Standing Mixer - keep or return? What do you think?

[tvguy]

My wife uses hers often enough that it no longer is put in a cabinet in between uses. It has a place of honor on the counter even though when we remodeled and expanded the kitchen 6 years ago we included an appliance garage cabinet. But we also have 18 feet of counters in a U shape....and that is not counting the length taken up by the sink and oven.
My advice, start using it.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Okay, I have to ask about the mashed potatoes. My family and extended family love my mashed potatoes and I make 10 pounds for Thanksgiving and 10 pounds for Christmas. I mash by hand (quite a workout) because when I’ve tried to use the mixer they end up super gummy. I have the same problem with a hand mixer although not quite as bad. What I am doing wrong?

I never thought about using it for meatballs for shredded meat—great tip—thanks to all those that mentioned it.

You aren't doing anything wrong. Over beating the potatoes breaks down the starch, making the potatoes gummy.

I have a marvelous chocolate chip cookie recipe that makes such a huge batch that a large stand mixer is pretty much required. DD tried it with a "lesser" mixer and the motor had a nervous breakdown.

It really depends on what you're making. If you aren't using the stand mixer, and have no plans to use it, find it a new home.

 

[bethbuchall]

This thread is so interesting to me. I never knew about shredding chicken. I will need to try that, since I hate shredding chicken.

I really like the stand mixer for royal icing, though my hand mixer works very well, too.

I know that kneading dough would be so much easier, but I kind of like kneading by hand.

I've always mixed meatloaf and meatballs by hand, and that doesn't take me that long. I also have always mashed potatoes with a potato masher.

I am thinking that I should put my stand mixer on my counter for the next month or so and see if I do get more use out of it.

 

[QueenIsabella]

This thread is so interesting to me. I never knew about shredding chicken. I will need to try that, since I hate shredding chicken.

I really like the stand mixer for royal icing, though my hand mixer works very well, too.

I know that kneading dough would be so much easier, but I kind of like kneading by hand.

I've always mixed meatloaf and meatballs by hand, and that doesn't take me that long. I also have always mashed potatoes with a potato masher.

I am thinking that I should put my stand mixer on my counter for the next month or so and see if I do get more use out of it.

That would be a good experiment--come back after, and tell us what happened. Although, Christmas cookie baking season might not be a fair test.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I also never thought of shredding meat, but we will try it next time!

 

[disykat]

I wouldn't want one. I still use the hand mixer we got as a wedding gift 30 years ago! I only use it for cakes and frosting (virtually never since the kids left home,) whipped potatoes at Thanksgiving if we are hosting (the rest of the year I hand mash,) pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving, and the rare times I whip cream. Everything else, like cookies and breads, I prefer to mix by hand. I'm not big on extra appliances. I've never had a food processor either. I have a blender and a hand mixer, so between the two they do what I need.

 

[Nora03]

I’ve had my Kitchen Aid mixer for over 20 years. When we were remodeling our kitchen we had a cupboard built with a KA mixer and bread maker in mind. It pulls out and up easily. I don’t bake as much any more, but use it to mix meatballs, meatloaf, hamburgers, doughs, whipping cream, etc. I use the dough hook to mix meats and doughs. I have two bowls and use them for other things, like straining soup. Handy to have a big bowl with a handle. I think it’s my favourite kitchen appliance. I’ve never tried mashing potatoes with it, but still have my old GE hand/stand mixer that I use. I just realized that is over fifty years old as we had our fiftieth anniversary this year. Almost threw it away but realized that it still worked. I’ve bought my adult daughters Kitchen Aid mixers and they both really like them. OP, have you made up your mind yet?

 

[neverlandsky]

Had a hand mixer for decades. Sore up & down I wouldn't use a stand mixer or buy one. Got as a gift. Used the stand mixer once and toss my decades old hand mixer. Use it for cakes, breads, icings, mash taters, pizza dough, cookie dough., grinding down meats, etc. As I've gotten older I look for time saving. Having a KA stand mixer is indeed time saving.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Had a hand mixer for decades. Sore up & down I wouldn't use a stand mixer or buy one. Got as a gift. Used the stand mixer once and toss my decades old hand mixer. Use it for cakes, breads, icings, mash taters, pizza dough, cookie dough., grinding down meats, etc. As I've gotten older I look for time saving. Having a KA stand mixer is indeed time saving.

I love that I can start cleaning up while it’s going. Definitely a time saver.

 

[xjillianpaige]

I have a gorgeous wine colored one that my friend got me as a housewarming gift. I LOVE to bake so I use it for that.

 

[ronandannette]

This thread is so interesting to me. I never knew about shredding chicken. I will need to try that, since I hate shredding chicken.
I really like the stand mixer for royal icing, though my hand mixer works very well, too.
I know that kneading dough would be so much easier, but I kind of like kneading by hand.
I've always mixed meatloaf and meatballs by hand, and that doesn't take me that long. I also have always mashed potatoes with a potato masher.
I am thinking that I should put my stand mixer on my counter for the next month or so and see if I do get more use out of it.

These are very simple manual tasks that I've been doing since I was a kid. I can't imagine going to the fuss of using an appliance. Or maybe I'm missing something - what are you all doing to your meatloaf that needs that kind of action?

 

[mousefan73]

These are very simple manual tasks that I've been doing since I was a kid. I can't imagine going to the fuss of using an appliance. Or maybe I'm missing something - what are you all doing to your meatloaf that needs that kind of action?

Agree ! I think we often over engineer simple tasks. Would never think to use a machine I need to clean to make meatloaf.

 

[hsmamato2]

I also never thought of shredding meat, but we will try it next time!

it changed my life and potatoes always come out fine too, but you have to be careful not to overmix them or they get gummy. I like a hand whisk for small quick things, otherwise I love the Kitchenaid.

 

[hsmamato2]

These are very simple manual tasks that I've been doing since I was a kid. I can't imagine going to the fuss of using an appliance. Or maybe I'm missing something - what are you all doing to your meatloaf that needs that kind of action?

I always hand mixed it too....until I got the mixer. It's much easier to toss into the bowl and set it mixing,add ingredients,and then shape to cook. It allows me to do that while working on other kitchen things too.... it's hard to explain until you start doing it lol. I'm pretty old school in my kitchen,I make almost everything from scratch,I like simple things,few gadgets. This is one of my keepers. I can let it mix cookie batter while I prepare another part of the meal etc. I'm gonna keep an eye out for sales on an extra bowl now lol. It's like having an extra pair of (very strong) arms to help with the cooking and baking.

 

[Travel60]

Best gift my husband ever bought me....better than all the jewelry, cashmere sweaters, etc. Twenty-five years old and still going strong. When kids were home I kept it on the counter and used it constantly...mostly baking but other things, too. I have a fantastic sugar cookie recipe that actually says "mix last cup of flour by hand unless you have a KitchenAid". Other mixers can't do it. Now that kids are gone, I don't bake as much and moved it to basement, but it will come out next week and stay until after Christmas. I tried another mixer at our lake cabin and just this year upgraded to the KitchenAid....we isolated there most of the year and I missed having one.

 

[RUDisney]

I made my meatballs I. It this morning. They are far better mixed than I could do by hand and my hands didn’t get cold in the process.

Thank you for this wonderful tidbit! My sauce Sundays are changed forever.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I made my meatballs I. It this morning. They are far better mixed than I could do by hand and my hands didn’t get cold in the process.

Thank you for this wonderful tidbit! My sauce Sundays are changed forever.

My husband does all the meat around here and he’s ready to try this method!

 

[QueenIsabella]

It would never have occurred to me to do meatloaf/meatballs in the Kitchenaid. I will definitely try it!

 

[Feralpeg]

I love my Kitchenaid standing mixer. I've used more times than I can remember for everything from cookies to mashed potatoes. My only issue with it is that it is so heavy. It gets harder and harder for me to lift it.

 

[jo-jo]

I've always mixed meatloaf and meatballs by hand, and that doesn't take me that long. I also have always mashed potatoes with a potato masher.

I do use a hand mixes for mashed potatoes. But for me, I don't understand food processers. For us, to use a knife to cut a few things is much easier than cleaning up a machine. I never thought to use a mixer for meatballs.