Kitchenaid stand mixers

[HunnyPots]

After burning out the motors on so many hand mixers over the years, I've decided it's time to invest in a stand mixer. I'm interested in the Kitchenaid line and debating between the Artisan series and the Professional.

For those of you that have either one of these, I'd love to hear your opinions. I do a lot of baking and need to be able to mix bread dough and double batches of cookie dough.

Also, would you ever consider buying a factory refurbished model, if the price were really good?

Thanks!

 

[welovemickey]

I have the Artisian and absolutely love it!

 

[HunnyPots]

Thanks for the reply!

So, does the Artisan seem powerful enough for kneeding bread dough and mixing large batches of stiff cookie dough?

BTW, what color do you have? I really want red, with black as a second choice. I know color doesn't have anything to do with whether or not it does the job, but a red one sure would look great on my counter!

 

[ellyn2000]

I have the professional stand mixer and love it. I have most all of the Kitchenaid countertop appliances. I got a very good deal on QVC.com. They also have the professional hand mixer which I didn't think I would use as much as I do. I purchased a very nice, large stainless mixing bowl @WalMart and store the hand mixer in the bowl to pull out and use whenever needed. All of mine are cobalt blue with the exception of my blender (white) I believe my blender was factory refurbished (E-Bay) but no problems in several years of use. I'm sure you'll be happy with any Kitchenaid item you decide on.

 

[Twigs]

I have had a Kitchenaid mixer for a numberof years now and love it. It is from their heavy duty series which I do not think they have anymore. It's motor wattage is 325 which is the same as the artisan series, the professional series is 450 watts. I have not made bread dough with it, but I do mix some very stiff pastry and cookie doughs with it and it handles it well. Mine also has the bowl lift feature which I am very happy with too.

 

[HunnyPots]

Thanks for all the replies so far!

I would love the extra power of the pro series but I think I am leaning toward the Artisan because it would actually fit on my counter.

I noticed that all of the refurbished Professional models listed on Ebay have a 350 watt motor when all of the ones I've seen from retailers have a 450. I wonder what is up with that.

Decisions, decisions...

 

[QuiltTeddy]

Mine is 23 years old and still works like new. Love it. Best investment ever made! Go for it!

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

KitcheAid makes the BEST stand mixers in my opinion.

For the first MANY years of my marriage I had my grandmother's which had to be well over 25 years old when it finally gave up. It has been replaced with the KitchenAid Professional model. I've had it for 5 years (probably more actually) now and love it.

Deb

 

[Kapp]

thought I was crazy when I bought our KitchenAid a few years ago until she used it to make cookies. Since than, she totally LOVES it! It does make short work of any mixing. Since than, both of my sisters and my mother have all bought KitchenAids. Accept no substitutes!

Good luck!

Kapp

 

[bananiem]

I've had my KitchenAid stand mixer for about 14 years and LOVE it!!! I rarely use my hand mixer because I love my stand mixer so much. My sister had a stand mixer that used to smoke when she tried to mash potatoes with it! My KitchenAid can handle ANYTHING.
I have the slicer/grater that you hook onto the front too. I love that when I have lots of grating to do.
Having just moved into a new house and having red walls in my kitchen I would love the red too. But if you're going to keep it on the counter beware that these things last a LONG time and make sure you're always going to want a red one on the counter. Unless, of course, if you plan to sell it and get a new one when your decor changes.

 

[mtblujeans]

I got a Professional 6 (which is a 525w, I believe), in white, last month. They were closing them out at Herbergers so I got a deal I could not pass up and I had been watching them for awhile. I want to make bread with mine but I have not had the time to try it yet. I have used it to make cookies and other goodies and I can tell the difference in power from my old one!!

I had a Sunbeam stand mixer for the last 15 years. It was a 325w and had bread hooks but it was not powerful enough to make bread as I have tried several times over the years.

 

[yummy72]

I have a KA stand mixer, which I love, and I've had for 10 years. It gets lot of use. The store where I work just started carrying Viking mixers (Like the stove!) and they are really nice. The have an 800 watt model (retail $399) and a 1,000 watt model (retail $499) the have a place in the front for attachment,s come with stainless steel whisk, dough hook and paddles and there is a place on the top of the mixer for an optional blender attachment. Of course I have no need for this b/c my KA does just fine, but boy these new shiny mixers sure have caught my eye. I think you'll be happy with either. My mom finally got a KA last year (after 45 yrs of marriage and numerous inexpensive mixers) and swears it is the best money she ever spent.

Good Luck!

 

[TwingleMum]

I have a cobalt blue Pro KA with the bowl lift. I really like it but my Mom has the KA that the top lifts and sometimes it does seem that its a little easier to add ingredients.

 

[mtblujeans]

Originally posted by yummy72
I have a KA stand mixer, which I love, and I've had for 10 years. It gets lot of use. The store where I work just started carrying Viking mixers (Like the stove!) and they are really nice. The have an 800 watt model (retail $399) and a 1,000 watt model (retail $499) the have a place in the front for attachment,s come with stainless steel whisk, dough hook and paddles and there is a place on the top of the mixer for an optional blender attachment......

Sheesh...that sounds like they would power a boat through water.....!!

 

[yummy72]

"Sheesh...that sounds like they would power a boat through water.....!! "


I know, I always joke to the buyers they could mix concrete if they wanted to.

 

[pattyT]

WOW -
I have looked a them - and know that I currently have NO counter space for one - but in a year and a half when my new house id done after reading all these rave reviews it sounds like a MUST HAVE

---and I want the red too - lol