I desperately need a new mixer. At this point, I've decided on a tilt-head KA since the lift-bowl seems that you can't remove the bowl without first removing the beater. Is it really as much of an inconvenience that it seems? Is 325 watts the strongest one you can get in the tilt head? I want to be able to make fondant without the mixer sounding like it's going to die. I have a 4.5 quart tilt-head now that has been like my best friend, but it's time for a "big girl" mixer now. Can anyone make suggestions?

Thank you.

I have a 6qt KA. It has a 575watt motor. My husband makes jokes about the neighborhood lights dimming when I use it. It is a lift-bowl. I'm not sure they make that size in a tilt-head. I make fondant, bread, triple batches of cookies....I LOVE it! It is noisy but I guess you have to expect that with 575 watts.

You may want to check out the new cuisinart mixers. I don't have one, so I can't give a personal review. However, everything I've read has been fantastic and it will be my next big purchase.

im planning to upgrade from the 4.5 KA to the 7qt cuisanart...

I have a Cooks 700-watt tilt head mixer. It has 12 speeds. I just got it for Christmas. There are a few other members here who had one, and the reviews were pretty good, so I chose that one instead of KA. I like it so far!

ETA: I know you asked for KA suggestions, but I just wanted to share that there's a tilt head mixer with a higher wattage. Hope you figure out which one you want!

I'm definitely open to brands other than Kitchen Aid. KA seems to be the big name so I hadn't even thought about other brands.

I have the KA bowl-lift style. Yes, you do have to remove the beater before removing the bowl. No, this isn't frustrating or irritating. I've never run into a situation where I'd want to leave the beater on the mixer (especially all covered in batter or icing!) and remove the bowl.

I have a lift bowl ka in my personal kitchen. Having to take of the paddle isn't that big of a deal. I like how well it mixes things quickly.

I have never had a problem with my bowl-lift model. At first I really wanted the tilt model but it cost more so i settled for the bowl-lift. you can take the bowl out with the beater still in if you really wanted to. you just have to tilt the bowl a lot when you remove it. the only problem i have come across is that the beater gets in the way when i am scrapping the sides. other than that i love it.

I love my lift KA, got for myself for christmas. Wouldn't go back now. Big girl mixers here I come. I personally don't see why I would want to leave the paddle on when removing the bowl, just makes a mess. Good luck

I have a mixer addiction!! I have a KA 4.5 tilt, KA lift bowl 6 quart and my new 7qt Cuisinart. I love them all but I would have to say that the Cuisinart is my fav of all. It is a work horse and I find it beats and whips much quicker then my KA's.
HTH

I have to say I don't love my KA. I am on my second one. The voltage on it goes in and out. Sometimes it turns on and sometimes it doesn't. My first KA the motor thing on top just fell into my cake one day.
I say invest in something else.

Wow, julzs71, I've never heard anyone have that kind of problem with their KA. Kind of spooks me about mine. I haven't had any problems with it yet, thank goodness

I have the 4.5 qt tilt KA and recently bought the big mama 6qt lift bowl KA. I love them both, but the 6qt lets me do a lot of big recipes (especially high volume stuff like swiss meringue butter cream) that the little guy just didn't handle very well. My only complaint about the 6 qt lift bowl is that at high speeds it is deafeningly noisy. No conversation, tv, or anything using ears is possible while it's running.

Sometimes I'll put in ear plugs I don't really want to be deaf when I get older just because of baking.

I have a KA and I'm not sure that I like it that well. The BC allways sticks to the spatula and stays there, so when the spatula turns it just turns the blob. It doesn't turn in the bc (If I'm making any sense ) That could just be me not knowing a secrete however. It does the same thing with my royal icing. So when making a batch of something I can't just leave it. I have to constantly scrape the blob off and start again.
But it is nice not to have to use a mixer.
Jen...

I love my KA--I got it just before Christmas and am just now getting around to trying different recipes with it. I'll admit, I've had some issues with BC, but my last batch turned out perfectly once I beat at a higher speed (3). I adore it for making MMF and cream cheese mints. No more manually kneading! It's also great for RI since I don't have to stand there and mix anymore. Instead, I can wash a sinkful of dishes while it mixes for 7 minutes! I am so glad I went ahead and spent the money. By the way, it's a 600 Pro and I got it at at Amazon for $270 plus a $50 which I just recieved the other day in the mail. I decided to go for the big one so it wouldn't burn out on me, but my understanding is that they are really good at replacing broken machines. Good luck!

sorry to hijack the thread but...
Does anyone else have the same problem as me where the bc or RI sticks to the spatula and just a big blob turns instead of the spatula turning in the mixture? Am I doing something wrong?
Jen...

What speed are you mixing at? Could you turn it up faster and sling the stuff off the beater?

I've tried that and it doesn't work. Could my mixer be to small and I'm putting to much in? It seems to do it no matter what is in though. hmmmm......
Thanks for your quick response!
Jen...

Does your mixer also have this problem with the KA recipies? They usually have indications for the specific mixer sizes. Sometimes, butter will stick to my beater and i have to scrape it off. Once I mix it with other ingredients like sugar it usually gets better.

It happens with RI too. It just clumps all together and then whole clump goes around and around so the sides of the clump get nice and shiny but.... And I have to scrape the spatula about every minute or so which defeats the pursose of the mixer. Should I be adding the liquid first? then the sugar?
Jen...

Jen,
I'm thinking about your problem and can't seem to figure out why your mixer is doing that. Now it's really bugging me and I want to figure this out. I'll get back to you. Anyone else have any ideas?

Thanks for trying to help! I'll try the liquid first tomorrow when I make my next buttercream and let you know how it worked.
Jen...

I start my bc with the butter/shortning, then sugar, etc.

Here is a sight where you can ask KA questions. Maybe they can help.
http://forum.kitchenaid.com/forums/default.asp

I have the 600 Pro and last night I made a double batch of BC (4 lbs of p. sugar) and I did have trouble with everything clumping on the beater. I think it was a little too much for the mixer. So, I scraped more than I usually have to, but I will admit that it was irritating...don't get me wrong...I still LOVE my KA Mixer and all in all, it was still easier than mixing two seperate batches.

I also have the 600 pro and really like it. However, I've seen some great deals on the Cuisineart 7 qt, which might tempt me when I'm ready to supplement (I like the idea of having one mixer JUST for royal icing). The cuisineart appeals because it has a timer - I think I'd use that a lot.

I guess it really is all about personal preferences. Just that the KAs look so cool!