Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer Advice

[Tink3815]

I want to take advantage of the Black Friday Sales to get a Kitchen Aid stand mixer. I’m not a fancy baker but would like to try bread and piecrusts. For those with experience what would be the best size for this? I would love input what you like and do not like about your stand mixer.

 

[tamitru32]

Mine got damaged in a move and I haven't replaced it yet. I had the 4 or 4.5 quart version with the top that tilts back (not with the lever which might be 5.5 qt). No major cooking but did make bread, cakes, cookies. These are stellar and will last a very long time. Nice thing about stand up mixer is that your arms/hands are free for adding ingredients or prepping instead of picking up and putting down hand held type. Only con might be the counter space it takes up (which is minimal) cuz they're heavy so moving out of the way just didn't happen for me.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

I got mine on a Black Friday deal years ago. I primarily use it during the holidays for baking. I love it! It is great for making bread and cinnamon rolls. I also use it to mix cookie dough.

 

[NYCgrrl]

For someone with a starting interest, I, too would go with a 4 to 5 qt. machine.

You might find this article of use in identifying what you want/need:

https://www.seriouseats.com/best-kitchenaid-stand-mixer-6754999?utm_source=googlepaid&utm_medium=con&utm_content=CjwKCAiA6aW6BhBqEiwA6KzDc-7QHYYtnOM8RMeNjZLpdhRGI05omGgO1ygmbjHJDPwJhW2XIZQ2sRoCGqUQAvD_BwE&utm_campaign=commerce-dd-BlendersMixersProcessors_SeriousEats_Combined_CommSEM_DSA&utm_term=which kitchenaid mixer is the best&utm_test=&displayPrice=no&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAACeazfCeOju2onewpvCE2UQc0MBzo&gclid=CjwKCAiA6aW6BhBqEiwA6KzDc-7QHYYtnOM8RMeNjZLpdhRGI05omGgO1ygmbjHJDPwJhW2XIZQ2sRoCGqUQAvD_BwE

 

[Skippy918]

We have the KA professional. I think it’s the 6qt. It’s the bowl lift model and spiral dough hook. I’ve made double batches of bread dough in there. We also use it for cakes and cookies.
What’s interesting is that mine is 575 watts while the 7qt posted above is 500 watts.

 

[unrequited23]

I have the tilt back model and my mom has the raise/lower one. There is a noticeable difference in the weight and height between the two. I feel like I have more access to the mixing bowl with my tilt back, but that could just be familiarity.

 

[_19disnA]

Have a Kitchen Aid stand mixer that works great. Ours has the tilt feature and seems to work fine, we keep it on the counter. All models are fairly heavy so if you have counter space available, works best to keep it there. Will take up a lot of space in your cupboard if you try to store it away and only bring it out when using it. You need to buy one that is sized appropriately for the number of people you typically are cooking/baking for. Those pro models with the mega-watt motors and gigantic mixing bowls are NOT very good if you only need to beat 1-2 egg whites for the typical recipe.

The 4-5 quart bowls are a better size for the average family. Also think about how often you might ever use any of their pricey attachments before you buy them since many will likely be seldom used and just take up space in the pantry.

 

[princesscinderella]

I have a 6qt raise and lower KA mixer which is 20 years old and still works like new. Get the color you want because it will last forever. I love it because I never have to move it to use it. It sits under my cabinets and if it had the tilt one I’d have to pull it out to a different location to use it.

 

[cluvsdisney2]

I also have the KA Pro lift up model with a 6 quart bowl. There are wall cabinets over all of my counters so I wouldn't be able to use a tilt model. I mostly use it for holiday baking but I also have the food prep attachment that I use for shredding cheese. It shreds mozzarella cheese easily - it's something I struggled with in my food processor. This year, I got the scale/sifter attachment which I can't wait to use when I start my holiday baking.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I have the 5qt Artisan with the tilt head. I use it year round. My primary uses are cake batter, frosting, fillings, whipped cream, cookie dough, etc. I have made heavier doughs and it comes with a dough hook, but I feel like this model is a little underpowered for heavy bread doughs. It lurches a bit when I’ve used it for marshmallow fondant, so I could only imagine it with bread.

I would go with the 7qt bowl lift model if bread is the goal. It’s going to give you more flour power. It also still accepts the various add ons and attachments. I have a pasta sheeter for mine. My parents have the meat grinder and pasta extruder that they like.

Of course, the Artisan has more decorative bowl options, which is nice if you plan to leave it on display.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I have a 6-qt pro model and need that size for the huge batches of chocolate chip cookies I make (and give some away, and freeze others.) If I had a smaller size KitchenAid then I'd have to down-size the cookie recipe.

I also have a hand mixer for really small jobs.

 

[georgina]

I don't bake much any more, mostly around the holidays and birthdays. I have a 4.5 qt Kitchen Aid that I got when I got married in 1987. Still going strong! We don't keep it on the counter (no space) but it is on the floor of the pantry. I can still hoist it when needed.

 

[evilmommie]

This is the model I have and LOVEEEEEEE it. I use it for cakes, bread, rolls, pasta, whipped toppings, muffins, on and on.
https://www.williams-sonoma.com/pro...cm_src=WsiAitc&recstrat=AITC|AITC-GRP-AFF-QNT

My grandmother's KA from the 1970's is still going strong and is in my mom's kitchen. Excited for you! Merry Christmas!