Which KitchenAid stand mixer do you have?

[Anna]

Do you love it, hate it, can't live without it? How much was it?

I would like one, mixing the meatloaf, meatballs, cookies (it's that time of year!) smashed potatoes, etc. is getting to be quite a workout for my arm. These are supposed to be the best, but what do I need? And what attachments? Is it worth the investment?

TIA!

[Lesley]

I got mine at a garage sale.....20+ years ago... for $5. It's in my appliance garage....and I don't think I've used it since Molly was born. I used to bake A LOT. But I just don't have time anymore AND we don't have family gatherings anymore so there's no point. It just has 2 bowls and beaters, no attachments.

[Sue]

Anna a lot of people talked about their Kitchenaid mixers on this recent thread, so you'll probably find some good information there.

That said, I inherited my mom's old Classic - 4.5 qt - when she got a bigger one. I use it all the time - it lives on my counter (which I think has a lot to do with how much you use it) and I do wish I had a bigger one. Mostly because I often make a double batch of stuff and flour whooshes up out of bowl and gets all over. I find myself wondering if the bigger ones have more 'clearance' between the side of the bowl and the beater - both for reaching in to scrape the bowl and for adding ingredients. It can be awkward to empty a smaller bowl of ingredients in to the mixer because there isn't much space. I've thought about getting a pouring shield, but I know a few people who have them and don't like them so I haven't bothered to spend the money on one.

But those are minor complaints. I use it for cookies (I know some don't like it for cookies, but I use the cookie paddle and am quite happy with it), meatloaf, mashed potatoes and kneading bread/pizza dough. I appreciate it the most for the dough. The rest I could do by hand, but it's easier not to. I put the bowl and the beaters in the dishwasher, wipe the stand off and am done. I don't have a cover for it, I use it enough that it doesn't get dusty or anything.

[carseatmom]

If you can swing it, I'd get the professional one. It has a bigger bowl, a bigger motor, and you have the option of getting add on's that can be used on the front. Things like a grader, grinder, peeler, etc...

[ruffages]

Chris got me the professional one for Christmas several years ago and I thought it was too big and exchanged it for the smaller one (Classic) and have always regretted it. I use my classic several times/month. I do NOT use it for cookies because IMO it overmixes them. I use/love it for my cinnamon rolls and pizza dough. I do like it for mixing ground meats...meatloaf, potsticker filling, etc.

My only frustrations with it are 1. size (mine lives in the pantry...fairly easily accessible), it's still a RPIA to get in and out though. 2. not having a shield (which is stupid...I should just go get one but I keep thinking I'm going to eventually get the professional and I've lived without it for so long, I'll just get it when I upgrade)

Carolyn

[Cheryl]

I have the classic and love it. I use it for cookies/brownies/whipped cream, mashed pot. I haven't tried it for meat loaf...I thought the more you mixed it the 'tougher' it got so I always gently did it by hand?? If not, I am so throwing it in the mixer next time. I also use it for batters and cakes and the rare occasion that I make home made bread I mix and knead. Yes, it does have the flour fly up a bit but not enough to bother me. I store it in my pantry on an arm-high shelf so easy to get out and put back.

[Anna]

Thank you Sue for the link, I missed that one entirely.

I have room on the counter since I keep nothing on the counters. So now, to find the best deal possible. Linda, I didn't know that Target sold them! Although for me, pink would not go so well with me. Considering what I do, I am SO pinked out! Love the red and see they have a special edition 90th anniversary one coming out, but $400?!? OMGoodness.

Carolyn, knowing you cook so much, I can't see you with the smaller one. So I have made note to buy the bigger. I do several Christmas Cookie exchanges come December, with at least 14 dozen cookies per event. This would save so much time! I also buy (cheater!) the large boxes of Tollhouse cookie mix, and Hersheys brownies from Sams. Each box has four separate mixes, and this would allow me to double up without destroying my kitchen.

Thanks for the info everyone, now to find a great deal.

[mobetsy]

I have the Artisan, which has a 5 qt. bowl, can take attachments, comes with 3 beaters (regular one, whip, and dough hook) and a pouring shield (which I never use but think I'll try from what folks have said here). It has a tilt head, rather than the Professional's lift type. I got it from Amazon; as I recall, there was some sort of sale, plus the free shipping, and I had gift certificates. It's red, and although that goes with nothing in my house, it makes me happy

[Sue]

Love the red and see they have a special edition 90th anniversary one coming out, but $400?!? OMGoodness.

I think that one has a glass bowl too. And while I love the retro look - I'm sure the glass bowl would get dropped or chipped here. My bowl doesn't have a handle and I really wish it did. Sometimes it's tough to get it off the base. When that happens I spray it with pam.

[Anna]

Love the red and see they have a special edition 90th anniversary one coming out, but $400?!? OMGoodness.

I think that one has a glass bowl too. And while I love the retro look - I'm sure the glass bowl would get dropped or chipped here. My bowl doesn't have a handle and I really wish it did. Sometimes it's tough to get it off the base. When that happens I spray it with pam.

I didn't think about that Sue. Do the bowls come with handles on? I would want that. I love the glass bowl though. I have the regular PC glass mixing bowls and no chips, love them. Also, does the bowl come with a lid? And... how tall are we talking about? The corner I have in mind has a little flat screen TV thingy (DH's addition to the new kitchen ) but it folds up. I have 16.5" clearance there.

I LOVE the red betsy, but it will match nothing. So it's black or stainless or whatever is available and on sale. Which may be red!

[Lora]

I have the classic. My parents gave it to us for Christmas one year.

I thought they got it on one of those super sales at Kohls but my mom things they got it at Fleet Farm. She's not good with her memory though so I don't know about that. I peeked and I don't think they even have them there.

I keep my under the center island so I do have to lift it, but it's not far to go. I don't use it as much as I should because I don't do as much "real" cooking as I should. I do love it for what I use it for. The other stand mixer we got as a wedding present died and never did a good job at really handling much more than cake batter.

Sue, I am interested to read that you use the dishwasher. I thought I read not to, but if it doesn't damage it, MAN I'm going to do that too!!!
Does anyone else run the bowl and beater and spatula through the dishwasher? I stuck a shiny cookie sheet that was small enough to go through and it really ruined the look of the finish - not sure if it's affected the performance so I'd hate to do something to damage it!

[Cheryl]

I run the beater/whisks through but not the bowl. I have 2, one with handle, one without.

[mobetsy]

I always put my stainless steel bowl and beaters through the dishwasher; as far as I can tell, absolutely nothing has happened to them from it. My bowl has a handle; I like that both for getting it on/off the stand and for when I'm pouring from it. I'd be really nervous about a glass bowl, I think...just seems more fragile.

For the Artisan, the white is on sale right now, and maybe other colors as well. White is always in style!

[Lora]

I think a handle would be nice, but I don't think I'd like the glass (other than for looks) because it would be so heavy to pour from.

[Anna]

For the Artisan, the white is on sale right now, and maybe other colors as well. White is always in style!

Apparently I got the red! Guy surprised me. Kind of. He left the Ebay page up.

[Government Cheese]

congrats anna!

I have the artisan and beater, dough hook and whisk, metal bowl with handle and pour shield (also rarely use that).

I use it a lot.

I also use the dishwasher.

I have red to match my KA blender and pots

[mobetsy]

Hooray! And really, the red is just so darn cheerful that it always makes me smile, even though it goes with nothing in my kitchen

[Andrea040805]

red artisan here, too. I have serious lust over the new professional grade copper one though. *Swoon*

enjoy it, Anna!! I LOVVVVEE mine!

[Anna]

Thanks guys. Please tell me I will love it! It was just a thought this morning, and before you know it he bought one. I guess I'm just not *over the moon* happy about it. And I think that is because I always research, investigate, and save for something like this. Shoot, I've been saving for the Kindle since June! Should have thrown *that* thought out there!

I know I sound ridiculous. He did a very sweet thing and I am blessed. I'm just not an impulsive buyer (bags don't count!) and this just has me a little weird. Gosh I hope I love it.

[Lizzie]

Kitchen Aid Classic....made in the U.S.A.
It is white and the bowl is stainless...no dents, lol! Flat beater, whisk and dough hook...we use it for pancakes, cakes, cookies, breads, mashed potatos, dips...
I love mine and it is over 21 years old...always on my counter and used often!