Bowl-Lift Vs. Tilt-Head Mixers

Size and Weight

• Bowl-lift models generally take up more room on the countertop than tilt-head models. They usually have a larger base and body, are taller and are very heavy. The somewhat lighter, more compact tilt-head design offers greater headroom when stored on the counter underneath a cabinet. It is easier to move the tilt-head mixer off-counter and to retrieve for use. Bowl-lift mixers have larger bowl capacity, which means that the mixer is capable of handling multiple recipes at one time.

Power and Performance

• Tilt-head mixers are designed for basic mixing of cakes and other ingredients and for kneading dough. The motor wattage is generally lower for tilt-head mixers than for bowl-lift models, which means they can't do the big or powerful jobs that a bowl-lift mixer can. The higher torque of the bowl-lift motor allows it to plow through heavier doughs and denser ingredient mixtures with greater ease.

Similarities

• Both types of stand mixers come with a basic assortment of accessories, usually including a whisk, a paddle and a dough hook. Casing or housing color choices run a large gamut of tints to complement the color scheme of the kitchen. Both bowl-lift and tilt-head mixers operate with a planetary action that ensures coverage of the beating area and completely blended ingredients. Each type pf mixer has multiple speeds. Attachments sold separately include a pasta maker, a meat grinder and a sausage stuffer.

Precautions

• Stand mixers, both bowl-lift and tilt-head, have powerful motors that allow for heavy-duty use, but they do become overheated on occasion when the dough is too stiff or the operation goes on and on without resting the motor. Some models have an automatic shutoff feature for overheating, but be careful with the units that don't. Watch for excessive heating and listen for the sound of the motor straining. Turn the motor off and wait until it cools down before turning it back on.