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

[Selket]

I bought a 4.5 cup Kitchenaid standing mixer on sale at Target and it's still in the box. I've never had one or used one in my life (and I'm not young!). It looks cool and I see people using them on cooking shows. I like baking but I don't do tons of baking - I like making cookies, muffins, cake, etc. I have a bread maker that I still use sometimes and it works great. I can't tell if I take it out of the box will I start using it and fall in love and become a buttercream French chef extraordinarie or will it just set on the counter - haha! I've tried googling recipes to make with it but I guess mostly people just use it for the recipes they already have... as in not necessarily specially made recipes for stand mixers.

I sort of wish someone would talk me into keeping it but mostly I don't want to keep it and then find I never really use it. Thoughts?

 

[RUDisney]

I use mine for mashing potatoes and for making cookies and cakes. It gets its most use at Christmas time when I make at least 15 different types of cookies to give away.

I love mine and my DD uses it a lot, too, since she's home from her MBA studies that are now done in her bedroom.

I bought the pasta roller last Christmas so I can easily role pasta dough for ravioli and pierogis.

The key for me is that I have 4 bowls for mine, so when I'm in deep into cookie mode, I don't have to stop to wash the same bowl over and over.

You know yourself better than anyone. How much do you wish that you didn't have to use a hand mixer whenever you are baking? I used to curse mine all the time and it hasn't seen the light of day since I got my stand mixer around 20-25 years ago.

 

[antmaril]

Well, all I can say is that my late husband bought me a Kitchen Aid stand mixer for my birthday about 15 years ago and it has not been used - ever. I was like you. I watch the cooking shows and it seemed like I should have one. And, it looked cool on the counter. Did I mention it has NEVER been used? .

 

[1GoldenSun]

I love mine. While it can sometimes go for quite a while without being used, it's taken out enough for holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions to make it worth having. I keep mine on a shelf in the laundry room with other small appliances that aren't used on a regular basis so it doesn't take up counter space.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Do you mean 4.5 quart?

I use mine all the time. I've had it for 11 years. I like to make cream cheese spreads, dips, cakes, cookies, brownies, frosting, or just about anything that you need to stir/mix.

 

[Lumpy1106]

We have one and use it all the time - we got it as a wedding gift almost 25 years ago. Could we get by with a simple hand mixer? Probably - but we have the Kitchenaid, might as well use it.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I use mine for mashing potatoes and for making cookies and cakes. It gets its most use at Christmas time when I make at least 15 different types of cookies to give away.

I love mine and my DD uses it a lot, too, since she's home from her MBA studies that are now done in her bedroom.

I bought the pasta roller last Christmas so I can easily role pasta dough for ravioli and pierogis.

The key for me is that I have 4 bowls for mine, so when I'm in deep into cookie mode, I don't have to stop to wash the same bowl over and over.

You know yourself better than anyone. How much do you wish that you didn't have to use a hand mixer whenever you are baking? I used to curse mine all the time and it hasn't seen the light of day since I got my stand mixer around 20-25 years ago.

Oh extra bowls is a brilliant idea!!

To the OP, we use ours all the time! Cookies, cakes, muffins, breads, etc

 

[jo-jo]

I've had mine for about 30 odd years. Use it 50% of the time in Dec, and then here and there though out the year. But only for cookies, muffins, etc. Never got into any sort of fancy cooking.

Funny how over the years, the thing gets heavier and heavier. Soon it will have to live on top of the island and not it in anymore.

 

[Meriweather]

I wasn't sure at first either.....took the first one back.
Then a while later, I bought another one......and love it.
I use it for lots of things and now the grand kids are starting to bake, they use it too.
I've had it for about 20 years now......and it still works great.
DD has one, DIL has one

 

[NYCgrrl]

Mostly I use mine during the holidays and keep it boxed the rest of the time. My counter space is limited so I need to keep it religiously uncluttered.It’s great for heavier doughs such as cookies and rolls but still use the hand mixer for lighter stuff like cake batters. I’ll admit buying it because it looked “cute” in a serious cooking kind of way and was essentially free as I used AMEX points. Using it as a pasta maker could be a good thing except I already have a hand operated model; same for sausage making.

What color did you get? The red one was calling my name

 

[Micca]

It's going to be a long, boring winter. I'd hang on to it

 

[NannyBeBe]

A stand mixer is one of those things that you may not use much but you are glad you have it when you need it. Mine gets a workout on holidays and when my family asks for chocolate chip cookies.

 

[wilbret]

I bought one for my wife 12-15 years ago, because she wanted one. She loved to bake.
Well, I can honestly say it mostly is good at collecting dust. She has used it less than 5 times. Having kids changed the speed of things, but I think the speed of things has changed overall.

SO.... if you find yourself needing a mixer now, then keep it. If you think you "will start" needing a mixer, then get rid of it. Just my opinion.

 

[_19disnA]

If you do any kind of baking, a good stand mixer like the Kitchen-Aid is great for that purpose. Since the OP mentioned they do bake, I have to assume they either mix recipes by hand or perhaps have a portable mixer. If you make any kind of yeast bread recipes, the stand mixer does a far better job kneading the dough then any bread machine I have ever used.

 

[North of Mouse]

I bought a 4.5 cup Kitchenaid standing mixer on sale at Target and it's still in the box. I've never had one or used one in my life (and I'm not young!). It looks cool and I see people using them on cooking shows. I like baking but I don't do tons of baking - I like making cookies, muffins, cake, etc. I have a bread maker that I still use sometimes and it works great. I can't tell if I take it out of the box will I start using it and fall in love and become a buttercream French chef extraordinarie or will it just set on the counter - haha! I've tried googling recipes to make with it but I guess mostly people just use it for the recipes they already have... as in not necessarily specially made recipes for stand mixers.

I sort of wish someone would talk me into keeping it but mostly I don't want to keep it and then find I never really use it. Thoughts?

I can sort of relate to how you feel. I just purchased a Kitchenaid stand mixer last fall and have rarely used it, but, I'm still happy to have it for mixing stiff doughs or drop cookies. I use my Kitchenaid hand mixer for most other quick things as I find it more convenient. I will only mix my mashed potatoes with hand masher as I don't like the texture of the potatoes the mixer makes.

I do have a bread machine, but prefer mixing my doughs with mixer. Good luck with your choice - only you can make that decision, but I am very happy to have mine.

I will add that I use the mixer for my meat grinder which i love (not a Kitchenaid attachment - went with a metal one that is compatible, but much stronger)

@NYCgrrl, the red called my name also and looks beautiful on my counter top!!

 

[mikehn]

I have a pretty handsome clone I got off Amazon for a fraction of the price. It mostly sits on the shelf and its a fraction of my bar tab, so I have no remorse at all.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

I use mine to make bread, basic baking (cookies, cakes, etc). Also, I use it to make the ice cream base or a creme brulee (much easier to slowly add the hot liquid when you aren't worried about stirring at the same time, lol). Marshmallows are fun to make with it too.

I also have a hand mixer, that I use when I am doing a box cake or brownie mix. It is very powerful, even on the lowest speed, it acts like the 'speed boost' button is on; has been that way since I got it 15 years ago. When it dies, I'm going to be so sad.

 

[easyas123]

I'll chime in and say if you have the space - be it counter or pantry or cabinet - keep it. I received one of the nice big kitchen aid stand mixers as a wedding gift from my aunts in 1993. I doubt I've used it more than 10 times in all those years (my husband uses it once or twice a year to make sausage) but I've always had a good place to stow it and I'm very glad to have it when I do need it!

 

[RamblingMad]

I use it once a week.

 

[tobikaye]

The question should be how much do you use a hand mixer? If you use one frequent enough, then it might be worth keeping the stand mixer. If you rarely use the hand mixer, less than 12-15 times a year, it might not be worth it. We do a lot of holiday cooking and baking that makes it worth it for us along with about once or twice per month.