Old Cookbook

Kitchenaid bread bowl

We’ve picked products we think you’ll love and may earn commission from links on this page. Read about why you can trust BBC Good Food reviews. In 1919, Ohio-born engineer Herbert Johnson invented the H5 kitchen machine. Today, these mixers are well known for being available in an expansive range kitchenaid bread bowl colours, but back in 1955, they were only available in five: pink, yellow, green, chrome and copper.

It wasn’t until 1994 that the palette expanded. 9 litre Artisan mixer was added to the range, and today, there are a number of different stand mixers available in small, medium and large sizes. In 1948, Woking inventor Kenneth Wood invented the A200 food mixer. Not only could it beat, mix and whisk, but it even had a buffer so you could polish your cutlery, too. Just two years later, the Kenwood Chef launched.

This model featured the ‘planetary action’ that now features on almost all modern stand mixers. All Kenwood stand mixers come with a dough hook, balloon whisk and beater. The Titanium Chef Patissier XL also comes with a creamer. How each model performed in these key areas is detailed in their respective individual reviews. Size: Many people like to keep their stand mixer out of the kitchen counter, both for convenience and because they make a great-looking statement piece. If this is the plan for your new mixer, consider how much space you’ve got to spare and check out the dimensions. Weight: If you haven’t got space to keep your stand mixer out on the kitchen counter, you’ll need to make sure that your chosen one isn’t too heavy for you to transport.

Most stand mixers weigh between 7kg and 10kg. But, a light stand mixer is not always a good thing. Price: Stand mixers are multifunctional kitchen appliances built to last, and their price reflects that. Aesthetics: Both brands have put a lot of effort into creating machines that are not only functional, but look great, too. On top of that, each year they release a model in their Colour of the Year. The Chef range is a little more muted, only showcasing grey, white and cream. Not only are they available in a range of colours, you can also purchase extra bowls made from glass or ceramic, or in colourful patterns.

There are a wide range of accessories available covering everything from pasta and ice cream to vegetable and meat prep. Despite all machines having a lower wattage than the Kenwood models we’ve tested, we’ve watched all three mixers power through thick doughs, cake batter and high-speed whisking with ease. If space is an issue but you’d still like to be able to bake, keep this small stand mixer on hand for when inspiration strikes. This model is a great all-rounder that doesn’t take up tonnes of space. It made light work of everyday baking tasks. It’s also available in the largest range of colours of all of the stand mixers we’ve tested. Most similar in design to the kind of mixer you’d find in a professional kitchen, this mixer is ideal if you like to bake in large quantities or create showstopping bakes.

It tackled doughs with ease and was noticeably quiet too. Although they’re pretty attractive, functionality and performance come first, as these stand mixers are real workhorses. It’s also available in a good range of colours and finishes. This powerful stand mixer comes with two generously sized bowls for batch baking and the powerful motor makes light work of cake mixes, bread doughs and meringue. This workhorse can mix small and large quantities with ease.