Is the KitchenAid stand mixer worth it?? $$$$

[patsal]

Saw white ones at Ollies today for $199.

 

[polyfan]

Just got my Artisan 5Qt in the Willow Blue for $183!!!! at Bon Ton online Thanskgiving Day- haven't seen anybodyelse with the price that low

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

Just got my Artisan 5Qt in the Willow Blue for $183!!!! at Bon Ton online Thanskgiving Day- haven't seen anybodyelse with the price that low

Good Buy... that is a beautiful color.

They do not make the color I want anymore if anyone sees it anywhere please let me know.

Eggplant

I knew I should have bought it!!!!

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

And if so, which model would you recommend? I read a lot of negative reviews on Amazon from people trying to make bread and having the machine break rather quickly....

I make both, not really often and I have never had any problems. I don't really know which model I have, but it is one of the less expensive ones. Mine is still going strong after 15+ years.

 

[Judique]

Get the KA! You won't regret it!

 

[mom of 3G's]

And if so, which model would you recommend? I read a lot of negative reviews on Amazon from people trying to make bread and having the machine break rather quickly....

I'd like to know the answer to this, too.

 

[tinatark]

I have the Classic, 250 w. Bought it from Amazon a few years ago (4 or 5?), refurbished. It is the base model. I am going to have to replace it soon, the top part seems to move a bit when I'm mixing, and the motor seems to be straining some when I use it. It was a super great deal, around $100, so I can't complain, but will definitely upgrade to a nicer one when I find a deal!

My friend told me I could "have" hers, she never uses it - but her DH couldn't get past her giving it away!

Sam's Club has one right now, not sure which model.

 

[tiggr33]

And if so, which model would you recommend? I read a lot of negative reviews on Amazon from people trying to make bread and having the machine break rather quickly....

I have the 4.5qt Classic. I make bread, dough, and dense cookies all the time. the secret is knowing the machine you have (two part answer) and knowing the recipe. Knowing you machine is a two part answer in that: Each machine has a recommended volume limit. I can't remember if it was in the paperwork or on the KA website. It states for bread making what the limit is for the amount of flour and dry ingredients the machine can handle. The second part of knowing your machine, is simply listening to it. If it sounds like it is laboring, it probably is. Knowing the recipe goes hand in hand with knowing the machine. If you read it in advance, you'll know if the machine should be able to handle that recipe. Keep in mind that those are just guidelines.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Another vote for "Have a Kitchen Aid and love it"! I've had mine several years, it's so easy to use, we use it all the time. A few years after I got it, my SIL was getting one on sale at Target on Black Friday. She had an empoloyee discount, too--I just said, "You are going to love it!"

My only recommendation is, decide what you really need, in terms of capacity and features, and what you really want, like color. You will have it forever, so get what you really want--the slight price difference won't matter over time. I have a white one, and sometimes drool over the gorgeous color ones--but, I'm re-doing my kitchen next year, so white is probably best, for now. I also don't have much need for special attachments or a huge work bowl. But, knowing you make heavy doughs a lot, and you have a family of 5--it might serve you well to get a stronger motor.

 

[rbork]

Had a hobart for 20+ years and now a professional Kitchen aid for 7 yrs. The KA happened to be a refurb and got an excellent deal. DH knows I NEVER buy anything other kind. I bake alot and run this mixer hard. My mom was a professional cake decorator....KA all the way!

 

[overlyspoiled4sure]

I have a very nice chrome Sunbeam. Works well for simple things like cake batter. But it won't work for cookie dough. Well, maybe it would but listening to it I decided it wasn't going to do all the mixing in of flour & chips for the toll house recipe.

We bought DD a KA several years ago as a family gift. After she moved back home & brought it with her, I got to use it too. My main problem with it was figuring out how the beater attaches. Never did figure it out & always had DGD handle that little chore. DGD also liked to bake so actually she used it more.

This Christmas, DD talked me into getting a KA. I got a white one, Classic Plus 4 1/2 quart. DGD was here first time I wanted to use it & since the head lifts up I was able to see how the beaters attach. Their mixer has a drop bowl & I like mine better. I'm just too excited about trying all these cookie recipes I've collected over the years. I'm betting it's going to be so much easier to make that special Nieman Marcus choc chip cookie!

So, OP, you won't go wrong getting a KA mixer. You'll love it! Leave bread making to your bread machine if you have one.

 

[bookgirl]

Ok here's the thing. I got mine free (friend changed her kitchen colors and gave me her white one, which doesn't go with my kitchen but hey it's free and that goes with everything lol). But I had used my friends and loved it and if I'd had the money I would have bought one.


I do some christmas baking that is so much easier with the kitchen aid. Totally worth it for the bread hook and whipping attatchment. You just can't do that with a hand mixer.

As far as brands I've only used a kitchen aid, but I've never had anyone I know who has one complain about it or have problems. Know at least one person who has an ancient one and it works as well as my new one.