I hear lots of folks raving about how much they love their Stand Mixer, and I'm trying to decide if I should register for one. I do like to cook but I don't bake (especially large batches) all that frequently- it is just me and FI, it's not like we can eat 9 dozen cookies (or whatever KitchenAid says you can make with it on their website!)
What do you love to do with your Stand Mixer, that you couldn't do with a hand held? Thanks!
Re: Stand Mixer
I haven't used mine yet, but one thing I can tell you is that a good stand mixer should last you for many years. Even if you don't bake very much, it will come in handy whenever you do. We registered for one, but no one bought it. I ended up buying one a few months ago for dirt cheap through a combination of sale + discount for having a store CC + a MIR.
It would be handy if you like to bake large batches of cookies for the holidays, or for bake sales or birthday parties if/when you have kids.
We registered for one. No one bought it. We haven't missed it yet.
I don't bake anymore, as DH doesn't like sweets. When we make things like mashed potatoes, it's convenient enough to just use a hand-mixer.
If you do bake or make bread, I could see it as an awesome thing to have.
Mashed potatoes
shredded meat (pork, chicken, etc)
whipped cream
those are the only non-baking ones I can think of.
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We didn't even register for one and I still have not even thought once of when I would need a $250+ mixer. If I'm making large batches of cookies or breads, I just use my hands or a whisk or potato masher to mix everything. Never had a problem.
Websites/blogs where our wedding has been featured:
http://www.dapperq.com/2013/11/a-very-dapper-wedding/
http://www.onabicyclebuiltfortwo.com/2013/10/wedding-christina-g.html
http://4realequalityweddings.com/2014/05/16/g-christina/
Stand mixers are great to have! I actually have a kitchen aid hand me down from my Aunt. She bought it for her boys when they were born to do cookies and stuff. Her oldest is now 26 and the mixer is still in amazing condition. The thing is a beast and just wont quit.
I use it probably at least 3 times a week. My favorite I recently discovered is shredding chicken. I'll throw chicken in and a couple minutes later have perfectly shredded chicken. The shredding meat trick has changed our work nights dinners! I've also used attachments to shredd cheese/veggies and grind meat donated from hunter friends, I've made bread, and of course baked with it. Downside mine takes up counter space I would like to have, but that's because I don't have pantry space for it.
If anyone is looking to buy one, a few friends have gotten there's pretty cheap at Kohls. Using store coupons plus cash back around black friday deals they've gotten some great deals.