The Murenking MK36 Stand Mixer is a professional grade stand mixer that offers a wide range of functionality and versatility. It is an appliance that provides convenience and a tool for exploration of different types of recipes. Anyone who loves to bake and cook would find this a handy tool.
This great appliance is not only affordable but comes loaded with features that make it worth your while.
Before we go further in discussing these features, we would pause and look at the brand that made this mixer.
Table of Contents
Brand Profile
Murenking is a Chinese manufacturer that’s been in existence for the past 12 years. It is a well known brand in China but just gaining recognition in America.
Its products span a wide range of kitchen appliances and accessories. With its factory in China it has the enabling environment to manufacture these products at a cheaper rate. This therefore means that the finished products get to the consumer at affordable prices.
While some folks may be skeptical about the quality of these products, Murenking has endeavored to maintain a high standard. To this end, all its products meet the required standard for products that are sold in the U.S. Some of the certification includes the FDA and ETL certification.
Its products afford the user value for their money and one of such products is the Murenking MK36 Stand Mixer.
Let’s get back to the features of the Murenking MK6 Stand Mixer.
Features of the Murenking MK36 Stand Mixer
The features of this Murenking stand mixer include the following:-
Powerful yet Quiet Motor
The Murenking MK36 Stand Mixer comes with a 500 watt motor. Surprisingly, the motor is not as noisy as some other mixers with the same motor power. It has a noise volume of 800 decibel which allows user to work without irritating noise.
Food Grade and Approved Materials
All the materials used in the manufacturing of this Murenking mixer are food grade and FDA and ETL certified. The stainless mixing bowl is made of food grade materials. So also are all the attachments that come in contact with food.
Large Capacity Mixing Bowl
The stainless steel mixing bowl has a 5 –quart capacity. This is large enough to mix many recipes without having to reduce or cut down the recipe. With this mixing bowl you can make up to 0.44 to 3.3 pounds of ingredients.
Planetary Mixing Action
The planetary trajectory design of the mixer and its attachments ensure that you get between 360 and 398 mixing action. This gives you wide coverage of the ingredients you are mixing.
Attachments
The Murenking MK36 Stand Mixer comes with four functional attachments. They are the following:
(i) Wire Whip also known as a whisk – This comes in handy for whipping egg whites and other frothy and creamy confections. You can work with this whisk for 4 minutes continuously to get that frothy peak desired in your egg whites.
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(ii) C-Shaped Dough hook – You are advised to use this for a maximum of 600g of dough, with a flour to water ratio of 5 to 3. First, start with speed one for thirty seconds, then move to speed two for another thirty second then finally, continue for three minutes on speed three.
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(iii) Y-Shaped Flat beater – Works perfectly for whipping up cake batter, mixing your cooking dough and mashing potatoes.
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(iv) Plastic Shield Guard with Pouring Spout – This ensures that you can mix your ingredients without splatters. You can also add ingredients without stopping the unit. The pouring spout enables you to pour out ingredients with ease.
6 Speed Settings
These speed settings allow you to start off slow and get to the speed required by your recipe. You can also set the speed of the unit to any pace you want with just a turn of the dial.
Tilt Head Design
This design makes it easy for you to attach the accessories and also detach them when you are done. All you have to do is tilt the head of the mixer and attach the desired accessory. You can also easily reach and place the mixing bowl due to this design.
Suction Cups at the Bottom of The Unit
There are suction cups at the bottom of the unit. This helps to keep the unit firmly on the countertop when in use. It wouldn’t allow the unit to wobble when in use even at high speed.
Note from Manufacturer
Here are some tips or instructions from the manufacturer as an addendum to the features
(i) The attachments should not be washed with hot water of any form. Additionally, they are not dishwasher safe and neither should any steel ball, wire brush or bleaching agent be used to wash them.
(ii) This unit comes with an overheating protector. Therefore the unit would shutdown automatically when overheated until it cools off.
(iii) The unit requires that you use only standard accessories/parts or the optional ones offered by manufacturer. The reason for this recommendation is to avoid ill fitting parts, defects or injuries to user.
You’ll enjoy the benefits of this unit better if you follow the instructions of the manufacturer.
Benefits of The Murenking MK36 Stand Mixer
The Murenking MK36 Stand Mixer has many benefits some of them are:-
Time and Energy Saving
One constant frustration for most homemakers or ardent cooks and bakers is that of food prep. There are ingredients to process and prepare every day and this takes up a lot of time and energy. The Murenking Stand Mixer makes the process less stressful.
With this stand mixer you can get a lot done instead of spending half your day preparing ingredients. So in addition to time saved, this mixer also saves you a lot of energy.
Versatility
The Murenking Stand Mixer is a versatile tool that comes with different attachments.
Some folks have hitherto been confined to working with a few recipes because of the stress of preparing ingredients. But with these attachments you can now experiment with a wide range of recipes.
Quiet Operation
With a unit as powerful as the Murenking MK6 Stand Mixer one would expect a high level of noise. However, the noise level is tolerable when compared with other machines of the same caliber.
It would not be remiss to say that it operates quietly compared to some other stand mixers.
Compact Design
Although it is a powerful machine, it is not too bulky or cumbersome. Even more interesting is the fact that it doesn’t take up much space on your work surface. You can leave it out on your countertop when not in use.
Aesthetic Value
The Murenking MK36 Stand Mixer is aesthetically appealing in addition to its compact design. It comes in colors that would not detract from the overall décor of your kitchen.
This means that even if it is left out on the countertop, it would only add a touch of elegance to your kitchen.
Ease of Setup , Use and Clean Up
The design of the Murenking Mk36 Stand Mixer makes setup easy. Furthermore the attachments are easy to use and the dials are not difficult to understand. Although the accessories are not dishwasher safe, they are easy to wash.
Value for Money
The Murenking MK36 Stand Mixer is inexpensive compared with its American counterparts. But the value of the unit is not diminished because of it; rather you get good value or your money.
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Disadvantages of The Murenking MK36 Stand Mixer
Not Made In America
One major disadvantage of the Murenking Mk36 Stand Mixer is that it is a Chinese product. While this may not sound practical, a lot of customers have a mind block against any product that’s not made in America.
That said however, there are folks that do not really care about the country of manufacture of a product. All they want is a product that works and provides values for their money.
Improperly Written User Manual
One other disadvantage is that the user manual is not well articulated. This we can surmise stems from the fact that English is not the first language of the manufacturers. But it would have been more considerate of them to have made an effort at putting out a manual that’s easy to understand.
No Scraper Blade
Unlike other stand mixers of its power and caliber, the attachments of the Murenking Stand Mixer don’t have scraper blades on the side. What this means is that you would have to stop and scrap the sides of the mixing bowl in the process of mixing.
This can be inconvenient for some folks and if one is in a hurry it would affect the time spent in the process.
What are Customers Saying About The Murenking Mk36 Stand Mixer?
In the course of our research, we read through hundreds of reviews. It is interesting to note that for a brand that’s not so popular in the U.S, it got 2/3rd positive reviews. Let’s not be preemptive however ; here are samples of both positive and negative reviews:-
Positive Reviews
(i)”The Murenking Mk36 Stand Mixer performed well when compared with some well known brands. It performs the same functions as the high end brands and with ease and minimal noise. The unit has been used to make bread recipes of up to six cups without issues”. As reported by a satisfied customer.
(ii) Another customer testifies that he has made a good investment in purchasing the Murenking Mk36 Stand Mixer. The reason for this assessment is because of the aesthetic value and the low noise level of the motor. Even more pleasing is the fact that it performs with minimal noise even when operating at the highest speed.
(iii) The features that one other customer loves most about this unit are the following: (a) the tilting head that can be removed and lowered; this makes cleaning the unit easy (b) the encasing part of the unit is not fragile; it gives you a solid buzz when you knock on it (c) the suction cups that keeps the unit firmly attached to the work surface when in use.
(iv) The fact that the mixer can easily be taken apart for cleaning is a plus for a number of customers. Furthermore also the fact that one can easily get the hang of using the mixer without a user manual is a plus.
Negative Reviews
(i) Some customers washed the attachments in the dishwasher based on what they deciphered from the user manual. However, the product description says that the product is not dishwasher safe.
The attachments came out of the dishwasher covered in grayish black dust. Although this did not impact on the performance of the attachments, it earned the product negative points. The affected customers complained that user manual should have been properly written so that customers would understand the instructions well.
(ii) “The Murenking MK36 Stand Mixer is a satisfactory product for the price I paid for it but I wouldn’t buy it for frequent and high volume use” This is the verdict of a customer who has bought and used this mixer. Although he is not unhappy with the product, he is not confident that it would last for very long.
(iii) Another complaint from customers is that although it works well, the paddle doesn’t reach ingredients at the bottom of bowl. One would have to stop frequently to scrap the bottom and sides of the bowl.
This is to ensure that all the ingredients are properly incorporated while mixing. However, it is quite inconveniencing to keep doing that while mixing.
Check out some of our previous articles and product reviews: –
- Gum Paste Flower Kit — A Buying Guide
- Wilton Decorating Tip Set –Full Review
- How To Cover A Square Cake With Fondant
- Whysko Mixing Bowl Set –Honest Review
- Best Christmas Cake Recipes From The Tropics
- Best Toaster Oven For Pizza – 10 Varied Products To Consider
Phew! We believe we have been fair enough to give you a comprehensive review of the Murenking MK36 Stand Mixer. However for those who want to explore further before making a choice, here are some alternatives:-
Alternatives To The Murenking MK36 Stand Mixer
High End Made In America Product
Hamilton Beach Eclectrics® Sterling All-Metal Stand Mixer
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The Hamilton Beach Eclectrics® Sterling All-Metal Stand Mixer is a powerful and useful aide to have in the kitchen. The combination of durable metal materials and a history of high performance produced this awe inspiring stand mixer.
This unit comes with a 400 watt motor that can handle both the little mixing tasks as well as the hardest dough recipes. The mixing head is designed in such a way that it reaches all sides of the bowl in what is called a planetary mixing action. Therefore ensuring that you don’t have to stop constantly to scrape ingredients from the sides of the bowl as you work.
The Hamilton Beach Eclectrics® Stand Mixer has twelve speed settings that allow you to control your mixing speed. In addition to that, the tilt head design makes for easy bowl access and also makes attaching the accessories easy. What’s more, the ease of use is further enhanced by a mixing bowl and attachments that are dishwasher safe.
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Large Capacity Professional Grade Mixer
KitchenAid KSM7586PCA 7-Quart Pro Line Stand Mixer
This KitchenAid 7-Quart Stand Mixer is the residential bowl lift stand mixer with the largest capacity that KitchenAid has at the moment. It comes equipped with its trademark Powerknead™ attachments.
These attachments include the flat beater, wire whip or whisk and the spiral dough hook. The 7-quart stainless steel mixing bowl has the capacity for 16 cups of flour.
This stand mixer is made to give you professional results at all times. It has been voted the best performing, most powerful and durable mixer from the stable of KitchenAid. Additionally, it is the quietest of the Pro- Line mixers.
You can make 14 dozens of cookies and more than 8 pounds of dough with this mixer without issues.
The bowl lift design lifts the mixing bowl into position for mixing; it also ensures that the mixer is firmly in place for mixing.
These in addition to other great features make the KitchenAid KSM7586PCA 7-Quart Pro Line Stand Mixer a good deal.
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Family Size/ Home Use Stand Mixer
Sunbeam 2594 MixMaster Stand Mixer
The Sunbeam 2594 MixMaster Stand Mixer is perfectly suitable for your home needs. You can prepare mouth watering meals and scrumptious desserts with this unit.
It comes equipped with 350 watts motor that has twelve speed settings. The soft start technology enables you to start mixing your ingredients without splatter. The burst of power feature gives the unit the extra push when needed.
Furthermore, Sunbeam 2594 MixMaster Stand Mixer also has a synchronized three way mixing function. This ensures that all the ingredients are well incorporated with ease. Additionally, the mixing bowl is positioned off-center so that you can easily add your ingredients.
Even more convenient is the fact that there’s no build up of ingredients on the sides of the bowl. This therefore means that you don’t have to stop every so often to scrap the sides of the bowl while working.
The attachments included with this mixer are two dough hooks, two chrome beaters and a four- quart stainless steel mixing bowl.
High End Heavy Duty Hand Mixer
Braun HM5100 MultiMix Hand Mixer
The Braun HM5100 MultiMix Hand Mixer employs a SmartMix technology to provide an operation that requires minimal effort. This is made possible by the in-line vertical motor design that moves the weight of the mixer from the user’s hand to the mixing bowl.
The 350 watt motor provides 50% more mixing power than other hand mixers. The unit is designed with a completely sealed system that doesn’t allow any debris into the casing. This in addition to the fact that its attachments are dishwasher safe makes cleaning this mixer easy.
The Braun Hand Mixer has a VarioControl that can be managed with one hand. The ease of turning the speed dial makes it easy to adjust the speed when the unit is in use. It also has a button that allows you to attach and detach the accessories. These accessories include a sturdy dough hook and a whisk and beater in one.
With the soft grip handle that’s ergonomically designed, you can keep a firm grip on the mixer without stress to the hands and wrist.
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Let’s do a quick comparison of the products before we round up this review.
Table of Comparison
| Murenking Mk36 Stand Mixer
|
Hamilton Beach Eclectrics® Sterling All-Metal Mix
|
KitchenAid KSM7586PCA 7-Quart Pro Line Stand Mixer
|
Sunbeam 2594 350-Watt MixMaster Mixer
|
Braun HM5100 MultiMix Hand Mixer
|
|
Category |
Featured Product | High End Made In America Product | Large Capacity Professional Grade Mixer | Family Size/ Home Use Stand Mixer | High End Heavy Duty Hand Mixer |
Bowl Capacity in Quarts |
5 | 4.5 | 7 | 4 | No Bowl |
Mixer Head Design |
Tilt Head Design | Tilt Head | Bowl Lift design | Tilt head | N/A |
Motor Watt and Speed |
500 watts and 6 speed options | 400Watts , 12 Speed Options | Wattage not specified , 10 Speed Settings | 350 Watts , 12 Speed Options | 350 watt , 9 Speed settings |
Color |
Available in 4 Colors – Black, Grey,yellow, Blue and Champagne | 4 Colors – Licorice , red, Sugar white and Sterling | Red | Black and Red | Black |
Material |
Plastic, Stainless Steel, Aluminum Alloy | Stainless Steel and Die cast metal finish | Not specified | Die-cast Base, Rubber Feet and Stainless Steel Bowl | Plastic |
Extra Features |
Plastic shield guard | Planetary Mixing Action , Locking Bowl | Pouring shield, Mixing bowl with handles and power hub for additional attachments | Burst of power button and Offset Bowl positioning | SmartMix Technology , One handed VarioControl and Storage Pouch for attachments |
Product Dimensions |
14.17 x 9.05 x 12.2 in | 9 x 14 x 14 inches | 17 x 20 x 13 in | 13.8 x 12.1 x 15 inches | 8.3 x 3 x 8.7 in |
Manufacturer |
Murenking | Hamilton Beach | KitchenAid | Sunbeam | Braun |
Click here to read our articles on Hand Mixers and Mixers for additional information
Murenking MK36 Stand Mixer – FAQs
What Stand Mixer Do Professional Chefs Use?
Professional chefs use stand mixers that are capable of being in use for long and handle large recipes and tough batches of batter/dough.
The following are some of the criteria that a stand mixer must meet before being classified as a professional grade stand mixer:-
(i) Powerful motor
(ii) Large capacity mixing bowl
(iii) More than 3 speed settings
(iv) Provision for additional attachments
Stand mixers that fall into this category include the following:-
KitchenAid KSM7586PCA 7-Quart Pro Line Stand Mixer
Cusimax 5-Quart Stand Mixer CMKM-150
KitchenAid KSMC895DP 8-Quart Commercial Countertop Mixer
What Is The Best Wattage For A Stand Mixer?
The best wattage for a stand mixer is a minimum of 250 watts. This is because the wattage of the stand mixer indicates how powerful the motor of the stand mixer would be. This in turn would affect its capacity to handle heavy duty mixing.
Most high end, professional grade stand mixers have an upwards of 550 watt motor. Any motor that is less than that would struggle with mixing dough recipes and batters with thick consistency.
So if you intend to use your mixer for anything thicker than pancake or light cake batter, then go for products with higher wattage. Same also goes for stand mixers that would be in constant use for all kinds of recipes.
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Does Wattage Matter In Stand Mixers?
Wattage matter a whole lot in stand mixers; in fact that is one of the factors that elevate them above hand mixers. If wattage weren’t important, then you would be able to use any type of mixer for heavy duty mixing.
It is the wattage of the motor of a stand mixer that determines that it would mix ingredients for up to 5 minutes at a stretch without overheating. Note that in our answer on the best wattage for a stand mixer, we indicated that the wattage of a mixer’s motor shows or impacts directly how strong the motor would be. This in turn would impact its capacity to handle heavy duty mixing.
What Should I Look For When Buying A Stand Mixer?
The most important factor to look out for when buy a stand mixer is the features; some of these features include the following:-
(i) Power of the motor
(ii) Capacity of the mixer
(iiI) Speed settings
(iv) Ease of use (control knobs, fixing of attachments, adding of ingredients, bowl scraper etc)
Check out our post in mixers for more details on the factors and more as you consider buying a stand mixer.
Why Are Stand Mixers So Expensive?
We would not describe stand mixers as ‘so expensive’; we can only say that stand mixers are pricier than hand mixers. When we evaluate the benefits and value we get from stand mixers, it is only fair that they would not come in at the same price point as hand mixers.
Some of the benefits we get from stand mixers that we don’t get from hand mixers include the following:-
(i) Hands- free mixing – You do not have to hold a stand mixer while using it; this frees you to multitask.
(ii) Versatility – Stand mixers can handle a wider variety of tasks than a hand mixer
(iii) Durability – Due to the strength of the motor of a stand mixer, it lasts longer than a hand mixer.
(iv) Heavy duty mixing– You can use stand mixers for recipes with thick consistency and for longer stretch of time.
Is A Stand Mixer Better Than A Hand Mixer?
A stand mixer is not better than a stand mixer; each of them has their advantages and disadvantages. If you look at the previous question that we answered, you would see some of the advantages of a stand mixer.
The following are some of the advantages of a hand mixer:-
(i) Portability – A hand mixer can be easily carried from one place to the other. This makes it a great off site tool for chefs and caterers.
(ii) Versatility – The versatility of a hand mixer shows up in the fact that you can use a hand mixer with any kind of mixing bowl. A stand mixer on the other hand, only works with a standard mixing bowl. Additionally, you can use a hand mixer for a task as small as mixing a few eggs for omelettes and as well as mixing up a recipe for a batch of cookies.
We also recommend you check out our article on hand mixers for more details.
Can Hand Mixers Make Dough?
Hand mixers are not designed to make dough. They are for light mixing; nothing heavier than cake batters and such recipes. There are some very strong hand mixers out there however, that can be used to start out the mixing of dough. But these kinds of hand mixers cannot be used to completely make dough.
An example of such a mixer is the Braun HM5100 MultiMix Hand Mixer.
Although we have said that some hand mixers can be used to start out the process of dough making, it is not recommended that you use it for such tedious tasks very often.
Is Using A Dough Hook The Same As Kneading?
Using a dough hook is the same as kneading; it even makes the task easier and saves you a whole lot of time and energy. With a powerful stand mixer, your dough hook can get your dough ready in less than 10 minutes.
A dough hook is designed as a single hook and operates by turning and folding your ingredients in the mixing bowl until it forms dough. It is the power of the motor of the mixer that powers the dough hook to work. That is why a powerful motor is essential in a stand mixer especially if you make a lot of dough based recipes.
