Try not to use a higher setting than absolutely necessary. Most hand mixers use a small motor that can be burned up if forced to work too hard. For the same reason, if you use a hand mixer for large mixing jobs, you should do it in batches and avoid running the mixer longer than necessary.

Be sure to clean both the beaters and the mixer right away. Usually a damp rag will be enough to clean the mixer's body, and most beaters can be washed in the dishwasher.

Hand beaters work better with soft foods. It's possible to break the beaters by trying to mash undercooked potatoes. So make sure hard foods are thoroughly cooked before beating.

The recipe book shown here is The Healthy Hedonist: More Than 200 Delectable Flexitarian Recipes for Relaxed Daily Feasts