Kitchen Aid mixer help

[4bugzinarug]

Personal opionion ... go with the 600 Series - or any of the other 6 quart models. Check them out at Amazon.com. The gears in are metal, as opposed to the plastic motor gears in the lower end Kitchenaid models. Amazon''s price on this is BEFORE a $25 coupon, and includes free shipping and no tax paid.

This was purchased for us as a gift when it first came out- my mother paid well over $400 for it! My first was the Kitchenaid "Ultra Power" which was recently replaced by the Artisan series. I do wedding cakes ... and it did not take long for the Ultra Power motor to go out on us shortly after I started doing cakes. Inconveniently, it was during the cake for my parent''s 35th wedding anniversary, while I was making a batch of fondant. Remarkably, the old mixer still limps along on lower speed (maybe I should have that looked at, LOL!), so I use both mixers when doing a larger cake.

The more powerful mixer just rocks. I don''t have to worry about having enough power to whip up a triple batch of cookies, bread, or fondant. It can make 3-4 batches of buttercream all at the same time - and the clear cover is easier to work with than the one on the lower models.

Amazon''s price on this is pretty close to what your friends/family would be paying at Macy''s on sale for the Artisan. However, either mixer is a substantial upgrade from other available options - and I will cross every finger and toe that you get just what you want Best,

Jennifer

 

[tanyak]

DH and I just returned a few items to BB&B last night (extra toaster, blanket that pilled after being washed - we never even used it). We picked some replacements items. I had brought along two of their 20% off coupons and they let us use both on the replacement items. We ended up getting $15 in cash back along with all the new stuff we picked out. As I was leaving, the new receipt said any refunds would be issued in store credit. I think we got the cash the first time because those items were actually on the registry. The funny thing is, we didn''t register for that particular toaster, but when the guest bought it, they must have given the cashier our registry sheet to scan, because it was ADDED to our registry.

 

[cara]

Date: 10/24/2006 7:13:17 PM
Author: Blenheim
Mara, the red one is everywhere I''ve checked but C&B, and (with the exception of Macy''s) isn''t more expensive than the white ones. Our apartment is currently very warm, with lots of red, and it would go perfectly, but I do wonder if we should go with a more neutral color in case we decide to completely redecorate at some point.


Cara (and anybody else), are there any big pros or cons to the Artisan vs. the Professional 600? I was just planning on the Artisan, but now I''m curious.


Sumbride, 1500 items?

I think others got most of it, but my memory of obsessive shopping last month is:
Artisan: tilt-back head, 5 qt bowl, less motor power than Pro, shorter overall height useful for storage, but needs similiar amount of height when in use to tilt head back, some plastic gears, supposedly slightly quieter

Pro: bowl lift (some prefer this, some prefer tilt-head), 6 qt, beefier motor handles the heavy dough better, taller (but doesn''t need tilt head clearance), all metal gears, amazon reviews say it is loud.

I guess the big difference is size. If you forsee running a cake baking operation, or making mega batches ever, and storage space is not a huge concern, then the Pro is probably worth it. If the smaller size (both storage size and bowl capacity) means you''ll get more use out of the Artisan, and you don''t plan to make heavy bread dough every week, then go with that and on those rare occasions when you are cooking for many you may have to suck it up and double-batch.

 

[Christa]

Check the wattage, too. I have the Artisan 325 watt, I''ve had it for about 5 years and use it to knead bread dough (heavy-duty usage!) once or twice a week and no problems yet. I think I paid about $250 for it on eBay.

 

[Blenheim]

Thanks for the advice, ladies! I''ve changed my mind (again), but I feel pretty content with this decison.

Decision 1: No red. Probably the metallic pearl color, so that it''s more timeless and versatile if we redecorate:

Decision 2: One of the professional series mixers with the bowl lift. I had a talk with my mom this morning, and she pointed out that she doesn''t like the tilt-back and that I''ve never cared for it when using hers, either. I''m not 100% sure which one yet, but I''m leaning towards the Professional 600. Thoughts?

Decision 3: I took it completely off our registry. My mom told me to, after saying that it would make the perfect Christmas present. Yay! She''s awesome at finding great deals on things, which also makes me feel better. She''s always seen them more on sale towards Christmas, anyway, but then figured out this afternoon that you can buy factory refurbished mixers off of the Kitchen Aid website, which means the Professional 600 for $239 instead of the $399 (sugg. retail value $499) that I''m seeing in stores. I''m more than happy with that. In case anyone''s thinking of buying the Artisan (Tacori? Fisher?), they''re listed as $189 which is great if you''re fine with buying a factory refurbished one. They have them in 10 different colors, but no chrome.




Fisher, Dylan''s now 23 pounds. It''s hard to believe how much he''s grown. His paws are still big and his body''s awfully long, so we''re wondering if his legs are going to have another growth spurt at some point. Also, I was almost dreading registering but it was actually a lot of fun!

 

[codex57]

Never used them. Don''t bake much. However, we love how they look. THinking of getting one as kitchen "art".

If we get one, we''d get the one at Costco. It''s a Pro series one for $270 or so. Usually have a coupon to make it about $250. I dunno how you''d register, but for that price, I''d try and figure out how to sneak it onto a registry somewhere.

 

[Mara]

Blen, mine off eBay was a factory refurbished which is why it was so cheap, I think it was like $210 or something. It came with a 1 year warranty or 6 months or something. So far now issues...after 5 years...wow I can''t believe I''ve had it so long. hehee. Knock on wood!

 

[ljmorgan]

I just wanted to say that I registered for a red kitchenaid artisan mixer, and received it yesterday at my shower. I debated between the white and red color, all of our furniture and decor is very, very neutral. I chose red because it''s more fun, and don''t forget -- red is a neutral

It''ll go with pretty much anything unless... your kitchen is pink, purple, or orage

But man I am excited, I have aspirations of making delectable baked items each day... hahaha... we shall see!

 

[sumbride]

Date: 12/10/2006 9:12:24 AM
Author: *Lindsey*

But man I am excited, I have aspirations of making delectable baked items each day... hahaha... we shall see!

Try not to do that too much before the wedding or your dress might not fit!!! Congrats!