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Best Whisk for Making Meringue

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Mmmmm, Meringue! If you are considering preparing this delectable dessert, you might be wondering what the best whisk to use would be.

As the main ingredient in meringue is whipped egg whites and sugar that need to be whisked, choosing the right whisk to use is essential.

So, what are the best whisks for making meringues? The best whisks for making meringues tend to be balloon whisks due to their larger size. Balloon whisks also have relatively thin wires which help with incorporating air into the meringues.

In this article, we are going to go over what to look for in a quality whisk, what the different kinds of whisks are, and also review five excellent whisk options for you to consider using next time you make a meringue.

Whisks for Making Meringue: What to Look for

When determining which whisk would be best for you to use next time you make a meringue, there are several key features to pay attention to.

The first thing to keep in mind is that there are several different kinds of whisks that are available for you to use. The main three different kinds of whisks are the balloon whisk, the French whisk (or “whip”), and the flat whisk.

The differences between the three whisks can be briefly summarized as follows:

Balloon Whisk

The Balloon Whisk has thin wires that form a wide balloon or bulb shape on the end. These would be the optimal whisks to use if you are looking to beat a large amount of air into egg whites, cream, or other thin liquids.

French Whisk / Straight Whisk / “Whip”

The French whisk, also called a “whip” or straight whisk, has thicker wires that form a less bulbous shape than the balloon whisk. Also, the wires are straighter and stiffer.

This would be the best whisk to use if you are looking to stir sauces and heavy batters. 

The most important thing to note, however, is that they will not beat air into egg whites or cream as quickly as a balloon whisk, which means we can rule this whisk out as a potential whisk to use for our meringue preparation.

Flat or Roux Whisk

The flat, or roux whisk has wires that are flat with a slight lateral curve, slightly resembling a spoon. This kind of whisk is best for when your pan has only slightly rounded corners since the flat whisk can easily scrape both the corners (and the bottom, in case you are making a smooth sauce).

So Which Whisk Type is Best for Making Meringue?

When preparing meringue, the main instance in which you will be using a whisk is when you are whisking the egg whites and sugar.

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During this whisking process, your goal is to beat the egg whites down into a frothy, cloudlike consistency.

In order to accomplish this, it is recommended to use the largest, finest-wired whisk possible. When one considers the different kinds of whisks, the balloon whisk best matches these criteria.

Now, let’s determine what the key features to look out for in a balloon whisk are.

Many Wire Loops

Having many wire loops is a crucial aspect to look for in a quality whisk. This is because by having many wire loops, the motion you generate using your arm is amplified at the end of the whisk.

In other words, if you were to move your arm at the exact same speed with two different whisks, one with more wire loops than the other, then the one with more wire loops will do a better job of whisking the meringue.

The more wire loops a whisk has, the better it will be at breaking up liquids, incorporating air, and dispersing solids.

Wire Flexibility

By using a whisk with wires that are more flexible, (wires that move more when pressure is applied), you are able to maximize the movement of each individual wire and thus whisk far more effectively.

Unlike whisks with stiff wires, flexible wires build up potential like a spring that then gets released, causing the wires to move a lot faster than you could ever cause them to with your arm alone.

Wire Size

In the case of whisks’ wires, it turns out that bigger is not always better. In fact, having wires that all have different sizes that remain separate at the “end” of the balloon is preferred.

By having different size wires, they will not run into each other and thus constrict any movement. In the case of whisking meringue, the more movement, the better.

Wire Spacing

You want the wires on your whisk to be closely spaced and at least have some stiffness, just in case you need to use the whisk as a masher.

For instance, if you add sugar or other dry ingredients to an egg white mixture and it begins to clump, having wires that are closer together and with some stiffness will allow you to break up the clumps.

Wire Weight

While it is important to have a whisk made of high-quality and durable materials, a general guideline to follow is that the whisk should be as light as possible.

The lighter the whisk, the longer you will be able to continue whisking before getting tired or developing an arm or hand cramp.

Handle

Similarly to the weight consideration, the comfier the handle, the longer you will be able to whisk without experiencing any discomfort.

A handle with a feature that enhances grip is always a bonus, as that would allow you to continue whisking even if your hand gets wet or slick with oil.

Most high-quality whisks are going to have a handle that is designed in such a way as to help the user avoid experiencing hand cramps.

Material

Stainless steel is the best material to get for a whisk for making a meringue, as this is rust-proof, durable, and will last a long time.

5 Best Whisks for Making Meringue

Here are some of the best whisks on the market, all perfect for making meringue:

RankProductWhisk Type
1.OXO Good Grips 11 Inch Balloon WhiskBalloon (narrow)
2.Fox Run 5825 Stainless Steel WhiskWhip/straight
3.Tovolo Stainless Steel Balloon WhiskBalloon
4.Winco Stainless Steel Piano Wire WhiskBalloon
5.Cuisipro 12" Balloon WhiskBalloon

Let’s look at each one more closely, shall we?

1. OXO Good Grips 11 Inch Balloon Whisk

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OXO Good Grips 11 Inch Balloon Whisk

The OXO Good Grips 11-Inch Better Balloon Whisk is a great whisk to purchase for making a meringue.

One of the best whisks currently available, this best-seller is built with a high wire count, good wire spacing, and flexible wires.

This whisk is comfortable and sturdy which means you can use it for a long time. With sturdy, heat-resistant stainless steel wires, quality is not something you have to be concerned about.

Another great feature of this whisk is the super comfortable non-slip grip, which will help in case your hands get wet or slick with oil.

2. 2. Fox Run 5825 Stainless Steel Whisk

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Fox Run 5825 Stainless Steel Whisk

This whisk by Fox Run is another excellent choice. It comes in a 12-inch size.

This whisk is fully stainless steel, which means it is extremely durable and rust-proof from top to bottom.

While the handle is long and sturdy, one thing to keep in mind is that it does not come with a non-slip grip.

Dishwasher friendly with a handle for hanging, this whisk gets the job done.

3. Tovolo Stainless Steel Balloon Whisk

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Tovolo Stainless Steel Balloon Whisk

Tovolo takes things to the next level with this 11-inch balloon whisk. With a sturdy stainless steel design and an easy-to-grip handle, this is a must-have for any meringue enthusiast.

A key feature to look out for in whisks for meringue is wire count and flexibility. This whisk is perfect with a total of ten flexible wires, more than enough to ensure your meringue receives plenty of air.

To make things even better, this whisk is BPA free and dishwasher safe.

Overall, you can’t go wrong with this whisk. It is definitely one of the best options out there.

4. Winco Stainless Steel Piano Wire Whisk

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A great price point option, while this whisk is not the most comfortable in the world, it is definitely reliable and high quality.

This whisk is made of full stainless steel, is dishwasher friendly, and has light wire loops.

Perfect for whisking eggs, sauces, or toppings, the light design allows you to whisk for long periods of time without getting tired.

For those on a budget, this is a trustworthy whisk that won’t let you down.

5. Cuisipro 12″ Balloon Whisk

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If you are looking for a balloon whisk built for making a meringue, this is the one. This balloon whisk has a very wide, rounded top with many thick, durable, and flexible wires which provide the perfect shape and build for whisking meringue.

With wires built from sturdy 18/10 stainless steel, this whisk is built to last.

Another great feature is the handle: it is long and built with the comfort of the user in mind, with an ergonomic tube design.

This whisk includes an eyelet on the end of the handle which you can use to hang it and is also dishwasher friendly. This will help make your life a lot easier, as you don’t have to worry about handwashing after use.

Overall, this is one of the best balloon whisks out there. If you are a meringue enthusiast, this whisk will ensure your meringue is prepared with utmost perfection.

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