Discussions

Which one do you have? There are so many I don't know what to buy! I looking at doing large batch cookies, bread, pastry. I'm leaning towards a Kitchen aid with a future investment of a pasta maker. What do you have? Do you like it why or why not? What would you buy now after using what you currently own.

It is the monster commercial level one - very heavy and stable. (Can't recall the exact model - it is on my counter at home right now)  
 
It comes with all the metal accessories (very important - do not waste your money on the plastic attachments) and can handle double batches of cookies and most breads I have tried in it. Only one batch of bread gave it trouble, it was a heavy oatmeal dough.  
 
Pasta maker is one I have always wanted to get - but do NOT buy the plastic one that is readily available. There are metal ones out there, unfortunately I cannot find the link I was given to buy one from. It is a Canadian distributor though. I have friends who have gone through the plastic ones like crazy, they claim they are just not worth it. I have another friend who replaced his with the metal one and is thrilled.  
 
The other item I had and loved - but was so cheaply made I did not replace it - the ice cream churn. It broke twice within about 14 months - poor construction. They replaced it the first time under warranty but would not do anything for me when it broke again only a few months later, so I gave up and bought a stand alone Cuisinart ice cream maker instead that has been great. I make a lot of home made ice cream and yogurt.  
 
Anyway, love mine. But don't cheap out - this is one item you should pay more for and it will pay for itself, especially if you do a lot of cookies and breads.

I had a kitchenaid ultra power machine and honestly, wasn`t a fan! It didn`t get the bottom of the bowl no matter how many times it was adjusted..so I was always left with having to remix by hand to get the bottom mixed in! Not sure if I had a lemon or what but it was not great!!  
 
I have heard really great things about the Cuisinart one that is out now

I have the professional Kitchen Aide mixer and love it! If you plan on using it a fair amount don't get a cheap one. I've made everything from potatoes to bread to meatballs in mine and it works great. Sometimes I have to scrape the side of the bowl depending on the texture but it's not a big deal to me. I love how well it whips icing. Just made whipped shortbread and it is was so different from last years with a hand mixer. I only have the whisk, dough hook and regular mixer attachments.

*StarFish* said "I had a kitchenaid ultra power machine and honestly, wasn`t a fan! It didn`t get the bottom of the bowl no matter how many times it was adjusted..so I was always left with having to remix by hand to get the bottom mixed in! Not sure if I had a lemon or what but it was not great!!     I have heard really great things about the Cuisinart one that is out now "

Is the only other i'd use - they usually make a very good product.

i have worked with several kitchen aids and i love them. for what you are saying i would invest in the bit larger model but right now i have the cheaper tilt one and it does bread fine (3 sm loaves at a time) and cookies about 2 dozen at a time, other family members have the bigger one and my grandma has a commercial model, all work great

a kitchenaid and love it. To do alot with it as you say and good top one would be good.  
I have a 6QT 575W more power than 425W.  
It is a value over $700 but check online at times on amazon.ca or maybe sears for good sale they have at times.  
I was lucky to have mine $350 from Winners

Bosch all the way. There is nothing about it that I don't like.  

Just for regular non-fancy use, the Artisan model is about right. I find the lower models (Ultra Power, Custom, Classic etc.) have bowls that are smaller and a little more cheaply made and the more expensive ones are just too big or more than I need. I wanted a tilt head that fit under my cupboards, and I use it regularly but not for anything really heavy. Double and triple batches of cookies and letting it beat the heck out of frosting for 10 solid minutes is the worst I put it through.  
 
It is 8 years old and still going strong. They come in great colors, have a nice solid 5qt bowl and metal accessories. It is 325W. The lower models I looked at had a slightly smaller bowl (4.5) or slightly less powerful (275-300W) but the difference in price isn't that much and I thought the Artisan was a nicer and more solidly built machine.  
 
That said, Amazon does offer a special Kitchenaid Custom mixer with a chrome finish that is often $140 or so cheaper than the Artisan. The motor is the same but the 4.5 qt bowl feels kind of flimsy to me, but if you save $140 you can always get a new bowl if it bugs you. Otherwise it's basically just the Artisan in a silver version.  

Kitchenaid mixers r on sale for 399. With a 50$ mail in rebate at canadian tire this weekend!

I used to do wedding cakes in mine so it has had a lot of wear and tear but it is still going. I just have a basic one and I got it about 12 years ago.

Keep an eye on the Black Friday sales. The Kitchenaid's were on sale all over the place. You are bound to find a great deal if you look.

Love love love our kitchen aid, we seriously use it everyday to make everything bread buns biscuits cakes cookies mashed potatoes seriously everything, best $400 dollars ever spent, we barely buy anything pre made now

I got mine when I got married 12 years ago, Artisan one. Still going strong, although I made the mistake of putting the beaters in the dishwasher.

Excited to try out my kitchen aid stand mixer that I got at Costco!! I treated myself to a professional one with a 450 watt motor. I hope I picked right cause after spending sometime researching there was a lot to choose from. Someone commented on making the mistake and putting there beaters in the dishwasher. Owners manual says not too but what happened when you did? Just curious and trying to learn from others mistakes!!  
 
 

The white beaters did okay, but the metal-finish oxidized or something, reacted with the detergent. It looks really weird now and feels gross. I still use it, but hate touching it, LOL!

Come "clean" if you hand washed it in the sink? Again. Just curious and good example to live by!!