The Cuisinart PowerAdvantage mixer is heaven sent to foodies who are trying to get started in food preparation. It is a combination of a hand mixer and a stand mixer, and cost far less than it’s bigger siblings, don’t be fooled though, this mixer packs enough punch for your whipping and mixing needs. The mixer oozes with technological advances too, which you can see immediately after opening up the box.

Rating –

Features

-One-step power switch which allows on and off operation on the same switch

-Includes a 7 speed LED display

-SmoothStart® function with 3 low mixing speeds

-Includes a stainless steel bowl with 2.5 quart capacity

-Tilt-back mechanism

-Has an Easy-release button for hand mixer

-Includes dough hooks and flat beaters

-Professional chef’s whisk

-Limited 3-year warranty

-Includes easy to follow instruction manual with recipe book

Pros and Cons

The Cuisinart PowerAdvantage stand mixer, while powerful and technologically advance, could benefit from an overload detector. While the mixer won’t sweat some whipping and mixing duties, when kneading dough with tough consistencies, it can choke a little bit. You need to be careful not to overuse it, it’s not designed for extended use, you need to let the motor breathe a little bit. The turn table design for bowl could have been better if the turning mechanism was found on the stand rather than on the beater–when you are mixing a batter and it gets stuck, that will prevent the bowl from turning, so you may have to switch to hand mixer mode.

Cuisinart PowerAdvantage is not a large appliance, it has a small foot print in your kitchen counter and is very easy to tuck away when not needed. The one-touch speed control is very handy, it allows you change speeds quickly while you are mixing–even the on/off switch is one-touch, you can power up or down the mixer using the same operation. The LED speed display gives you visual feedback and confirmation which speed you are currently using, you don’t have to rely on your ears anymore to tell if the mixer is whirling a tad too fast for what you are mixing. The heel rest of the mixer allows it to sit squarely and solidly in your countertop, this is a good thing so that the mixer doesn’t wobble or jitter when you are mixing. The head-lift release lever locks the mixer in place so that you can have a worry free access inside the mixing bowl.

In the final analysis, this mixer for weekend warriors or for the new home chef (or wannabe home chefs), it allows you to graduate from the underpowered hand mixers and eases your way to the stand mixers without spending a fortune. If you are just beginning cake and pastry class, this will be perfect for you. If your mixing needs is just to cream some butter, sugar, whip some egg whites and occasionally knead some not so tough dough, then this is the one for you. It’s a great idea also for a wedding gift (or mother’s day or what have you), it’s technologically advance and it won’t hurt your wallet.