There are various types of utensils that we always have in our kitchens. Some are basic utensils while others could be classified as tertiary utensils. Whisks normally fall in the bucket list of tertiary products. The best whisk will really bring the best out of your kitchen. You will need it when mixing pancake butters, beating eggs and when creating dressings. There isn’t any better way to enjoy homemade food other than having these kitchen additions.
However, a wrong choice of a whisk can be so annoying. It is very important to get the best product that will work great for you. To help you choose the right whisks, therefore, we have put together this comprehensive guide on whisks. We hope you not only learn about this kitchen equipment but also choose the products reviewed herein. With this article, you can be sure not to get anything wrong at all when it comes to the best whisks available.
Who invented the whisk?
History has it that Julia Child came up with the idea of using whisks in her televised appearance in 1963 in the USA. However, this tool had been around from as early as in the 1600’s only that back then it was just a mere wood brush.
Julia did every possible thing to popularize the whisks by not only teaching people how to use them but also how to choose the right ones.
Reviews of the best whisks America’s Test kitchen & Wirecutter
OXO 11-inch Balloon Whisk – best whisk america’s test kitchen & wirecutter
The OXO 11-inch whisk is the best you can find currently in the market. It is made of highly polished and good quality stainless steel. This makes the wires very durable. Besides, the handle is made from a teardrop shape for improved grip as this makes the whisk fit perfectly well into the hands.
Additionally, the handle is very soft so as to be comfortable to use. It is a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used in stirring butter and sauces, beating eggs and whipping cream among others.
This 11-inch whisk weighs just 0.8 ounces and hence lightweight. It is easy to clean as it is dishwasher safe.
OXO 1244780 11-inch – Best Silicone Whisk
This is another great product from OXO. It is however made from silicone and not stainless steel as the one above. However, the silicone used is heat resistant and can withstand temperatures of up to 600oF.
This kitchenware is safe for almost all types of your cookware; be it metallic, non-stick or ceramic. The good thing with this product is that under no circumstances will it warp, melt or even discolor.
The teardrop-shaped handle makes it easy and comfortable to grip. Besides, the handle is deliberately made soft to provide comfort and non-slip features when wet. It can be used to stir, beat and whip various foodstuffs in the kitchen.
It has a weight of just 2.88 ounces.
Best Manufacturers 10-inch French Whisk- Best for Lightweight
This product has been made to high quality standards in the USA. The whisk has been approved by the National Sanitation Foundation which certifies all kitchenware. It is small in size for optimum and simple fingertip control.
It is made from stainless steel 18/8 which is relatively strong and food safe. Cleaning the item is also a breeze as it is dishwasher safe. The whisk has a weight of 2.4 ounces.
Progressive International Prepworks 6-inch Balloon Whisk- Best Compact Whisk
This is a 6-inch whisk from Progressive International, another well renowned company that has been in the production of kitchen solutions for over 4 decades. The wires are made from steel which has been plated with chrome for durability.
Its cleaning process is convenient as it is dishwasher safe. It is perfect for mixing dressings and beating eggs. It is small in construction for easy storage.
It is lightweight, weighing just 1.92 ounces, for comfortable operations.
Ouddy 3-Pack Wire Whisks- Best for Budget
These whisks are made from highly durable and well-polished stainless steel for long-lasting usage. The handles are ergonomically designed to provide both balance and comfort when in use. The handles are also non-slip even when wet.
They are dishwasher safe and therefore easy to clean. The ends can be hooked making them quite easy to store. The preferred storage position is hanging vertically so that water drops off freely away from the handle.
They come in a pack of 3 with different sizes with the 12-inch one being perfect for use in large bowls. There are also the 10 and 8-inch whisks in the package that can be used for various functions.
The whole package weighs 4.8 pounds.
Jillmo Danish Dough 12-inch Whisk- Best Dough-Mixing Whisk
The Jillmo whisk has been made from the durable food grade stainless 304 steel. The handle is also made from the very material only that it has been designed to be smoother. The rust-proof unit is perfect for mixing dough before kneading.
It is dishwasher safe and has no gaps between the handle and shower head eliminating possibilities of water getting trapped around the handle. This makes the item easy to clean. It is very simple to use and mixes so effectively and quickly.
The silver in color whisk weighs 1.08 pounds. Additionally, this whisk comes with a lifetime warranty.
OXO Flat Wire Whisk- Best Flat Whisk
The flat wire design from OXO is so ideal when it comes to deglazing a bowl or a pan. This whisk has its wires made from stainless steel that has been properly polished. To make a proper fit onto the palms, its handle is designed in a teardrop shape.
The non-slip handle is also very soft for improved comfort during operation. The flat wire type is available in 9 and 11 inches. It weighs a paltry 1.58 ounces. Its cleaning process doesn’t require much as the unit is dishwasher safe.
KitchenAid Digital 9-Speed Pro Whisk- Best Electric Whisk
This is a more advanced whisk which is digitally designed to operate at different speeds depending on the type of products to be mixed. It has a soft start feature which gradually speeds up to the selected setting to eliminate splattering of ingredients.
The handle is soft and easy to grip for comfortable mixing. The unit comes with so many other accessories like beaters, dough hooks and a blending rod which can be quickly and simply replaced; through a single press of a button.
This 2-pound advanced whisk is easy to clean.
Ludwig Scandinavian-Whisk Mixer- Best Round Whisk
Just like a majority of the products in this list, this item is made from food grade stainless steel. This USA-built whisk can be used in a wide variety of cups, bowls and pans since its contours fit in a good number of them.
It is dishwasher safe and hence easy to clean up. The package comes with 2 whisks with one with one having a handle and diameter of 8 and 1.75 inches respectively. The other one measures 9 7/8 and 3 inches in handle length and diameter respectively.
The entire package weighs 2.39 pounds.
Things to consider before buying a whisk
Getting the right whisk for your home use has never been easier before. However, in this section we seek to simplify your search for this essential kitchenware by looking at the most important of features to look for. With these features, you’ll be able to differentiate the best from trash.
- Material
The best quality whisks are made from food grade stainless steel. Apart from the safety, the stainless steel is durable and easy to clean. However, stainless steel whisks can at times scratch non-stick utensils.
There are some other whisks made from silicone which is usually preferred for use on non-stick pans. These are, however, not as strong as their metallic counterparts. You will therefore require lots of energy to use the silicone models.
- Design of the handle
The handle is what you will be holding when whisking. It should therefore be designed in a way that provides comfort and efficiency. A good handle should be long enough to help protect you from heat while whisking.
Additionally, it should be made from a non-heat conducting material to prevent possible burns. The material used on the handle also needs to be non-slip so that the whisk doesn’t slip away even in wet conditions.
However, if you will only be mixing ingredients in small bowls then a long handle won’t be necessary.
- Weight
The weight of the whisk matters a lot. You don’t want to take something home that will be too bulky to use. The right whisk should be lightweight and be easily operated by one hand. Always hold it in your palms and feel if it is the right weight for you.
- Number of wires
The higher the number of wires the more effective the whisk is likely to be. The large number of wires makes whipping easier and faster.
Types of whisks
Top quality whisks are available in different shapes and forms. Below are some of the most common types you will probably come across in the market:
- Balloon Whisks
The name is derived from the bulbous shapes they possess. Are relatively large with a small number of metal tines. They are perfect for use in large bowls.
- French Whisks
These are narrower compared to balloon types. They are usually ideal for use in small saucepans as they are capable of getting their stiff wires to all the corners. They are designed with extra layers of tines for proper aeration of egg whites.
- Flat Whisks
Also known as roux whisks, these are just flattened versions of balloon types. These are ideal for use on shallow pans. They also double up as slotted spoons.
- Mini Whisks
These are the smallest whisks you can probably come across. The baby-sized whisks are great for mixing small amounts of ingredients.
- Spiral Whisks
These are also known as Scandinavian or coil whisks. They are built with C-shaped wire coil at the handle’s end position. The coils are handy in scrapping the sides and bottoms of the pans.
- Ball Whisks
These are built with small spheres at the wire ends instead of the wire loops. They can be used in getting to the edges of tiny containers such as measuring cups.
- Spring Whisk
You can also call these twirl whisks. They come with springs at the tail ends of their handles. The spring is meant to be bounced down and up instead of swishing from one side to the other when mixing.
- Dough Whisks
These are also referred to by many as Danish whisks. They are made of wire loops at the end of their wooden handles. They are not used for aeration as is the case with other whisks.
- Kettle Whisks
These are models with long handles plus caged ball shapes at their ends. They are built for use in commercial applications.
How to use a whisk
Having chosen the right product, it is now time to use it. It is not rocket science to operate whisks. Whisking from side to side will definitely give you the best mixing results. Just hold the whisk on one hand with the other hand holding the bowl and rotating it.
By rotating the bowl, you make short the mixing time.
Conclusion
Having appreciated the importance of whisks in a kitchen set up, it is time to buy the best one for your home use. None of them beats OXO 11-inch Balloon Whisk. It is the best because of its durability, food safety, ergonomic design and lightweight plus many more.
We hope this guide will help improve a lot in your kitchen.
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