Kitchen Aid Mixer or cheaper model?

[Jasmine101]

I have wanted to buy a kitchen stand mixer for a long time, but don't really have the room in my kitchen, or the money. If I do splurge on one, is there really that much of a difference if I buy a kitchen aid for about $199,
or if I go cheap and get a sunbeam mixmaster for about $69.
It is for mainly mixing cake batters.

Thanks

 

[T. Lynn]

I have the Sunbeam that DH got me 2 years ago for Christmas. Still going strong but if it dies, I will be buying a Kitchen Aid. That's what I asked for but I guess he didn't realize how picky I am on my brand name kitchen appliances.

For mainly cake batters, the sunbeam will hold up well. Again, mine is 2 years old and working great.

 

[hercamore]

I have a 30 yo Sunbeam that works welll. also have a newer hand held Kitchenaid with a powerful motor that works just as well as the stand model and takes up little room.

herc.

 

[MomofKatie]

Get the KitchenAid.

 

[MinMouse]

I'm on my third mixmaster (in 15 years!) I tend to burn them up with heavy cookie batters. For mostly cake batters I think they are fine. I will be going with a KitchenAid the next time. Only reason I'm still using a mixmaster is because mine broke over the Christmas holiday and I had a friend who had hers in the basement (her MIL bought her the KitchenAid a few years ago). So I'm waiting to burn this one up and then get the KitchenAid.

 

[rcraw45425]

Love the Kitchen Aid. I didn't go with the top of the line, but I'm an occasional baker, not hard core.

 

[kileybeth]

Kitchenaid
you won't be sorry, mine is going on 10 yrs old and is wonderful in every way.

the best for all kinds of mixing, whipping up egg whites or loaded down with heavy oat and nut batter for cookies. great for bread too. . .

Kitchen Aid, worth it.

 

[Plantlady]

I have a mixmaster.

I wish I had a kitchen aid. But, it wasn't in the budget, and won't be for a long time. The Mixmaster is doing the job, as of now.

 

[savannah2l]

Go with the Kitchenaid. I have had mine for over 10 years now. It still works great. I bake all the time--cakes/cookies/bread.......

Still runs great.

 

[jofo]

I'm in the baking portion of culinary school right now -- they told us to buy the most powerful mixers we could afford, and recommended the Kitchenaid Professional models (now you're talking way more than $199). Obviously, this is overkill for general home use.

My understanding is that the main reason you need a strong motor is for breads. Bread dough is thick and strains the motor. If all you're doing is mixing cake batters, I would think the Sunbeam would be just fine. It would probably even be able to handle small batches of bread without a problem.

 

[HunnyPots]

Yes, I agree that if you're doing mostly cake batter, the Sunbeam should be fine. But for heavy cookie dough or especially bread dough the Kitchenaid is the machine to have. Another thing I dislike about the Sunbeam is that the bowl rotates rather than the beaters so you are constantly having to scrape down the sides of the bowl. On the Kitchenaid, the beaters rotate inside the bowl so that all of your dough or batter mixes evenly with very little scraping.
I have the Kitchenaid Artisan that I got from Kohl's for $269-$20 rebate.

 

[rhiansmom]

I bought refurbished models of the kitchenaid from Amazon. I bought three (me, sis and mom) and we have all been VERY happy with them. They look like new (actually was told that most of the refurbished models are those that have been returned from people who had second thoughts about an expensive mixer) and have a warranty with them.

 

[rhiansmom]

oh was going to say that we paid abuot $125 a piece for the Artisan Series refurbished models.

 

[kuusimo]

Another thing to consider with the kitchen aid is that you can buy attachments to go with it: pasta maker, meat grinder, cheese grater... so even though you may only use it for cakes now, I find I use mine for everything. We have made it a point to buy the best possible for what we can afford. If you think you may regret it later... I have had my basic kitchen aid for 8 years and it has made A LOT of cement icing for gingerbread houses. My mom has burned out a lot of motors, but the kitchen aid ones have never burned out on her.

 

[autumnbaby9]

If you can afford the Kitchenaid I would go for it. We love ours and use it all the time with no problems (going on 10 years now).

 

[trulygoofy]

I love my KitchenAid. I have had mine for over 12 years and it is great.

 

[Tink rules]

Ok...take my advice....

BUY THE KITCHENAID!!!!!!

I've had mine @10 years and I LOVE it!!! Can't kill the darned thing!!!

I always say that it's so sturdy that if we have a nuclear war...the only thing left standing will by little kitchen aid mixers all over...

I got mine long before the colors came out... not sure which color I'd pick if I had to chance to.

Just a tip though... don't put the beaters, wisk, etc in the dishwasher... including the bowls... the bowl is designed so that the beater fits in the ridge of the bottom of the bowl. The wisk turns one way, while the mixer is spinnin in another. If you bend anything, it will throw it all off and you'd have to replace the pieces...

Besides... The darned things clean up so very easily!!! The bowls are stainless and if you just fill up the bowl with hot sudsy water, put the beaters, etc in, and swish it all around.. it cleans up in no time - it is a dream!!!

Invest in the pouring shield also... it's a plastic shield that goes around the rim and you can...duh...pour all the dry stuff in and it won't go flying (unless you have the kitchen aid on super high...)

I don't know about other mixers, but I can turn my mixer on and leave it standing while I go to get something out of the fridge or whatever.

Buy this mixer and take care of it and it will last for years and years and will be a better value than the cheaper ones... and you'll find yourself baking more (even the little Jiffy Muffin mixes go in it...it's so easy to clean!!!)

They are great!!!

Good luck...

 

[stitchlovestink]

I would spend the money and invest in the KitchenAid. I got mine two years ago and wish I could've bought it sooner. I had a really nice Krups stand mixer that lasted 15 years. Actually the reason I ditched it was the place where the beaters attach into the 'main body part' wore out and the beaters wouldn't stay locked in. but the motor was still going strong on the Krups. But I love my KitchenAid. Watch Kohl's and you can get a pretty good deal. Plus sometimes they clearance a color that they are no longer going to carry. My DSis got a red one for $25 at Kohl's on clearance. She already had one but couldn't turn down a deal like that!! Enjoy.

 

[graygables]

I designed my kitchen remodel around my green Kitchenaid artisan mixer. Then I killed it (it was 10 years old), so I just got the new professional model in a more neutral nickel finish. I bake a LOT, lots of breads, so this was a good investment for me. I also have the meat grinder which is GREAT to buy a decent cut of meat on sale, then grind my own beef. MUCH better than the storebought grind.

My Dad, Mr. Sunbeam-Was-Good-Enough-For-My-Mother, just bought a Kitchenaid after he got tired of his bread dough gumming up his hooks. Even though you say it will mostly be for cakes, you may be surprised at the inspiration you find with it!

 

[happypooh]

I think it really depends on how often you plan to use it and really if you have space for it. I got one for a wedding gift years ago and never really used it...and when I did it annoyed me somewhat that if you don't have a pouring plastic thing it sure is hard to put stuff in while you are beating (maybe I was doing it wrong!). I'd get flour everywhere! It took up lots of room too. So I ended up with just a handheld mixer that works fine for me for the occasional times I do bake a cake that I can quickly put away and not clutter the place up. It's possible that if I had it out on the counter I would bake more...but I guess my waistline thanks me that I don't bake too often!