So I will be getting a KA for Christmas! Yay!!! Someone actually paid attention to what I wanted. LOL!

My question is, which one is better the one where the top lifts up or the one where the bowl lifts up? And would a 5qt bowl be big enough? Anything else I should consider before picking one out? I've been looking and am feeling a bit confused and undecided.

Thanks!

I've got the biggest one and I really love it . The only time it's a problem is when I'm mixing a half batch of icing. The beaters don't really go down the the bottom of the bowl. So if you're mostly doing large batches it's fab! It's also got the biggest motor which comes in handy mixing that stiff buttercream. Good luck with your choice. I'm sure you'll be happy with whichever one you get!

Pro 600 definitely. Why spend the money on the 5 qt artisan (thats the 1 I have) when you can start bigger HTH

Tilt is ok if your only doing light baking but if your doing alot of baking I would go with the 6 qt. Lift it is the best!

I have the PRO 600 and I love it!! I actually started with the 5 quart mixer with the tilt, but you can do sooo much more with the 600. The 600 makes more noise than the 5 quart, but I love it anyway.

Get the Pro 6 qt. If the paddle doesn't sit where you want it to, you can adjust it by turning a screw just a teensy bit. The directions are in the manual.

You won't regret it. And if you're a SugarShack Buttercream maker, search the forum for a post by Sharon where she gives her ratios for the 6 qt. No disrespect to the person who posted their version in the recipe section, but it did not work at all for me.

Thanks everyone!

I guess I'm the odd duck out, but I like the smaller one better. I like being able to tilt the head back. I think you can get into the bowl easier to scrape, ect.

But, like anything else, it's probably what you are used to

Jen

Another thing to keep in mind is where you're going to store/use it. The taller one with the lift will not fit under my kitchen cabinets, so I'd have to put in on the kitchen table to use it--not handy for me. I've also wondered how those larger mixers work for smaller batches-say 3 egg white for a meringue pie..or just one cake mix...

I originally had the non-lift one but after one use I returned it and got the artisan. Much easier.

For those of you who have the artisan, how large is your bowl?

I'm used to a hand-held mixer, so whatever I do end up getting will be an adjustment. LOL!

Thanks for the tip Jeanem....I should go and measure how much space I have between the kitchen counter and the cupboards. I would have never thought of that!

ElizabethS, To adjust the bowl there is a silver screw with a slot for a standard screwdriver. The bowl must be in the down position as the screw is covered when in the up position. It faces the front of the counter and is below the head. Hard to explain but there aren't that many screws to pick from. It is directly in front of where the lift handle attaches. From my manual...."Attach the flat beater. Adjust so flat beater just clears bottom of bowl when in lifted postion by turning screw counterclockwise to raise the bowl and clockwise to lower the bowl. Just a slight turn is all that is required. The screw will not rotate more than 1/4 turn (90 degrees) in either direction. The full range of adjustment is 1/2 turn or 180 degrees. Place bowl handle in up position to check clearance. Repeat steps as necessary. When properly adjusted the flat beater will not strike on the bottom or side of the bowl. If the beater or whip is so close that it strikes the bottom of the bowl, coating may wear off the beater or wires on whip may wear."