GoKawiilElectric gadgets have infiltrated the kitchen at an astounding clip. There's a battery-powered or rechargeable version of just about any cooking tool you can think of, from fridge odor purifiers to meat probes and even chef's knives.
We make it our business to find the latest and greatest in state-of-the-art kitchen and home tech, but that doesn't mean every piece of kitchen hardware is better in its electric form.
Professional chefs often favor traditional methods. Even so, we wanted their opinion on a few popular electrified kitchen helpers and whether they consider the analog versions superior.
I chatted with culinary pros across the globe for their take on six common kitchen tools versus their electronic counterparts.
Here's what they said.
1. Mixing by hand vs. a stand mixer
Hand-mixing has its advantages but most avid bakers will make good use of a stand mixer. FreshSplash/Getty Images
"When I am making bread or pizza dough, I prefer making it by hand instead of using a mixer. It reduces the risk of over-kneading and allows for greater control and consistency. When doing large batches, it's a great exercise. Bread and pizza taste even better when you feel like you've earned it." - John Marchetti, executive chef at Carcara in Phoenix, AZ
"As much as I love my KitchenAid for big batches, I often prefer doing doughs or whipped creams by hand because you're more connected to the process. Hand-mixing lets you sense subtle changes like when butter is perfectly creamed or when egg whites hit the exact soft peak -- things a machine can bulldoze through if you're not watching closely." - Kaitlyn Weber, executive chef at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa in La Jolla, CA
Our Take: Opt for the stand mixer if making larger batches or if your wrists tire quickly. A stand mixer can also accomplish other tasks such as kneading, mixing, whipping and pasta-making, making it a versatile investment. That said, preparation with a bit of elbow grease is practically foolproof.
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