I’m not much for kitchen gadgets. Please, I don’t need a quesadilla maker, or a frozen pop maker or any other ‘-maker.’ I like simple tools that function well. Like the swirl mixer. My grandmother and mother both have an old aluminum swirl mixer in their kitchens, and use them often. I have a plastic one, which doesn’t seal thoroughly and is therefore not of much use.
What’s a swirl mixer? It’s a handy lidded cup with graduated measurements that’s perfect for blending ingredients. The Mirro company made the aluminum swirl mixer years ago; it’s no longer available, except for on eBay, where I scored the one below.
Grandma uses hers to mix flour and water as a thickener for sauces or gravies. I use mine to make super easy homemade salad dressing.
Yay for simple kitchen tools!
related recipes
easy homemade vinaigrette salad dressing
Edit: Per the commenter’s request below, here’s a shot of the inside of the swirl mixer. It has ‘s’-shaped indentations that I think help with the mixing action. I bought this on eBay for $9.95.
Hi – can we get a shot of the inside of this. Wondering too whether it was an arm, a leg, both, or neither?
Hi — I’ve added a photo of the interior of the mixer. It wasn’t expensive (though it probably cost less than $5 new years ago).
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I found one on eBay a few weeks before I saw this post. I love the little thing for scrambled eggs, mixing flour and milk for gravy, even a single pancake mix for one.
I have no idea why this little device fell out of use. It is so handy. The good thing, as you mentioned, is there are plenty on eBay. Only buy the aluminum ones and only with a undented neck, as the fit between the top and neck has to be liquid tight. I paid $3.82 + $2 shipping for mine.
Amazing how handy the little swirl mixer is, right? I wish the aluminum ones were still made, but you’re right: they’re easy to find on eBay.
I really like the swirl mixer! But it seems as though it is RARE to get it! plus they should have made them out of “stainless steel”?, besides being made out of Aluminium. I use it for tasty thick shakes!!! Yeah! Yupppppppieeeeeeee! Pity I cannot find this item anywhere??