When it comes to making bread, some people prefer to mix and knead their dough by hand, but if you have access to a stand mixer then this can make the process less physically demanding and in some cases faster.
As is the case with any mixing of dough, it is obviously very important to keep a close eye and make sure that the dough is not over mixed or over kneaded. Obviously when you are mixing and kneading a dough by hand you have a more consistent feel of the dough, so you need to keep track of this when using a mixer too. The best way to do this is to occasionally check the consistency of the bread during the mixing stage, making sure to turn off the mixer before doing so.
When you are making bread dough with a stand mixer, you can use the same recipes that you would use if making the bread by hand, so it is very easy to transfer over to using a stand mixer straight away.
If you are looking to buy a stand mixer to make bread, there are a few things to consider. The best stand mixer for making bread may not be the most expensive, but it is important to make sure that the machine is durable, and ideally comes with an extra attachment known as a dough hook. A dough hook is a pig-tail shaped beater that is best shaped to mix and knead dough, so when buying the mixer do consider whether or not it comes with this attachment.
When looking at brands for a stand mixer, there is a range of machines available at a range of prices. At the top end of the market is KitchenAid. They are available from many retailers, and can cost anywhere from £350 to £500 per machine with the necessary attachments. On the lower end of the market you can buy machines from shops like John Lewis that can cost more like £130-£180 per machine, and they do also come very well reviewed.
When buying a machine do be mindful of looking at reviews, especially more recent ones, as this can help you to find the best value for money from a machine. Depending on your financial situation it may be worth considering a more expensive machine, especially if you intend to use it for a lot of different products, but truthfully you can still get a really good quality machine for a lower price, and with some companies offering good length warranties as well as quality and durable machines, they can still provide you with many years of reliable use.
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