Occasional bakers and those on a budget will love this stand mixer.
Considering its price, the Salter Alchemy stand mixer handles basic tasks well, taking the strain out of mixing bread dough, creaming butter and sugar, and whisking cream or egg whites. There are conspicuous differences between this and a more expensive mode. These include the fact that the beater doesn’t do the best job with combining cake batter, and you’ll be scraping down more to ensure consistency. In addition, the removable parts lack a feeling of durability, and none are dishwasher safe, meaning that some time saved mixing will be taken up by cleaning afterwards.
-
Affordable -
Compact -
Removable splashguard
-
Parts not dishwasher-safe -
Limited mixing abilities -
Tools may wear over time
Key Features
Introduction
Baking without a stand mixer can be laborious. If you’re ready to up your game from manual mixing but not quite ready to invest hundreds, Salter’s Alchemy stand mixer could be a good choice. Costing less than £100, while still boasting a trio of tools, removable splashguard, multiple speeds and a five-litre bowl, it’s great value for the money.
There’s a win here for those with small kitchens or limited worktop space as well: the Alchemy stand mixer is both lightweight and compact, meaning you can tuck it away in a cupboard or on a shelf when it’s not in use. Plus, there’s a coordinating range of small appliances and storage.
Design and features
- Three tools
- 5-litre bowl
- 8 speeds plus pulse
Salter’s Alchemy stand mixer does an excellent job of proving that affordable mixers don’t have to be hidden away behind closed doors. There’s no lack of attractiveness here, from its matt black plastic exterior and metallic band to the coordinating black-clad, stainless-steel, five-litre bowl. It’s not as big and bulky as some either, with a trim height of 33.8cm, and a weight of less than 5kg, making moving it around easier.
Fortunately, the mixer boasts four suction feet underneath to keep it stable on the worktop.
Most stand mixers for baking use a planetary motion – where the attachment spins on its axis while the mixer head moves it around the bowl – and the same is true here. The selection of tools is also the same as many – a whisk, dough hook and mixing beater – although unlike more expensive models, these are a blend of metal with a plastic base, which may not provide the same longevity.
There’s a removable splashguard – great for keeping worktops free from mess – which twists onto the top of the attachment shaft before each tool twists and locks into place.
A control dial offers eight speeds, all powered by a 1300W motor, plus a pulse, and a there’s a button for raising and lowering the mixer head. Helpfully, this is on the front of the machine, unlike some stand mixers, where a lever is tucked at the back.
None of the parts are dishwasher safe. While I found them easy to clean by hand if washed straight away, it may be more of a chore if sticky mixtures are left to harden.
Performance
- Excellent whisking
- Dough can wrap around hook
- Disappointing cake batter
Overall, I found using the Alchemy stand mixer fairly straightforward but there are quirks to work around. One is that the speeds don’t always engage if the dial indicator isn’t directly pointing at the number. While this is easier to avoid on the higher speeds that are more visible further around the dial, selecting speed 1 tended to be more of a challenge: a small indicator on a black background can be hard to position correctly. Another issue is that the mixer is whiny on the lower speeds: noise is something I expect from any stand mixer on high speeds but most are quite quiet on the slower ones.
It’s worth noting too, that the mixer head release button doesn’t always push the head far back enough, so you may need to raise it slightly more before being able to change tools easily. The instructions also recommend giving the mixer a rest for 10 minutes in-between uses, and 30-second breaks when mixing for more than a few minutes to prevent overwork and prolong the lifespan of the motor. This may not be practical for a busy baker.
I started by using the whisk to whip egg whites to a stiff consistency. The minimum recommended is three whites using speed 4-6. However, I felt this was a good opportunity to see if the mixer rocked while not having much weight in the bowl at a high speed so I used the top setting.
The machine barely shifted on the worktop. After 4 minutes, the egg whites were firm and remained in bowl when inverted.
Next, I made sponge cake batter using the beater, beginning by creaming together sugar and softened butter.
This made the mixer rock a little, especially when I raised the initial slow speed to 6.
Lumps of butter tended to gather in the beater and had to be removed a few times, with the result being several rounds of scraping down until the colour became paler and fluffy.
Adding the rest of the ingredients, the splashguard was handy for preventing flour puff from self-raising flour, and I liked that it has a wide enough spout for adding wet ingredients, such as eggs and liquids.
However, as the batter came together, I found it increasingly difficult to scrape down the bowl as the beater was often in the way, even with the head fully back. Once finished, as I poured the batter out of the bowl, I discovered unincorporated butter and sugar at the bottom. This suggested that the beater didn’t reach sufficiently low enough to lift it off – and that scraping down the sides should also include the bowl’s bottom. The batter looked well aerated, and the sponge rose well, but when I removed the halves from the tin, they were prone to breaking apart.
The stand mixer fared better mixing bread dough. While it whined on speed 2 as the ball formed, the dough looked well combined and no ingredients were left behind.
However, kneading was trickier. Rather than moving the dough around the bowl, the ball tended to wrap around the hook and had to be freed several times. Even so, this was still less work than kneading by hand.
Fortunately, this constant use didn’t result in the mixer head growing warm, despite not having the prescribed rest period.
Should you buy it?
You’re not sure how much you’ll use a stand mixer.
An cheaper mixer, such as this one, is a great way to see the difference a stand mixer can make without splashing the cash.
You fancy your chances on the next series of The Great British Bake Off.
Keen cake makers are sure to become frustrated with the extra help this affordable mixer needs to produce the best results.
Final Thoughts
While you might need to temper your expectations and have a little baking experience in the bag, Salter’s Alchemy stand mixer offers a decent performance for the price. Even with its quirks, it’s still better than mixing and whipping by hand, and impresses more than you might think an affordable mixer would. What it won’t do, however, is produce the same results as a stand mixer that costs far more, and is unlikely to have the same lifespan. If you need a machine with more capability, Bosch’s Stand Mixer Series 6 MUMS6ZM00G is as functional as they come, though is very much an investment buy. Or if you crave colour, KitchenAid’s mixers have arguably the best choice of any. But if you’re just dipping a toe into the world of baking or aren’t sure how handy a stand mixer could be, Salter’s Alchemy stand mixer is an affordable way to say goodbye to aching arms.
How We Test
We test every mixer we review thoroughly over an extended period of time. We use standard tests to compare features properly. We’ll always tell you what we find. We never, ever, accept money to review a product.
Find out more about how we test in our ethics policy.
- Used as our main mixer for the review period. We mix meringues to check for fluffy consistency, make cake mixture and knead dough.
FAQs
Black is the only option.
Test Data
| Salter Alchemy stand mixer review |
|---|
Full Specs
| Salter Alchemy stand mixer review | |
|---|---|
| UK RRP | £79.99 |
| USA RRP | $94.07 |
| EU RRP | Unavailable |
| CA RRP | Unavailable |
| AUD RRP | Unavailable |
| Manufacturer | – |
| Quiet Mark Accredited | No |
| Size (Dimensions) | 38 x 23 x 33.8 CM |
| ASIN | B0FDBY23F8 |
| Release Date | 2025 |
| First Reviewed Date | 18/12/2025 |
| Model Number | EK6147BG |
| Accessories | Whisk, dough hook, mixing beater, splashguard |
| Motor power | 1300 W |
| Mixer Type | Stand mixer |
Occasional bakers and those on a budget will love this stand mixer.
Considering its price, the Salter Alchemy stand mixer handles basic tasks well, taking the strain out of mixing bread dough, creaming butter and sugar, and whisking cream or egg whites. There are conspicuous differences between this and a more expensive mode. These include the fact that the beater doesn’t do the best job with combining cake batter, and you’ll be scraping down more to ensure consistency. In addition, the removable parts lack a feeling of durability, and none are dishwasher safe, meaning that some time saved mixing will be taken up by cleaning afterwards.
-
Affordable -
Compact -
Removable splashguard
-
Parts not dishwasher-safe -
Limited mixing abilities -
Tools may wear over time
Key Features
Introduction
Baking without a stand mixer can be laborious. If you’re ready to up your game from manual mixing but not quite ready to invest hundreds, Salter’s Alchemy stand mixer could be a good choice. Costing less than £100, while still boasting a trio of tools, removable splashguard, multiple speeds and a five-litre bowl, it’s great value for the money.
There’s a win here for those with small kitchens or limited worktop space as well: the Alchemy stand mixer is both lightweight and compact, meaning you can tuck it away in a cupboard or on a shelf when it’s not in use. Plus, there’s a coordinating range of small appliances and storage.
Design and features
- Three tools
- 5-litre bowl
- 8 speeds plus pulse
Salter’s Alchemy stand mixer does an excellent job of proving that affordable mixers don’t have to be hidden away behind closed doors. There’s no lack of attractiveness here, from its matt black plastic exterior and metallic band to the coordinating black-clad, stainless-steel, five-litre bowl. It’s not as big and bulky as some either, with a trim height of 33.8cm, and a weight of less than 5kg, making moving it around easier.
Fortunately, the mixer boasts four suction feet underneath to keep it stable on the worktop.
Most stand mixers for baking use a planetary motion – where the attachment spins on its axis while the mixer head moves it around the bowl – and the same is true here. The selection of tools is also the same as many – a whisk, dough hook and mixing beater – although unlike more expensive models, these are a blend of metal with a plastic base, which may not provide the same longevity.
There’s a removable splashguard – great for keeping worktops free from mess – which twists onto the top of the attachment shaft before each tool twists and locks into place.
A control dial offers eight speeds, all powered by a 1300W motor, plus a pulse, and a there’s a button for raising and lowering the mixer head. Helpfully, this is on the front of the machine, unlike some stand mixers, where a lever is tucked at the back.
None of the parts are dishwasher safe. While I found them easy to clean by hand if washed straight away, it may be more of a chore if sticky mixtures are left to harden.
Performance
- Excellent whisking
- Dough can wrap around hook
- Disappointing cake batter
Overall, I found using the Alchemy stand mixer fairly straightforward but there are quirks to work around. One is that the speeds don’t always engage if the dial indicator isn’t directly pointing at the number. While this is easier to avoid on the higher speeds that are more visible further around the dial, selecting speed 1 tended to be more of a challenge: a small indicator on a black background can be hard to position correctly. Another issue is that the mixer is whiny on the lower speeds: noise is something I expect from any stand mixer on high speeds but most are quite quiet on the slower ones.
It’s worth noting too, that the mixer head release button doesn’t always push the head far back enough, so you may need to raise it slightly more before being able to change tools easily. The instructions also recommend giving the mixer a rest for 10 minutes in-between uses, and 30-second breaks when mixing for more than a few minutes to prevent overwork and prolong the lifespan of the motor. This may not be practical for a busy baker.
I started by using the whisk to whip egg whites to a stiff consistency. The minimum recommended is three whites using speed 4-6. However, I felt this was a good opportunity to see if the mixer rocked while not having much weight in the bowl at a high speed so I used the top setting.
The machine barely shifted on the worktop. After 4 minutes, the egg whites were firm and remained in bowl when inverted.
Next, I made sponge cake batter using the beater, beginning by creaming together sugar and softened butter.
This made the mixer rock a little, especially when I raised the initial slow speed to 6.
Lumps of butter tended to gather in the beater and had to be removed a few times, with the result being several rounds of scraping down until the colour became paler and fluffy.
Adding the rest of the ingredients, the splashguard was handy for preventing flour puff from self-raising flour, and I liked that it has a wide enough spout for adding wet ingredients, such as eggs and liquids.
However, as the batter came together, I found it increasingly difficult to scrape down the bowl as the beater was often in the way, even with the head fully back. Once finished, as I poured the batter out of the bowl, I discovered unincorporated butter and sugar at the bottom. This suggested that the beater didn’t reach sufficiently low enough to lift it off – and that scraping down the sides should also include the bowl’s bottom. The batter looked well aerated, and the sponge rose well, but when I removed the halves from the tin, they were prone to breaking apart.
The stand mixer fared better mixing bread dough. While it whined on speed 2 as the ball formed, the dough looked well combined and no ingredients were left behind.
However, kneading was trickier. Rather than moving the dough around the bowl, the ball tended to wrap around the hook and had to be freed several times. Even so, this was still less work than kneading by hand.
Fortunately, this constant use didn’t result in the mixer head growing warm, despite not having the prescribed rest period.
Should you buy it?
You’re not sure how much you’ll use a stand mixer.
An cheaper mixer, such as this one, is a great way to see the difference a stand mixer can make without splashing the cash.
You fancy your chances on the next series of The Great British Bake Off.
Keen cake makers are sure to become frustrated with the extra help this affordable mixer needs to produce the best results.
Final Thoughts
While you might need to temper your expectations and have a little baking experience in the bag, Salter’s Alchemy stand mixer offers a decent performance for the price. Even with its quirks, it’s still better than mixing and whipping by hand, and impresses more than you might think an affordable mixer would. What it won’t do, however, is produce the same results as a stand mixer that costs far more, and is unlikely to have the same lifespan. If you need a machine with more capability, Bosch’s Stand Mixer Series 6 MUMS6ZM00G is as functional as they come, though is very much an investment buy. Or if you crave colour, KitchenAid’s mixers have arguably the best choice of any. But if you’re just dipping a toe into the world of baking or aren’t sure how handy a stand mixer could be, Salter’s Alchemy stand mixer is an affordable way to say goodbye to aching arms.
How We Test
We test every mixer we review thoroughly over an extended period of time. We use standard tests to compare features properly. We’ll always tell you what we find. We never, ever, accept money to review a product.
Find out more about how we test in our ethics policy.
- Used as our main mixer for the review period. We mix meringues to check for fluffy consistency, make cake mixture and knead dough.
FAQs
Black is the only option.
Test Data
| Salter Alchemy stand mixer review |
|---|
Full Specs
| Salter Alchemy stand mixer review | |
|---|---|
| UK RRP | £79.99 |
| USA RRP | $94.07 |
| EU RRP | Unavailable |
| CA RRP | Unavailable |
| AUD RRP | Unavailable |
| Manufacturer | – |
| Quiet Mark Accredited | No |
| Size (Dimensions) | 38 x 23 x 33.8 CM |
| ASIN | B0FDBY23F8 |
| Release Date | 2025 |
| First Reviewed Date | 18/12/2025 |
| Model Number | EK6147BG |
| Accessories | Whisk, dough hook, mixing beater, splashguard |
| Motor power | 1300 W |
| Mixer Type | Stand mixer |
