Ankarsrum Stand Mixer Evaluation

A stand mixer is a superb funding. These highly effective machines can beat whipped cream as readily as they will knead dough or combine up cookies, shouldering the brunt of bodily kitchen labor (and saving your wrists and arms). Our longtime prime decide is the planetary-style KitchenAid 6-Quart Professional 600 Series Stand Mixer (as in, the attachments operates just like the planets, rotating round a central axis). Nonetheless, we have been interested in one other high-end stand mixer that some bread bakers swear by: the Ankarsrum Stand Mixer. This machine, from a Swedish model, has a bigger capability than most mixers and takes a wholly completely different method to mixing in that it spins the bowl slightly than having a planetary setup. These are among the causes Andrew Janjigian, a frequent Severe Eats contributor and creator of the Wordloaf e-newsletter, switched to the Ankarsrum. “The principle motive I moved to an Ankarsrum from a planetary stand mixer is its capability: I can match into it almost twice the quantity of dough than my planetary might maintain (round 10 kilos, versus lower than seven in a 6-quart Kitchen Help),” he says. “It may additionally combine at greater speeds than many planetary mixers, even when dealing with stiff doughs.”

Because it employs a unique means of blending, it additionally has specific directions in the case of including substances; as an alternative of putting the dry substances within the bowl first and including the liquids, you strike that, and reverse it: liquids and moist substances go in first, then dry substances. For instance, when making bread, you’ll first add water, yeast, and salt, after which add flour. However, just like the KitchenAid, the Ankarsrum comes with a number of attachments, together with two forms of beaters, a kneading hook, a scraper, and a dough curler (in addition to two bowls and a bowl lid). We acquired a pattern of and examined this highly effective machine by utilizing it for 2 months, making whipped cream, cookies, desserts, and naturally, bread, to see the way it carried out.

The Checks

• Cookie Take a look at: We used one of many stand mixer’s beating attachments (the one that includes a single wire per beater) and its plastic bowl and lid to cream butter and sugar and blend thumbprint meltaway cookies. 
• Whipped Cream Take a look at: We fitted the mixer with the whipping attachment and beat one cup of heavy whipping cream within the plastic bowl with the lid. 
• Bread Checks: We blended and kneaded three bread recipes (buttery rolls, fruit-studded stollen, and basic white bread) utilizing the scraping paddle, dough curler, and steel bowl. 
• Pound Cake Take a look at: We blended substances for a lemon pound cake within the steel bowl utilizing the single-wire beaters. 
• Cleansing and Usability: We famous how straightforward it was to arrange and use the machine, disassemble it, and clear it. 

What We Realized

The Mixing Model Took Some Getting Used To

Whereas a traditional-style stand mixer encompasses a rotating head constructed into the highest of the machine, the Ankarsrum takes a unique method to mixing: it spins the bowl. And, we admit, we have been skeptical about it. However after testing a number of recipes within the stand mixer utilizing varied attachments, we discovered that it was a surprisingly efficient technique for integration—if used appropriately. An enormous distinction with this model of stand mixer is that you must add the moist substances first, or else issues received’t correctly combine. This took some getting used to and meant adjusting recipe directions somewhat bit, however as soon as we acquired the hold of it, it wasn’t a giant deal. The opposite problem was figuring out which attachment and bowl setup to make use of. For instance, when beating butter and sugar for cookies, we did some analysis and realized it’s best to use the beaters that characteristic a single wire per beater slightly than the extra whisk-like ones, that are higher for whipping. We additionally discovered that utilizing the clear bowl was good for whipping cream and beating butter since you could possibly clearly (no pun supposed) see what stage within the course of you have been at. 

The Dough Curler and Scraper Had been Very Efficient at Kneading

After we first noticed the dough curler, we have been very confused; how might a rounded attachment with grooves knead bread in addition to a dough hook? However then we acquired began kneading and our doubts vanished; it excelled at kneading stickier doughs in addition to hardier ones, with stunning baked outcomes. To set the mixer up for kneading, you pull up the pin on the finish of the arm, place the curler beneath, then let the pin slide down into the curler. Then, you connect the scraper to the bowl by slotting it into one of many holes to the left of the arm. To get the machine began, flip the knob on the left with a fast twist, or set the timer for longer kneads; to lift or decrease the pace, regulate the knob on the fitting. As you start to combine, the scraper ensures that substances fall again into the middle of the bowl, whereas the curler integrates and kneads. An vital facet of this setup is that the arm holding the curler could be adjusted so it’s nearer to the internal half or outer a part of the bowl. This took some getting used to, however in the long run, we appreciated the management it gave us over the kneading course of. It additionally prevented the dreaded dry ingredient pileup on the backside of the bowl that may occur with different stand mixers.

The Plastic Bowl and Lid Had been Nice for Messy Jobs

When it got here to creaming butter and whipping cream, the lid and plastic bowl combo was a winner. The translucent plastic bowl helped us to gauge the place substances have been within the beating course of (there was no probability of by accident overbeating the whipped cream), and the lid helped comprise the inevitable splatter of beating at excessive speeds. To not point out they produced good ends in a brief period of time.

The Verdict: The Ankarsrum Stand Mixer is a Highly effective, Versatile Machine

Whereas the Ankarsrum is thought to excel at kneading dough for bread, we discovered it was really fairly good at a wide range of mixing duties; it simply creamed butter and sugar, completely blended poundcake batter, and took a mere 35 seconds (!!) to whip cream into stiff peaks. To not point out its potential to knead each sticky and stiff bread dough with ease (we additionally appreciated its huge bowl which was straightforward to get a spatula or spoon into; no clunky head impeded entry). That mentioned, it’s fairly costly, so take into account your use-case of a stand mixer—when you’re a frequent bread maker, then the Ankarsrum may be a superb match. And total, if you’re affected person and keen to be taught (and don’t thoughts watching just a few Youtube explainers alongside the way in which), we expect this machine is definitely worth the studying curve (and price ticket). 

Value at time of publish: $750.

Key Specs

• Weight: 28 lbs
• Voltage: 120 Volts
• Wattage: 600 Watts
• Dimensions: 18.5 x 18 inches
• Capability: 7 liters (30 cups)
• Attachments and bowls included: Dough curler, scraper, kneading hook, two single-wire beaters, two multi-wire beaters, plastic bowl, lid, steel bowl
• Care: Attachments and bowls are dishwasher-safe; to scrub the outside of the machine, wipe down with a humid rag earlier than drying. 
• Guarantee: The mixer has a 7-year manufacturing facility guarantee which covers the machine (although it excludes the bowl and equipment) 

FAQs

Is the Ankarsrum stand mixer value shopping for?

If you happen to don’t thoughts taking the time to get to understand how the machine works, and when you’re the kind who likes to whip up a loaf of sourdough on a Tuesday, the Ankarsrum could possibly be a worthy funding. The highly effective motors excelled at kneading each stiff and sticky doughs, and the opposite attachments carried out fairly nicely, too (we have been significantly impressed with the 35 seconds it took to make good whipped cream). The one draw back is it’s fairly costly—about $200 greater than the KitchenAid 6 Qt. Professional 600 Series Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer—and it takes extra legwork to know the way it works. 

How is the Ankarsrum stand mixer completely different from a KitchenAid stand mixer?

Whereas the KitchenAid has its motor in its head which spins the attachment, the Ankarsrum’s motor is within the base and spins the bowl. The kneading model is sort of completely different, too. The Ankarsrum encompasses a dough curler, which kneads the dough in a mode extra akin handy kneading, although it does additionally include a regular dough hook.

What can I make within the Ankarsrum stand mixer?

The Ankarsrum stand mixer is nice for kneading bread because it sports activities a strong motor that may sort out all method of dough. We additionally discovered its different attachments (such because the beaters) fairly efficient at beating butter and whipping cream, making it nice for all method of baking tasks, together with cookies, desserts, and pavlovas or meringues. 

How do I clear the Ankarsrum stand mixer?

The steel bowl, plastic bowl, and attachments are all dishwasher-safe. To wash the machine itself, use a humid rag to wipe it down earlier than drying it.