Dualit 88400

...my wife beating with the Dualit 88400 ! - and it is usually the title that gets the first 40 reads!)

My Research
++++++++++

As our previous beater/ mixer had been around for about 20 years or so, it was clear that its life expectancy was rather reduced.
Smoke and heat generated by the same mixer when asked to beat anything thicker than water, was another give-away sign.
In such circumstances, some ...
...There was wide consensus that Dualit really are among the best.
A few hours watching UKTV's Food programmes served to underscore the same fact - all those top chefs are using Dualit mixers - they must be good ?


My Purchasing
++++++++++++

Online study - in depth - gave quite a range of prices. From about £39 to £55 - and some of those prices require post and packaging to be added to them.
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If you have watched your WIFE, BEATING eggs with a fork, your heart will have been moved at the amount of exertion it requires.. ( OK - that's a pretty crumby way of getting at the title, but it is not off-topic as the review will be about my wife beating with the Dualit 88400 ! - and it is usually the title that gets the first 40 reads!)

My Research
++++++++++

As our previous beater/ mixer had been around for about 20 years or so, it was clear that its life expectancy was rather reduced.
Smoke and heat generated by the same mixer when asked to beat anything thicker than water, was another give-away sign.
In such circumstances, some wives may decide to go out and buy themselves a replacement. My dearly beloved just drops hints - not subtle, gentle, easy-to-ignore hints - but great big clanging ones.
My well-honed defence mechanism starts by agreeing that a replacement is really over-due.
The next cunning step is to suggest some research.
This will ensure that we get the best possible mixer, at the cheapest conceivable price - in the longest imagineable time-scale... after all, I am going to have to fork out for this one, just like the last.!

The internet provided plenty of options, with sites like Pricerunner giving some idea of variety, specs and - all-importantly - prices.

There was wide consensus that Dualit really are among the best.
A few hours watching UKTV's Food programmes served to underscore the same fact - all those top chefs are using Dualit mixers - they must be good ?

My Purchasing
++++++++++++

Online study - in depth - gave quite a range of prices. From about £39 to £55 - and some of those prices require post and packaging to be added to them.

I decided on a different course of action. Belfast's Chef Shop is near at hand and have wonderfully helpful staff ( that's another 10% discount next time, fellows! ) and I knew I could count on them to let me know if this was a bad purchase.!
The opposite was the case - they supply these to Belfast's culinary trade, and they could get me a nice chrome model for £42. There are other colour options in soft touch finishes - red, blue and cream among them, but for our classy kitchen, only chrome would do.

My Product.
+++++++++

The mixer looks like a standard size of hand mixing machine, about a foot long, 4 inches wide and about 8 inches from top to bottom.
It has been pointed out by some sharp-eyed readers of this review that it weighs a little more than other mixers, and the weak-wristed should maybe do a test-run before purchase.

It comes with a selection of tools, all of which I found to be described in a misleading manner :-.
There is a balloon whisk - though it does not make balloons.!
There are two dough hooks, but again, they do not make money, much to my annoyance.
And then there are two other whisks described as "multipurpose oversize flat beaters".
Why does a manufacturer make something that is 'oversize', I ask? - but no answer is forthcoming!
And what kind of flat do they beat? And why do you want to beat your flat with a mixer, even if you could.!?

There is an electric cord and plug, and here is one of Dualit's star attractions ! - The cord retracts inside the body of the mixer and there is a cut out part of the machine's base, into which the plug can be fitted - Neat, in every sense.!

There are five different settings for speed, and the 300 watt motor should be good.
There is an ejector button, for getting the beaters out for washing up, and there is an instruction leaflet and a guarantee card.

It doesn't look like a whole lot of product for the dough, so let's go to a test-drive, shall we?

My Personal Test
+++++++++++++

As most men will understand, a personal test of this kind of equipment is vital.
It accomplishes two or three things at one go.
Firstly, it let's us see how good a gadget it is and whether it was worth the money.
Secondly, it enables us, in two minutes, to understand the things that will puzzle our spouses for the next two months of use.! We will be able to give the answers with consummate ease.??

Thirdly, it will reassure us, that once again, we have provided our significant others with the kind of equipment they need to make all household tasks simple, convenient and a sheer delight!

The whisks slot easily into their locations, the machine whirls into life, and those beaters do go fast!
Move up the gears, and the engine increases speed significantly,- yet so quietly, it's unbelievable.

If this was a car, it would be a Porsche !
The handle is comfortable, the weight of the machine is nicely balanced in use, and it looks so good.
Just in case you ever forget the maker's name, it is branded in large letters into the chrome on either side, in smaller letters on the front chrome and into the black rubbery surface on the back.
In case you did not realise, the black part at the rear acts as the retraction device for the electric cord - you turn it round, and the cord gets swallowed up inside.!

I omitted to comment on the ease of cleaning the mixer first time round, so here is a wee addition - thanks missy!
I confess to the fact that I did not clean it after my test run - it did not need it - and male users of this kind of machinery do not get them messy and dirty anyway !!??
Seriously, though, they are super mixers to wipe clean. I am not just so sure about the soft-touch coloured ones, but cannot imagine that they will be any different.

Conclusion
+++++++++

This is a delightful machine to give to one's wife.
Beating will become a real pleasure for her, and you will have meringues by the cartload.
It does not have a stand, which some may find irritating, but then it is a handheld mixer, after all.
Hope this helps your lengthy research, men, as you look hard and long at what to buy your spouses for next year's Christmas present !

 

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