Stand Mixer Recommendations?

[Slowcooker]

I know this is probably a repeat thread, but I'm thinking of getting a stand mixer. Kitchen Aid? Sunbeam?? Any other brands? I just need a basic one, since I cook more often than I bake. But doesn't every serious cook have one? Thanks for your recommendations!

[blazedog]

Stand mixers are great.

KA's are the best but if you don't bake that often or have plans to start baking more often -- especially heavy batters such as bread, why spend the money.

The Sunbeam Mixmaster is quite a bit cheaper and will probably serve your purposes just as well -- i.e. the ocassional cookie dough, cake batter etc.

I used a Mixmaster for years until I inherited a KA. The KA is great but I don't know if I would purchase one based on my own baking output -- it's been more than a month since I've used it and then it was for a simple cookie dough that would have been fine in the Mixmaster.

[Hammster]

Stand mixers are great.

KA's are the best but if you don't bake that often or have plans to start baking more often -- especially heavy batters such as bread, why spend the money.

I got my Kitchen Aid partly because I knew I could get attachments for it that don't require me to have a separate piece of equipment. I got the sausage grinder and sausage stuffing attachments for mine as I do make sausage regularly. So, that way I didn't have to buy a sausage grinder machine. I also use it to make my own ground beef. Good bye bone chips and e coli in ground beef from the store.
I have found that I do bake more often since I got my KA because the strength of the KA mixer makes the batter prep effortless and cuts down on time too. Mashed potatoes and whipping egg whites or cream, don't even get me started on how great it is for that too.
And then...because it was a refurb, I got it for $125 from Amazon. It's the Artisan and only color was white, but I put it away when I'm done with it so I don't really care about the color.

Worth every penny, regardless of cost. IMO :D

[ChristyMarie]

I wuv my Kitchenaid.

In addition to the meat grinder we have the pasta attachment which is awesome.

[sharris315]

KA, absolutely. I had my first one for 25+ years--the only thing that didn't work about it was the color: avocado :eek: I bought another KA Artisan (in black) and love it!

Shar

[cookieee]

I agree with hammster and christymarie. I have had my KitchenAid for years and would be lost without it. If you check out SUNDAY GAME OF THE WEEK #3, I have posted a recipe for homemade sausage. I wouldn't be able to do it without my KitchenAid. Joan

[LakeMartinGal]

Another vote for Kitchen Aid -- I didn't get mine until 10 years ago, now I don't know how I managed without it! Badly, I'd guess... :D

Mine sits out on the counter, so color was important -- mine is green, bought at Kohl's during one of their many sales, and I use it for just about everything -- even things that 'could' be stirred by hand!

Can't beat 'em! (pun intended :rolleyes: ) :D

[sdcook]

I have a KA and love it! I got mine refurbished off of Amazon for $125. It's a soft yellow and so pretty! I baked mostly cookies and such before I got mine. Now that I have her I find myself more willing to try breads than I was before because it's so much easier.

[Terri_A]

I have a KA as well and LOVE it! I do NOT bake often, but use my stand mixer at least once a week for other things. It kneads well, mixes well, helps me make pasta well. It's by far my favorite kitchen appliance...well, that and my food processor, and my blender, and my...well, you get the idea. But definitely KA is worth the investment.

[tea4one]

I have the KA and went with what I felt at the time was a neutral color, Bisque. It is the 4 1/2 quart, tilt-head, I got an extra bowl with mine and just went to the Kitchenaid website and here is some more information about mine:

300 watts
Flour Power: 8 cups
3 loaves white bread
6 dozen cookies
6 pounds mashed potatoes

Although I do not normally use it for mashed potatoes, I have made bread and cakes and the usual batter recipes in it.

[tea4one]

I forgot to add, I have recently ordered and am waiting on a few attachments for the mixer. The food grinder being one of them.

[AzAnne]

Another vote for KA . There customer service is wonderful. My 4 yr old mixer was having issues, took to authorized repair center where they told me it wasn't worth fixing :( I called KA, they shipped me a return box, couple weeks later got a call from them stating yes indeed it was un-repairable, but they would like to send me another one. A bigger, better model then the original one!! :D

[ChristieinMB]

Just to throw another option in the mix, this is what I bought after having a KA.
DeLonghi (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002XGSNI/qid=1148342207/sr=1-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-5497573-0272750?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=kitchen&v=glance&n=284507)
After much research, I chose it after reading all the good reviews.
It has more power than KA, I really like it better. I still have my whimpy KA, so I can use both during holiday baking. If you buy a KA, get the biggest.

[Peweh]

I also use it to make my own ground beef.
Worth every penny, regardless of cost. IMO :D

Hammster, what's the best cut of beef to buy to make ground beef? I have the meat grinder attachment and have only used it once on a trial run, I think my beef was too lean though as the hamburgers were too dry.

I love my KA, I have the Accolade in licorice (matte black) and it sits in a place of honor on the counter. It was a gift last year from my bridesmaids. I LOVE the mashed potatoes it puts out, something I've never been able to produce as lumplessly with a hand mixer (probably just me though!)

I'm looking forward to collecting attachments and doing away with multiple machines like Hammster said.

[Hammster]

Hammster, what's the best cut of beef to buy to make ground beef? I have the meat grinder attachment and have only used it once on a trial run, I think my beef was too lean though as the hamburgers were too dry.

Chuck roast makes really good ground chuck. Or top sirloin makes really good ground sirloin. Those are the best.
For real lean burgers, top round, and you can only cook them to medium rare at the most because of the low amount of fat. And you don't have to worry about fully cooking them because you know your own home made hamburger is safe. :)

[mbrogier]

I have a kitchen aid. I have the tilt head model, but I really want the artisianal model because I'm doing more bread with heavier loads.

I have the shredder and meat grinding attachments. I haven't used the grinder. It was my MIL's and doesn't have the manual.

I have made hamburger in my food processor before. I use half chuck and half sirloin or trimmings of tenderloin. (Costco sometimes has stew beef that is tenderloin trimmings)

There is also an ice cream attachment. It is almost $90. The Cuisinart ice cream maker is $50. I bought one for $40 that had two bowls at Tuesday Morning.

[valchemist]

I just need a basic one, since I cook more often than I bake. But doesn't every serious cook have one?


nope not every serious cook. I don't have one and I bake at least 3 times a week. I have a Kitchen Aid Hand Mixer.

[Slowcooker]

Thanks so much, everyone, for your replies!! I always find your opinions and recommendations so helpful!

[MrsReber]

nope not every serious cook. I don't have one and I bake at least 3 times a week. I have a Kitchen Aid Hand Mixer.

I am shocked!! :D :D I alway figured you had some kind of big mixer with all the baking you do!


Well, I own a KA artisan. I love it. It's beautiful.
For Christmas, I bought my mom a sunbeam. She loves it. It actually has more power than my artisan mixer. She makes bread with it and really likes its performance. I got a great deal at Kohl's- it was on sale and then I got an additional 15% off for applying for the Kohl's charge card, and a $10 rebate! It was under $200 and certainly worth every penny.

[dreamer]

I have a kitchen aid. I have the tilt head model, but I really want the artisianal model because I'm doing more bread with heavier loads.


Micah can you explain what you mean a little more (I don't have a stand mixer yet, so am not up on all this yet)? TIA,
dreamer

[Hammster]

I have a kitchen aid. I have the tilt head model, but I really want the artisianal model because I'm doing more bread with heavier loads.

I have the shredder and meat grinding attachments. I haven't used the grinder. It was my MIL's and doesn't have the manual.

I have the Artisan, if that is what you mean by the "artisianal model", and it has a tilt head. Are you saying you want the "Pro" type model where the bowl raises and lowers instead of the head tilting?

If you want further info on how to use the grinder, send me an email, I'd be glad to provide you lots of info. :D