Whisks are very handy for mixing pancakes and eggs. They work air through your mixture or batter, helping you to add fluffiness to your mix while giving it a light and airy texture. A whisk is commonly used in mixing dough and baking cakes.
Whisks come in various sizes and shapes. A whisk is irreplaceable in the kitchen, especially if you are a baker. They are the best tool for appropriately combining both dry and wet ingredients into a perfect texture with the perfect combination and not just for stirring.
We are sharing the best whisks approved by the American’s test kitchen and how to make the right choice.
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Who invented the whisk?
Until the 19th century, many cooks used willow twigs or birch as whisks. The twigs were tied in bundles then left to soak in water until their bark could be peeled off and hung to air-dry. Then they were bound at the bottom to create a pliant whisk for creams and sauces. The fragrance of the twigs helps add flavor to the food. The wire whisk was invented by the Victorians but became popular when Julia Child used it.
An American cookery writer, Julia Child, reestablished the whisk’s popularity in her first TV appearance in 1963. She appeared on a television show called “I have been reading ” to promote her book titled “Mastering the Art of French cooking,” where she used the tool.
She brandished a balloon-shaped whisk and performed magic by furiously whipped egg whites into a snowy peak of foams. She told the audience that to get air into a meringue, they need a bulb-shaped whisk and a stiff whisk for mixing.
Reviews of Best whisk America’s test kitchen
Here are Top 7 products on the market today
Top 1 – OXO Good Grips 11-inch Balloon Whisk: Best Choice
This large balloon-shaped whisk is comfortable to grip and is heat resistant to about 600 degrees. It offers the perfect gentleness for whisking your eggs without scratching your dishes. This product does not warp when washed or used in high heat. It is durable, sturdy, and has a nonslip handle that is easy to grip even with wet hands.
OXO Good is a narrow shaped whisk that is perfect for whisking in small containers or bowls with well-polished stainless steel wires. This product is suitable for all types of cookware, including ceramic, metal, or nonstick, it is dishwasher safe and comes with a lifetime warranty. The ergonomic handle is well shaped and soft with a comfortable grip that absorbs pressure and is non-slip. It does not come with a hanging loop or hole in the handle.
Pros
- Heat-resistant
- Nonslip handle
- Dishwasher safe
- Lifetime limited warranty
Cons
- Wires are tad flimsy
- No hanging loop
Top 2 -Teevea 3 pack Stainless Steel Whisk, Silicone Whisk
Teevea whisk comes in a variety pack of 3 different sizes of whisks, 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch. This product is made of better craftwork and high-quality materials with more wires, thicker wires, and thicker handles. It does not get rust easily, is not flimsy, and has a 10-year warranty.
The whisks are sturdy and do not deform. It comes in different colors. The wires are thick, and this helps to maintain their shape and provide optimum whisking experience. This product comes in different sizes, which makes it suitable for every job. It does not scrape up your cookware.
This product has a hanging loop that allows you to store by hanging without taking up much space. You need to allow the water to drain off after washing. It has a silicone-coated stainless steel handle and wires, suitable for nonstick cookware.
Pros
- Versatile
- High-quality
- Durable
- Rust resistant
- 10 years warranty
Cons
- Water sometimes get trapped in the handle
Top 3 – Best Manufacturers Light Design French KitchenWhisk America’s test Kitchen
This next product is, from the Best Manufacturers, a 10-inch French whisk that features a premium quality 18/8 stainless steel. Its design and size allow you to use it for heavier tasks.
Best manufacturers whisk made in the USA and have the NSF approval. This French whisk is made of heavy-duty material that is safe for the dishwasher. As a stiffer whisk, it is only recommended for use with a large amount of food or liquid.
The small design ensures optimum fingertip control, and the weight and size are perfect for every mixture, such as mashing, whisking stiffer batter, and thicker sauces.
Where the handle meets the wires sealed perfectly, this ensures no water gets trapped in the handle. For easy cleaning, wash after each use or soak temporarily in water till you are ready to clean.
Pros
- Dishwasher safe
- Ideal for heavier task
- Stainless steel
- NSF approved
Cons
- Not suited for a smaller amount of liquid
Top 4 – Prepworks by progressive 6″ Balloon Whisk
This Multifunctional balloon whisk is made of chrome-plated steel wire construction and is 6-inches long. The chrome-plated steel is free of BPA, and it is safe for cleaning with a dishwasher. This product is perfect for small tasks such as whisking eggs, mixing dressings, blending, beating, and stirring. The whisk has multiple wires for quick smoothing lumps from mixtures and adding volume, which makes cooking easier.
Prepworks by progressive whisk has a handle that is ergonomically designed for easy grip and comfortable handling. It is lightweight and is embossed with progressive. There is no loop for hanging. This product is convenient to use and clean. The steel is of high-quality to ensure it lasts for a long time. You get value for your money with this balloon whisk. This whisk is free from toxic materials and safe for use.
Pros
- Multifunctional
- Dishwasher safe
- Premium quality
- Ergonomic grip
Cons
- Not ideal for larger quantity
Top 5 – Ouddy 3 Pack Stainless Steel Whisk Set
Ouddy is constructed from a high polished food-grade stainless steel and comes in a set of three different sizes of whisks, which includes 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch. This product ensures 100% customer satisfaction and a money-back guarantee.
The handles are ergonomically designed for easy grip, excellent control, and balance. It is comfortable to hold and feel good in the hand. Ouddy features a steel hanging loop attached to the bottom of the handle that allows you to hang on any hook in the kitchen. Hang vertically to avoid water from getting into the handle and making it rust.
This product is suitable for cleaning in a dishwasher. It is ideal for whisking, stirring, beating, cooking, and blending. Cooking becomes easier with the different sizes of whisks, they all have different uses, the largest whisk is perfect for big bowls of batter, the 8-inch for blending a small quantity of vinaigrette, and the 10-inch whisk for beating eggs.
The stainless steel is highly polished and durable, and this whisk can last for years.
Pros
- Easy cleaning
- Hanging loop
- Satisfaction guaranteed
- Versatile
- Food-grade stainless steel
Cons
- Prone to rust
- Water gets trapped inside the handle
Top 6 – MatchaDNA Bamboo Matcha Tea Whisk
Every Matcha tea lover needs this whisk. This is the perfect solution to drinking Matcha tea without lumps in it. This product is authentic, handcrafted, traditional, free from chemical varnishes, BPA free, and naturally treated.
It is made with strong and sustainable golden grown bamboo. It can be used over and over again to produce the same result and adds flavor to the tea. You produce a smooth and frosty tea by whisking the tea in a zig-zag motion till it becomes frothy. Soak the bamboo tines in warm water to soften the bristles before use to avoid easy breakage, and after each use, rinse the bristles with cold water and shake off the excess moisture, then you air-dry the whisk while it faces down.
This product has both a scoop and a whisk made of 100% forest bamboo. This whisk is used for a specific purpose and is not as versatile as the other whisk made with other materials.
Pros
- A scoop
- Sturdy bamboo
- Handcrafted
- A year money-back guarantee
Cons
- No handle loop
- Ideal for only whisking Matcha tea
Top 7 – OXO Good Grips Best Flat Wire Whisk
The last product on this list is a flat whisk by OXO Good Grips with well-polished stainless steel and innovative handle shape. It is dishwasher safe and has a lifetime limited warranty from the manufacturer.
The flat shape allows you to deglaze a pan and also use it in a shallow bowl. The handle has a teardrop shape that is soft and comfortable to grip without feeling any pressure on your palm. Plus, it will not slip off your hand even when wet. You can comfortably use this flat whisk to whip cream, stir sauces, stir batter, deglaze pans, make a roux, and beat eggs in comfort.
This product can serve as a spatula to move chocolate cookies or flip delicate omelets from the pan to your plate. The flat design makes it challenging to rest in a bowl, unlike the balloon whisk.
Pros
- Stainless Steel
- Soft ergonomic handle
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Easy to clean
- Heat-resistant
Cons
- The handle is too short
Things to consider before buying a whisk
It is important to pay attention to some things before determining the best whisk that suits your needs
Quality
Some are flimsier while some are sturdier, and your need for flimsier could differ based on what you want to use the whisk for. You can also look out for whisks that are dishwasher safe and are suitable for use in a nonstick pan
Length of handle
If the length of the handle is too short, it will be difficult to grip and control. You will not be able to use the whisk effectively. The handle of your whisk must be put into consideration. You want the handle to be long enough to hold without being concerned about giving up your whisk length to gain additional handle. Ensure to look for the right balance on the length.
Size of whisk
They come in various sizes, and an average whisk is about 10 inches. You can find smaller and larger whisk sizes. Sometimes you can get a variety pack of 3 popular whisk sizes from large to small.
Wires
Whisks with flimsy wires are hard to control, you need well-constructed wires that are durable and can stand the test of time and heat. You need to ensure the weight of the wires is proportional to the weight of the handle. Thick wires are more efficient when beating meringue and eggs. They break up chunks of dry ingredients easily and need to be sturdy.
Material
When choosing a whisk, look for one that is rust-resistant and non slip. Most whisks are made with stainless steel, while others are coated with silicone or other materials. Avoid whisks that have a heavier handle.
Types of whisks
Different types of whisks are good, but they all serve various purposes and functions. This has to do with personal needs and preferences. Some work best with eggs while others work best with batter. They could be limited in overall capabilities
Flat Whisk
This whisk is designed with the wires laid together in a flat design rather than circular. A flat whisk is a superior choice for gravies, sauces, scraping, and getting clumps from the mixture. It is easy and comfortable to use. This is also known as the roux whisk.
Flat whisk does not work well with eggs but is best with various batter. This whisk is highly underrated but certainly has excellent qualities. It allows you to get into the awkward and small spaces of your mixing bowl, leaving no part unmixed.
Balloon Whisk
This is the most popular type of whisk, and it can serve a Multifunctional purpose. A balloon whisk is used for much more tasks than just whisking. It brings air into your mixture. This makes it the best choice for mixing egg whites, meringue, and cake batter.
Balloon whisk adds fluffiness to your mix and makes them lighter and airy.
It makes your mixtures light in both texture and substance. This product has a shape like a balloon. It is made with wires that are bent over in a circular form.
Ball Whisk
This is different from the usual wire cage form, and the prongs are separated instead of being connected into a tangled loop. It is useful to use in odd-shaped mixing bowls and pans. The balls can reach the hard spots in a pan.
There is a metal ball at the end of each prong that allows you to break up ingredients like eggs and blend them properly into a homogeneous mixture. This whisk is easier to clean.
French Whisk
This has longer and narrower wires, and it is an all-purpose whisk that comes handy when you want to get to the edges of a mixing bowl or pan. The French whisk looks like a balloon whisk but is built slightly different with thinner and more wires. It is an excellent whisk for light stirring and smoothing out sauce mixtures. It is not suitable for beating egg whites or making creams but is ideal for heavy batters. This whisk works well in reaching tight corners and in deeper dishes.
How to use a whisk
There is a lot of science that goes into using a whisk. Different bakers and cooks have different methods of using a whisk. You need to know the right way to use a whisk to help you reduce getting tired arms. Also, the better you whisk your ingredients, the faster your ingredients combine well and hold longer.
- Side to side motion is highly effective for everything from the vinaigrette, whipping cream to egg whites. This method is an easier way to carry out more action and increases the amount of shear force. The ingredients move alongside with the whisk as it goes back and forth.
- Beating is best for whipping egg whites and creating stiff peaks but is not ideal for whipping cream. The viscosity of egg whites helps them cling to the prong of the whisk, allowing the protein structure to trap more air.
- Circular stirring was ineffective for everything and is relatively useless. Shear force is what you need to agitate the content as much as possible. Beating and stirring produce less shear force.
However, whichever way you use the whisk, rotating your bowl while you whisk further increases agitation and shortens the time you spend.
Conclusion
We have always thought it excessive and wasteful to have more than one type of cookware, but we make an exception for whisks. Having more than one whisk allows you to use minimal effort to achieve better results in the kitchen and could be an excellent investment. Whisks can do a variety of tasks.
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