A food mixer is presented having mixing tool detection capability. The food mixer has a base unit with a tool attachment portion, a mixing bowl attached to the base unit, and a motor attached to the base unit. The motor has operational settings and is configured to apply a torque to the tool attachment portion. A mixing tool is removably attached to the tool attachment portion, and a controller unit of the mixer is configured to detect the mixing tool attached to the tool attachment portion and to automatically control the operational settings of the drive motor based on the mixing tool detected. A magnet carrier may be used to detect a magnetic portion of the mixing tool as it moves with respect to a magnetically-sensitive sensor in the base unit.

A washing machine comprises a flocculation container for flocculation treatment on washing water; and a stirring mechanism driven by a motor to rotate is arranged in the flocculation container; the motor is provided with a current meter for detecting working current of the motor; and the stirring mechanism is provided with a rotating speed sensor for detecting the rotating speed of the stirring mechanism. When the washing machine executes a flocculation program, the stirring mechanism is driven by the motor, working current I and/or power P of the motor are detected, and rotating speed V of the stirring mechanism is detected; and when any one of detection values is beyond a corresponding setting range, a fault alarm signal of the stirring mechanism is given out. Thus, the condition that water which does not complete the flocculation reaction returns to the washing barrel and pollutes clothes can be prevented.