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If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, then you know the importance of this kitchen gadget. On the other hand, if you’re just starting to get serious about cooking, this is definitely a tool you’ll need. When it comes to batters, aioli, sauces, soups, gravy, and (my favorite) pancakes, this is the number one tool that comes to mind:
The kitchen whisk!
If you buy the first whisk you see, you might end up with one that is too stiff, but that’s the opposite of what you want. You’re looking for one that offers flex and movement.
Of course, you don’t want one that is too flimsy either. You want it to be sturdy enough to scrape the bottom of the bowl and break up any flour chunks that might be remaining.
If you buy the first one you see, you might also get one that’s so heavy your arm is tired after just a few minutes of beating, which is not very long when it comes to whipping up the perfect batch of fresh whipped cream.
In this product guide we’ll start out with our bottom line up front – Foodal’s most recommended model.
Then we’ll discuss what you should look for in terms of evaluating models such as:
Following that, we’ll introduce other quality models that are worth considering and offer a mini-review of each to include offerings from:
Most Recommended Model – OXO Balloon Whisk
When I consider all of the attributes mentioned above, only one brand really meets all of these requirements. This OXO model is the one that I use myself, and I think it takes the cake! Check it out for yourself.
It’s low-cost, durable and the perfect size to keep it from falling into (or out of) the bowl. If you’ve been searching for one of these you can stop now, because this best seller is just what you’ve been looking for.
This model is a balloon-shaped whisk, making it versatile and perfect for preparing a number of dishes and sauces.
It is well constructed and has great movement, allowing you to use it at a fast speed, letting a lot of air in for an airy scramble or a wonderful meringue. On the other end of the spectrum, it can also be used at a slower speed, letting less air in and creating more dense finished products like sauces.
OXO Good Grips 11-Inch Balloon Whisk
Another benefit is that it’s not too heavy, so no matter how fast, slow, short or long you use the product, your arm won’t tire.
It has 10 wire loops, all at varying heights, that are well connected at the top of the model and contain no gaps, keeping your food from getting stuck and liquid from getting into the handle.
OXO Good Grips 11-Inch Silicone Balloon Whisk
The best thing is, it’s available in both a traditional stainless steel model for use on metal pans and glass bowls as well as a silicon coated version for use on non-stick pans.
The Pros
Soft ergonomic handle made of rubber and it won’t slip out of your hand, even when it’s wet.
Well-made tines (the wires on the tool itself) that keep food from getting stuck inside, making this a longer-lasting product. One user reported using this tool to make a breakfast scramble with 12 eggs, and said the tool worked wonderfully and produced the most beautiful airy eggs.
Dishwasher safe, so you can toss this in the dishwasher and you don’t have to worry about the heat destroying it.
Affordable. When you consider all of the features and how well this product is made, the price is very fair.
The Cons
This model is an Amazon best seller. With that being said, there’s not much wrong with this tool.
However, if I had to find something, I’d point out that one user said the handle started to wear after 2 years of use. Another reported the tool was a little heavy, but she did mention that she has arthritis. Other than that, this model is genuinely at the peak of the list in this category.
Check prices and read all customer reviews on Amazon now.
What to look for when choosing your perfect whisk
If you want to do some shopping on your own, we’ve included some additional information to help you make the very best buying decision. Below you will find everything you need to select the perfect tool for your cooking needs.
Material
When you’re looking for a whisk, you’ll most likely want to purchase one that is made of stainless steel. This will keep the product from rusting and flaking off into your mixing bowl. It will also last longer, saving you money over time.
You’ll want to avoid the plastic type as they are more likely to break within a year or two and end up in a landfill.
That being said, a silicone-coated whisk is really nice to have if you’ll be whipping away in a non-stick coated pan or tin lined copper pot, since it will help to prevent scratching. And the silicon coated varieties have a much higher resistance to heat than any common plastic can hope to match.
Wires
When it comes to the make of the tool, be sure to pay particular attention to the wires.
You’ll want well-constructed wires, since this is the determining factor as to whether your whisk will be able to withstand the test of time. You want them to be sturdy, but also to provide a lot of movement.
Also, keep in mind that thick wires are more efficient when beating eggs or meringues, and they can break up pesky chunks of dry ingredients like flours and sugars.
Handles
When it comes to the size, the most important factor is the size of the handle. If the handle is too small, it can fall into the bowl. If it’s too large, it can fall out.
When considering the handle, it should be comfortable enough to hold in your hand for a few minutes, and you need to be able to really grip it so it doesn’t slip out of your hand when beating at a high speed.
You need to make sure the weight is proportional with the wires, too. A lot of whisks have heavy handles and light, flimsy wires, which makes the tool extremely hard to control.
Design/Shape
When it comes to shape, this is the most confusing element, as there are so many different shapes and styles available it can be difficult to know which one to pick.
I’ll quickly define each of the most popular styles on the market:
Balloon Style: This type is the most versatile and it works well in rounded bowls, like your average mixing bowl. Great for the most common tasks such as making batters, sauces, soups, cookies, and whipped creams.
French Variety: Similar to the balloon, but more narrow and flat. This style works well in deeper dishes and is useful for reaching tight corners.
Ball Variety: This type has tiny balls on the ends of straight tines, used for making thick condiments like gravy or sauces. It’s really useful for using in odd shaped bowls or pots, as the balls can reach those hard to get to spots.
Flat Design: This one is used for stirring in shallow sauté pans over a hot flame. Ideal for making a roux or a simple gravy.
As you can see, there are a few different styles to choose from. If you’re looking or an overall high quality option, the OXO balloon is going to be your best bet.
However, if you have a specific need like making gravy, a flat style might be better for you. My best advice is to think about what you’ll be using this tool for before you make your pick.
Other Models Worth Considering
There are a lot of these tools on the market, but none of them stack up quite like this OXO model. One common thing I’ve seen in other products that fall into this category is that they’re often poorly made, and reviewers report that they usually have something go wrong within the first few uses.
Nonetheless, there are a few more worth mentioning that are of very high quality and some of them are better are certain applications. These are the models that we examined and tested and found to be worth buying:
The Kuchenprofi 6-Inch Stainless Steel Model
Kuchenprofi products were originally made for professionals, but they’re now available to anyone who’s interested in getting in the kitchen and cooking. This tool comes in many different sizes, ranging from a 6-inch all the way up to a 12-inch.
It has a sturdy stainless steel handle with a little ring at the end for hanging. It’s sturdy, yet it’s still flexible enough to do its job. It’s also dishwasher safe, great for making dressings and scrambling eggs.
Kuchenprofi 6-Inch Stainless Steel Whisk
Personally, I really enjoy the 6-inch model. While it is a little smaller than the others, it is very convenient for whipping up salad dressings. When I’m making vinaigrettes, I tend to pour all of the ingredients into a Pyrex measuring cup and this tool fits into the container well, giving me the space I need to really mix it up.
Users repeatedly mention how stiff this tool is, so if you are looking for something for mixing batters and sauces, this might be a good option for you.
Check prices and read customer reviews on Amazon now.
Cuisipro Silicone Flat Model
This is a fantastic alternative for high heat, as the 4 silicone-wrapped stainless steel wires are high temperature resistant, up to 750°F. The silicone wires are a saving grace when it comes to protecting your pans, and they’re wonderful for working with nonstick, ceramic or tin-lined copper.
If you don’t have a flat variety and like to make a lot of gravies or sauces, you’ll be impressed by how well this tool can remove food from the bottom of your pan. You’ll also note that it’s easier and more comfortable to move than your balloon variety.
Cuisipro 10-Inch Silicone Flat Whisk, Frosted
You can also use this model for making hot cereals like oatmeal. My oatmeal always seems to get stuck to the bottom of the pan, and this product would be perfect for avoiding burned porridge.
Cuisipro makes it really convenient to clean, as its dishwasher safe. When it comes to storing, I recommend hanging it or placing it in a large utensil jar. Avoid storing in a drawer, because these tend to get stuck to everything.
Check prices and read customer reviews on Amazon now.
Profi Plus Silicone Ball Model
If you’re looking for the ball style, this might be a good option for you. It’s heat resistant up to 518°F. The balls on this tool are made of heat resistant silicone and they won’t scratch non-stick surfaces.
WMF Profi Plus Silicone Ball Whisk, 27 Cm.
Due to its slightly thicker wire, this tool is able to mix thick pancake batter as well as a batch of light egg whites, making it really versatile. The silicone-coated balls come in handy when stirring things like sauces and puddings, as they are very efficient.
I would suppose if you need to make something rather quickly, this instrument is the one you want to work with. Thanks to the balls, this tool mixes quickly and effortlessly.
This one is also available in a pure stainless steel model if you need a ball whisk for purely metal on metal or metal on glass contact.
An additional benefit is that it’s dishwasher safe. Nevertheless, a few users recommend a hand wash for more thorough cleansing. I’ve also found handwashing tends to prolong the shelf life of most kitchen tools.
Check prices and read customers reviews on Amazon now.
The Original Danish Dough Whisk
If you’re a baker, this is a product you’re going to want to add to your collection right away. Made from heavy duty professional grade stainless steel, it also has a wooden handle for simple gripping. If you’ve ever found yourself with trapped dough, you know what a pain that can be to remove. Well, this model is designed to avoid that.
Or maybe you’ve tried to use a balloon style and had it break? Most common whisks are not made to withstand such tough working conditions and more substantial doughs, which is why this product exists in the first place.
The Original Danish Dough Whisk
Promoted as the baker’s best keep secret, this tool is going to come in handy for making things like fresh bread, pizza crusts, and a variety of pastries. The uncomplicated design, with minimal wire and closed circuits, makes cleaning very easy: just rinse, wash with warm soapy water, dry and you’re done.
The best part is that you can actually use this tool to pre-knead your dough.
If you’re anything like me, kneading is my least favorite part when it comes to baking bread… well, right behind doing the dishes! Foodal’s Guide to Kneading Dough offers some helpful tips and tricks that you can use to improve your skills. (Hint: comfy kitchen shoes can also help!)
This might be more of a specialty item, but one that is definitely worth checking out!
Check prices and read customer reviews on Amazon now.
OXO Good Grips Flat Model
If you like the OXO model featured in this article but are looking for a flat variety to add to your collection, then this is the one I’d recommend. The flat shape is perfect for deglazing a pan and using in shallow bowls.
It’s great for incorporating egg whites into a batter or dealing with delicate dishes, and it can be used while a pan is on the stove without causing any damage to the product. It’s dishwasher safe and comes with a very comfortable handle.
Users love that this tool is versatile, and that you can even use it as a spatula to flip delicate omelets or move chocolate cookies from pan to plate.
Like most OXO products it includes a soft comfort grip handle, so you don’t have to worry about handle comfort or weight with this model. Among the flat options, this one really stands out.
Check prices and read customer reviews on Amazon now.
Wired Whisk Silicone Set of 3
This is a 3-pack of silicone models of varying sizes and colors– a large red 12″, a medium blue 10″, and a small green 8-1/2″. I think it would be great if each tool in this set was a different style (like a flat, balloon and a ball), but they’re all the balloon type.
Even though this is probably my favorite style, it might be nicer to have a few different options, depending on the tasks you want to complete in the kitchen. But this may be an excellent option for you!
Silicone Balloon Whisk Set from Wired Whisk
If you’re looking to get a few of these in one fell swoop, then this might be a good pick for you. Of course, like I mentioned before, silicone versions aren’t the most durable, and the coating may flake off into your recipes, which is something you want to avoid.
The handle of this product is also a bit questionable. It feels a bit weak, and I am a little concerned about the life of these products. That being said, the price is very low and these are well-rated among consumers. If something does go wrong, you won’t feel too upset about having to replace them.
In addition to the basic colors, a neon green/pink/yellow set is also available, as well as matching sets of three in black, navy, pink, purple, red, white yellow, and rainbow. You can match your existing kitchen accessories and decor, or these would make a fun gift!
Check prices and read customer review at Amazon now.
Conclusion
A whisk that doesn’t bend or have wires filled with food is one that I want to own. Pair that with the fact that other users feel the same way about this item, not to mention its rating as the #1 best seller in this category, and I’m sold.
This is precisely why you’ll see this exact model of OXO in my kitchen, and as a home cook I really appreciate how versatile it is.
While I don’t have a large family of my own to cook for, my husband and I do on occasion have a few extra guests over for dinner, and I like that this tool can accommodate larger recipes.
From scrambles to pancakes and sauces to dip, I’m positive you’ll find more than a few ways to put this product to use in your kitchen.
First published April 8th, 2016. Last updated January 23rd, 2017.
About Sarah Hagstrom
Sarah is a health food advocate and loves to spend her time whipping up something healthy and delicious in the kitchen and then sharing either on Foodal or on her own blog "The Seasonal Diet" (www.theseasonaldiet.com). She lives in Sunny San Diego with her husband, where they enjoy running on the beach and weekend adventures.
I thought that all of them were the same. I have one at home and it is the typical balloon shape type. It has been sitting in the kitchen drawer for a long time simply because I wouldn’t know what to do with it. Since we do tend to make a lot of pancakes, this would be a great place to start.
I didn’t realize how different they all were..until my 20 year old son saw a smaller whisk and thought it was ancient. Then I realized there had to be different ones available
Well a good whisk is certainly a necessary addition to the kitchen, but I have to say that I have not thought about it this much. I have my old reliable, but I think even that is coming to its end here soon it is nice to have a little list to look at when I will look for something new. I am actually excited to try some of these things out, and maybe it will get me into the kitchen more, which is never a bad thing. Thanks.
It is interesting seeing the different types as my main hand model is a rotary version: two wire whisks that inter-beat with a handle you turn to rotate them, I was quite surprised to see they don’t seem to be as common overseas, with the balloon whisk so much more popular.
A good whisk is vital in the kitchen, but I will admit that as I am getting older, I tend to prefer the electric type (hand or stand versions!). They are a lot easier on the hands, especially if making something that requires a lot of whisking, like merangues.
Having a sturdy and durable whisk makes cooking so much easier in the kitchen. I have had two or three different whisks that have been bent to heck and back, and then I’ve had whisks that barely helped in making a good batter of pancakes. It is definitely vital to making successful batter.
I have several different types in my kitchen, each designed for a specific type of substance. For hard substances (such as cookie dough) I use a much stiffer model with a harder wire head so that the wires do not bend and it blends the dough better. For softer substances (such as eggs) I use a softer variety. Knowing which one to use in certain situations can save you a lot of headaches and unnecessary work in the end.
Very interesting overview of the options out there. I have a Swedish gravy whisk a friend gave me years ago that has been so helpful in the kitchen. I rarely make gravy, but I find this whisk is so fast and easy for whipping eggs, I love it!
The whisk is as important to a baker as a wrench is to a mechanic. You need a reliable tool (or even several ) that is capable of allowing you to efficiently perform every activity. A mediocre tool will lead to headaches and frustrated moments in the kitchen.
I would pick the OXO good grip flat model. Because I don’t really want to bother with silicon and I use a whisk for almost everything I usually do in the kitchen.
I didn’t realize there were so many different styles. I have one that is very unique. It’s like a Wonder Whisk. I purchased it at Sam’s Club doing a demonstration of knives. It came with a knife set. What stands out with this model is that it has a handle at the top that can be pushed down to make the wires spin. It’s great for scrambled eggs and making froths.
Thank you for clearing up what all those different types of whisks do. I have seen versions of most of them before but never knew if they offered anything different from what a standard balloon model does. I’m particularly interested in the flat and the ball types. The flat style seem like they would be much easier to maneuver for making gravies and pan sauces and the ball style just seem so easy to clean, the balloon models get clumps of food stuck in them all the time and can be a pain to clean.
When I usually buy whisks, they do go wrong instantly, I mean the individual whisks themselves get all tangled up and they are really hard to keep clean. Maybe if I try another type or a little bit less cheaper version I don’t have to buy a new one every month! 🙂
I have to admit, I never put that much thought into it. I have two on the standard type, a small one and a large one. The small one really comes in handy for sauces, making scrambled eggs etc. I agree that they are “must have,” but I never realized how different they could be.
I’d really like the silicone type, I think. I probably could replace that less frequently.
Currently, I have two whisks that I use. The first is a regular, durable standard metal whisk. I use this one 80% of the time. It is nothing fancy. It doesn’t even have a fancy handle or anything. However, it gets the job done and has stood the test of time. The second whisk is a silicone-coated whisk. I had another one previously but the silicone always keeps peeling off after I have used them a few times, so I had to replace the last one. I bought a different brand this time, so hopefully this one holds up a little better. I only use this type of whisk if I have to whisk in something non-stick while I am cooking just to avoid scratching. However, I stay away from that type of whisk any other time.
So appreciate the good advice as I am exhausted from doing Passover dinner as I read this…and still hope to make Chocolate Matzo Madness…a recipe from Southern Living…only to discover…this day before Easter that I need to WHISK on the stove and I don’t want to hurt the beautiful non stick finish of my scan pan…although you are allowed to use metal utensils, it was too much of an investment for me to risk. I’m off to hunt down the Oxo but SOOOOOO wish they would do things in colors other than RED. It is one of my least favorite colors!