Trying to find a mixer for the wife

[Adrenaline]

I have been looking online at various sites gathering information. I was now looking for any input from people here who use them or know of someone who does. The ones I am looking at are:

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

All my appliances are black, so I would like it to match.

 

[rasczak]

I thought this was a different type of mixer. Pics of wife?

 

[uclaLabrat]

We have the cheap one (was about $200, got it as a wedding gift). Wife loves it. I fail to see what the more expensive ones offer, unless they're just bigger and you can thus make bigger batches with them.

 

[allisolm]

All my appliances are black, so I would like it to match.

If it is for your wife, how about the color SHE would like? If she's okay with black, fine, but if she just loves another color, then...

 

[jayzds]

Depends what she is going to use it for. For cookies only, either of the first two would be fine. For bread & cookies, the larger one would be better.

 

[Howard]

Go for the Pro series; they are more likely to have the all-metal transmission instead of the transmission with metal gears and plastic (sigh) housing.

YMMV - but a working KA stand mixer is the best mixer to have, except for the Electrolux DLX for bread dough. Also, you will want to buy her a Beater Blade as well.

 

[slayer202]

While I can't check the links, go to hell dynamite data, I'd go with whatever gives you the best warranty and has good reviews. If you get something that most people seem to like, you can't go wrong. Past that, a warranty is all you can really ask for. The things should last for a long time, but just in case something unexpected happens, you won't have to buy a new one after only a year of use.

You could also look for what has the best/cheapest attachments if you plan on buying any.

 

[waffleironhead]

While the 600 series is the better option, be aware that they shipped a bunch with plastic housings awhile back and have been recalling them and replacing the housings with the better metal ones. I'm guessing someone decided to save some bucks by going the cheaper route and the housings couldnt hold up to the added power of the motor.
Things cracked under load(making bread) and now its costing them more to fix the issue.
Anyway, the 600 one should be fine as long as it has the replaced metal housing.

 

[rivan]

Or, you could get almost-the-600 for a little over the 500 price, at Costco.

Having used both designs (the artisan's tilting-away head and the pro's lifting bowls) I prefer the design of the artisan - easier bowl access to scrape down the sides when necessary. Still, I opted for the pro when I bought - partly because I leaned toward the better construction and partly because the pricing was so much better at Costco.
http://detonator.dynamitedata.com/c...co.com/Browse/ProductSet.aspx?Prodid=11590351

 

[mnewsham]

I prefer the artisan to the pro, however both work well. I personally use the artisan when i do my baking.

 

[waggy]

i would take any of them. i been wanting to get one but just can't see shelling out $400.

 

[mnewsham]

i would take any of them. i been wanting to get one but just can't see shelling out $400.

http://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KSM.../dp/B00005UP2K

or

http://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KSM...0174945&sr=1-2

 

[waggy]

hmm t hose aren't bad. I just wonder how much easier it would be with one vx doing everything by hand.

hmm now im in the mood for cookies though. going to make some in a bit so they are fresh for when the kids get home.

 

[flyboy84]

Wife has the artisan, she absolutely loves it. It has an all metal transmission FYI.

 

[mnewsham]

hmm t hose aren't bad. I just wonder how much easier it would be with one vx doing everything by hand.

hmm now im in the mood for cookies though. going to make some in a bit so they are fresh for when the kids get home.

MMMMM coookies

From experience it is a bitch doing it by hand after using a mixer. Once you have one you never want to go back. And there are so many attachments there isnt anything you cant do.

I love using the ice cream attachment...mmmmmm coookies and icecream.

Brb.

 

[bobdole369]

As long as it has the power takeoff (aka attachments) then any of them are very, very good. you can get a cheese grater attachment, a meat slicer, a pasta slicer, a ravioli maker, a hamburger grinder, wood chipper, just about anything you can imagine.

The amount of labor this saves when making pizza is worth it alone. Instead of sweating and bleeding into the dough, you just add ingredients and hit a button.....

 

[Howard]

Wife has the artisan, she absolutely loves it. It has an all metal transmission FYI.

Did you inspect personally?

Nobody seems to know for sure what is going on with these KA mixers.

 

[jayzds]

I had a KA and heard they used plastic. Brought it to a repair shop and they said they don't use plastic (who knows) mine was metal and it did strip using it for bread.

IMO I would not use a KA product for bread if you want it long term with no issues. The bosch is much better/stronger but, they are ugly ass white.

 

[Howard]

I had a KA and heard they used plastic. Brought it to a repair shop and they said they don't use plastic (who knows) mine was metal and it did strip using it for bread.

IMO I would not use a KA product for bread if you want it long term with no issues. The bosch is much better/stronger but, they are ugly ass white.

Nah. If you do lots of bread, you'll want a DLX or better yet, a Hobart.

 

[DaTT]

by "mixer" I thought you meant a swinger party.

 

[Xstatic1]

either #1 or #3.

if she's going to be a regular user of it, go for #3. if not, #1 will be just fine.

 

[nanette1985]

I have the old KitchenAid Classic - got it for a wedding present about a zillion years ago (heck, we've been divorced for 9 years). I've used it constantly for all those years. Still works great, I love it. My daughter received the same one as a housewarming gift about 5 years ago. She loves it also but the motor on hers is noticibly less powerful than mine. Hers isn't as good with bread dough.

One thing I like is that mine is smaller than the Pro or Artisan. Those things are big and heavy. Too much for me to deal with. I don't have room on the counter to leave it out and use it in place.

Best - enjoy!

 

[BabaBooey]

option 3

 

[LikeLinus]

I got a great deal on an Artisan several years back and the thing is built like a tank. Wife and I love it and would highly recommend it. I think I paid $199 for it

 

[JulesMaximus]

Allow me to rephrase my post for the little girls who might be reading this forum.

I ask you good sir, how much use could the average person get out of a mixer that spending a great deal of money on it would make that much of a difference?

Also, if you are planning on giving this as a gift for a special occasion, might I recommend some jewelry or perfume instead?

Thank you kindly for your interest in my response.