KitchenAid help, please!
My parents informed me last night that I'm getting a KitchenAid stand mixer for Christmas, and apparently I need to decide what I want RIGHTNOW! because I think they're going to take advantage of some Black Friday sales. I haven't thought about it too much, and now I'm left scrambling to figure out what I actually want/need.
Here's the scoop: I bake, but not too often (mostly breads, but also a fair amount of cookies and cakes), and I don't think I want something huge. I'm thinking the Artisan, and we also looked at the Classic. I also saw this Ultra Power model show up in a search. What would you pick? What do you recommend? Is there a particular model you'd stay away from?
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
Start Talking!
Need a question answered? Have advice to share? Start a Talk topic now!
Sign up to get your questions answered and share advice.
15 Comments:
classic. and add the pasta maker attachment.
sailordave at 1:13PM on 11/26/08
Classic. Consider the meat grinding attachment, too.
Babzee at 1:15PM on 11/26/08
I'd go with what sailordave said. And make sure to look at some different colors to give your parents a recommendation.
nightowl at 1:18PM on 11/26/08
I have the Artisan, but I agree with the others, I think that, for your purposes, a Classic version would be the best.
Traveller at 1:52PM on 11/26/08
The concept attachments is great, but I haven't found any of the attachments working all that great.
wunami at 1:58PM on 11/26/08
I have the Professional series mixer and I absolutely love it.
I prefer the lift bowl over the tilt head and if you are making a lot of dough for breads you are better off with the more powerful motor.
QVC offers a very good deal on the Professional series:
http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.K5923.cm_scid.PROM
carolinemarie at 2:39PM on 11/26/08
I have the Artisan, but really wish I had the Professional Series mixer. Sometimes when I knead bread in the mixer it sounds like it's going to die, and one time it fell off the counter when I wasn't watching. Always watch your mixer!
sarahlynn at 2:54PM on 11/26/08
If you plan to use the mixer for baking, the one with the most powerful motor would be best. I have had the classic for over 10 years and I use it for bread and other baked goods but sometimes it sounds like the motor is about to give out.
izzy's mama at 3:24PM on 11/26/08
My KA classic has been with me for 14 years. There is only one other brand I might get and only if my KA dies. I heart the Viking mixer. It is a real nice piece of equipment. I have seen all the artisan and other versions of the KA and they do not WOW me. I vote the classic. 14 years and still going. I use it a lot.
JerzeeTomato at 3:55PM on 11/26/08
ditto @carolinemarie.
I have had my professional for about 10 years now. L O to the V E it! And believe me - I put it through it paces.
bodaciousgirl at 5:59PM on 11/26/08
Thank you all! I appreciate the help and input. :)
pearl at 6:15PM on 11/26/08
I've got the Artisan, and it had put up with a lot of use, plus two dives off the counter. As far as falling off the counter, I fixed that problem by tying a knot in the cord so if it starts walking, it will unplug itself before it reaches the edge of the counter.
I've got a whole lot of attachments, but I probably use the ice cream bowl the most. I keep the bowl and the paddle in the freezer so it's ready whenever I need it. Much more convenient than a separate machine that I have to store.
I also use the meat grinder a bit, and again, the attachment takes a lot less space than a separate grinder would. I don't use it often, but when I do, it's nice to have.
The pasta roller is really handy when I'm in that mood. Hand cranking pasta and trying to hold the end going in and catching the end coming out doesn't work unless you happen to have three hands. Doing it with the machine is a lot easier. If you make small batches of pasta, doing it by hand isn't a big deal. But if you're making it in quantity, it's nice to have the help.
I use the grater attachment only rarely. I can do the same thing by hand for small batches, or I can do it in the food processor for larger quantities. It does a good job, but I just don't use it a lot.
I've also got the pasta extruder and haven't used it much.
I don't have the vegetable strainer thing, and don't see much of a need for it. I don't have the grain mill either. It's on my "maybe" list.
As far as whether the tilt-head or bowl-lift is better, I've heard plusses and minuses both ways. But the bowl-lift models are slightly taller than the tilt-heads, so if your cabinets are a little low, it might not fit under.
One handy thing to have is an extra bowl. If I'm making bread, that bowl might be in use for a while, so it's nice to have a second one if I want to make something else.
I'm guessing that you can't go too far wrong with any model you choose. And customer service is pretty good, too.
dbcurrie at 8:31PM on 11/26/08
We have a Classic, and last year I got a 5-quart Pro Plus (the one carolinemarie posted from QVC). I would chose the Pro hands down over and over again if I had to get another one. I like the bowl lift better than tilt head, and LOVE the wide bowl.
Furthermore if you're a breadbaker--I HIGHLY suggest a Pro model because the dough hook is a newer spiral, rather than the hook on the tilt head and cheaper models, and a much better kneader. Also I always feared for the life of our Classic when mixing dough, even though the machine always took it, it sounded rough, and moved around a bit much for my comfort! I haven't had my mixer budge when kneading in my Pro "Willis!"
I'd say for something as expensive as a KA mixer, look to the future and if you think you'll bake more, and utilize the dough hook--then definitely get a Pro.
Before I got my new one I researched a lot to find what would be best for me, I found the 6-quart to large for my needs, and the spiral dough hook on the 5-quart, plus a great price and good return policy on QVC really sealed the deal on my getting the 5-quart Pro Plus. If you visit Kohls.com I believe they have a comparison chart for finding what you need, KitchenAid.com also has great specs to help you in your search.
Congrats on your gift! I've used "Willis" for 3 types of bread, and 2 batches of snickerdoodles the past 2 days and he always performs like a dream!
bobcatsteph3 at 10:31PM on 11/26/08
I have 3 KAs for my cake biz and I love them! One thing to keep in mind though; like any other motorized equipment, a little maintenance every couple of years (if you don't use it daily) or annually (if you do) will go a long way towards keeping whatever unit you choose working great!! (nothing major usually; but someone who is mechanically handy should be able to give it a good cleaning, grease the bearings and check if any of the gears need replacing)
If you are planning to make bread, DEFINITELY go with the highest wattage on the motor that you can find (the KA site will list that for the models you are considering.)
wildcakes at 9:17PM on 11/27/08
My KitchenAid is over 25 years old, don't know which model, back then I think they only had one, but it is still going strong.
dmcavanagh at 3:19PM on 12/12/08