Baking bread is hands down one of the oldest culinary traditions all over the globe and the truth is that the way we prepare bread nowadays is different from how it was done in the past. At the same time, one thing that has not changed is that we all cherish the delicious taste and smell of freshly baked bread, right?
Baking good bread demands utmost precision, starting with the kneading process. If you are a dedicated baker, you may want to get your hands on the best stand mixer for kneading bread dough.
The best, like most kitchen equipment, is unfortunately not easy to identify which is exactly why we’re here today.
Since there’s fairly a lot of features you ought to pay attention to, here’s a side by side comparison of the top 5 selections in our reviews. Image Name Our Rating's Price KitchenAid RRK150SL 5 Qt. Artisan Series - Silver (Renewed) Cuisinart SM-50R 5.5-Quart Stand Mixer Aucma Stand Mixer,6.5-QT 660W 6-Speed (Electric Mixer with Dough Hook) KitchenAid KSM75WH Classic Plus Series 4.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer, 4 Quart Stainless Bowl
An expert’s recommended picks of the best stand mixer for kneading bread dough
After we tested several stand mixers from some of the most reputed brands in the market, here are 5 amazing selections we were able to come up with.
1. KitchenAid RRK150SL 5 Qt. Artisan Series – Silver (Renewed)
First things first, you will be able to get easy access to the mixture, thanks to the tilt-back head design. Additionally, it comes with a coated flat beater and hook plus a wire hoop all of which can be used independently to ensure even mixing of the ingredients.
Thorough ingredient incorporation is ensured by the 59-point planetary mixing action around the bowl. With this much coverage, there’s little that can go wrong.
Finally, it features 10-speed settings that should be powerful enough irrespective of the task at hand.
2. Cuisinart SM-50R 5.5-Quart Stand Mixer
Additionally, precise mixing is ensured by the amazing 12 speeds included and considering there is a Chef’s whisk, dough hook, and a flat mixing paddle, you have everything you need to ensure a good dough.
You will also be able to get easy access to the mixing bowl, thanks to the tilt-back head. And, regardless of how intense the mixing is, there is a splash guard with a pour spout which should prevent spattering even when adding other ingredients.
3. Aucma Stand Mixer,6.5-QT 660W 6-Speed (Electric Mixer with Dough Hook)
Yet another aspect that makes this stand out is the ability to install or uninstall the bowl and accompanying accessories with ease; thanks to the tilt-head design.
When versatility is a priority, you couldn’t go wrong with this smart option. Its 6.5 Quarts bowl should be able to meet all your baking needs as you can make not only bread but also cakes, muffins, pastry, and plenty more.
To ensure the copper and gears are in perfect condition, there is a sturdy ABS hosing on this bad boy.
4. KitchenAid KSM75WH Classic Plus Series 4.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
Additionally, for a mess-free operation, it has the soft start feature and you can easily switch from this to either of the 10-speed settings.
You will also be able to get clear access to the bowl, beater, or accessories for easy addition of ingredients; thanks to the tilt-head design. On the other hand, during operation, you can lock the head into place hence keeping the beater-to-bowl contact both close and efficient.
5. Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer, 4 Quart Stainless Bowl
To ensure complete bowl coverage, the mixer has got a planetary mixing action that rotates the beater and upon doing so ensures the ingredients mix evenly. To keep things tidy, there is a splatter shield guard included which protects drips, drops, and spills regardless of which among the 7 speeds you choose.
Right out of the box, you’ll get a dough hook, whisk and flat beater included. Depending on what your recipe demands, you’ll find either of these quite handy. Also, considering they are all dishwasher safe; cleaning should be easy.
What to consider before buying the best stand mixer for Kneading bread dough
In addition to just having the reviews, it’s equally as important to know what features to look for when you want to get the biggest bang for your buck while getting a mixer.
Build quality and design
Like most kitchen equipment, the build quality is equally as important when it comes to buying the best stand mixer for kneading bread dough.
The key thing you need to pay attention to is the nature of the gears within it. Depending on the usage and your personal preference you may have to choose between nylon/plastic or metal. Nylon/plastic is worth investing in if you want a mixer that is quiet but, unfortunately, as compared to metal gears, nylon or plastic will not be as durable.
On the other hand, if you choose to go for mixers that come with metal gears, it’s a good idea that you settle for those made of steel or brass.
How good is the dough hook?
In addition to the build quality, something else you need to pay attention to is the dough hook. After all, it’s the component that does all the mixing and you’ll want all your ingredients to be mixed evenly.
It’s all about the design when it comes to the hooks. Normally, I’d recommend that you go for a spiral one since it stretches, folds and tucks the dough.
Ensure the motor is powerful enough
As good as a design the mixer may come in, its operation is only as good as the motor inside it. As such, a powerful motor is a must-have. In the beginning, all mixers tend to work as expected but as time goes by, if poorly constructed, they will easily give in.
For starters, unless the motor’s ventilation is good, its consistency will be compromised as a result of the heat or even worse, the motor can be damaged.
The capacity and storage
Capacity is entirely all about personal preferences. Considering the mixers come in different shapes and sizes all of which have different prices, you must weigh out your options and get a size that suits you best.
You could go for a capacity that is as low as 3.3 liters or even larger than 6 liters if you intend to do a lot of baking. The average size to go for, however, is 4-5 liters.
Something else that’s important to consider is the ease of storage when you are done using it. You have to ensure that there is enough space in your kitchen since the last thing you want is having it take too much space and not be able to pack it away safely after use.
Beaters
Yet another thing you’ll want to consider is the beater’s rotation. Since this works hand in hand with the mixing hook, I’d recommend you settle for a mixer whose beater has a planetary rotation. This kind of movement not only mixes the dough evenly but it also scrapes the sides efficiently.
Speed options and slow start
Unlike other ingredients you have mixed in the kitchen, speed works differently when it comes to kneading bread dough using a stand mixer.
The best way to go would be to get a model with varying speeds. This is necessary since when you start the mixing process, you’ll want to go slow at first to keep the ingredients from spilling out of the mixing bowl. Thereafter, you can pick up the pace.
Color options
Though this feature will not affect the performance, it’s always great when all your kitchen equipment has matching colors for the perfect aesthetic site. In this regard consider yourself lucky as stand mixers for kneading bread dough normally come in lots of different colors and you can easily get one that suits you best.
Cleaning and maintenance
Unlike what most people think, the mixer bowls and attachments used in the mixing process are not always dishwasher safe. As such it is important to see the manufacturer’s opinion regarding this. Additionally, even though it may be dishwasher safe, you might have to clean the hard to reach sections of the bowls by hand.
It’s also important to ensure the vents of the engine are cleared out considering there’ll be a lot of flour present.
Warranty
Like most equipment you purchase in or out of the kitchen, the longer the warranty is, the better the quality of the mixer. If a manufacturer has a warranty that is over a year-long, you can have the utmost peace of mind that the product will last.
The Value
A combination of both the build quality and the price is what the value is all about and at the end of the day, it’s all about seeing your hard-earned cash put to good use. Because of this, you shouldn’t compromise the price whatsoever.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How long should you knead bread dough in a mixer?
The average amount of time needed would be 8 to 10 minutes though this is dependent on the power of the mixer and the ingredients used in the recipe.
Can you over-knead bread dough?
Yes, and when this happens, the bread dough is a little too firm.
Do you need a stand mixer to make bread?
You don’t always need one. The mixer simply does the work faster so unless you have really strong forearm muscles and time to burn, you should use a mixer.
Which stand mixer should I buy?
The best overall brand is Kitchen Aid since it holds up well in durability, consistency, and ease of use.
How long to knead bread dough in Kitchen Aid mixer?
It’s always advisable to stay in speed 2 when kneading bread. Additionally, the period depends on the recipe but just as a heads up, kneading for 2 minutes on the mixer is equivalent to 10-12 minutes by hand.
Why are Kitchen Aid mixers so expensive?
The more established the brand, the more you pay and KitchenAid just so happens to be one of the best.
How many watts should a stand mixer have?
On average, the amount of power you need is 250 watts.
Final verdict
Summing up our review, I guess we can agree that there’s a lot to look into when choosing the best stand mixer for kneading bread dough. You should start by checking out any our recommended selections and the different pros and cons they come with.
If you want an affordable one, the Cuisinart SM-50R should do the trick; if you need one for home use, KitchenAid KSM75WH is the best. For an overall amazing pick, I’d recommend that you go for the Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer. All the best with your selection!
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