 |
Kenwood KM265
by DaisyY
Having taken up baking in a big way I was looking to upgrade from my simple hand held mixer to one that would save my aching arms and allow me to multi task. I'd also found that my mixer's motor didn't have the power for large batches and even with my biggest bowl too much mix ended up on my kitchen tiles. So I was looking for a ... reliable stand mixer with a powerful motor and good capacity at a reasonable price. I also wanted to be able to keep it on my kitchen worktop without it taking over the space. The Kenwood Prospero Compact Stand Mixer has fitted the bill nicely.
Firstly, as its name suggests, it is a compact 31.5cm x 24cm x 28.5cm so it doesn't take up too much room. Not having to take it in and out of a cupboard was really important to me, although as it only weighs 5kg it would easily be possible. The matt silver finish is a good match with other kitchen appliances, although as it comes with its own liquidiser, food processor and citrus press I've been able to get of rid of some of them.
It has a decent 650 watt motor and a large 4.3 litre bowl which easily copes with a large cake mix
and it also has a splash guard so I don't have to clean my tiles every time I make a cake. My only problem now is I find it doesn't mix small amounts as efficiently so I'm beginning to think I shouldn't have given away the hand mixer!
The Prospero comes with a K beater, whisk and dough hook which just about covers anything you might want to make and there are 6 speeds so its easy enough to keep control of your mixing. Its a little bit noisy but I was expecting that and it all seems pretty easy to keep clean. My only complaint is that there is not an automatic release button for the beaters so you have to pull them out manually which can be a bit mucky when they're covered in cake mix! And I do find that the design of the K beater means its difficult to remove all the mix from it. One revelation has been the spatula that came with it. I hadn't used one before and I was amazed at how clean it leaves the bowl. Only thing is there's nothing left to lick!
I've used the processor with the simple blades to cut butter into flour for pastry but I haven't yet tried out the various slicing attachments which would make quick work of a coleslaw. And the liquidiser is a full 1.5 litre size so its good for smoothies and will prove useful for soup in the winter. I don't think I will bother with the citrus press though, it seems a bit of an overkill just to squeeze a lemon! There are other attachments you can buy for it though and I would consider buying the mincer.
As I bought this mixer for under £150 it was excellent value for money and Kenwood's track record speaks for itself so I'm expecting it to last me well into retirement.
Read the complete review |
 |
Kenwood HM794
by DinaMartini
This is the Marilyn Monroe of kitchen implements. It's curvy, smooth, chic and just holding it will make you feel more glamorous. I have it in cream. It's a perfect Italian cream enamel with chrome highlights, and it's so pretty I want to cry. I spent the first couple of minutes I had it out just stroking it. However, looks aren't ... everything, as we all know, and fortunately, the kenwood lives up to it's looks in it's performance. It's solid and excellent quality, but not so heavy that it's uncomfortable to use. I've easily held it for 10 minutes or so without getting tired, and I can see me still using the mixer to make cupcakes in 30 years time. It has a practical rubber grip handle and a good range of speeds. The release button can't easily be hit by accident, releasing the beaters mid-mix. It comes with dough mixers as well, but these will only really deal with light dough or pastry, not with heavy dough like bread or pizza bases, and I haven't used them nearly as much as the beaters. This is an expensive mixer, but absolutely worth it for the quality and style you get. Be warned though, you will spend hours looking through your cookbooks for recipes that involve bearing things!
Read the complete review |
 |
Kenwood HM220
by valve90210
Being keen cooks and bakers, my girlfriend and I asked for a mixer for christmas as we were sick of hand mixing cakes etc.
We were given this nice little Kenwood mixer and having used it a lot, I have to say we are very happy with it. It is a well built mixer and feels good quality in your hands. The two beaters clip in with a ... positive click so you know they won't fall out.
There are three speed settings which is very useful when you are adding dry ingredients such as flour as you can start nice and slowly so it doesn't puff out everywhere.
The beater release button works nicely and makes removing the beaters a simple and clean job as you don't need to use your hands to pull them out.
There are a couple of very nice touches. to keep the beaters together with the mixer there is a little plastic holder which pushes into the beater holes in the mixer into which the beaters can be clipped horizontal to the handle.
Also, lead can be wound round the base of the handle and it's just the right length for the plug to end up by the gap in the handle so the pins can fit into the gap, and there is a small plastic clip on the cable to keep it there.
Overall, it's a great little mixer and one I would recommend to anyone, and it's very good value too, being less than £15.
Read the complete review |
