Sunbeam Mixmaster Stand Mixer

The Sunbeam Mixmaster Stand Mixer (12-Speed) offers an economical option for those who want the added power and performance of a stand mixer without the extra bulk of a larger model.

This unit has a 300-watt motor, concealed inside a detachable mixing head. The mixing head mounts on a raised arm, which is attached to a platform stand with a spinning turntable. The entire mixer, with the exception of the turntable and the rubber handle, is covered in a gleaming chrome finish with black accents.

The unit comes with two stainless-steel mixing bowls (2-quart and 4-quart) and six attachments, including two chrome flat beaters, two dough hooks and two whisks. There are 12 mixing speeds, which are accessed via a rear control dial. For all its versatility, this model is surprisingly compact, standing approximately 14 inches tall, with a 9-inch by 14-inch footprint. A nice feature is the ability to detach the mixer head, which saves a considerable amount of storage space.

It is extremely capable when mixing cake batter, creaming butter and sugar, and even whipping egg whites, taking under two minutes to reach stiff peaks. The Sunbeam Mixmaster Stand Mixer efficiently handles stiff cookie dough, never flinching under the strain when adding dry ingredients. The beaters are positioned off-center, which not only makes it easier to add ingredients or stir, but also causes the turntable to rotate freely. Only one negative: there is no true stir speed. Even the lowest speed is moderately fast, so dry ingredients tend to spray a bit. By contrast, the highest speed is a blur of motion, whipping cream lightning fast.

The small bowl is ideal for whipping cream or egg whites, since the narrow dimensions allow more contact between the beaters and the ingredients. The larger bowl is excellent for cookie dough, and even though there is a bit of spraying when the flour is added, all of the ingredients stay in the bowl. You will like the fact that the bowls twist-lock onto the turntable. This helps keep the bowl properly positioned during mixing. There is also a bowl-selector lever that repositions the turntable depending on whether you are using the 2-quart or the 4-quart bowl.

Other features include a tilt-back mixing head, which locks in both the raised and lowered positions for safety; an easy-to-use beater-eject button; and a large handle with rubberized grip, which eases lifting of the mixer. This unit is one of the few stand mixers that offers a Burst of Power button. The button, which is more commonly found on hand mixers, increases the speed for an immediate power boost, although the Sunbeam Mixmaster Stand Mixer is powerful enough that the boost isn’t always necessary. For all its power, this mixer is incredibly lightweight, weighing only 5.5 pounds and comes with a one year warranty.