The Delish by Dash Stand Mixer is a solid choice for those new to baking, handling many tasks with ease. While it may require some manual effort at times, it proves to be a reliable kitchen companion.
Reasons to Buy
Excels at mixing liquids
Available in a variety of bright colors
Dishwasher-safe attachments
User-friendly operation
Reasons to Avoid
Quite noisy during operation
Can overheat if used at high speeds for extended periods
Struggles with beating butter efficiently
As a fan of culinary adventures, I was eager to try the Delish by Dash Stand Mixer, a collaboration between Delish and Dash. Stand mixers are essential for multitasking in the kitchen, allowing you to whip, mix, and knead without constant supervision. They're a staple in baking competitions for a reason.
This mixer impressed me when blending liquids and kneading dough, but I found myself needing to step in when it came to butter. The Bowl Shift Level is designed to move the bowl for better mixing, which worked well most of the time, but not with butter.
Overall, the Delish by Dash Stand Mixer provides great value for its cost. It's an excellent starting point for beginners and includes mouthwatering recipes like S'mores Stuffed Cookies and Best-Ever Snickerdoodles in the manual.
Delish by Dash Stand Mixer: Specifications
- Size: 3.5QT Stainless Steel Bowl
- Dimensions: 10.4 x 8 x 11.5 inches
- Weight: 4.64 lbs.
- Settings: 5-speed power
- Includes: Stand Mixer, 2 Beaters, 2 Dough Hooks, Stainless Steel Bowl, Instruction Manual and Recipe Guide
- Power: 350 Watts
- Colors: Blue, Black, Red, Green, Orange
Unboxing the Delish by Dash Stand Mixer
The mixer arrived in a lightweight box adorned with blue graphics showcasing potential creations. However, it was packed in Styrofoam, which isn't environmentally friendly, and the bowl and attachments were wrapped in plastic.
The light baby blue color is appealing, but the design resembles a toy. The manual offers detailed setup instructions and includes a variety of recipes.
Baking Bread
During the pandemic, many took up bread-making, and I was no exception. I attempted to make baguettes but found the mixing and kneading process tedious and gave up quickly.
This stand mixer includes two dough hooks designed to simplify bread-making. I added 500g of bread flour, yeast, salt, and water, then set the mixer to the highest speed.
After ten minutes, I observed the ingredients blending nicely, although the mixer did shake and get warm. It recorded about 91 decibels. Once the dough was sticky, I added more flour and mixed for two additional minutes, achieving a smooth texture without any unmixed ingredients. The mixer handled the kneading well, but I doubt it could sustain full speed beyond 15 minutes.
Baking Cookies
For cookies, I tried the Best-Ever Snickerdoodles recipe from the manual. I started by creaming softened butter and sugars but ran into issues with the bowl shifting, making it hard for the dough hooks to reach the mixture. Switching to the beaters improved the results.
Achieving a fluffy consistency took me about 10-15 minutes, requiring some manual help to incorporate butter pieces. Adding dry ingredients was more successful, taking approximately ten minutes to combine everything.
Making Meringue
I loved how well this mixer handled liquids. For meringue, I used 4 oz. of egg whites and started at speed 3, increasing to speed 5. The mixer performed consistently throughout.
After five minutes, soft peaks formed, and I added cream of tartar and sugar, resulting in a delightful meringue.
Preparing Buttercream
Initially, I was frustrated trying to beat butter, but a buttercream recipe turned out fantastic. I first set the mixer to speed 3. While the butter shifted to the sides, it softened nicely within three minutes.
When I added half of the icing sugar, the mixer really came to life. After mixing everything together, it took around 10 minutes to achieve a perfect consistency. I noted sound levels reaching about 88 decibels.
Compared to my cookie experience, I only needed to scrape the bowl sides a few times. In total, the mixing took about 10 minutes, allowing me to multitask while it worked.
Cleaning the Mixer
Cleaning the Delish by Dash Stand Mixer was straightforward. The bowl, attachments, and beaters are dishwasher safe. For those without a dishwasher, soaking parts in warm soapy water aids in cleaning. The base should not be submerged; a damp cloth suffices for wiping it down.
Comparison with Other Mixers
When stacked against higher-end models like the KitchenAid Artisan and Cuisinart Stand Mixer, the Delish by Dash falls short in power and attachments. The latter two come with larger attachments for thorough mixing. Given its price and performance, a more fitting comparison might be the Hamilton Beach 6 Speed Electric Stand Mixer, which matches the bowl capacity but has more speed options.
While the Delish by Dash is rated at 350 watts, the Hamilton model is slightly weaker. On Amazon, the Hamilton mixer earns a higher rating than the Dash model.
Should You Purchase the Delish by Dash Stand Mixer?
If you want to mix up various recipes like meringue and buttercream, the Delish by Dash Stand Mixer is a fantastic choice. However, for cookies, a hand mixer might be more effective.
Typically priced at $79.99, this mixer occasionally goes on sale. Given the performance I've experienced, it offers solid value for beginners, though seasoned bakers may find it lacking.
