Mixers, Beaters and Churns; Coffee Pots
207. Use of Mixers, Beaters and Churns. Mixers, beaters and churns are all devices for agitating or stirring food.
Fig. 115. Parts of bread mixer.
The simpler ones of these devices depend upon the motion of the hand (Fig. 115), while others have their velocity increased by means of cog wheels.
The turning of the large wheel turns the small wheel as many times as number of cogs on the small wheel is contained in the number on the large wheel (see Fig. 116). To get even more speed or to apply the power at a different angle, a series of wheels are sometimes used. A few mixers, like the bread mixer, are simply machines which take the hands out of the food, thus tending to a higher degree of sanitation, and a change in the motion which may not be so tiring as kneading. They do not increase the speed of mixing.
Bread made in a mixer has a somewhat different texture than bread kneaded by hand, but this does not change its nutritive value.
208. Care of These Devices. The principal care needed by these devices is that they be kept clean and the cog wheels dry. Very little oil should be used, as it would tend to get it into the food. Sometimes the rivet holding a wheel needs to be tightened, as, for example, when one becomes so loose that the wheel slips cogs. If it is too tight, the wheel may bind and work hard.
Fig. 116. View showing internal
arrangement of cake mixer.