Very simple.

To vary the speed of hand mixers, blenders, and hand blenders, from 0 RPM to full speed, buy a Router motor speed controller for about $20.00.

It will make your rotary appliances much more useful.

It will also vary your toaster oven, roaster oven, crock pot from 0 heat to full heat.

dcarch

Here is a link that might be useful: speed controller

Oh dear, westsider, it seems to be one more instance where newer is not necessarily better. (sigh)

I know your butter is at room temperature and your mixing bowl is deep enough, so those suggestions are pretty much moot.

I'd never figure out how a speed controller even attached to my mixer, but maybe you can. The only other suggestion I can think of is to watch the yard sales and see if you can buy an old one.

Ebay? Or maybe church rummage sales or estate sales?

Annie

This one folds down small and has low speeds

Here is a link that might be useful: Folding mixer

I used to use the plastic blade to a food processor that I had access to when creaming butter and sugar - for cookies mostly. That worked very well and was fast! This is not the chopping blade (metal and very sharp) but a mixing blade (plastic and rounded edges). I know you might not have room for another appliance, but it could be stored elsewhere; I keep my food processor in my laundry room.

Teresa

Annie, thanks. I have written a note to check out the Goodwill store.

DC- I do believe that would work and work nicely but I ---I'll give it some more thought. Thanks

Islay, very cool. Thanks That's a good idea.

Teresa, thanks. I never thought about the processor. I have a full size one, from the 80's and a newer mini one. Full size lives on the counter. It should work for cookies.

By having complete control of blender speed from 0 to full, you can scramble one egg, whip cream for one serving and more tricks.

dcarch

I got a speed controller at Harbor Freight for $20. Right now, it's plugged into the router on the router table. Easy to use--you just plug the tool or appliance into the receptacle on the controller and then plug the controller into a wall outlet.

Here is a link that might be useful: Router Speed Controller

ci-lantro, I'm still astonished that you managed to get something from Harbor Freight that actually worked. My experience with them has been universally abysmal.

Annie

Thanks, everyone. I did go to the Goodwill store and bought a $3 GE hand mixer. I tested it at the store and it works and is kind of slow(that's a good thing). It was pretty grungy but a bit of bleach and some soap and it looks great. Actually, it lookls exactly like one of my two previous mixers.

So I will give it a try. I will also try warmer, closer to room temp butter. I will also try the food processor with the plastic blade.

Ci lantro, thanks for your helpful post and the attached reviews re the speed controller. One of the reviews is from an indie filmmaker who uses it to control lighting. That may turn out to be the easiest and most accessible tool in my new arsenal.

And I cannot be the only one with a too speedy hand mixer so this thread may have been useful for others.

I'm glad you found another old one. The controller does sound like a great thing to have around.

I saw something on, I think it was Cook's Illustrated, it said the butter is soft enough when you hold the stick up and it bends. My trick for the too fast mixers is to only use one beater. It does help quite a bit. The other solutions sound better. But in a pinch, something worth trying.

Wow, Coconut, one beater. That's a great idea. I hope my too fast mixer will work with one beater.

Knocking on wood, Annie, but we've had very good luck with the stuff we've gotten from Harbor Freight. I always check the reviews and don't rely on them for 'good' investment tools that I know we'll use a lot. But for the specialty stuff that you'll use once in a blue moon, HB is often a great cost effective alternative.

I have never thought of a router speed controller, actually never heard of one. That's a brilliant idea! This will solve the too fast problem. BUT what is so &%$#ing hard about making a mixer that has a slow speed? I swear these companies must have a bunch of complete MORONS creating their products! GAH!

"-----BUT what is so &%$#ing hard about making a mixer that has a slow speed?----"

It used to be difficult. They change motor speed first by gearing down the RPM (revolution Per Minute), then by wiring the field coils with multi-tap and switch the coils to give less power.

Now using solid state electronics, they can use PWM (Paused Width Modulated) circuit to run the motor at low speed without loosing power.

That is what a router speed controller is.

Keeping in mind, a router speed controller can only control universal type and permanent magnet type of motors, i.e. blenders, mixers, etc. It will not work with induction type of motors, which are in many food processors.

A router speed controller can make your slow cooker, roaster oven and crock pot cook at any temperature. But it will not work with any appliance which has digital electronics.

dcarch