Best Kitchenaid Stand Mixer?

[lucyanna girl]

There are so many models! I need some advice on the best one to buy. I believe I read somewhere that some models have metal gears where others have plastic? I want to buy one that can handle heavy mixing and will last. Opinions please?

Thanks,

Penny

 

[MomofKatie]

My DH works for Bed Bath & Beyond, and they sell a lot of Kitchen Aid mixers. In his opinion, the best combination for durability and heavy duty use is the 6 quart bowl lift mixer.

 

[MOpGrad2013]

I received my KitchenAid as a gift in 1999. It's the 4qt bowl without a handle. She gets quite a workout and is still in great shape. I did lose one of the plastic/foam bits off the bottom. Everything else is still in new shape.

This summer, DS bought me the pasta attachments. Now even more work for it.

I would say that the larger bowl would be nice for those days I double a recipe. And the bowl shield for when the little one is helping.

 

[Skippy918]

I'd go with the 6qt stand mixer. We love ours.

 

[denisem]

We bought a PRO 600 6-qt. lift head 5 yrs. ago and love it. We specifically bought a higher wattage model for grinding meat, mixing meatloaf and bread doughs so it's gotten a workout over the years and is still going strong.

Bought mine on Amazon on Black Friday in '09 and I see they have various prices for different colors today (looks like $320.00 for white, Onyx Black, Empire Red and Nickel Pearl, more for others). All metal, plus free shipping and $50 rebate.

 

[POOHsie]

I agree. You should get the Professional 600 series with the bowl-lift and all steel gears. They are 6-quart vs 5-quart. They're a bit more than one you'd see commonly at a big box store, but their motor is 575 watts vs 325. They will last through your toughest uses. Someone mentioned Amazon for purchase. I wanted to add that I got one for DD at Everything Kitchens online. They had a sale and also a rebate coupon, and perhaps the best selection of colors.

 

[runsandjumps]

I have the pro 600 too. I just made some goodies on it an hour ago. I purchased it at costco.

 

[MSLRAC]

I agree. You should get the Professional 600 series with the bowl-lift and all steel gears. They are 6-quart vs 5-quart. They're a bit more than one you'd see commonly at a big box store, but their motor is 575 watts vs 325. They will last through your toughest uses. Someone mentioned Amazon for purchase. I wanted to add that I got one for DD at Everything Kitchens online. They had a sale and also a rebate coupon, and perhaps the best selection of colors.

I just ordered a Pro 600 in Tangerine from there this morning. $339 plus a $50 mail in rebate, $10 off today (coupon code blackfriday10), and free shipping. And the do have the best selection of colors for the 600 series.

 

[POOHsie]

I just ordered a Pro 600 in Tangerine from there this morning. $339 plus a $50 mail in rebate, $10 off today (coupon code blackfriday10), and free shipping. And the do have the best selection of colors for the 600 series.

Hope you enjoy it for years to come. Love that Tangerine color!

 

[jdb in AZ]

I have the Artisan and it's great for cookies, etc. We have a separate bread machine. Meanwhile, DD also has a "lesser" model of Kitchen Aid and when she makes bread dough with it, her 3-yr-old has to hold onto the mixer so it won't dance off the counter. She keeps hoping to wear it out so she can upgrade, but I told her she'll have to take a sledge hammer to it or drop-kick it off the counter, but that might damage her floor. We're getting her a red pro 600 model for Christmas.

 

[POOHsie]

I have the Artisan and it's great for cookies, etc. We have a separate bread machine. Meanwhile, DD also has a "lesser" model of Kitchen Aid and when she makes bread dough with it, her 3-yr-old has to hold onto the mixer so it won't dance off the counter. She keeps hoping to wear it out so she can upgrade, but I told her she'll have to take a sledge hammer to it or drop-kick it off the counter, but that might damage her floor. We're getting her a red pro 600 model for Christmas.

The one I picked for DD was Empire Red. It seems a tiny bit darker than the common red one in the lower series. I like the Cinnamon Red one, too. I'm sure your DD will be thrilled, and someone else is sure to get use out of her old one.

 

[denisem]

I agree. You should get the Professional 600 series with the bowl-lift and all steel gears. They are 6-quart vs 5-quart. They're a bit more than one you'd see commonly at a big box store, but their motor is 575 watts vs 325. They will last through your toughest uses. Someone mentioned Amazon for purchase. I wanted to add that I got one for DD at Everything Kitchens online. They had a sale and also a rebate coupon, and perhaps the best selection of colors.

Oh, thanks a lot! I was blissfully unaware of Everything Kitchens and now I have a new site to explore (and spend $$). I am such a sucker for kitchen stuff....

 

[lucyanna girl]

We bought a PRO 600 6-qt. lift head 5 yrs. ago and love it. We specifically bought a higher wattage model for grinding meat, mixing meatloaf and bread doughs so it's gotten a workout over the years and is still going strong.

Bought mine on Amazon on Black Friday in '09 and I see they have various prices for different colors today (looks like $320.00 for white, Onyx Black, Empire Red and Nickel Pearl, more for others). All metal, plus free shipping and $50 rebate.

I agree. You should get the Professional 600 series with the bowl-lift and all steel gears. They are 6-quart vs 5-quart. They're a bit more than one you'd see commonly at a big box store, but their motor is 575 watts vs 325. They will last through your toughest uses. Someone mentioned Amazon for purchase. I wanted to add that I got one for DD at Everything Kitchens online. They had a sale and also a rebate coupon, and perhaps the best selection of colors.

I have the pro 600 too. I just made some goodies on it an hour ago. I purchased it at costco.

Thanks everyone for the help! I ordered the Pro 600 in Nickle Pearl from Amazon. This is a gift and I didn't want to lock a young bride into a color even though I loved some of the selections.

Penny

 

[POOHsie]

Thanks everyone for the help! I ordered the Pro 600 in Nickle Pearl from Amazon. This is a gift and I didn't want to lock a young bride into a color even though I loved some of the selections.

Penny

Great choice. The Nickel Pearl will go with everything. I know your friend will love this machine for years and years. Attachments and bowls make good "future gifts."

 

[Happy Snowman]

I've read a lot of reviews about the 600 that it is very noisy, is that true? How about really heavy bread dough (or any heavy, heavy dough) is the motor strong enough? I'm debating between the Artisan and the 600. I don't bake a lot but I would like to start making bread and gluten free bread dough is very thick and sticky.

 

[morgan98]

I've read a lot of reviews about the 600 that it is very noisy, is that true? How about really heavy bread dough (or any heavy, heavy dough) is the motor strong enough? I'm debating between the Artisan and the 600. I don't bake a lot but I would like to start making bread and gluten free bread dough is very thick and sticky.

The Artisan has a 325w motor and the Pro 600 has a 575w, so one would think the Pro should be better.

We have an Artisan and I was looking to upgrade just this morning actually. The Artisan has been fine for cake mixes, etc. but ours has issues with stiff dough. I also believe we have stripped a gear over time as well, as it now leaks oil.

Many of the ones on super sale at places like Kohl's are even less than the 325w, so I think it is important to buy according to how you plan to use it.

 

[Happy Snowman]

The Artisan has a 325w motor and the Pro 600 has a 575w, so one would think the Pro should be better.

We have an Artisan and I was looking to upgrade just this morning actually. The Artisan has been fine for cake mixes, etc. but ours has issues with stiff dough. I also believe we have stripped a gear over time as well, as it now leaks oil.

Many of the ones on super sale at places like Kohl's are even less than the 325w, so I think it is important to buy according to how you plan to use it.

The Kohl's sale is really good. I think my net price after my Kohl's Cash and such is about $50 on the Artisan..thus the dilemma . The Artisan has better reviews vs the 600 but the biggest complaint about the 600 is the noise so not sure if the Artisan is really "better".

 

[morgan98]

The Kohl's sale is really good. I think my net price after my Kohl's Cash and such is about $50 on the Artisan..thus the dilemma . The Artisan has better reviews vs the 600 but the biggest complaint about the 600 is the noise so not sure if the Artisan is really "better".

I guess what I am trying to say is I believe the Pro is better. It may be noisier, probably because of the stronger motor. I have the Artisan and it cannot get through stiff dough. Therefore, I think the Pro's motor would be better if you are planning on using it for stiff, sticky dough.

 

[Happy Snowman]

I guess what I am trying to say is I believe the Pro is better. It may be noisier, probably because of the stronger motor. I have the Artisan and it cannot get through stiff dough. Therefore, I think the Pro's motor would be better if you are planning on using it for stiff, sticky dough.

No, I understand what you are saying. I'm just weighing the options of buying it and not really using it like I think I might and only spending $50 vs getting one I really should for about $300 and having it end up decorating my countertop

The Artisan doesn't sound like it will work at all for what I need. All of this Kohl's money is burning a hole in my pocket and I don't really need to buy anything right now...but it expires so I need to buy something .

 

[mom2grace]

I had/have a KitchenAid (20 years old model, all metal). I 'upgraded' to the Bosch Universal. It is awesome!

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-Universal-Plus-Kitchen-Machine/dp/B0016KU16G

Of course, I just reread about the Kohl's cash, can't help you there! The Bosch does make a whiring sound, but it has a powerful motor. It's not annoying, just what you would expect!