I'm looking in amazon since you can read reviews but when I make up my mind,i read one more that's really negative. Have you guys got any under $100 that's good for a beginner?? I'm trying to better myself and I don't mind buying a kitchenaid or something once I start getting orders but for now,the least expensive with good capabilities,the better. pleasee

I also read somewhere that vintage stand mixers could result better... Any suggestions?

I had a sunbeam hand mixer that snapped into a stand... It was ok for very small batches.. not that sturdy.. and at $75-100 I would just splurge now and get a kitchenaid. It will change your world.

If you love caking and can afford it, just buy kitchenaid or other heavy duty. Orders or not.

Yeah,have been searching for a good priced kitchenaid since I really do want to get one but my budget isn't the best right now. Found a KitchenAid Mixer KSM90 for $75 but don't know if anything is wrong with it.. Is that a good price ? Also a Vintage Harvest Gold Sunbeam Mixmaster for $40. Again,don't know if something is wrong. What do u gals think?

Have you considered a used KA? I bought mine off craigslist for $130 and haven't had any issues. Some people sell to upgrade or just don't use them. I've read a few instances where a bride received one as a wedding gift and never took it out the box *how dare they* lol Anyway I definitely recommend a KA... I have worked with smaller cheaper brands and they weren't as reliable IMO but there might be a gem out there unknown to me *shrugs*

I would concur that KitchenAid is the only way to go here.

You can pick up the Artisan or even Pro for around $250. That is more than better to get you going.

If you watch QVC (shopping channel) or check out their website, they often have them on Easy Pay (where you can pay it off, interest free with 5 monthly payments). When we began, we bought two from QVC to get us started. Was the best thing we could have done.

Yes, you can find used on Craigslist . . but no warranty. They could be selling because they know it is having issues, or it could be perfect. You take a gamble with it.

New, you get a warranty. If you are going to be using this heavily (as we do) . . then a warranty is a good feeling. KA will replace it (within a few days. . very quick) for free if any issues. IF your used one dies . .you are out of luck. Period.

We have 6 now . . different models and never had any problems. We use them all day long, every day for cakes, butter creams, etc.

I know you are on a budget (we were too when we started out . . and still ARE) but spend your money wisely. This is one area you need to go with the good stuff.

Good luck!!!

If you're a beginner, but a serious one, who plans to bake at least on a weekly basis, I would go with KA no questions asked. I have a 4 1/2 quart classic KA and I had it in the box for a while, having received is as a Christmas gift from my parents and brother 5 years ago. But as I got serious about baking, I started to use it, and I must say it is the best decision I could have made. Now if only I had a bigger kitchen...

According to Amazon search result, 4 /12 quart classic KA stand mixer sells or $185. Good luck!

I have kitchen aid I got of Craigslist for $40, it runs perfectly. I would encourage you to go for it. Here are many places to getreplacement parts on line and they have videos showing how to replace them.

I agree that if you plan to get serious with caking, you could hold off on buying a hand mixer till you can afford a good stand mixer. While many have suggested KA, you should be careful with them as they have been getting shaky reviews lately. Not sure what the company has done about their faulty plastic gears. A brand often recommended here is the Cuisinart stand mixer. It has gotten rave reviews.

Whatever you decide to do, read up on reviews and get what works best for you.

Costco sells the KA 5.5qt pro stand mixer for $300, but it sometimes on sale for as low as $200. If anything goes wrong with the mixer at any time (even years later) you can return it to Costco for a replacement or full refund.

Walmart has the most basic KA for $180.

You can use it for more than just cake...bread dough, tortillas, fondant, cookies, etc. I use mine just about every day and have since I got it.

I understand about being on a budget...but maybe you could have a yard sale to raise some money, or sell some things you don't use anymore on Craigslist? I do that to support my hobbies, so my husband doesn't complain about the expense

I have a hamilton beach stand mixer and I love it. More horse power than ka and all metal interior. It was about $160.

Kohls has the 5qt Artisan for $299 currently. If you have a Kohls card you can get up to 30% off... You can get it for around $210 http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/landingpages/kitchenaid/standmixersaccessories/standmixers/PRD~25941/KitchenAid+Artisan+5qt+Stand+Mixer.jsp

I picked up my first KA at an estate auction. I paid $12 for a very old mixer -somehing from the early 40's. (This was in the late 60's.) I used it for close to 8 years until I got my new one. That one is still going strong even though it is now about 34 years old. The only problem I have had with it is that the paint/coating started to flake off the beater so I had to buy a new one.

Interestingly, I gave my old estate sale mixer -which still worked well- to a friend who used it heavily for almost 5 years before it it had to be trashed.

I'm a beginner in cake decorating and have been in the market for a stand mixer. There is a great deal going on right now on the KA 4.5 qrt stand mixer that would save me some bucks. Here's the deal -

Kohls.com having a sale on the KA and marked it down to $229.99.

Using the Kohl's Charge 30% discount plus for every $50 spent get $10 cash back and there is $30 Rebated from Kitchen Aid if you purchase this model before 3/12. So that should come down to approximately $110.

Hope that helps.

Go kitchen aid.  And never look back.  It will change your baking life and they are beautiful!

I bought a ksm90 off Craigslist and got screwed by the gal selling it.  She claimed it was nearly new and low and behold it was 11 years old and riddled with motor problems.  It died on me a few months into having it.   There is a special place somewhere hot for Craigslist liars and cheats!

My second is a pro series from Costco.  It was 300 but Costco offered a 50 dollar off coupon AND kitchen aid had a rebate of 50 at the time.  (Total cost was 200 plus CA sales tax) My 5.5 qt mixer cost as much as a 4.5 qt mixer at wal mart when all was said and done AND it is backed by the Costco customer satisfaction policy.  

Oh and when my hubby was researching them for me (it was a Christmas gift) He was told by kitchenaid that they ARE still manufactured in the US.  (At least as of 2012)   They also sell refurbished mixers at a discounted rate with warranties from their website (a way to get a bigger model for less money)

good luck with the choice, hope you find your dream mixer soon!