Help me shop for a Kitchenaid

[halo]

Im looking to get a Kitchenaid mixer, and Ive checked Walmart. They have 2 of them priced identical, but I cant find much difference in them, other than it looks like ones dimensions are a lot bigger than the other. What do you think??

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3215#ProductDetail

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2636043#ProductDetail

 

[Schultz]

Hi Halo!,
i hope someone here can help because what I am going to say may not be the opinion of others. I inherited my granny's mixer that she bought new in 1964. I wouldn't trade it for anything, if it goes out and cannot be repaired, I will buy another old mixer. I have looked and you can find some really good ones with attachments and bowls. My mom bought one at a yard sale for $35.00 several years ago and she uses it constantly; I have had my inherited one for about 15 years and have never had a problem. Ok, so that's my opinion. I wish you luck with whatever your decision is, I am sure you will love your new mixer!

 

[turtleblossom]

I can't see much difference, but I say get the bigger one. What you are really paying for is a big motor. You can get all kinds of attachments to plug into that motor, like an ice cream maker, sausage stuffer, pasta maker and more. I got mine several years ago, and it has been a workhorse for me.

 

[Stumpy]

I've had my Kitchenaid for about 15 years.

First, I would never get the small ones you've shown, the 4.5 quart models. I have a 5-quart -- I don't think the 6-quart existed back then, but I would certainly go for the larger one if I were buying now. I can barely fit a chocolate chip dough recipe in mine. I'd also buy the largest wattage I could afford for more power. Think of it as an investment.

I prefer the bowl-lowering models instead of the tilt-backs you've shown. This is a matter of personal preference; you may have already decided you don't like the bowl-lowering feature.

Also, I've spent some time over at the Kitchenaid forum, so I'd strongly recommend going over there and learning what you can. Don't buy the Artisan model! They may have fixed the problems now, but there are many lemon/nightmare stories about that model. I believe the Kitchenaid company was taken over by Whirlpool at some point and started making low-quality machines, but I've heard that's been remedied now.

 

[halo]

It seems like both have the same size motor, tho.

 

[DuckLady]

Here is a thread that may help you!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=132752

Or you can do a search for kitchenaid in the Recipe section and have a lot of hits.

 

[halo]

Thanks for the great ideas...Ive got a lot of reading to do!

 

[The Chicken Lady]

I still haven't bought mine (because we ended up buying a house instead -- w00t!), but I'm probably going to get one as an early Christmas present this fall for all my holiday baking.

DH was like, "Why do you need a big mixer? You have a hand mixer that works fine."

Then I invited him to make chocolate chip cookies with it one day. You should have heard the hand mixer whine and groan...there was the slight smell of motor overheating. His comment? "This hand mixer sucks!"

I said, "Yeah, so that's why I keep saying I need a Kitchenaid."

 

[DuckLady]

Quote:

I have a KA pro 600 I LOVE it.
I just got an ice cream maker attachment and am eyeballing a pasta attachment.

 

[saddina]

The 5 qt model is prime for what I do, does biscotti and bread dough with no fussing, and gets used weekly; I don't bake much in 100 degree summers.