Need a recommendation for a mixer

I am not familiar with the brands of stand and hand mixers in the UK. (Other than Kitchenaid, which is serious overkill and way too expensive.)  I wanted to do some baking today, but for project #1 I was not able to knead the bread enough (sore knuckles) and now have two tasty hockypucks instead of nicely raised bread; project #2 required I cream the butter and sugar. Same problem, could not manage it by hand with my trusty wooden spoon, anymore.  Since the sore hands thing comes and goes, but is with me more as time passes, I better go ahead and do some scouting.

Would appreciate recommendations for solid, but basic, machines. What brands should I run screaming in the other direction from?  Watt Bros has Morphy Richards (?) but all the online reviews I see of that brand say it's awful.

Also, recommendations for best places to get said implement of destruction would be appreciated as well.

Thanks!

I have a Dualit hand mixer which I bought in Debenhams in a sale and I have a Bosch stand mixer, which we got as a wedding present, but easily found in Argos, Debenhams, etc.   I believe lots of folks like Kenwood as their stand mixer of choice. 

Have a wee look at Debbenhams, because they often have 'opened' box  specials marked down on appliances and you can get them cheap (1/2 price sometimes).

I've got a which subscription I haven't bothered to cancel.  The best value for money they found was the kenwood kmix kmx 51g with a score of 76 for £200

A bit lower down is the  bosch mum 52120 gb with a score of %73 for £150. 
All the other ones at that level are £300 or £400

Hope this helps!

I've got a which subscription I haven't bothered to cancel. 

Good to know! 

After giving my beloved Kitchenaid to my parents in Florida, I bought a £5 hand mixer from Asda.  As I don't bake anymore, it does the trick.  Well, did the trick until I lost one of the wands.....     Now I just make the 3 year old stir.   

Thanks all. I think I'll save myself the trouble of renting a 3 year old and will check out Debenhams in person soon. 

Thanks all. I think I'll save myself the trouble of renting a 3 year old and will check out Debenhams in person soon. 

Much less mess!

 I got one from Aldi last year for forty or fifty quid. It’s not as fancy as a kitchenaid, but it definitely does the trick. Not sure if they have them online as they often sell random bits online. Plus they came in fun colours.


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What brand?

I got one from Aldi last year for forty or fifty quid. It’s not as fancy as a kitchenaid, but it definitely does the trick. Not sure if they have them online as they often sell random bits online. Plus they came in fun colours.

Did it come with a dough hook?  Could it handle kneading dough?  My hands aren't too happy with my new hobby of making pizza dough and fresh pasta.

Did it come with a dough hook?  Could it handle kneading dough?  My hands aren't too happy with my new hobby of making pizza dough and fresh pasta.

Would a bread machine work for this?  I was under the impression that fancy bread machines often have programs for pizza dough. 

What are you doing for pizza sauce? 

Have you considered making my favourite pizza which has no tomato sauce at all, just pesto and shrimp?

Would a bread machine work for this?  I was under the impression that fancy bread machines often have programs for pizza dough. 

What are you doing for pizza sauce? 

Have you considered making my favourite pizza which has no tomato sauce at all, just pesto and shrimp?

Some people in the Uuni community do use a bread machine.  But if I get a mixer, I can also use it to whisk my eggs for eggnog, and cream for whipped cream... I've been doing everything by hand, and its exhausting and/or painful.

My husband makes the sauce and gets amazing results.  I don't question it.  I know he starts with passata.  Beyond that, I don't know what he does.  But it's tasty (especially if I remind him to add a pinch of sugar).

A pizza without tomato sauce...? But... why?  I eat pizza because I'm craving tomatoes and that's a good delivery method.  I couldn't possibly not take every opportunity to eat tomatoes or tomato-based sauce.

I mean.... if you don't call it pizza, sure... I'd try it.  But tomatoes, man... my favourite!

I make pizza dough (and naan bread dough) in my bread machine. But you do still need to roll it out.  Defeating my anger of getting flour everywhere. But, needs must, because homemade pizza dough is amazeballs.

I make pizza dough (and naan bread dough) in my bread machine. But you do still need to roll it out.  Defeating my anger of getting flour everywhere. But, needs must, because homemade pizza dough is amazeballs.

Could a bread machine handle pasta dough, do you think?  I should look them up to see what they do.  I actually have never seen one in action, and I don't know which functions they serve in the process.

I'm curious as well about the pasta.

I can't say I share your enthusiasm for tomatoes when mushrooms are so much better.
I will share your love of home made whipped cream which I make in our food processor.  Even then, I am under constant pressure from those in the family who prefer squirty whip cream from a can.