Posted: 2/26/2009 1:08:13 PM EDT
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Well I just burned up the old ladies hand-held mixer. She has been hinting around about getting a Kitchen Aid for awhile. We have been doing a lot more baking and cooking in general. So instead of buying another hand-held I figured it was time to step up to something better. Now comes the problem, I didn't know kitchen Aid had that many different series mixers, I am lost at what I should get. I would like to get some of the attachments down the road nothing that we would need right away. Any help or input would be great, thanks. |
| I've had mine for about 8 years and absolutely love it. I can't remember the model number but it's the Classic and it says Max 250 Watts on it. I have the meat grinder and sausage stuffer attachment and have used both a fair amount with great results. No problems as of yet. |
I have a KSM5 ProLine (For Household Use Only) 10 speed, 5 quart, it's about 11 years old, with not so much as a hiccup.
A friend of mine has the newer 6 quart, also with no issues whatsoever. The tilt head models seem less sturdy than the lift models (which both of the ones I mentioned above are), but I don't have any personal experience with them to verify that opinion. It's just every floor model of a tilt head I've ever seen in a store was loose. Whatever you decide to buy, I can highly recommend the meat grinder attachment. Also, buy an extra bowl right from the start, you will eventually make something in batches that require at least two bowls. BTDT, cheese cakes, lots of cheese cakes... |
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I have a heavy Kenwood mixer (got it years ago instead of the Kitchenaid). Both are great, but I'm guessing you will still want a hand held mixer, and Kitchenaid makes a good one also. Keep your eyes open on Ebay and Amazon for deals that occasionally crop up.
Kind of like having your Rossi revolver choke, and deciding to get a Colt M-4 to replace it...eventually, you're going to want another pistol too... AFARR |
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We've had our KitchenAid Ultra Power (300 watts) for about 13 years and it is fantastic. Very durable, mixes the thickest cookie dough no problem, potatoes, and whips cream in seconds. I think any model is a good value. The bigger your family the bigger the mixer/bowl you want. A 250 is plenty for jyust a couple. The 300/5qt was plenty for our family of four. Your wife will absolutely love her KitchenAid. |
| Notice something about most of these people singing KitchenAid praises. They've had theirs for years. They don't make 'em like they used to. The transmissions are not as tough as they once were. Do yourself a favor and spend the extra money for a Viking, or convince the wife that an older, more solid stand mixer would be best. |
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Notice something about most of these people singing KitchenAid praises. They've had theirs for years. They don't make 'em like they used to. The transmissions are not as tough as they once were. Do yourself a favor and spend the extra money for a Viking, or convince the wife that an older, more solid stand mixer would be best. Gotta do research on the models first. Some are not so good, and some are fantastic. Both will look identical. |
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I suggest the type with the tilting motor head, instead of the raise and lower type bowl mounting. Makes it very easy to get ingredients in, and to reach in with a spat to scrape the bowl down.
I'm running a Kitchenaid classic with tilt head. Runs like a champ every time. |
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Alot of people are switching brands to Viking and such, however I have seen a viking go up as well. With anything electric, it comes down to time. It will go out, but lets say a winding was done incorrect or the conducotr scratched when formed, it just lowers the products chances. But the vikings are nice. It also depends on what style head you want tilt or lift bowl. I like the lift, putting stuff in is done with a flexable cutting board or paper plate. The extra strenght of the unit is worth it to me.
When I was searching for stand mixers I did alot of research. High wattage does not always mean good. Efficiancy is key (yes I probally spelled that wrong as well). Anyways, the kitchenaid site since it went flash SUCKS. I get all sorts or errors with it on a regular basis, but I did put this together from my research of the kitchenaid mixers a while back. The Pro 600 (its the one I purchased), MSRP 500, wattage 575, direct drive transmission, all steel gears and housing, commercial sytle motor protection, good for 8.25 loafs of bread at a time.- not avialble The Artisan (commonly sold tilt head you see all over), MSPR 350, wattage 325, not all steel gears or housing (really mix of materials), no motor protection, 4.5 loafs Pro 500 (basically a bowl lift of the artisan, sorry), MSRP 350, wattage 325, not all steel gears, no motor protection, 4.5 loafs. IE the same as above, just differnt access. Proline (basicaly a pro 600 minus protection), MSRP 500, wattage 575, all steel gears and housing, no motor protection, 5.25 loafs.- no longer avilable. Commercial 500 (not a bad mixer and still avilable), MSRP 550, wattage 450, steel gears/ housing, commerical motor protection, 6 loafs. the pro 600 was the best thing going more so for the price than any other Kitchenaid, however they no longer sell it direct. You can still find them at amazon or a few kitchenstore. I have been using mine for the last 3 years for everything from dough, to pasta, to meats, candy (I whipped divinity in this and it kept ticking) A artisan would of smoked at the end with what this thing was going thru. My other mom (best friends mom, but I call her mom too) has been using hers for a dozen years and bakes for everyone at work. She rents freezers and fridges during the holidays because of what she makes..... she still does this to this day as well. Regardless of which you go with, it will cost some money, if you go to bed bath and beyond with one of thos 20% coupons, they can order it if they do not stock it and you can use the coupon still. However if you buy it from their website direct the coupon will not work. Figure a $100 savings on the $500 model, yeah that coupon is worth it. Check with coworkers if you do not suscribe to their mailings, thats how I started getting the more expensive items. Happy hunting. |
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I suggest the type with the tilting motor head, instead of the raise and lower type bowl mounting. Makes it very easy to get ingredients in, and to reach in with a spat to scrape the bowl down. I'm running a Kitchenaid classic with tilt head. Runs like a champ every time. I agree. I have the raise/lower model. I do like the simplicity of the tilting motor models. It might be just a "grass is greener" kind of thing though. ETA: Here is a deal on a model 600. I'm not sure if it is still active. http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=4213&t=1064994&highlight=kitchenaid |
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I bought a 250 watt Kitchenaid in 1979 and I just gave it to my 20 year old daughter and expect it to last her a life time. I purchased a new 300 Watt Artisan that doesn't feel as robust, but will probably out live me. BTW I have ground roast into hamburger using the attachment for the past 15 years. I also use another attachment to grind flour from wheat berries.
I paid $150.00 in 1979 and for the new Artisan, I paid $180.00 |
| Our 15 year old KitchenAid is just now starting to squeak a little. "Household 6" calls them up to find out about repair/service and finds out that they have some great deals on higher powered models. They have some factory refurbs (they were returned for any reason, even cosmetic) that are certified by the company as GTG for a damn good price. So we're sending in the old one for servicing and getting a higher powered refurb. The daughter will "inherit" the old one when it gets back. |
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For the KitchenAid Pro 600 Series 6-Quart Stand Mixers pay attention to Amazon. I bought this model back on december 12 for $269 with a $50 rebate. I figured at $219 you can't beat the price, link below.
Warning that the dfferent colors sell for different prices and the one I bought was Licorice which looks Black to me. From the way the box was packed I'd guess that the mixers are drop shipped direct from KA. The current best price appears to be $331 with a $40 rebate. Don't buy any accessories right off the bat as my box contained a coupon for 50% off on additional items direct from KA. http://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KP26M1XLC-Professional-6-Quart-Licorice/dp/B0002Y5X92/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1235947861&sr=8-1 . |
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Notice something about most of these people singing KitchenAid praises. They've had theirs for years. They don't make 'em like they used to. The transmissions are not as tough as they once were. Do yourself a favor and spend the extra money for a Viking, or convince the wife that an older, more solid stand mixer would be best. My SO runs a small bakery(cakes,breads,cookies,pies,no donuts). She has the Epicurian and classic models. These units are used at least 2 hours a day ,5-6 days a week. After 8 years she had one crap out,and Kitchenaid sent her a replacement, no questions asked. She says it is the best investment she has made in the bakery. |
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Notice something about most of these people singing KitchenAid praises. They've had theirs for years. They don't make 'em like they used to. The transmissions are not as tough as they once were. Do yourself a favor and spend the extra money for a Viking, or convince the wife that an older, more solid stand mixer would be best. My SO runs a small bakery(cakes,breads,cookies,pies,no donuts). She has the Epicurian and classic models. These units are used at least 2 hours a day ,5-6 days a week. After 8 years she had one crap out,and Kitchenaid sent her a replacement, no questions asked. She says it is the best investment she has made in the bakery. My mother had a small bakery for twenty plus years and other than the one 5 gallon industrial mixer all were KitchenAid. The only problem I ever remember was replacing a set of brushes on one of them. They proved to be very good machines. I don't know about the quality now. |
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Notice something about most of these people singing KitchenAid praises. They've had theirs for years. They don't make 'em like they used to. The transmissions are not as tough as they once were. Do yourself a favor and spend the extra money for a Viking, or convince the wife that an older, more solid stand mixer would be best. My SO runs a small bakery(cakes,breads,cookies,pies,no donuts). She has the Epicurian and classic models. These units are used at least 2 hours a day ,5-6 days a week. After 8 years she had one crap out,and Kitchenaid sent her a replacement, no questions asked. She says it is the best investment she has made in the bakery. My mother had a small bakery for twenty plus years and other than the one 5 gallon industrial mixer all were KitchenAid. The only problem I ever remember was replacing a set of brushes on one of them. They proved to be very good machines. I don't know about the quality now. Hobarts are the Tim Allen's "Binford2000" creme la de creme mixer. Just seen your statement about hugh 5 gallon ones, and the thought popped into my head. http://www.hobartcorp.com/products/food-preparation/mixers/floor 
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Got one of these, last fall, from the local St Vincent de Paul's, for $24.  Holy Crap! My mom has one just like that she's had for between 35 and 40 years. It still works great and has never missed a step. |
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We received a KitchenAid Ultra (300watt) model as a wedding gift from my Grandfather. It is his signature gift to everyone in the family when the wed. My Mother still has the one he bought her when she remarried in 1987. It still runs like a top.
I have picked up just about every attachment that KitchenAid makes for it. I use the meat grider on game, the vegetable/fruit grinder for the year's canning chores (I don't bother blanching tomatoes anymore I just quarter them and dump them in), I have even tried the grain mill attachement with good results. It is a pretty handy and versitle machine and so much more than a mixer. |
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My parents have a lift bowl model (sorry I don't know the specific model) that they got in the '70s. The meat grinder had a cast metal housing.
My aunt bought one (a tilt head) in the '90s and the meat grinder she bought had a plastic housing. She used it quite a bit but the grinder housing failed (she said it cracked at a seam; I didn't see it). Both mixers are going strong though. Very good equipment. All of us have Kitchen Aid hand mixers too, most recent purchased around 1992. We're all very happy with them as well. |
| Side note on this Kitchenaid "stuff".... After buying our mixer we bought a toaster from Kitchenaid too. It has numerous settings, including Bagel which works VERY well. The toaster rocks just like the mixer. Wife thought I was nuts spending ~100.00 for a toaster, but now she says it was worth every penny. MournSword |
| Maybe it's just the newer ones. I know someone who has run through two in the last two years, just doing regular doughs at home. Nothing crazy. The second one (which was a replacement for the first) started having the same transmission problem as the first, and Kitchenaid treated her like it was her fault. |