Best Kitchenaid Stand Mixer?

[manning]

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!

I would go with the pro 600. It has metal gears.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

I would go with the pro 600. It has metal gears.

I have the pro 600 and love it! I bought it 10 years ago and it is still working great. However, a friend of mine bought a pro 600 last year and the gears have broken twice on her and she stated they were not metal. KitchenAid does have a fantastic consumer service and they gave her a new mixer each time the gears broke.

 

[soniam]

I have the bigger one as well. The only problem I have had is when making smaller batches of cookie dough or muffins. The 6qt bowl ends up being too big, and the batter does not get mixed well. In these cases, I have to do it by hand or with my hand mixer. Otherwise, it's great. It's also pretty heavy to lift. Depending upon where I store it, DH has to get it for me.

 

[dolphinrescuegirl]

So I like to bake cookies. I'm wondering how the older versions of the kitchen aid mixers are. If I don't plan to make bread or anything else fancy is the older model ok? Thinking of buying an used one off craigslist. Opinions?

 

[manning]

I have the pro 600 and love it! I bought it 10 years ago and it is still working great. However, a friend of mine bought a pro 600 last year and the gears have broken twice on her and she stated they were not metal. KitchenAid does have a fantastic consumer service and they gave her a new mixer each time the gears broke.

We have the professional 5 that is many years old. Don!t know the type gears.

I like to wander around the appliance section at kohls while the wife shops. The box for the professional 600 says metal gears. Don't know about the other models

 

[LukenDC]

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.

I love my Pro 600 model. For heavy doughs, it is critical that users follow the instructions and not run the mixer above a certain speed (speed 2, I believe). Otherwise, the mixer is apt to break. I've read several reviews from people who did not heed the warnings and broke their mixer.

 

[meajuly5]

We have the professional 5 that is many years old. Don!t know the type gears. I like to wonder around the appliance section at kohls while the wife shops. The box for the professional 600 says metal gears. Don't know about the other models

I have the artisan and have fir 13 years. I use it fir cookies, cakes etc and whipping potatoes etc and have no issues at all.

 

[mnrose]

So I like to bake cookies. I'm wondering how the older versions of the kitchen aid mixers are. If I don't plan to make bread or anything else fancy is the older model ok? Thinking of buying an used one off craigslist. Opinions?

If it works, those older ones run like champs. Mine was a Christmas present from my husband in 1990....24 years ago. It looks and runs like brand new....never had ANY issue with it at all. It runs through anything. A beast of a machine. It is a 600 series, and is the kind where you raise and lower the bowl...beaters are in a fixed position.

If I could find one that worked, I would not hesitate to buy it.

 

[tigercat]

I have had mine for several years and have had no problems with it. I just made homemade noodles for lasagna on Sunday and it was great. It was for a pot luck lunch and the whole 9 x 13 pan went.
tigercat