KitchenAid mixers

meganb1977

I am thinking of adding a stand mixer to my registry because it's the only kitchen appliance I don't have and it might encourage me to have more fun with baking (and recruit fiance for cleanup duty!)  I was looking on Consumer Reports and read some bad things about KitchenAid mixers, that they are not made like they used to be and they have plastic gears that don't hold up.  I am registered at Bed Bath and Beyond and this is the only brand they carry except for a couple of other mixers that were rated even more poorly.  And of course they don't have the Classic model which was recommended.

For my small wedding I'm keeping it all in one place and not registering somewhere else just for the mixer, I'll either forget about it or use cash gifts to purchase one.  But for anyone who has a suggestion of which KitchenAid model from BBB that you've been happy with, input is welcome!

naomikb

I have the Pro model ("Professional 5")- the bowl drops out the bottom instead of the arm swinging up.  It is excellent, and I have heard that the bowl dropping out is a lot more reliable and durable than the arm-swinging one.

(mine doesn't have the plastic shield accessory)



Off the BBB site, it would be one of the $399 Proline or $319 Professional 5 ones:
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=14777504&RN=437&

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=106193&RN=437&

Osterizer

How was this one rated?

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=14620451

Originally. I wanted a KA, then my parents told me this one was more powerful.  I've had it for three years and I love it! I may not have all the fancy attachments like a KA (it has some), but it does the trick.

naomikb

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_kitchenaid-mixers?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:34Discussion:d1fcc5b5-ec40-49ba-a86f-b1e807cd730fPost:0670f1d3-3370-4573-a5a3-302c8c04f954">Re: KitchenAid mixers</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: KitchenAid mixers : The bowl remains in place, while the top lifts up. 
Posted by Osterizer[/QUOTE]

I believe the Cuisinart ones all have an arm that lifts up.  Some of the KA ones the arm lifts up (the Classic models) but in the Professional 5 and Professional 600 lines the arm stays stationary and the bowl drops out of the bottom.

meganb1977

Thanks ladies!  Appreciate all the advice.  CR rated the Cuisinart two points out of 100 lower than the KitchenAid Pro, which is negligible, but the Cuisinart got better user reviews than the KitchenAid on the CR and BBB web sites.  Although the Cuisinart isn't designed for the bowl to drop out like the KitchenAid.  So I guess it's still a toss up which one would be a better investment!

Osterizer

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_kitchenaid-mixers?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:34Discussion:d1fcc5b5-ec40-49ba-a86f-b1e807cd730fPost:8f6e1b9f-be1f-4f36-8c24-142f6c1e1863">Re: KitchenAid mixers</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks ladies!  Appreciate all the advice.  CR rated the Cuisinart two points out of 100 lower than the KitchenAid Pro, which is negligible, but the Cuisinart got better user reviews than the KitchenAid on the CR and BBB web sites.  Although the <strong>Cuisinart isn't designed for the bowl to drop out like the KitchenAid</strong>.  So I guess it's still a toss up which one would be a better investment!
Posted by meganb1977[/QUOTE]

The bowl remains in place, while the top lifts up. 

jessicabessica

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_kitchenaid-mixers?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:34Discussion:d1fcc5b5-ec40-49ba-a86f-b1e807cd730fPost:9f69abe6-fbb5-46fc-9ac6-ce31930dc5a0">Re: KitchenAid mixers</a>:
[QUOTE]How was this one rated? <a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=14620451" rel='nofollow'>http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=14620451</a> Originally. I wanted a KA, then my parents told me this one was more powerful.  I've had it for three years and I love it! I may not have all the fancy attachments like a KA (it has some), but it does the trick.
Posted by Osterizer[/QUOTE]

This is the one we have.  It was top-rated by Cooks Illustrated when we were researching what to register for.  I like it a lot so far. 

krizzo17

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_kitchenaid-mixers?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:34Discussion:d1fcc5b5-ec40-49ba-a86f-b1e807cd730fPost:954eb261-ebbd-4f28-8a91-5caf1068aef6">Re: KitchenAid mixers</a>:
[QUOTE]For what it's worth, I have a KitchenAid mixer, and I DROPPED it, it bounced off of the ceramic tile (breaking the tile) and onto my foot, and it still works. I make cupcakes 3-4 times a month in that baby.
Posted by staceycaine[/QUOTE]

I'm pretty sure they should pay you to use that story for advertising.

gundy21

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_kitchenaid-mixers?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:34Discussion:d1fcc5b5-ec40-49ba-a86f-b1e807cd730fPost:9f69abe6-fbb5-46fc-9ac6-ce31930dc5a0">Re: KitchenAid mixers</a>:
[QUOTE]How was this one rated? <a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=14620451" rel='nofollow'>http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=14620451</a> Originally. I wanted a KA, then my parents told me this one was more powerful.  I've had it for three years and I love it! I may not have all the fancy attachments like a KA (it has some), but it does the trick.
Posted by Osterizer[/QUOTE]

We have that model and LOVE it!  Biger bowl and more power than the KA.  It is noisy, tho.  And that is my only complaint.

staceycaine

For what it's worth, I have a KitchenAid mixer, and I DROPPED it, it bounced off of the ceramic tile (breaking the tile) and onto my foot, and it still works.

I make cupcakes 3-4 times a month in that baby.

staceycaine

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_kitchenaid-mixers?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:34Discussion:d1fcc5b5-ec40-49ba-a86f-b1e807cd730fPost:e4e3cfde-bbb6-4172-ad53-737094b6c991">Re: KitchenAid mixers</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: KitchenAid mixers : I'm pretty sure they should pay you to use that story for advertising.
Posted by krizzo17[/QUOTE]

I'd be cool with that.

chickenbut143

I just zapped my cuisineart's motor.  My FI bought the mixer a long time ago and has never really used it...the first time i do - i break it.  I accidentally got a spoon stuck (yeah - duh me) and there was a pop and a horrible smell.  It's done.  I'm not sure what model it was...b/c it's in the trash.

misstomrstodr

If you're super concerned, you could use some of the money you get from your wedding (or as just as side purchase), get a warranty for your mixer so if anything happens, you can get it replaced in full. www.squaretrade.com has amazing warranties that are really no nonsense, real simple and actually pretty affordable considering. And personally, my mother has had a kitchenaid 5 qt artisan for years and years, uses it for all of the holidays and birthdays...and I've just always loved it to pieces. We live next door to each other so I want the Kitchenaid so we can bake together and she wants me to get it so she can use my attachments lol

jlawranc

Breville has an amazing blender, plus it comes with a scraper attachment you don't have to stop and scrape the edges or bottom of the bowl.  Also has great wattage and comes with the sheild.  I have one, and I love it.  It is a lot less quiet than the KitchenAid one my friend has, I have never used the cuisinart one so can't compare to that.

http://www.breville.ca/food-preparation/stand-mixer.html is the link, I have seen them at BBB before.

tiffanydibona

whichever one you choose, make sure it can hold enough volume. I make big, new york cheesecakes often, and thank got for KA's huge bowl!

jgonder

i had the smaller version of this- but have registered for the pro600. it is the largest quart bowl. It does have a lever that allows the bowl to move vertically instead of tilting the head, like with the smaller versions. I have burned out my smaller version from years of baking, canning, and just cooking in general. It was also my mom's first. It is a big appliance- if you dont have room to store it, or want it on the counter daily bc you'll be using it- go with the smaller one.
I love the pasta attachments. Also, kitchenaid has warranties on the motor. and its longer then cuisnart is-last i checked anyhow.