The retro series from Smeg has consistently topped the charts in terms of aesthetics for household appliances. We’ve reviewed all their other products, but haven’t covered this manual hand mixer yet, as we’ve been debating whether it overlaps with stand mixers. However, upon purchasing and testing it, we found it to be more flexible and portable, and it can be easily stored. It comes with 9 speed levels, Turbo function, and additionally features a backlit LED display. If you’re also hesitating and curious about its practicality, join us for the review!
- PROS:
- Backlit LED display
- Smooth start function
- 9 speed levels
- Multiple mixer attachments
- CONS:
- High price
- Somewhat heavy
- Product Dimensions：15"D x 9"W x 9"H
- Number of Speeds：9
- Wattage：220 watts
- Voltage：120 Volts
Smeg’s retro series has always featured a classic design, and this manual mixer continues the series’ rounded appearance with a variety of cream color options, allowing you to find one that suits your kitchen. The overall rounded design makes it comfortable to hold and use practically. It boasts several innovative features, including a smooth start function that prevents the mixer head from immediately increasing in power, avoiding sudden splatters of cream. With a backlit LED display, you can easily see the selected speed and time, and it offers multiple speed levels for your convenience.
In addition to its dual-head mixer, there are five additional attachments included, catering to all your daily mixing needs.
Performance
Image From Smeg
We wanted to comprehensively test its functionality, so we chose to make the foods we most commonly prepare with a mixer in our daily lives – whipping cream and making dough.
Cream
For whipping cream, we used the dual-head stainless steel beaters. The dual-head design effectively incorporates air while whipping, and the simultaneous rotation of both heads speeds up the process, resulting in smoother and finer cream. Despite the smooth start function, I initially selected the lowest speed to avoid any potential splattering, but it turned out to be unnecessary – everything proceeded calmly. The test results showed that it took just a little over a minute to effortlessly whip the cream to the desired consistency.
Dough
For making dough, we used the dough-specific hook. While the dough is generally thicker than cream, the mixer handled it without any issues. The final dough mixture was perfectly blended. However, as dough requires prolonged mixing and this mixer requires manual support, it can be a bit tiring. Nevertheless, the mixing results were impressive.
Who should buy it
If you value product aesthetics, Smeg is undoubtedly your best choice. The strength of this mixer lies in the coexistence of design and practicality. If you are already a fan of Smeg appliances and appreciate the brand’s commitment to quality and design, adding the 50’s Retro Hand Mixer to your kitchen arsenal could be a great decision. If you frequently whip cream in your daily cooking routine, a handheld mixer might be more convenient and suitable for you. Additionally, it is more space-efficient compared to a stand mixer, making it a good choice if your kitchen counter space is limited and cannot accommodate another stand mixer.
Cleaning
The hooks of this mixer are not dishwasher-safe, so they need to be hand-washed after use. However, there’s no need to worry as handwashing is quite convenient. If you’ve used it to mix cream and egg whites, simply wash with warm water and dish soap. If you’ve used it for dough or batter, soak the hooks in warm water for a while, and then easily scrape off any flour residue with a cloth. After cleaning, let them air dry in a well-ventilated area.
Is it worth to buy？
Overall, it provides a practical experience, and combined with its well-designed and retro appearance, it can greatly inspire your baking enthusiasm. If you’re already a fan of Smeg, and your kitchen is adorned with products from their retro series, adding this mixer can enhance the overall aesthetic cohesion of your kitchen. If you’re on a budget, consider how frequently you use a mixer and whether baking is a regular activity for you. If you’re a baking enthusiast, its overall performance should more than meet your daily baking needs.