Ankarsrum Assistent Original Food Mixer / Harmony Beige

A household name in Sweden, where all their products are still manufactured, the Ankarsrum Assistent Original stand mixer is a robust machine that can mix up to 5kg of dough gently, as if by hand. The Ankarsrum will rarely overheat or overwork doughs, batters and creams, thanks to a powerful 1500-watt motor at the base of the machine. This causes the bowl and the attachments to rotate for thorough mixing – with no need to stop and start in order to scrape down the sides. Since the weight is at the base, it remains sturdy and relatively quiet when in use. A one-piece cast aluminium body makes it ultra-durable. A user-friendly interface with two knobs sits at the base of the machine; one regulates speed, while the other has an on/off button and a built-in timer of up to 12 minutes. This machine, which is fitted with a UK plug (220-240V), has a seven-year warranty, and comes with the following attachments:

• Stainless Steel Bowl: The stainless steel bowl has a capacity of 5kg (7L) with a wide opening, making it easy to add ingredients as well as see and feel the dough. Unlike the traditional mixers, the bowl sits on top of the gearbox, which makes the bowl rotate. Dishwasher-safe.
  
  
• Dough Roller & Dough Knife: Together with the rotating bowl, this dough roller and knife provide an optimal and unique motion that replicates the motions of kneading and working the dough by hand; think of the roller as a fist that kneads the dough and the knife as the hand that folds it. The dough knife also helps to scrape the sides of the bowl as the bowl rotates. Dishwasher-safe.
  
  
• Dough Hook: Less gentle than the dough roller – and thus ideal for large quantities or high-hydration doughs  – the dough hook kneads the dough by pulling on it. Like the dough roller, it is used in tandem with the bread knife. Dishwasher-safe.
  
  
• Spatula: A small dough scraper to easily remove dough from bowl and clean the attachments. Dishwasher-safe.
  
  
• Bowl Cover: A proofing lid, for when you are letting any freshly made yeasted dough rest after first mixing, providing a seamless process that doesn't require transferring dough from one bowl to another. Dishwasher-safe.
  
  
• Beater Bowl: A smaller (3.5L-capacity), clear bowl made of BPA-free plastic, for use with the cookie and balloon whisks. Ideal for cookies, cakes, icing, meringues, and more. It has a 'doughnut' shape for thorough mixing without any need to scrape down the sides. (A stainless steel version of this bowl is available to be purchased separately; find it here.) Dishwasher-safe.
  
  
• Wire Beaters (Cookie Whisks): Used in tandem, these whisks firmly attach to two metal prods that face opposite angles, allowing the beaters to spin independently and be more thorough in its whisking. Best used for soft cookie dough, cake batter, pancake batter, pie dough, muffin batter, and brownies. Hand wash only.
  
  
• Balloon Whisks: Like the whisks above, but with multiple wires. Best used for light mixtures like egg whites and whipped cream, or any food you'd like an aerated texture for. Hand wash only.
  
  

To read more about why this is our favourite stand mixer, read our full review.