topic Re: Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I need help! in Kitchen

Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I need help!

ChouChou — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 22:27:13 GMT

I rarely post but I do read the Kitchen board regularly. I need to get a Kitchen Aid stand mixer for my daughter for Christmas. She loves to bake and has been wanting one for ages. I know that there is usually a TSV for KA before Christmas.

I don't know Kitchen Aid from Band Aid and I need some help picking out her gift. She doesn't know that she's getting it and I want to make sure that I get something that's got all the attachments that she would need. I see some of them that are 300w, 325w, 525w, tilt top, lift top, with attachments, without attachments, etc. My head is spinning!

I like the suggestions that I have seen you folks make and you helped me out about a year ago when I bought an Instant Pot. Thanks in advance. You guys are great!

Re: Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I need help!

KYToby — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 22:33:40 GMT

Just my two cents here:

I have several KA stand mixers, and i think ultimately it will come down to how she uses it. If she makes single batches of cookies or a loaf of bread at a time, then any of the mixers would work. If she is going to make double batches, then a larger, more powerful model would be better.

Many peope prefer the tilting head mixers because they can be raised to easily add ingredients. The bowl lift models make adding ingredients a bit more difficult, but you need the bowl-lift if you want a larger capacity (to make double batches of dough, for instance).

All mixers will ome with a dough hook, paddle, and whisk, so you are good there. I, personally, do not like the models with glass bowls because they are heavier (particularly when loaded with dough) and expensive to replace if broken.

Re: Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I need help!

rplas64 — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 22:38:17 GMT

I bought mine from Qvc a little under 2 yrs ago. It's the 325 W 5qt. I see they still have it but most colors are sold out. I'm sure they'll get more in though. It's K41486, take a look at the video and see what you think. I bought the Plumberry one and it's beautiful.

Re: Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I need help!

GSPgirl — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 22:45:08 GMT

I love the look of the mini Kitchenaid mixer. Go to you tube and you can see them side be side and a video of the new one. I like the idea that it fits better under cupboards. I bought my mixer years ago at BBB and had a 20% coupon. I wish I had the neck that moves up and down, though.

Re: Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I need help!

jaxs mom — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 22:59:30 GMT

There are tons of attachments that are sold separately. Without you saying what kind of cooking and baking she does it's hard to recommend attachments. Will she use the meat grinder? Grain mill? Vegetable spiralizer? Is she planning on doing large batches of whole wheat bread? Or just run of the mill average baking like cakes, frosting and cookies? If she's just doing the usual stuff, I'd probably say go with the Artisan tilt head with 325 watts it's fine for average baking and it's compatible with the widest variety of bowls from the little 3 qt up to the 5 qt .

All the actual attachments fit on all the mixers. So that isn't an issue.

Re: Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I need help!

Kachina624 — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 23:12:49 GMT

I've made double batches of cookies my whole adult life (long time) using a small GE hand mixer I got as a wedding gift in 1964. It's still going strong. I've never had a stand mixer.

Re: Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I need help!

SharkE — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 23:24:37 GMT

Re: Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I need help!

PamelaSue72 — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 23:30:34 GMT

I have two mixers. I use the smaller tilt-head (Baby Blue) for a batch of cookies or throwing together a cake. I use my large lift-bowl (Big Red) for kneading yeast breads and for when I make pasta and noodles. Why, yes, my mixers have names! *smile* And they both have their places on the kitchen counter....I never put either one away.

So I agree with the others that knowing what she'll be using the mixer for will help you make a good decision. Good luck! Your daughter is a very, very lucky baker!

Re: Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I need help!

SharkE — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 23:32:47 GMT

K43826

K301216

I'd go with either of these. One, is on easy pay. Bigger motor I got the smaller one in pink. Pretty good, just like my Cuisinart better. LOL

Re: Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I need help!

chickenbutt — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 23:36:50 GMT

Kachina624 wrote:
I've made double batches of cookies my whole adult life (long time) using a small GE hand mixer I got as a wedding gift in 1964. It's still going strong. I've never had a stand mixer.

Same here, except for the brand. I've never had a need for a stand mixer.

If I were going to purchase a stand mixer and I wanted the KA brand, I'd have to go back in time and buy one from some 10+ years ago, before they were sold out and started making them more cheaply.

Otherwise, I'd go for Bosch or Viking - something that is built more integrously, like KA used to be.

Re: Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I need help!

Brooklynny — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 23:46:56 GMT

@rplas64 wrote:
I bought mine from Qvc a little under 2 yrs ago. It's the 325 W 5qt. I see they still have it but most colors are sold out. I'm sure they'll get more in though. It's K41486, take a look at the video and see what you think. I bought the Plumberry one and it's beautiful.

I purchased this model, too, when it was the TSV about four years ago, and it fits perfectly on my counter under the kitchen cabinets. Keep in mind that the more powerful machines, e.g., the "professional" models, are taller. The professional model wouldn't fit under my cabinets.

Re: Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I need help!

bowlicious — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 00:32:06 GMT

I have had my kitchen aid mixer about 40 yrs. It is a 250 watt mixer. I am not an advid baker but have used it quite a bit over the yrs. I would recomend a lift mixer and a metal bowl so that you don't break it.

Re: Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I need help!

SharkE — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 01:26:08 GMT

Yeah, I like stainless steel mixer bowls, mixing bowls, kitchen sinks, don't stain, dishwasher safe, can't break them. Practical, that's me.

Re: Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I need help!

Sooner — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 01:42:48 GMT

I have had the tilt head model and the bowl lift. If you bake larger batches of bread and cookies and such you can't beat the bigger lift-bowl models. They are far superior for this kind of thing. We use the grinder attachment a lot too. The shredder is worthless.

PLEASE ask her what she wants. It is an expensive investment in a big kithen appliance and she will have it for years and use it often. ASK her what kind she wants, what size, and please what color! It is too important a buy to go for a surprise rather than get what she really wants.

I guarantee she will be excited for a long time! Give it to her in advance so she can bake her Christmas goodies, then "surprise" her with a new attachment and some kitchen towels and tools in her KA color! What a great gift!!! My mom got me a blue tilt head for a housewarming gift in 1991. I was SOOOOOOOO happy!!!

Re: Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I need help!

ChouChou — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 01:45:33 GMT

Thank all of you so much. I have looked at your suggestions. They have given me some guidance as to which way to go. I know that my daughter bakes lots of cookies and cakes for Little League, Girl Scouts, etc. I'm not sure if she bakes bread. She lives out of state. I'll have to ask a few well placed and subtle questions.

Again, thank all of you. Your advice is much appreciated. I will continue to check in here for a couple of days and I'll let you know what I decide.

Re: Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I need help!

Imadickens — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 01:52:47 GMT

I would go for the most powerful mixer that comes with the most attachments ! What is she going to use it for? That's where you should start as far as attachments. The one thing I would never go without is the splatter guard! The basic attachments that most mixers come with are good enough for me and my needs. I bake cookies and cakes mostly. Mine also came with a dough hook, but I haven't used it yet. If you think she'd need others, they can be added for a later gift! The tilt or lift top only matters if you know where she plans to keep it. If she will leave it on the counter and use it frequently, then the tilt top is probably better for her. I have the lift top and I have to pull it out from under my cabinets in order to change beaters.

Re: Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I need help!

Sooner — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 02:15:18 GMT

The spiral dough hooks are wonderful! I know the bigger mixers use them, but I don't know about the smaller ones. They are super because the dough doesn't climb up the hook and the kneading action is better too.

A splatter guard? I have one I use every time I use my mixer! ME!!!!!

Re: Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I need help!

SharkE — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 02:31:09 GMT

Tell her to read directions in the use and care book.

If not set right at the factory she may have to turn the big screw underneath the motor head to raise or lower the beaters. Seems like I have to do that whenever I use a different size bowl or different beater.

Mine arrived from Q broken I had to send back to Kitchen Aid they went ahead and sent me a new one and return postage label for the one that was defective. I just had to wait longer.

I wish Cuisinart would come out with a small bowl. They're made better then Kitchen Aid. Quality, has went down thru the yrs. but, then, so has everything.

Re: Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I need help!

Nataliesgramma — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 09:49:03 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
I have had the tilt head model and the bowl lift. If you bake larger batches of bread and cookies and such you can't beat the bigger lift-bowl models. They are far superior for this kind of thing. We use the grinder attachment a lot too. The shredder is worthless.

PLEASE ask her what she wants. It is an expensive investment in a big kithen appliance and she will have it for years and use it often. ASK her what kind she wants, what size, and please what color! It is too important a buy to go for a surprise rather than get what she really wants.

I guarantee she will be excited for a long time! Give it to her in advance so she can bake her Christmas goodies, then "surprise" her with a new attachment and some kitchen towels and tools in her KA color! What a great gift!!! My mom got me a blue tilt head for a housewarming gift in 1991. I was SOOOOOOOO happy!!!

I agree!

Re: Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I need help!

ID2 — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 10:10:21 GMT

Just go to your local B,B&B. I got my latest KitchenAid mixer there just a few months ago. I wanted the aqua color, had to order it but it was at my doorstep in a few days. I was able to use my 20% off coupons for everything I bought! Can't beat it!