overall: ★★★★☆
RRP £95
Fantastic: Kenwood kMix
Kenwood and KitchenAid are in constant competition for the crown of best stand mixer, and the kMix range is their signature model. The array of accessories is exceptionally broad, meaning that there's an attachment for almost any cooking that you might want to do. The kMix range numbering system can be confusing. KM751 is a range of shorter stand mixers, if under-cupboard space is a problem. The KM754 offers a glass bowl instead of stainless steel. But KM760 is the top model for bread bakers, offering a taller profile and weightier base, to tackle the most challenging of bakes.
The KM751 is available in Black, White, and Cream. The KM760 is available in Green, Apricot Pink, Black Chrome, Chrome, Blue, and Rose Gold.
Value for money: ★★★★★
Build quality: ★★★★★
Range of included accessories: ★★★★★
Range of accessories to purchase: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★
RRP £299 for the KM754
RRP £359 for the KM751
RRP £479 for the KM760
During sale periods these models can be heavily discounted, so look out for prices for the KM760 as low as £259.99 from Kenwood or other retailers.
There's real money to be saved by choosing the entry-level models, but if you're looking for something that will last a lifetime, the more expensive options may work out cheaper in the long run.
Whichever you choose, I wish you well in your new life as a stand mixer owner. Your future self is already hugely grateful.
For inspiration on what to make first, read Keir James-Tough's recipes in At Home.
