The handle was comfortable to grip while mixing the heavy ingredients in the pecan pie like brown sugar while still being lightweight enough to stave off hand fatigue. To test it out, we mixed a homemade caramel sauce on the stovetop and were impressed with the silicone coating-nothing adhered to it while whisking, and it didn’t scratch the ceramic-coated cast-iron saucepan we used. We adore the versatility of this Oxo model-it handles heavy batters and light salad dressings with ease. The handle isn’t made of heat-safe silicone, though it is heat-resistant up to 600 degrees. It’s also nicely weighted throughout and safe to put in the dishwasher.

This 11-inch whisk has the same structure as the balloon whisk, but the whisk wires are coated with silicone, making it safe for use in nonstick pots and pans. Oxo seems to have mastered the whisk-well, almost. We recommend hand washing to preserve the shine of the stainless steel. The only negative on this affordable, reliable whisk was that after washing in a dishwasher, the handle had a slightly cloudy appearance. There is not as much give with this whisk, though, so lighter mixes need more turns to aerate. In another test we made a vinaigrette and the heavy-duty design made emulsifying the oil and vinegar a breeze. The short handle helped us get closer to the bowl, making the whisking less strenuous. The rigid piano wire easily blended dense brown sugar, corn syrup, chopped pecans, and other ingredients smoothly. We were impressed with the heft of this whisk when it came to the heavy ingredients for the pecan pie we made. But when it comes to heavy bowls and batters, this whisk is a clear winner. If you’re mostly whisking a single egg or salad dressings, this might be too much whisk for you, but because it’s made entirely of stainless steel, the handle will get hot quickly if you’re using it on the stove. It’s big but not too heavy, strong but still flexible enough to whip and fluff, and it feels much more expensive than it is. If you’re looking for a sturdy stainless steel whisk to handle big jobs, look no further than this 12-inch balloon whisk from Winco. After finishing the pie, we washed the whisk in the dishwasher and it looked like it just came out of the package when the cycle was finished.ĭon't be fooled by that soft handle, though: It looks like heat-safe silicone, but it’s not-and will melt if you leave it resting on the edge of a hot pan too long.

We love the nonslip handle, which provides stability during mixing. The lightweight design allowed for vigorous whisking without hand fatigue, and the mixture came out smooth. While making a pumpkin pie batter, the wide body easily incorporated pumpkin, eggs, maple syrup, and spices. Additionally, the metal wires are strong enough to hold up to thick batters while still maintaining enough flexibility for whipping and fluffing, the nonslip ergonomic handle makes big jobs a little more comfortable, and the flexible tines of the balloon help when you are trying to get to the bottom of the bowl. During testing, we found that the width of the balloon allows for maximum grabbing of ingredients, and the flexible tines of the balloon help when you are trying to get to the bottom of the bowl. It gets rave reviews across the board.and for good reason. If you’re going to have one whisk in your kitchen, we recommend this 11-inch balloon whisk from Oxo.

Hand whisk