Hi,

I'm a newbie here Hello everyone

I want to buy a Kitchen Aid stand mixer and have done quite a bit of research on the web and here at Cake Central...but I still need some help. I'm considering either the model # KP26M1X Prof 600 series with 575 W and 6 qt capacity or the Accolade 400 series model #KN15E1X.

I only want to buy a quality stand mixer once and not have to replace it anytime soon, so I need one that will stand up to heavy duty use (stiff icings, fondants, several batters at once, tough bread doughs, multiple batches of cookies at once, etc) over a long duration (years).

But I want to make sure I am making the right decision. Can you offer me some advice? I'm not sure which feature is better...

1) Is a bowl lift design better than the tilt-head design? Why or why not?

2) Is a contoured bowl better or worse than a bowl with a handle? Which do you prefer?

3) Of the 2 models mentioned, do you think one is waaaay better than the other? Or, do you think a diferent model is even better than the two listed? Why or why not?

And, if you have a KA, maybe you could answer these questions if you wanna (in order of importance in case you don't want to waste an hour answering ):

1) How many watts?
2) Tilt-Head or bowl lift?
3) Capacity?
4) Bowl design?
5) Price of purchase / Date bought?
6) Place of Purchase
7) Any problems to report?
8: Do you use the pouring guard? Is it something you can't live without?
9) How many bowls in total do you have?

Thanks for responding, and thanks for such an awesome site! I'm so glad I was fortunate enough to stumble upon it!!!
Cande

I have the basic 4.5 quart and Love it! But if I were to buy another one, I would buy the bowl lift and highest wattage I could get. From what I have seen the lift bowl is wonderful to use. I think it is much more efficent. You can increase power if it's not there. You can always use a low speed if you don't need the high power. You have alot more options. Just my 2 cents worth.
Judy

Welcome to your new home away from home!
I own a KA and I love it...I would definetly go with something with power so that it can stand up to the "abuse" that we put them through.
After burning out 3 hand mixers and one old old stand mixer..I could not justify trying to save money by buying another cheap hand mixer...so I was able to convince the hubby to let me get one that I got at a really really good sale price! One of the best investments I ever made...I have a bowl lift and I really enjoy using it because you can lower the bowl down to scrape the sides and still leave the beater going in the bowl.
I love being able to put my ingredients in, lift up the bowl, turn it on, and walk away!

I have a KA and I love mine. I use it a lot. It's a 325 watt artisan. It's red. I have the tilt head, and I really like it but if I had the choice I would get the other one. Mine was a gift from my sister and her husband, so I cant complain .I have the bowl with the handle and I really like that too. I would definatly get another bowl if I were you. I only have one,but I could really use two. As for double batches, mine works pretty good. I just turn up the power on it.I recently made a double batch of royal icing and the motor got a little warm, but nothing happened so I guess that was okay. The only thing I dont like about it, and I dont know if anyone else has this problem, is that when I make Icing the powdered sugar on the very bottom of the bowl doesnt get mixed in very well, and I have to scrape it with a spatula. But if it ever gives out, I will DEFINATELY buy another one. I cant live without it!! Hope this helps!!

Christy

Oh yeah, I dont use by pouring sheild. I personally find it just gets in my way. But everyone else might like it. I guess it's just personal preference.

My dh got me the 6 qt heavy duty one for Christmas last year. I LOVE it. I can put 3 cups of shortening and 11 cups of icing sugar in and it mixes it up just fine. No more making one batch at a time. It was expensive, but so far has been a wonderful investment, as no problems to report. Hope this helps!!

I have the 325 I think Artisan. I have abused it with icing for about 13 years. My motor also gets warm with big batches or fondant. So I say high watts. My DH says I should by another to have since he's sure as much use as it gets it will die soon. I have been checking into Viking also. Viking makes a 7qt. 1000 watt mixer. Whoha I want the POWER
But my KA has been great. Anyone with a Viking? I may get the mac daddy one for x-mas, would like to here from a KA person gone Viking if there is one.

I too have the KA Artisan & LOVE it. I use mine atleast 2-3 times a week & it's taken some abuse. My motor gets a little warm from time to time & it's wanted to walk off the counter once or twice..but I talk to her nice & she behaves

I wanted one for the longest, but felt guilty letting go of that much money on a mixer or asking for it as a gift, but I price compared for a while & finally decided to take a gamble & purchase a reconditioned model from amazon.com. The bowl & the attachments were all brand new, and the mixer itself looked brand new also. I've had no complaints & I would totally buy a reconditioned model again to save that extra money. Unfortunately I didn't get the huge selection of colors as with the brand spankin new models, but I got that snazzy metallic chrome

I have the 6 qt. mega horsepower with the bowl lift. I got it for my bday this year and have used it at least 4-6 times a week. I can make several batches of gingerbread at once and that is some serious dough. I have the pour shield but i never use it (gets in the way) Mine is metallic blackish silverish, that I wouldn't do again because it shows all the sugar. I absolutly swear by the bowl lift it is super great. I used to use the tilt one and now i will never go back. I love the bowl with the handle. And I have 3 bowls with lids and I want more. It is great for huge batches of frosting especially in different colors. I would get lids for the bowls before I got the pour shield
I think i answered some of these but let me go in order

1. i can't remember how many watts
2. bowl lift
3. mine is a 6 qt and i can make 4 BC recipes at once or 3 cake mixes or3 gingerbread and i have made 4 batches of cookies at once
4.i have the bowl with the handle
5. march of this year and it came out to about 300 after the rebate (i looked at the reciept ) plus i got a free attachment (icecream maker)
6. at bed bath and beyond
7.i actually had the same problem with a "dead Spot" in the bottom of the bowl and I called KA and got wonderful customer service they walked me through how to fix it and then it did it again and they replaced great customer service
8. the pouring guard is taking up sapce in my cake cabinet
9. i have 3 bowls and i am holding out for more

hope that helps
welcome to CC

I have the 325W Kitchen Aid, a gift from my dad about 4 years ago.
Love it to pieces, BUT, my sister just got the next size up (don't know the size) for 50% off.
I might have been upset, because I always wanted that one, especially since I got into cakes. However, I just saw the 6 quart/575W model this past week!!!!!!
So I'm glad I didn't get the other one.
I'm going to try my best to hold out for that one!!!!!

So I strongly recommend the 6 quart Kitchen Aid, with as many bowls as you can get your hands on, and no, I do not use the pouring sheild, too clumsy. I just use a damp towel draped over the motor head to prevent the mess of icing sugar or flour.

I have the 6 Quart Professional model KA. It was an early gift for my bday this year after I burned up my el-cheapo stand mixer (of course that happened during the worst possible week for me). My fiance bought the KA brand new from Amazon along with an extra bowl, the pouring shield, and the protective cover. You definitately want to have at least two bowls. I'd like maybe one more, and I want some lids for the ones I have now.

My KA has the bowl lift which I love. Tilt head models tend to wear out faster, so I wouldn't suggest that. I also prefer the bowls with handles; they just make life easier. I use the pouring shield about half of the time. If I'm only making a double batch of BC, I don't mess with the shield, but any more than that, and it really does make a difference IMO. I can easily make 4 batches of BC at once, and if I take it a little slower (so I don't slosh the ingredients everywhere), I can make up to 6 batches of BC at once--I've done that several times.

It is a tough decision because it really is quite an investment--especially if you're starting out as a home-based business or this is a hobby. It will more than pay for itself in the end, though, because you won't be buying a new cheapy stand mixer every year or two. Plus, I've heard great things about KA's customer service if there ever is a problem with any of their products. Let us know what you decide!

I know own two. My 6 qt. which I bought about four years ago or so. LOVE IT, I got such a deal on it, like $200. I don't remember the watt is there a way to check that now? When I bought it I was just getting into baking alot and it was such a good price, I didn't have time to compare. But sometimes Ifelt like it was to big for somethngs I was making. SSOOOOO, when Amazon had the 4.5 quart on sale for some ridulious price, I bought one. It was REALLY loud and Clanky not at all like my 6 qt. I called, they listen and sent me a new one. Personally, I don't think the new one is to much better, but it mixes just fine.

I agree with everyone that it is definitely a investment that you won't regret. What every works best for you is what you should buy as far as size and watt and such. It's one your going to have around for a very long time.

Wow! You guys are FAST! Thanks so much for your replies! It's so useful to hear everyone's opinions to help me form a better opinion myself.



I think I have decided on:
the Prof 6 qt 575 Watt with extra bowls and lids (with handles). Now I just need to find it on sale somewhere...If anyone sees it advertised, please post here .



Thanks again everyone! And thanks for the very warm welcome, too.

Bakerchick,
Sounds like you should fine tune your KA. Try this:

"KitchenAid suggests that the beater to bowl clearance should be 1/16" for optimum mixing results. It is possible that the beater to bowl clearance for your stand mixer may need to be adjusted occasionally.

To determine if the clearance is at the correct level, place a dime in the bottom of the mixer bowl, insert the flat beater, and turn the mixer to "Stir" speed. The beater should just graze the dime and move it approximately 3/4" each time it goes around the bowl. If the beater does not touch the dime, the clearance is too high. If the beater has great difficulty pushing the dime around the bottom of the bowl, the clearance is too low.

The clearance may be adjusted with the screw that is located under the head of the mixer. To lower the beater, turn the screw SLIGHTLY (1/4 turn) clockwise or right. To raise the beater, turn the screw SLIGHTLY (1/4 turn) counter clockwise or left. Adjustment should be made only with the flat beater in place. If the clearance is correct for the flat beater, it will be correct for the dough hook and wire whip, as well. For specific instructions, please refer to your Recipe & Instruction Book. This adjustment should correct the problem you are experiencing. If you need assistance with the adjustment, call our Customer Service Center at 1-800-541-6390."

I just got the new Consumer Reports (it's at home though) but they did a rating on stand mixers. Of course KA was 1 and 2, and a few down bottom. Check it out, it might give you some additional info.

I wanted the KA with bowl-lift, but it wouldn't fit on my countertops (the above cabinets were too low to the counter and it missed by 1/2"), so I settled for the artisan. It is still a great mixer, and seems quieter than the bowl-lift model. For me that's way important as I bake and mix after my kids go to bed, and it's a small house.

I hate to sound like a snob, but my research before I got mine indicated that you really can't go wrong with a Kitchen Aid.

My mother gave me the 325 watt Artisan as a present...love it to death.

Recently I brought the PRO600...found an outstanding sale at Hecht's and it had the rebate for exta bowl which is so helpful to have.

If you buy one, go for the PRO600...very powerful.

The only complaint that I have with the 600 is the noise, not as quiet running as the Artisan.