Hand Mixers vs Stick Blenders - Which is Better for Baking?

Baking is a joy to many of us. Whether you’re an advanced baker or just a regular guy who loves making yummy treats at home, the right equipment can mean the difference.

The hand mixer and stick blender are two kitchen appliances you may think of for the purpose of baking. But which one works best for baking? 

Let’s break it down, featuring some fantastic options from Glen India to help you make an informed choice.

What Is a Hand Mixer? 

Credits: Glen India

A hand mixer is a kitchen gadget used to mix things in bowls. Usually it includes beaters or whisks which are great for whisking eggs, cake batter, or whipping cream. You control it by hand, running it through the bowl as it whips up the batter. There will be multiple speeds on hand mixers, so you can change them as you need. 

What Is The Use of Hand Mixers For Baking? 

This can be used for most baking tasks that require a hand mixer. Here’s why they’re essential in every kitchen:

• Efficiency: They save time and effort over mixing by hand (especially for thick batters). 
• Flexibility: With various attachments (beaters, dough hooks, etc.), hand mixers can do baking tasks such as beating, mixing, and kneading. 
• Ease of Use: Lightweight and easy to carry, you’re in complete control of mixing operations. 

The Electric Hand Mixer (Model 4059) is a great product for the home baker that features 125 W, 5 speeds, and safety eject. It’s perfect for whipping cream, beating eggs and mixing cakes with a breeze. 

What Is a Stick Blender? 

Credits: Glen India

Stick Blender or Immersion Blender is a handheld machine, used to blend and puree ingredients. It’s a long blade shaft with a motorised blade at the end. Stick blenders are great for soups, smoothies and sauces. But because of their small size and powerful motor they can be used for some baking projects too. 

Where Can You Use Stick Blenders In The Kitchen? 

Even though stick blenders are usually used for liquid projects, there are ways in which they can be helpful in baking as well: 

• Compounding Ingredients: Blend stuff such as batter or custard with a stick blender if you are working with small quantities. 
• Whipping: You can whip cream or egg whites with a stick blender, but they might not be as fluff-able as a professional hand mixer. 
• Smooth Sauces: Stick blenders are perfect for smooth, lump-free sauces or fillings you might use in baked goods. 

You can use an Electric Hand Blender 200W (Model 4049) If you're looking for a stick blender, you might consider (Model 4049). It’s easy to use with its stainless steel handle for many blending tasks such as pureeing and whipping for your baking. 

Which Is A Better One to Mix Cake Batter?

Credits: Canva

In the case of whipped cake batter, it’s about the tool you use. 

With the Dry and Wet Mixers, Hand Mixers are great for mixing cakes.

The beaters spin quickly so the batter will be packed with air, and the cake will be light and fluffy. 

Stick Blenders might have a difficult time with richer batters. They’re fine for quick tasks but are best suited for light batters and may not provide the uniform mixing needed for consistent results.

So, the hand mixer is the clear winner here for the vast majority of cakes. 

Which One Is The Best For Whipping Cream?

Credits: Canva

To beat cream you need something that could beat air into it and add weight and texture to the cream. The two can, to some extent, do the job, but they’re different: 

Hand Mixers can whip the cream with beaters or whisks. They’re specifically engineered to pressurize water so you get fluffy whipped cream in minutes. 

Stick blenders can whip cream, but they offer less control over consistency and texture, resulting in less fluffy cream.

A hand mixer is better for whipped cream. 

A Hand Mixer – How to Knead Dough?

Credits: Glen India

To mix dough, you will find most people do not know that hand-mixers are capable of this, if you get the attachments.

Hand Mixers: Some hand mixers are equipped with dough hooks, so you can use these to knead bread, pizza or pastry dough. The hooks rotate and stretch the dough, reducing the effort needed for kneading.

Stick Blenders: Stick blenders don’t make dough you can knead so you won’t want to use this tool for this.

If you’re going to be kneading the dough often, get a hand mixer with dough hooks and you’ll be in heaven. 

Which Machine Is a Good One For Meringues? 

Meringue makes you have to make stiff peaks and this takes time and patience. The important thing is that the batter is whipped until it is the right consistency.

• Hand Mixers make meringues simply because their beaters can push air at high speed into the mix, making the high stiff peak that meringue needs. 
• Stick Blenders can’t whip it quite as stiff, because they don’t whip the batter to the proper consistency. 

Which One Is More Practical to Use On A Daily Basis? 

Convenience is everything when it comes to choosing between hand mixer and stick blender:

• Hand Mixers are a little bit bigger but not too big to pack. They are handy for many things but you need a bowl and room. 
• Stick blenders are portable, lightweight, and ideal for blending or pureeing directly in pots or bowls. You can also use them directly in pots or bowls, without needing extra equipment. 

So Which One Do You Pick? 

Neither the hand mixer nor stick blender is the odd choice: 

• Hand Mixers are best for all baking, whipping and kneading activities. If you’re someone who is regularly making cakes, cookies or bread, you’ll want a hand mixer. 
• Stick blenders excel at pureeing, blending, and whipping small quantities, but they are not ideal for large batches of batter or dough.

Final Thoughts 

If you are baking, then the Glen Electric Hand Mixer is just what you need because it’s versatile, simple to use, and powerful. You’re whipping cream, making cake batter, or mixing dough, this hand mixer has you covered. But if you’re looking for something more general, something that will also do soups, smoothies, and even a bit of baking, then you’ll love having a stick blender in your kitchen.