Help! What features MUST I have in a mixer?

[aggie94]

DH is getting me a mixer for Christmas. :D I've never had or used a mixer, hand or stand or otherwise, but with all the baking I've been doing recently, I've decided I really want a stand mixer. What am I looking for as far as features? Obviously, anything I get (even bottom of the line Kitchenaid) is going to be an improvement over my hand and whisk, but with all the experience you guys have had with mixers, are there things I should look for?

[funnybone]

After using a Sunbean mixer for about 10 years, and finally getting a KA Epicurian, I would say get the KA - even the cheapest one. The others are a waste of money. They are "mixer wannabe's' and cannot compare to the real thing. I used to have to spin the bowl because the beaters could not beat anything thicker than cake batter. The KA works effortlessly. It is AMAZING!!

The KA models come with a paddle, dough hook and whisk. I think this is standard with all of them - if not, you can buy them. If you would like to get attachments in the future (pasta, shredder, etc) get the kind that you can use the attachment on.

Go to their website www.kitchenaid.com and you will find info on each type.

[msbeehavn]

I'm all for the Kitchen Aid mixer myself. I'm kinda hoping to get one for Xmas,too! Dropping some major hints...;) I have seen them alot on QVC, don't know if you do any shopping with them. Their prices seem to be very reasonable for these stand mixers.

[GayeC]

I agree that the basic KA with the 3 attachments (hook, paddle, whicsk) is probably all that you will ever need. A great time and effort saver.

Gaye

[NancyR]

Sorry, I'm probably driving everyone crazy with my indecision but I have been asking these questions myself for about a month. I have narrowed my choice down to KA but change my mind about which model everytime I go shopping. Thanks to whomever warned about not buying white as it is hard to keep clean. I will probably heed that advice. What I wonder about is the size. I realize this is mostly personal preference but the Epicurean just looks like such a beast. What do you use it for that makes it worth storing such a large applaince? Thanks also to whomever warned about it being hard to fit under the cabinets. I am measuring everything now.

[Molli526]

I have the KA Epicurian and I highly recommend it. It is so nice and powerful. I wonder how I lasted with just a hand mixer. The best thing about the epicurian is you can easily do a double batch- of pretty much everything! It is a dream!

[funnybone]

Originally posted by NancyR
What do you use it for that makes it worth storing such a large applaince?


Storing??? When you pay that money, you show it off.

I rarely make a double batch, but it comes in handy if I wanted to. Also, I just wanted more mixing power. I just like to hear that motor run!

[aggie94]

So have any of you that own a 300-watt, 4 1/2 quart (pretty basic) Kitchenaid ever wished or thought you needed something larger or more powerful?

I think I'm going to borrow Sharon's KA this weekend, to make biscotti. She thought I might want to test hers out, to make sure I really want one, and to make sure it has everything I want in a mixer.

[RobinC]

Power and Capacity, and don't skimp!

I went for the Kenwood mixer. It has a 7 1/2 Quart bowl and a 650 Watt motor. At the time I got my mixer, the big powerful Kitchen Aid was not out. I was doing a lot of cake decorating at the time and mixing a lot of stiff icing. I determined the Kitchen Aide would not suit my needs. In fact, most of the ladies at the cake decorating store I frequent had burned up the motor on their Kitchen Aides.

I love my Kenwood. Not only can I mix small batches of stuff, but I don't even think twice about mixing up a big batch of something stiff/gooey.

BTW, you can mix 3 cake mixes in a 7 1/2 quart bowl - enough to fill a half sheet cake pan. :D

[AD]

Although I have a good Kitchen Aid, I wish I had an optional slower speed to mix in dry or total liquid ingredients without having it fly or splash all over the place. Even adding it in tiny bits at a time is no good. I have to practically stir it in first.

The powerful Kitchen Aid is super for beating egg whites for things like divinity, angel food cake and meringue. Be careful with the dough hook! Mine broke in two when I used King Arthur's Sir Lancelot flour. However, it has since worked beautifully for all my other doughs.

Kitchen Aid is mostly about speed. It does it faster, not better. Perhaps it also lasts longer and can withstand more wear and tear, but I wouldn't know since I've only had mine 2 years.

[NancyR]

Does the Epicurean have that optional slower speed that AD is referring to? Also, AD have you tried using the "splash guard" or whatever that thing is called that I see pictured with it? That's one thing I really hate about the junky mixer I have now...combing cookie dough out of my hair when I get done.