so i decided that i am going to use my credit card reward points to FINALLY treat myself to a kitchenaid mixer! i'm trying to decide what model to buy, and was hoping some of you might have some advice.
here are my main thoughts: -i expect that this will be my mixer for the rest of my life, so i don't mind spending more for a better model -i think i prefer the bowl-lift over the bowl-tilt models (ie artisans) -is 575 watts overkill? that is the model with the highest power available. i bake a lot, and tend to do so in large batches, but even so i'm not a professional baker and it's definitely more at $375. (professional 600) -there is a 475 watt model for sale at costco for $250, which seems like a great deal to me...should i just go for it? (costco)
My husband bakes bread a lot and sometimes if he's using wheat flour, it tends to be harder and you can tell that the mixer has to work a bit harder to knead it. (Ours is the Artisan, by the way.) It will rock back and forth a little bit when it does that, but it still does a great job. For most purposes, it does really well and the wheat flour is the only time we've ever seen it straining a little. You'd probably be fine with the Artisan, but you could always err on the safe side by getting the one with more wattage.
HTH! If you have any questions, let me know and I can ask DH, since he's the one that knows more about it.
thanks so much! that does help a lot. i don't think i'd be doing anything harder than bread, so that is a good point of comparison. and lucky you, to have a husband baking fresh bread for you!
i am thinking about red, or maybe silver! i'm so excited about this.
kate, you and i are rewards points buddies! i just requested a gc to williams sonoma so i could finally get my mixer. i decided on the artisan, because while i like to bake, i don't do it really *that* often. i will probably end up using it more for the cooking side of things like mashed potatoes.
I used my points to buy a mixer as well. We got the artisan. While I really like it, I wish I would gave gotten the larger one, especially because I did not have to come out of pocket for it. Do you have room for the larger one? We have limited space so if we did get the bigger one it would not fit in out cupboards. If you have room I would get the larger size, especially if you bake a lot.
erin, that's so funny that you just ordered a gift card! let me know how you like yours.
deuce, that's a good point, becase we definitely have limited space too! it is so ridiculous, we only have one drawer in our kitchen and very little cabinet space...though honestly, i have lusted after this mixer more than i have after any pair of shoes or coat, so i don't mind it sitting out in plain sight so i can ogle it. :)
aurora, you should get one! just think of it this way, it will never go out of style and it's really not much more than a few pairs of nice jeans or shoes...
I have the same one everyone else here has, and love it but I would have gotten a better one if it wasn't a gift. I feel like it could use a little more power, and I really like the bowl drop kind more (the head tilt sometimes gets in the way or smacks into the wall if I have it too close). My Mom has the cheapest model with the bowl drop and I love it. It's perfect.
though honestly, i have lusted after this mixer more than i have after any pair of shoes or coat, so i don't mind it sitting out in plain sight so i can ogle it. :)
We have extremely limited counter space in our kitchen, but we keep the Kitchenaid mixer on the counter anyway, just cuz it's so pretty to look at. We have the red and I it.
I have the Artisian, and it has been very good to me. My parents have the Ultra (which is the step between the classic and the artisian) and have had no problems. They use it much more and are much more rigorous with it, and it has suited them fine. They also got theirs about the time they were hitting the market, and mine is only 2 years old.
Basically, I think you should get whatever model you can afford. My husband had some reason for not wanting the Pro (the bowl on the lever) but I can't for the life of me remember why. I was just agreeable. They are a fantastic product, and I would recommend one to everybody. The damn things sure are heavy though! I hate hoisting that puppy out of storage.
Mine was the cheapest model I think, maybe 250 watts? It was a gift from my mom and it still blows every other mixer I've ever had out of the water. I don't use it just too terribly often though, mostly for the occasional cake and mashed potatos every now and then. I like it a lot though, it if ever quits on me, I may buy a more powerful one but for now, I don't need any more power.
Mine is just like the one above (white) and if I were to buy another one, I'd def. get the muted yellow color.
-- Edited by needsfashionadvice at 18:49, 2006-02-12