I am going to buy a mixer

[jmarie]

And I really am interested in the KitchenAid Epicurean....This is my first BIG mixer....Do any of you have the Epicurean? Can you tell me the pros and cons...Is this a good decision..or should I go with another?
Please help! Plan to make my purchase within three weeks!
Thanks, in advance!

[BlueMoose]

I just bought one the other day & have only used it once, but it worked beautifully on a pretty heavy dough. It's a beautiful machine. Even my dad was impressed! Paid $300 for it! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[funnybone]

I have one and love it. I don't think too many people on the board have it, because it past discussions the other models come up more. Do a search for Kitchen Aid and another for Epicurian. You will be linked to past threads/discussions.

Oh, the only con would be is that is weighs about 25 lbs. Mine stays on the counter, so I don't have to move it each time I use it. Also, it is tall, and cannot fit under my cabinets. I have spaces with no overhead cabinets. So, if you are limited in your kitchen, you may want to do some measuring. It's about 16 or 16 1/2 inches. (Hard to measure because of it's curved top).

[This message has been edited by funnybone (edited 04-30-2001).]

[jmarie]

Blue moose, where'd you get it for $300.00?
I have only found them for $349 up. Of course, at one place (349.00) they offer a free attachment of my choice...meat grinder, food slicer or juicer...Are these top of the line attachments? HAVE ANY OF YOU EVER USED AN ATTACHMENT WITH YOUR KITCHENAID MIXER? (OOPS SORRY FOR CAPS) i HAVE TO GET THE BEST BUY FOR MY MONEY...HECK WE ALL DO...FUNNYBONE, I HAVE 181/2 INCHES UNDER MY CABINETS...daggone caps....do you thik 18/12 would work?
Thanks for your reply's! will let you know when I get mine....have to sell my Princess house Fantasia, on eBay, in order to get it.

[BlueMoose]

jmarie...
I got it at Kohl's on sale for $349 plus they were having an earlybird sale offering an additional 20% off. I didn't even realize that when I went to buy it. With a free attachment you would be getting a good deal. They are pretty pricey! I was thinking about the pasta maker attachment sometime down the line. But it's like $80-90 if you order from Kitchenaid.

[jmarie]

Repetition of another post I made..I edited it out.

[This message has been edited by jmarie (edited 05-01-2001).]

[jmarie]

I edited it.

[This message has been edited by jmarie (edited 05-01-2001).]

[jmarie]

Bluemoose,
Read thread that mentioned making pasta and burning the motor up on the mixer...it was in one of the mixer threads! I have never made it, so don't know...anyone else?

Good grief! Board was slow and I didn't know all these posts would get printed...said only forum leader could delete...whoever that is, please delete the last two posts of mine?????

[This message has been edited by jmarie (edited 05-01-2001).]

[catharine]

Two tips:

1) www.epinions.com (http://www.epinions.com) is great for this type of information. They have tons of reviews on all kinds of stuff. I looked there recently about food processors. I highly recommend doing a search there.

2) I was on ebay recently and was shocked at the low prices for mixers and other kitchen appliances. I am a newbie to ebay, but I think you can get some good deals. It seems pretty easy to use, too. I am sure that shipping would be expensive, but you might do a quick search.

Good luck.

[funnybone]

Originally posted by jmarie:
FUNNYBONE, I HAVE 181/2 INCHES UNDER MY CABINETS...daggone caps....do you thik 18/12 would work?


It appears like you have enough room as I know it was not over 17". The Epicurian Mixer does not have a "tilt head", but rather a lever that raises and lowers the bowl.

I got mine at Linens 'n Things with a 20% off coupon. If you keep an eye out for sales and coupons, I am sure you can find one below retail. Just read the fine print to make sure Kitchen Aid is not excluded from the sale. Also, some stores will honor other stores coupons, so you may be able to do this as well. Just ask ahead.

[This message has been edited by funnybone (edited 05-02-2001).]

[lanie]

I ordered the KitchenAid mixer from Cayne's - they are out of stock until apparently today which will be sent out to me. I ordered the Black 325 watt, 5 quart one, it was quite expensive, and a little less wattage than the Professional, but from all the good postings I am positive I will love it! I just don't know where I will store it!
Thanks for all the info!
Elaine

[lanie]

Just a couple of questions. Got my 'machine' - makes wonderful dog food! Made a meatloaf and was really good - but boy did we have 'glooey' mashed potatoes - yuck - what happened - any suggestions - I guess patience is a virtue - it is VERY different from my 'old friend Sunbeam' - tell me how you do your mashed potatoes and does EVERYTHING have to be done differently - I also do not think the book was very explicit as to which beater/hook goes with what - the box seems to have more info - and I am not toting that box around - thanks, Elaine http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by lanie (edited 05-08-2001).]

[funnybone]

Originally posted by lanie:
- tell me how you do your mashed potatoes and does EVERYTHING have to be done differently - I also do not think the book was very explicit as to which beater/hook goes with what - the box seems to have more info - and I am not toting that box around - thanks, Elaine http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif




Sorry I can't help you on the mashed potato question, I just mash them the old fashioned way as nobody around here (except for me) likes them whipped. Which beater did you use? I probably would use the flat paddle first.

As for which beater to use, I use the flat paddle the most. The "whisk" is mainly for whipping egg whites, cream, etc. I find the paddle works for cookies, cakes, etc. I haven't done much else in mine (no dog food or bread).

I think it really is trial and error depending on your recipes. In general, things are really mixed sooner than the recipe states.

[Leslie w]

lanie, I have tried making mashed potatoes with my KitchenAid and they always come out gluey. I've read in several cooking mags that the only way to prevent this is to mix them as little as possible, so I went out and bought a hand held potato ricer. Best potato investment I ever made! No mixing and no lumps.

[beejayw1]

Hi, all -

I hope I'm not too late.
Go to: www.kitchenaid.com (http://www.kitchenaid.com) and go to their 'refurbished' section. Be prepared to drop your jaw when you see the prices on the refurbished ones. http://www.countertop.kitchenaid.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/CategoryDisplay?cgrfnbr=47728&cgmenbr=126&catname=Refurbished

I looked for the Epicurean model and didn't find it in 'refurbished'. They had it in the full-priced section and it was $399. Ah, well...

Diana