Kitchen Aid ?

[tabby1881]

I need to get a new stand mixer because my Sunbeam died. I had used my mom's Sunbeam for years. The original one was from 1965. We finally retired it back in 2007. I got a new Sunbeam and really did not care for it. It died this past weekend. I've been researching these Dis forums, and many posters say that the Kitchen Aid is the way to go. I just am amazed at the different types of mixers that Kitchen Aid has. I can't decide which one to get. I don't bake all that often, once a month maybe.
I never make bread, grind meat, etc. Just cakes, cookies.
I don't make triple batches or anything like that.
What doe "lift bowl" mean? I can keep the mixer on the counter, no problem.

I would really like to have a mixer where the bowl can go in the dishwasher. Can the beaters go in? I've read somewhere that stainless steel can't go in dw.

Also, with Kitchen Aid, is it easy to release the beaters? My most recent mixer made it very difficult to that!
thanks

 

[graceesmom]

I love my Kitchen Aid stand mixer. I do have the lift bowl and I like it. I have a 5 quart one. I purchased it at Sams Club. If you look at the Sams Club site you will see the Professional HD Kitchen Aid which has the lift bowl. These mixers are a little taller as well than the ones were the main portion of the mixer lifts instead. I leave it on my counter and use it 2 or 3 times a week. It fits just fine on the countertop tucked back in the corner under the top cabinets when not in use. I do pull it out when I use it. It will hold (just barely) enough batter for 2 pound cakes and enough for a (2) 10 inch rounds and (2) 6 inch rounds with no problem. I even make fondant in it and have not had any trouble with the amount of wattage I have.

I also use it to mix pimento cheese, egg salad, make whipped cream, etc.

 

[wallawallakids]

I also have a Kitchen Aid. I love it. I use it everyday when I bake bread. It is about 11 years old now and still going strong. I do not have a lift bowl. The beaters are easy to change out. Nothing about it is difficult at all. I am not sure if it is dw safe or not but my husband is constantly putting it in the dw and I am telling him not too and I always hand wash it! Considering how many times he has put it in there and how long I have had it, I guess it must be fairly DW safe! My only complaint is that I wish it had a larger size bowl but I do make triple batches and you said you do not, so I do not think that will be a problem for you. Good luck, I honestly could not live without my Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I think it is the best one out there!

 

[karetv]

I can say from experience Kitchen Aid is the way to go.Growing up my mom had every brand that was aviable till one day my dad broke down and bought her a Kitchen Aid Mixer in 1998 it still works today! I've been looking at mixers myself because me and my boyfriend are looking in to moving in together next fall.

I am getting a 4.5 Qt mixer (smallest they have) Because I don't do a lot of baking. The Lift Bowl design are more professional use. The bowls are stainless steel and very easy to clean with hot water and soap.

 

[OklahomaTourist]

My mom got me a Kitchen Aid stand mixer when I moved into my first house as a free-wheeling single guy about 22 years ago - and I stilll use that same mixer to this day. It has made untold dozens of chocolate chip cookies, hot rolls, cakes, you name it, and it rolls on just as happily right now as it did when it was brand new. I've alternately cleaned the bowl by hand and, on occasion, stuck it in the DW, with no problem. Newer Kitchen Aid stand mixers have awesome *glass* bowls available, although I haven't taken advantage of one yet

The "lift bowl" is a matter of preference - you simply attach the bowl to the side tangs, and rotate a handle to lift the bowl "up" to the beater. The normal "non-lift" variety works just as well, with a simple interlock on the bottom of the bowl that rotates into the base and locks.

Enjoy!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You are not supposed to put the KitchenAid beaters in the dishwasher; they are hand wash only. The dishwasher will ruin the finish. I always hand wash the bowl as well.

 

[bdcp]

You are not supposed to put the KitchenAid beaters in the dishwasher; they are hand wash only. The dishwasher will ruin the finish. I always hand wash the bowl as well.

I always put my beaters and bowl in the dishwasher. I've had my KA mixer for 25 yeas and it looks brand new. My whisk one is stainless steel and the dough hook and other beater are coated. Stainless steel is fine in the dishwasher.

 

[tabby1881]

Thanks for all of the great responses I appreciate your help. I can't wait to get the Kitchen Aid now!

Thanks,
Maureen

 

[pigletto]

For the type of use you are describing you'll be fine with the 4.5 quart and not a pro model. Also, I would invest in the glass bowl that can be purchased separately and then you can put that one in the dishwasher.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I always put my beaters and bowl in the dishwasher. I've had my KA mixer for 25 yeas and it looks brand new. My whisk one is stainless steel and the dough hook and other beater are coated. Stainless steel is fine in the dishwasher.

Maybe such an old model is okay for the dishwasher but if you put a more modern KitchenAid beater in the dishwasher, it will discolor. They are not stainless steel, they are made of burnished aluminum.

 

[wiigirl]

Just wanted to say....I LOVE my Kitchen Aid mixer...

 

[Green-bay]

I also have had a Kitchen Aid forever! Love it and easy to use and clean. Enjoy!

 

[DizMe]

I actually have 2 KA mixers. I love them!!!! One is an old model from the 60s or 70s. It was a basic model. The newer one (1 1/2 years old) is larger and more "heavy duty," but that isn't really true.

The older KA mixers were made much better than the new ones. The new ones are still great but not like the older models, before KA was acquired by Whirlpool in the late '80s. Before that, KA was part of the Hobart company.

I can easily see the difference since my mixers are side-by-side on the counter. The old one is quiet and smooth. There is a whole different feel to it. The new one has a large glass bowl that holds much more than the old 4.5 qt model but it doesn't have the same smooth handling. Handy to have 2 of them, though, as I do a LOT of baking.

You might look around for a vintage one. I also recommend getting the rubber-coated attachment that scrapes the bowl clean and reaches to the bottom of the bowl--saves a lot of time. Unfortunately, it doesn't work as well with the glass bowl as it does with the metal one because the glass bowl is wider, but it works on both the vintage and the new model mixers.

One other advantage to the glass bowl is that you can soften butter in it in the microwave.

 

[Angela72181]

If you have a Kohls near you keep an eye on their prices. At Christmas time I scored a $300 Kitchen Aid Mixer for $140 Best purchase I made. I am not an avid baker / cook / anything BUT I do enjoy making cookies. I blew up several motors in other ones making Molasses Cookies and this sucker is great. I also read not to wash the stuff in the dishwasher as well. I just hand wash it all.

 

[MSSANDRA]

DH "surprised" me with one many years ago and I was not really happy as it was not what I had wanted for Christmas. Well, let me tell you, I have thanked him MANY times over. We use it a lot. Not just baking but I make mashed potato and mashed sweet potato in it all the times. Mine is the lower end, simple non-bowl lift model and just fine for my needs. Everything gets tossed in the dish washer without issue.

 

[Egdisney]

I love my kitchenaid stand mixer. I do not use it too often though. I have a light pink one, I want to trade it in for the raspberry color, lol! I must say when I bake, I don't often take the time to use the stand mixer. That is because I am in LOVE with my kitchenaid hand mixer. It is the best thing ever. EVER!

 

[goodfood4ursoul]

When my parents gave me my Kitchen Aid mixer 17 years ago
I never thought I would do anything but mix bread or cake or cookies.

But in the years since I have made pasta, ground nuts and citron,
ground venison and lean pork and made my own italian sausage (much healthier without all that fat),
I have bought locally grown beef and ground my own beef- no fear of pink slime
I know where my meat comes from.

Do I use it for 'exotic' things like that every week? No.
But am I glad I have the ability to do all those things? Yes

It was great for showing my kids how to make things at home instead of always buying them at the store.

Hey, pasta tastes better made from your own home-grown eggs
And I loved to hear my kids say "Look, Mom- I made it!"

Thanks, Mom & Dad Best Gift EVER

My best advice- get an extra mixing bowl- you'll probably need it

 

[manning]

I also recommend getting the rubber-coated attachment that scrapes the bowl clean and reaches to the bottom of the bowl--saves a lot of time.

I've been looking for one that fits model KSM 50.

 

[sookie]

I've been looking for one that fits model KSM 50.

You can get from the kitchenaid site directly. You can call them with your model number and they will tell you.

 

[tabby1881]

I came home from work today, and I found that my husband had bought the 4.5 quart Classic Kitchen Aid! That was so good of him. This was the mixer I had decided on, but I didn't think I would be able to get it for some time I will have to bake something for him