Failed twice today, what went wrong?

[AWimbaWay]

Just replaced my broken hand blender so to try the new one out and as it's a lovely day thought we'd have salad lunch outside with home-made mayonnaise followed by pavlova to use up the egg whites.

Firstly my mayonnaise wouldn't thicken, then my egg whites wouldn't go stiff .

I tried rescuing my mayonnaise by beating another yolk and slowly adding the runny mixture but no joy. I topped up my olive oil with sunflower oil as I ran out, could this have affected it? Also quite hot in the kitchen, not sure if this could be a reason?

I whizzed my egg whites for 10 whole minutes and they just would not stiffen, went a bit froffy on top but that's all.

I'm feeling sad and defeated and have wasted a hell of a lot of ingredients. Any advice as to what I might have done wrong much appreciated.

Not sure about the mayo as I have never made it, but I have found that i need to rinse my glass bowl in boiling water to make sure there is no grease at all or they refuse to whip up. Also, plastic bowls arent great for egg whisking.

But if I was using eggs for two things and neither worked I would probably blame the eggs!

Isn't it if you get even a spot of oil in with the eggs that they won't thicken?

Hmm, thanks, that could be why, I guess there could still have been a bit of olive oil on the mixer, next time I shall give it more than a quick wash between changing use.