I am finally getting a KA and am trying to decide which one? I do not do many big cakes to sale but - some. It's all my sunbeam can do to mix up my 2# batch of icing and it get's quite warm doing it! So I just wondered which one most people have? What do you think of the prof. 500/600? I know they lift vs. the smaller ones tip? Are they worth the extra that they cost? Your opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Hi chelle, I purchased the 5 qt. Artisan after 25 years with a Sunbeam and it is a dream. I am a home baker and don't find the need for the heavy duty one. Best of luck to you and welcome to CC 
I have a 5 qt. HD and the 6qt. Pro 6 and the both have the lift bowl feature. I really like them both. Though the Pro 6 is much louder, I can do four batches of BC at one time. I think KA's are a great investment--even if you go with just the Artisan. It all depends on how much you plan on doing. I got the pro 6 first--on sale. Then I realized I would really like another one so that I can to large of amounts of icing at one time. I got the HD from my aunt when she moved. I don't have a business, but having two makes life really easy!
I have the 6qt prof. I got it refurbished from KA and paid about 250 for it. Have not had any problems it works great. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!
Well I have the smaller one and that one is awesome but one draw back is that one has plastic gears, so for say if you use it to make breads and things that the motor can burn out easier. Frosting and cake is generally not very hard on it, mine is almost 5 years old and I hear some grinding in the gears. Now about 4 months ago I got a really good deal on the professional 600 and I ABESOLUTELY LOVE IT. It saves so much time cause you can make 3 mixes and 3 batches of frosting at one time. The whole tilt vs lever thing is just an adjustment but I am sure that many wouldn't trade the bigger for the smaller one. the pro600 also is made with metal gears so it is built to last longer.
Just to add, is that if you have a kohls near you or also a younkers you can get these at really good deals let me know if you are interested in what i have found out about working the sales.
Good luck in your search and purchase
Nikki
If you do not mind the bowl lift, then don't waste your money. Go right for the 6 qt Pro model.
Theresa 
I have the Pro 600 ~ bigger bowl ~ more power.
I used to borrow my MIL's KA Classic which is the same bowl size as Artisan. It took forever to make icing b/c I had to make more batches. When I made 12 x 18 cakes I had to make two batches of cake mix. My cake mix mixes for a total of 4 1/2 min. That meant it was at least 10 minutes before I could get it in the oven so the first batch of batter had to sit out for a while.
I did an internet search on various KA's so I'd know what I wanted to look for in the stores. My DH went with me and urged me to get the Pro 600. I didn't want to spend the $ since I wasn't making many cakes, but he was looking toward the future. I am so glad he was there to guide me.
After using both KA's I say, "go for the Pro 600". I've never regreted it.
I used to have a 4 1/2 qt, I think it was an Artisan, with the tilt head, and I really liked it. I let my daughter "borrow" it a couple of years ago and rather than get it back from her, I went and got me a new one 
I just got a refurbished 5 qt Professional with the bowl that lifts. It is quite an adjustment but I think I will really like it (instead of tilting the head).
All I can say is do not get the one with the lowest wattage. The higher the wattage the more it can handle.
I have the 325 watt Classic KA. I love it. I've made the snow white buttercream (12 cups powdered sugar) the MMF, heavy cookie dough, gingerbread, pasta dough, and bread dough in it with no problems. I got it after my Mom and 2 sister-in-law's got theirs and loved them. They've all had theirs for years and have never had a problem. I use mine all the time (I've had it for 2 years- it was a bridal shower gift) and have never had anything it couldn't do, and never had a problem with it. When my Mom went to buy an extra to use at their in-law's appartment at my brother's house, she tried to buy an artisan. When she got it home it made a horrible noise so she took it back. The sales person spent over an hour with her, opening up every box in the store and plugging each one in- they all made the horrible grinding noise! It was probably just a bad batch of them, but that scared me away from the artisans!
I had the Ultra power one given to me as a gift. It lasted only 1 1/2 years. It burned out. I didnt even use it for heavy stuff except 6 times.(divinity and bread) The rest of the time it was for cakes and fillings. I just purchased the Pro.600. I love the power.The lift is ok prefer the tilt but oh well cant have everything! Question though is the pro. 600 supposed to be alot louder than the smaller ones? Thanks Cheffie
I purchased my first KA 4.5 tilt 30 yrs ago and I am still using it. It has been worked on once about 4yrs ago. I also have the lift HD 5qt and bought the prof. 600 6qt lift which I love I just wish it had the tilt head, sometimes I have all 3 going! I love every KA item that I have and I would also recommend you buy the 6qt prof.
I bought my KA about 25 years ago. It has been a wonderful tool. When it finally gives up the ghost I'll certainly get another. A BIGGER one, the bigger the better. (I'm sorry to hear KA has started installing plastic gears, even good plastic doesn't compare to steel.)
(I've read on the forum, somewhere, where coupons have been used to reduce to cost.)
Happy shopping.
Honestly I do not know what I have.. But I have a KA and it is 15 yrs. old and still works like new. My dear husband gave it to me on our first Christmas together when we were still dating. And here were are
15 yrs. later, marriage is still as good as the Kitchen Aid he gave me
on our first christmas.
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