Sunbeam Mixmaster Heritage Series Stand Mixer Review and Demo

This review dives into the Sunbeam Mixmaster Heritage Series stand mixer, a budget-friendly option that offers surprisingly robust performance for home bakers. We put this vibrant, tangerine-orange mixer through its paces, testing its capabilities on everything from whipping cream to kneading dough for Indian flatbreads. Weighing in at a mere nine pounds, its compact size and lightweight design make it a convenient addition to any kitchen, unlike bulkier, more expensive models. This review will explore its features, ease of use, and overall performance, highlighting both its strengths and limitations.From its sturdy diecast metal body and non-skid feet to its unique off-center bowl design, we'll examine how the Sunbeam Mixmaster Heritage Series stacks up against its higher-priced competitors. We'll delve into the specifics of its 350-watt motor, 12-speed settings, and included attachments, detailing its performance in various baking tasks. Discover whether this mixer is a worthwhile investment for your baking needs, and whether its ease of use and performance justify its budget-friendly price tag.

Pros And Cons

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Unboxing and First Impressions

The Sunbeam Mixmaster Heritage Series stand mixer arrived in a compact box. It's a surprisingly lightweight mixer at approximately nine pounds, making it easy to move around the kitchen. The tangerine orange color is vibrant and eye-catching, a nice change from the typical cream or white found in other stand mixers. The diecast metal body feels sturdy, and the non-skid rubber feet provide stability during operation.

The mixer itself measures 15 inches tall, 9.25 inches wide, and 13 inches deep. The 36-inch cord provides ample reach to various outlets in your kitchen. Included are a 4.6-quart stainless steel bowl, two chrome steel dough hooks, and two chrome beaters. While a whisk isn't included, Sunbeam offers it for separate purchase.

Mixer Features and Functionality

The Sunbeam Mixmaster features a 350-watt motor and 12 speeds, controlled by a simple dial. The instruction manual provides guidance on appropriate speeds for various tasks, along with a few recipes for cakes, cookies, and frosting. The bowl is uniquely designed to sit off-center, rotating on a turntable. This off-center design, along with the green-tabbed beater's nylon helper tip, aids in even mixing and ingredient incorporation.

To use the mixer, simply tilt the head back using the tilt-release button, insert the beaters (paying attention to the color-coded tabs for correct placement), and lower the head. The beaters rotate in opposite directions, promoting thorough mixing. The bowl's off-center placement makes adding ingredients while mixing easier. An eject button is conveniently located for quick and easy beater removal.

Performance Tests: Whipped Cream and Cookie Dough

Testing the mixer’s capabilities, I first attempted to whip heavy cream using the beaters. Although whisks are not included, the beaters performed surprisingly well. Starting on low speed and gradually increasing to speed 12, the cream reached soft peaks within a reasonable timeframe – comparable to higher-end mixers.

Next, I tackled chocolate chip cookies, using the standard beaters. Creaming the butter and sugar at medium speed (4-6) went smoothly. When adding dry ingredients, reducing the speed prevented flour from splattering. The off-center bowl aided in easy ingredient addition and reduced the need for constant scraping. Even with the batter's thickness, the mixer handled it with ease.

Dough Hook Performance: Bread Dough

Finally, I tested the dough hooks. I used the hooks to make Indian bread dough (chapatis and rotis). Using low to medium speed (1-3 or 4-6), I added the flour, salt, oil, and hot water gradually. Kneading required more manual intervention than with higher-end mixers, as the dough hooks' design doesn't allow for complete bottom-of-the-bowl contact. This necessitated frequent pushing of the dough towards the hooks.

Despite the extra effort, the dough hooks performed their function adequately. The dough came off the hooks and the bowl cleanly. The resulting dough was suitable for making the flatbreads although it was a bit sticky due to the amount of water added. This process highlighted the difference in automated kneading compared to higher-end models.

Conclusion

The Sunbeam Mixmaster Heritage Series stand mixer is a budget-friendly option that delivers surprisingly good performance. While it may require more manual intervention, especially when kneading dough, it excels in tasks like whipping cream and making cookie dough. The off-center bowl design is a definite plus, facilitating easier ingredient addition and reducing splattering.

The lightweight and compact design makes it easy to store and move. The color options add a touch of personality to the kitchen. While it doesn't match the fully automated capabilities of more expensive models (like KitchenAid), the Sunbeam Mixmaster provides great value for its price, especially for bakers who prioritize affordability and don't need extensive automated kneading functions. It's a decent choice for occasional baking projects, whipped cream, and cookie dough, but more involved doughs may require extra attention.