Mixer vs hand blender

I went to Fenwicks thinking that buying an electic mixer would be a cinch. They didn't have much in the way of traditional mixers, but I noticed that they also had these new-fangled hand blenders. Same story at Debenhems. So, now I'm wondering what's going to be best in the long run. My immediate goal is simply to beat egg whites so I can make buttermilk pancakes. I'm assuming that the hand blender with the wisk attachment would do that, but I'm curious to know what sort of experence folks have had with hand blenders. (The way that it's gripped stirkes me as being awkward.)

thanks

ron

I have a hand blender with a whisk attachement.  While it is nice for small jobs and I use it for all of my bleding, it could NEVER replace a mixer.  A mixer does so much more than just beating egg whites (which the hand blender whisk attachement does fine).  If all you need is something to beat egg whites then you don't need to spend the money on a big mixer.

June

Honestly, if all you are going to do is beat egg whites, I would skip the electrics and get a stainless steel balloon whisk and a stainless steel bowl. You will amazed at the results, it really does work. There is also a shaker thing made by Tupperware that has a whisk thing inside it which works like magic (also good for mixing cocktails!).

OK - thanks for the tips!

Eggs are no prob by hand... but I hate making whipped cream without a blender.  Mashed potatoes are fantastic blended, too.  Gyoza is SO easy with the chopper attachment...

What I don't understand is why they don't just make all those attachments to go on a regular household drill.  I have too many tools that basically just turn.

What I don't understand is why they don't just make all those attachments to go on a regular household drill.  I have too many tools that basically just turn.

Excellent idea!!   

What I don't understand is why they don't just make all those attachments to go on a regular household drill.  I have too many tools that basically just turn.

You need to go on Dragon's Den!!!