topic Re: KITCHENAID MINI STAND MIXER in Kitchen

KITCHENAID MINI STAND MIXER

eddyandme — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 15:49:41 GMT

I'm thinking of getting a KA stand mixer. I used to have a refurbished stand mixer, purchased from O but it bit the dust and replaced it with a hand mixer. But, I find the hand mixer, bowl, cord awkward and just not coordinated as the KA lady! So, thinking of purchasing a mini - just dumping in cake mix, etc., turning it on and voila! So much easier!

However, will this purchase be worth my while? So, I'm asking if you prefer the stand mixer and opposed to the hand mixer? And, if so, what uses do you get out of it, other than the standard cake/brownie mix?

Thanks for your advice!

Re: KITCHENAID MINI STAND MIXER

ItsME — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 16:00:59 GMT

I've had a kitchen aid stand mixer for probably 30 years. I don't cook or bake much, but I love it for when I need it. When I do bake, I bake from scratch, and wouldn't want to do that with a hand mixer. I also make whipped cream with this. The right tools make any job easier. If you bake a lot, you'll appreciate it. If it's only once or twice a year... and a cake mix, you probably don't need it.

Re: KITCHENAID MINI STAND MIXER

scatcat — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 16:06:09 GMT

What’s a mini? Artisan?

A stand mixer is easier to use on thicker batters - cc cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies etc and recipes that call for adding flour etc slowly (hold bowl, hold handheld mixer, add flour - need 3 hands or stop put down mixer)

If you are only using it for box brownies and box cake mixes, I’d stick with a hand mixer. Much easier to store and much cheaper.

Re: KITCHENAID MINI STAND MIXER

SouthernBee — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 16:12:59 GMT

I always wanted a KA stand mixer. DH purchased one for me and was great for a few years then the band around the mixer while using would pop off and scare me. Had issues with customer service but finally replaced it. We didn’t have anyone locally for appliances service. The ones made during my mother’s lifetime was built with metal parts and not plastic. My replacement mixer leaks a lot of oil out of the back and I have to keep something under it to prevent damage to my counter top. I called KA customer service and advised the oil leak was from not using the mixer and letting it sit. The other day while mixing ingredients- added an egg and it popped out in my face- it had slipped into a higher speed. When this stops working will purchase another brand stand mixer. Just stating what I have dealt with.Southern Bee

Re: KITCHENAID MINI STAND MIXER

CelticCrafter — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 16:23:43 GMT

I have the mini and I use it so much more.

It has a smaller footprint and weighs less.

The standard size took up too much room on the countertop so it had to be stored on a shelf in the pantry and it was heavy. It hardly ever got used, out of sight out of mind. I finally gave it to my daughter when she moved out on her own.

Re: KITCHENAID MINI STAND MIXER

aunt bea — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 16:30:48 GMT

I have both mixers and use them for different things. For a cake or brownie mix I will use the hand mixer. Just used my mini stand mixer for a double batch of lemon blueberry bread and it worked great! Love it for cookie dough and whipped cream.

Used to have the large stand mixer and it took up so much room so I gave it to my nephew. The size of the mini and the small attachments were shocking! I thought they never would work as well as my large mixer but I was wrong. It is just as powerful as my larger mixer and takes up half the space on my counter.

You can find uses for both a hand held and stand mixer. Good luck with your decision.

Re: KITCHENAID MINI STAND MIXER

eddyandme — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 16:32:23 GMT

@SouthernBee

The full size one I owned, which was refurbished, I learned that there was a period of time KA had switched to plastic or something inside - didn't quite understand it - but those models purchased during that period did not hold up at all. I figured that's what I had gotten: mine was fine, then one day it just wouldn't work anymore!

Supposedly they've switched back to the original method. However, nothing nowadays is like years ago.

Re: KITCHENAID MINI STAND MIXER

SharkE — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 16:45:40 GMT

I got the red KA mini from Bed and Bath. Pretty good machine better then the full sized one I ordered and had to send back , twice.

My SMEG rules though, best purchase I ever made. Cuisinart, is great too, but, it's now in hallway cabinet if I ever need 2 full size mixers and a mini I'll be loaded for bear. LOL

Still sometimes break out the hand mixer from Cuisinart used it while ago just to mash potatoes for me since I'm by myself today.

Re: KITCHENAID MINI STAND MIXER

eddyandme — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 16:49:09 GMT

@scatcat wrote:
What’s a mini? Artisan?

A stand mixer is easier to use on thicker batters - cc cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies etc and recipes that call for adding flour etc slowly (hold bowl, hold handheld mixer, add flour - need 3 hands or stop put down mixer)

If you are only using it for box brownies and box cake mixes, I’d stick with a hand mixer. Much easier to store and much cheaper.

@scatcat the Artisan Mini is a 3.5qt version of the regular KA Artisan mixer. It's a smaller footprint and much lighter than the original version.

You sumed up my feelings regarding the handheld - need 3 hands - which discourages me from doing more baking; and with the grocery prices today, I've been tempted to bake more!

Re: KITCHENAID MINI STAND MIXER

eddyandme — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 16:57:06 GMT

Agree, @SharkE , SMEG rules! But, sale on KA site, free shpg and discount applied is you sign up with email address - so tempting as I've been checking Q and other sites for a while but SMEG is expensive but makes a great product.

Re: KITCHENAID MINI STAND MIXER

loriqvc — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 17:00:13 GMT

I have both and use both often. The hand mixer is great for simple recipes like a boxed cake mix or a quick bread with a thick batter (like zucchini bread) or whipped cream, but I rely on the stand mixer for pretty much everything else. There are so many more things you can do with that powerful motor and the hands-off nature of the mixing that I've never regretted my purchase for a moment.

A friend who is not much of a baker was also recently contemplating this decision, and since the one thing she really enjoys baking is multiple batches of Christmas cookies, she ended up going with the regular-size KA Artisan stand mixer. She leaves it in her pantry because it only gets used a few times a year, but she says she can't imagine not having it available.

Other considerations you may want to keep in mind in deciding whether you want a stand mixer: Do you have the space for it? Do you think you'd use any of the attachments for specialty cooking/baking? Are you planning to make doughs or breads on a fairly regular basis? (If this last one is a "yes," you definitely want a stand mixer.)

Good luck!

Re: KITCHENAID MINI STAND MIXER

CAcableGirl2 — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 17:03:04 GMT

@eddyandme I have both and the stand mixer is invaluable when baking large quantities. It is very heavy and I store it in a cabinet, so if you aren't going to leave it on the counter, it can be heavy to lift and move.

If you are interested in getting one, check out Best Buy today - I see that they have some as low as $199 and some others are $200 off the price. Many colors.

I got mine many years ago from Mervyn's and wasn't sure if I would use, but I've had it for probably 30 years now, I use it pretty frequently, and it looks and works like it's brand new.

I did get the extra attachment that shreds - it works really well and if you need to shred carrots or cheese, it's a must have.

Re: KITCHENAID MINI STAND MIXER

SharkE — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 17:07:21 GMT

When HSN has them like I told folks few wks or month ago they had the SMEG for 299, free shp, lot cheaper then what I paid for mine.

445.00 Now HSN has them back up to 459, plus shp and tax but, I got mine in color I wanted , 2 day wait 445 total.

All these deals at HSN are for one day only and you have to be Johnny on the spot to catch 'em and usually come at a bad time.

I just get it when I can swing it and pay more. LOL I like to order more from the smaller retailers they take better care of their inventory. I ordered my SMEG from Everythingkitchens. Free shp, no tax to Texas and I had some reward points saved up to apply. Their shipping is beyond spectacular !

You order, say, on Monday and it's yours by Wed. that's what I'm talking about. LOL

Re: KITCHENAID MINI STAND MIXER

shortbreadlover — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 17:35:47 GMT

any thing kitchenaide is now a piece of worthless junk. i have had two kitchenaide fridges that last less then 4 years conbined.

i have a stand mixer that i have had repaired three times. if it were me, i would go with anolther brand or find a good old used one from the 50'ws or 60's.

a driend goes to estate sales weekly and he told me that they go for about $30.00 with all the attachements.

Re: KITCHENAID MINI STAND MIXER

eddyandme — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 18:11:05 GMT

@CAcableGirl2 - thanx. I got the mini which is much lighter. WS.Walmart, and KA are selling certain colors for 219 w/20%disc). KA had the largest additional discount so got it there.

The shredder attachment sounds great - will eventually check into accessories. Thanx!

Re: KITCHENAID MINI STAND MIXER

eddyandme — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 18:15:23 GMT

@shark -

I saw your post a day late! The KA I just ordered was 210 w/tax - liked my old one 'til it broke so hope I'll like this mini!

Thanx.

Re: KITCHENAID MINI STAND MIXER

orphan annie325 — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 18:19:01 GMT

Pardon my ignorance, but what is SMEG?

Re: KITCHENAID MINI STAND MIXER

eddyandme — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 18:23:48 GMT

@loriqvc wrote:
I have both and use both often. The hand mixer is great for simple recipes like a boxed cake mix or a quick bread with a thick batter (like zucchini bread) or whipped cream, but I rely on the stand mixer for pretty much everything else. There are so many more things you can do with that powerful motor and the hands-off nature of the mixing that I've never regretted my purchase for a moment.

A friend who is not much of a baker was also recently contemplating this decision, and since the one thing she really enjoys baking is multiple batches of Christmas cookies, she ended up going with the regular-size KA Artisan stand mixer. She leaves it in her pantry because it only gets used a few times a year, but she says she can't imagine not having it available.

Other considerations you may want to keep in mind in deciding whether you want a stand mixer: Do you have the space for it? Do you think you'd use any of the attachments for specialty cooking/baking? Are you planning to make doughs or breads on a fairly regular basis? (If this last one is a "yes," you definitely want a stand mixer.)

Good luck!

Thanx, @loriqvc . I plan on using it for pie/pizza dough and cookies. I'm appalled at the cost of the store-made cookies now - and there're not that good! Hopefully, I'll use it for a lot more as it'll be on the counter it's only apx 14long and 11wide and 14high so got room for it. Hate a crowded counter, but if it's not there, I don't use it.

I ordered the matte avocado cream - hard to tell on my laptop exactly what color that is, but it'll blend!

Re: KITCHENAID MINI STAND MIXER

froggy — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 18:32:49 GMT

I have many KA items - hand mixer, 7 qt stand mixer, mini stand mixer, 14C food processer, 3 cup chopper, double convection oven and stovetop, and 16 year old fridge - and have never had an ounce of trouble with any of them.

As to the mixers I use each for different purposes. The 7 qt is for double batches of yeast dough for bread, rolls, etc. The hand mixer I use mainly for when I need it by the stove top for things like mashed potatoes that I just want to do quickly. I use the mini stand mixer way more than I thought I would - single box cake or dessert mixes, and quick breads like zucchini bread in the summer. My stand mixers sit out on the counter top where I can easily access them.

Re: KITCHENAID MINI STAND MIXER

eddyandme — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 18:33:58 GMT

@orphan annie325 wrote:
Pardon my ignorance, but what is SMEG?

SMEG is a brand kinda in a retro theme, yet goes with everything. Their appliances are very solidly built and come in great colors and styles. I believe they're made in Italy - not sure.

As @SharkE mentioned, they're sold on HSN. You can also just do a SMEG search and you'll get to their large appliances also.