Question on mixers

[fan-of-fans]

For years, it seems most stand mixers used the two beater design. Of course Kitchenaid and Hobart always had the planetary mixers, but why did they seem to overtake the two beater design in the 90s, and now seem to be the more popular type?

For that matter, why did Sunbeam never seem to make a planetary mixer, while most other companies, even Hamilton Beach have them. All I see from Sunbeam are the plastic Mixmasters at Walmart, metal Heritage Series models and the cheaper hand/stand versions like are seen at Publix.

I've never had or used a Kitchenaid of planetary mixer, and I don't mix bread dough or cookie dough, but I have to say I love my 70s Mixmaster. The bowl fit beater design and bowl rotation is genius. I don't believe the new ones have bowl fit beaters which they should have kept.

 

[askolover]

I've never used a Mixmaster.  I almost bought one a few years ago but just decided to find a Hobart KA for a little of nothing.  I don't care which one I have when it comes to making a from scratch carrot cake or homemade chicken and dumplings as long as it can stir the batter/dough so I don't have to!  I'd love to have a Hobart N50 but they are so $$$$ even when very old!

 

[vacbear58]

This has been discussed before (see below) and the general opinion seems to be that for whipped mixtures (including cakes) twin beater mixers have the edge whilst for breads and doughs a planatary action is better.

Several years ago the late and much missed Kelly Beard (mixfinder) did a side by side test which seemed to prove this principle

Planetary vs Dual Beater Mixers

Thoughts as to which is better. Talk amoung yourselves.

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[gizmo]

"Why did Sunbeam never make a planetary mixer..."

They do! Here in Australia, any way.

Here is a link...(below)

I have always preferred a planetary mixer, I have my Nan's old Kenwood Chef, 1970s model. I used a Kenwood when I worked as a cook, making cakes.

I recently bought a little Braun mixer and I really like it. 2 wire beaters. I haven't used the Kenwood since. (though no doubt I will...)

http://https//www.sunbeam.com.au/Food-Preparation/Mixers/MX7900R-Planetary-Mixmaster-Red.aspx

 

[panthera]

It's important to remember

That 'Sunbeam' today is just another big-box store provider of more or less adequate appliances. They have nothing to do with the outstanding engineering and user friendly Sunbeam Mixers of yesteryear.

That 'KA' today is just a division of a trashy company which can't even compete on the open market without paying off Republicans to protect them with tariffs against better quality competition.

 

So - that leaves vintage Sunbeam and Hobart.

 

Kelly did demonstrate the advantages of both systems. Personally, I find a properly adjusted real KA (pre- plastic transmission and pre-non-cooled under-dimensioned power electronics) mixes stiff batters far more easily than a Sunbeam stand mixer.

I also find that a Sunbeam Mixmaster stand mixer whips cream and meringues better than a KA.

 

In the end, it's all about what gets the job done the way you need it at the time you need it and in the space available (we've had two KA stand mixers running at the same time in our kitchen with five people cooking and baking and it was too much).

 

[johnb300m]

Sunbeam has been a sick, wilted, mismanaged entity for a long long time.
Their stained DNA runs in my company.
They have almost no engineering. A small design staff in Boca Raton FL, where they "now" live. I say "now" in quotes because they seem to move every several years to chase cheaper tax havens.
Their only capacity of engineering is a small group of legacy Jarden engineers in China.
There's not too much energy going into Sunbeam.
Resources are better situated going into Oster and Crock Pot.

 

[johnb300m]

Sunbeam AU

Upon further reading, it looks like there is no direct connection (at least for many decades) between Sunbeam USA and the Sunbeam Corp. of Australia.
I do not see any public linkage of Sunbeam AU parent company Newell Brands.

It might be another AU appliance firm licensing the name.

 

[mixguy]

All about profits

Sunbeam by the leadership of Al "Chainsaw" Dunlap and has never recovered. All of their appliances are assembled in China. Standards of quality and have replacment parts have been deemed as too costly to continue and all the regional repair shops were closed, Having an inventory of replacement parts it practically non-existant All one can obtain are replacement bowls and beaters and little else. KitchenAid stand mixers is the only product assembled in the USA. All of KitchenAid's other small appliances are assembled in China (seem like their standards of quality seem to be somewhat better). There are some KitchenAid small appliances available in Europe not available in the USA because of our 110 volt household standard current.

 

[vacerator]

Panthera's reply proves that

manipulation isn't one sided. It pretends to be biased on both aisles, and thus divides us.
Many conservatives follow their right slanted media, and others follow the left slant, yet I see the same loyal advertisers on both. Companies and lawyers.
If I didn't agree with a channels news, I surely would not patronize it with my advertising dollars. Would you?
Read between the lines.
They deflect and divert.

 

[petek]

Here's the Sunbeam planetary they sell in Canada. I've only ever seen it at Walmart and the price is dropping.. The classic mixmaster is still for sale and you can pick on of those up for about $70-$80 and hope it doesn't break in your hands.

There's also an Oster Planetary mixer for sale at Walmart which is very similar to the Sunbeam naturally

Sunbeam® Mixmaster® Planetary Stand Mixer, White FPSBSM3481W-033 | Sunbeam® Canada

Prepare delicious desserts and more with the Sunbeam® Mixmaster® Planetary Stand Mixer. An essential tool for effortless baking and meal prep.

www.sunbeam.ca

 

[tolivac]

Spotted this machine at Walmart-its not NEARLY the quality of the KA machine sitting beside it.But the Sunbeam-Oster one is much cheaper in price.

 

[fan-of-fans]

That Planetary mixer is interesting and neat that it has attachments like the old ones, especially the blender.

I don't think I've seen that one at Walmart, here the only planetary ones I remember seeing are the KitchenAids and they also came out with a Farberware (Walmart brand) planetary but I'm not sure who makes it and I don't think it has any attachments available. There may be a Cuisinart one as well.

I kind of like the look of the new Classic Mixmasters, I used one once to make mashed potatoes at a dinner I helped with, it did a decent job, but I'd rather have one of the older 90s made in USA ones or better yet one like mine or even a pre MMA series. If you look on Sunbeam's site the Heritage Series is cheaper than the Classic Mixmaster right now.