I'm looking for one to use, not commercial but heavy duty home baking lol. I'm intending to practice lots so it will be used lots.
I'm in NZ so we have the following brands available:
Kenwood and Breville

I'm not sure if those brands are in the US? I see a lot about 'Kitchenaids' but we don't have that here.

What size bowl do you prefer, and what watt motor is needed? I want to be able to do it all in my one mixer. I will get something with beaters, the whisk, and doughhook attachment.

I'd love to hear your thoughts

Tis ok, I got one. A good one. Oh my goodness, it is so fab. I'm so excited. (And I just can't hide it...)

oooo, I've been watching this topic for replies... can you tell me what you got?

I'm looking at getting a new one too, I need to upgrade from my handheld, LOL!

Cheers,
Cindy

what did you buy???

im seriously thinking of buying a kitchenaid. we have them down here (australia) but they cost $700+

Mrs-A,

You can get KitchenAid Artisan mixers for under $650 at everten.com.au and kitchenwaredirect.com.au (with free shipping). Pretty sure Peters of Kensington also sells them for well under $700.

thanks Malo... Peters price was $694 plus shipping but they reopen for their post christmas sale in less than 2hrs so i will be online checking them out at 10am!!!

I would have loved to get one given the rave reviews, but, well, patience is not one of my virtues. I wanted a cake mixer yesterday!

I got a Kenwood Chef, 700 watts and 4.6L bowl, I wanted to try it out and post, but I've got an assignment due so can't play till next week. It was at forlongs, they have the no interest thing there, and it cost $599.

a friend of mine here in sydney got the kenwood for chrissy and was telling me about it yesterday - she loves it

i ended up ordering a KA from kitchenwaredirect on monday - $616aussie inc shipping

Good to know I picked a winner...still haven't had a chance to try it. I'm resenting this assignment with every bone in my body. We will all have to reconvene and tell how our new gadgets went

Ok, I've taken it for a test drive. I made a practice wedding cake, 3 tiers, 12, 10 adn 8 inches. And a blimmin vat of BC and some SMBC and royal icing. And it is bee-auuu-di-ful. It is a wonderful, wonderful machine. I have no complaints. It's great.

Yay! Way to go kiwigal81, that's great!

Mrs-A that is a great price! What colour did you buy? Have you received and used it yet???

I'm sooooo excited! I just ordered my very own upgrade (from my lightweight handheld), a KitchenAid Artisan in Empire Red from Everten online!

Their price right now is $643 AU with free delivery within Australia, at the shops (House, Kitchen Warehouse, David Jones) they're asking $729 and KitchenAid are rarely included in their sales. Mrs-A, KitchenWareDirect were asking $649 for the Empire Red but when I went to order they were out of stock, so since then I've been looking and keeping my eyes peeled for a better price!

I'm just a casual hobby baker/decorator at the moment, still taking classes, experimenting with recipes (I firmly believe a cake HAS to taste as good as it looks!) and hopefully look at making it a business venture in future.

Yay!

i brought a kenwood, its the top one you can buy. but it cost me 1200nz dollars. but i do love it to pieces lol.
it also has a really big mixing bowl which is why i also wanted it