Is it wrong to be sad and happy at the same time? I have been baking all day, almost got done with my icing and my mixer stopped. It just stopped and started to smoke. It is not even a year old! 
I will miss it but I have been wanting to get a new and better one. Oh well, can't wait to go shopping!!! 
Any suggestions on the new one?
First check and see if yours is covered under warranty. Getting a replacement or a refund would be great even if you still want to buy a new better one. It would be great to have one to mix up batter in and another for making icing.
As far as your new one goes, it mostly depends on what you can afford. I think most people agree that Kitchen Aid makes great mixers. I have the Pro 600 one, and it's nice and big and powerful. I got it refurbished directly from Kitchen Aid for about $250 including shipping.
The jury's still out on this one. 
I currently have 4 stand mixers and 2 hand mixers. 
My KA is great but it won't make MMF all the way through. Because of a disability, I can't stand and knead MMF for however long. 
Just about a week ago, maybe, there was a thread on here about a new Cooks brand stand mixer from Penneys that only costs $150, and is supposed to be a whole lot stronger. 
Well, we went on a field trip to seek out this new treasure. I haven't used it yet (just got it yesterday) but I bought it immediately. If it does what it's supposed to do, I'll be thrilled. It is a commercial mixer with 700 watts of power! It looks a lot like a KA and even has all of the attachments KA offers except the ice cream maker. With a 1 year guarantee, which BTW is what KA offers, I figure if I tear it up making MMF, I'm not out anything. I can get my money back and still have my KA. I just won't be able to make MMF without my DH's help - he just loves to knead - ROFL!!! 
Will let you all know, but hey, if you can get it that much cheaper and it does an equal or better job than my KA, why not?!?!?! Good luck in your decision, but look around for bargains AND for the one that will do what you need it to do. 
I'm not knocking KA, I just think they charge a lot more than they should. The mixers of today are not at all equal to the ones they made years ago! Now those were mixers!!! 
It's true, KAs are not like they used to be. I have a SUPER DUPER mixer and wouldn't use anything else ever. It's a Sweden built Electrolux/Magic Mill Assistent dlx2000. They are VERY pricey (even on ebay used), but they last FOREVER.
I bought mine used on ebay a year ago (maybe close to two years now) and I LOVE this thing. Just yesterday I made a VERY stiff bread dough which made SEVEN 1 pound loaves. It worked great. I used to try to make this bread by hand (and I'm a very good bread maker) and I could never get it kneaded right, but last year I tried to knead it by machine and it turned out GREAT - this eyar too...
I'm not saying this is for everyone, but it's little known here, but is one of the two mixers of choice with bread bakers because it can handle stiffer doughs than KAs can handle.
Here's a link that has a demo on it:
http://www.everythingkitchens.com/DLXmixer.html
Melissa
Thanks for all the info everyone. I love the idea of having the Electrolux/Magic Mill Assistent dlx2000 but it is just to much right now. I have been looking at the KA and the Cooks mixer from Penny's and the Cooks is higher in watts and cost a lot less. Just not sure what that difference makes yet? I am going to go look at the Cooks tomorrow to see if I like it. I learned a valuable lesson by this happening. Always have a back up!!!
I just got the Cooks a coulpe of days ago and have not had a chance to use ot yet. I think I will be trying it today. I think it will take some practice because the old mixer I had only had regular beaters instead of the paddle and whisk. Wondering how much of a difference it willl be?
I have my eye on the Kenwood/Delonghi Major KM 005. It's 7 qts capacity with a 1200w motor - and I can get one for less than my Kitchenaid Artisan cost me. It's got much better reviews than Kitchenaid and I had my MIL's 1960s Kenwood mixer until I broke it and had to replace it (with the Kitchenaid) - those things where made to last!!!
I own two KA's and love them. I also have a KA hand mixer and use all of them.
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