Balloon whisks, with broad, teardrop heads are the most common variety of whisk available and are best suited to mixing in bowls where the wide head can really get to work. French whisks have more slender heads, making them ideal for whipping around pans, especially tall-sided pans. Gravy whisks have a single small coil at the end, meaning they’re perfect for tighter containers, whilst the shape of the end is designed for whipping up liquids like gravy and sauces.

It’s frustrating this doesn’t come with additional attachments in the box but, in testing, the classic beaters still did a decent job, whipping lots of air into batters. As this is a rechargeable appliance, the motor isn’t as powerful as some of its corded siblings, so this isn’t the one to buy if you’re looking for an electric workhorse. But it’s a great little mixer for basic jobs and going cordless is so worth it. Most immersion blenders come with a whisk attachment for bigger jobs, but if you’re looking for a single tool without extra parts, the FoodVille 3-speed milk frother is a great option. "Milk frother" is just a trendy name for a small whisk with power, and it’s especially appealing to those who want to make a coffee shop-style cappuccino at home. Hand mixers are obviously the cheaper choice for whisking and beating, but if you do a lot of baking, you might want to consider a stand mixer instead. Stand mixers are bigger and pricier but offer far more versatility in the kitchen. Carrie Honaker is a food writer who believes in eating dessert first. As a restaurateur and avid home cook, she has baked thousands of pastries, pies, and cakes—so she knows the importance of a reliable whisk when dealing with sauces and batters. She tested every whisk on this roundup and provided her insights. With four speeds and a 400W motor, it’s a little more powerful than some of the cheaper options on this list, meaning tougher mixtures will be slightly less of a struggle. We’d still advise caution when using this to knead a family-sized loaf, though. If there’s too much dough, it’s more of a hassle than a help, especially as this electric mixer is a tad heavier than most.Don’t over-whip it – once it just reaches stiff peaks, then stop. Over-whipped cream will first turn grainy and then to butter. I don’t think people think about where things were made, how they’ve been shipped, delivered by lorry etc. I’m not saying I’ve always thought about that either, I haven’t. Once it starts to form soft peaks, whisk in any flavourings and then keep whisking until the cream starts to feel more solid and the peaks don’t flop over any more (stiff peaks). Stop at this point. Claudia says that one of the advantages of her low cost lifestyle is that she doesn’t have to work as much as she otherwise would. I think this lifestyle did grow out of ethics but I don’t give myself or other people a hard time about it,” she says.

As well as a variety of full-sized whisks, we also offer a selection of mini whisks. They’re brilliant for doing everything a large sized whisk can, but in smaller pots and pans and bowls. Mini whisks are also ideal for smaller jobs too, like whipping up milk for frothy coffee and cappuccinos, getting the lumps out of hot chocolate, or for blending vinaigrette salad dressings in glasses and mugs. The latest silicone whisks While many of these whisks are dishwasher safe, like most utensils, they’ll last longer if you wash them by hand. The easiest way to do this is to always rinse off any debris right after you’re done using it. When you’re ready to give your whisk a more thorough wash, aggressively whisk it in a cup or bowl of hot, soapy water. Rinse well and dry immediately. FAQs Why do I need a whisk? Kenwood is well known for making affordable yet durable kitchen appliances and this hand whisk is no exception. It’s relatively lightweight at 1.14kg and has five speed settings, as well as a pulse function. Attachment-wise, it comes with the standard beaters and two dough hooks for bread kneading. There’s also a useful little attachment-storage tool, so you can keep your beaters clipped in place when not in use, saving you from the inevitable drawer-rummaging each time you want to use them.

These small, compact hand mixers are an essential addition to any kitchen

These are the two most common attachments for electric hand mixers and the ones you’ll need the most but some will come with extra attachments for different tasks, such as kneading dough. What’s the best wattage for a hand mixer? You can use an electric hand mixer, stand mixer, food processor (see below) or balloon whisk (and elbow grease) but you need to adjust the timings depending on which method you use. If you plan on using a balloon whisk then the bigger the head is, the less effort you'll have to put in. A balloon whisk with a wire ball inside it (and hard ball inside that) will work even more efficiently. You can use a flat whisk, or at a pinch a fork – sometimes needs must – but it will take you much, much longer. Silicone is a wonder material that’s transforming our kitchens and kitchen implements. It is soft yet heat-resistant, gentle yet durable, and is used in more and more kitchen tools and appliances, including whisks.

When you can make trails of cream on the surface that don’t sink in immediately, you’ll know you are nearly there. Keep whisking until the cream forms peaks that flop over (soft peaks).

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She adds: “Once you become aware of it, you see more and more where people are just throwing things out. During testing, we found the RSVP Endurance easily whisked two eggs for an omelet, and the petite size allowed good control over whisk speed. The stiff wire of the whisk pierced the eggs readily, which made the whisking even easier. We also made a shallot vinaigrette, but found it took a lot of vigorous whisking to get the oil and vinegar emulsified. This must be hand-washed, but the two heads easily came off and washed up nicely in warm, soapy water. Unlike similar items that drain disposable batteries, the battery is rechargeable using the included USB-C cord. For the affordable price tag, and small size that’s easy to store, this is a great buy. Beaters:These mixing attachments are the most common you’ll find when you buy an electric hand mixer. A beater is typically a 3D rectangular shape, composed of flat pieces of metal that cross over at the bottom, with large gaps in between to allow mixture to pass through. They’re fine for most tasks but are typically used for medium to heavy mixtures such as when you’re creaming butter or sugar. Books for Free: Free Books Southampton is based in the Third Age Centre in Bevois Valley. The project diverts books from waste and gives them away. Search for Free Books Southampton and Books for Free Romsey, on Facebook. Also, don't forget to use your local library!