I finally talked my husband into getting me a Kitchenaid mixer (he is tired of buying me a new hand mixr every three months because I blow out the motors) I have been looking at a few of them but I can't decide what would be the best one. I am looking at either the Heavy Duty Plus Bowl lift mixer. The Artisan series or the Professional Plus 5 series. Can anyone tell me what would be the best one. Or would getting the Classic Series which is somewhat cheaper be better?
I got the Artisan one because the bowl lift one was too tall to be underneath my cabinets and I didn't like the fact that to remove the bowl from the bowl lift ones you have to remove the beater every time. I can't see you going wrong with any of them.
I have the Professional Plus 5 Series and I don't recommend it. I'm still trying to figure out if I can use the Professional 6 pieces on it, and if not, then I can't get extra bowls or paddles for it. I can't get anyone at KitchenAid to give me a straight answer on it. If you're going to get a Professional Series mixer, get the 6qt one. 
I just got my kitchenAid in January... LOVE IT! I also got tired of blowing up hand mixers. I purchased mine at Costco it was the best deal at the time it is the 6 qt professional series. The downfall to Costco they only carry black. Khols also has good deals on kitchenAid. If you get the Khols coupons you can use a %30 off coupon on a KitchenAid.
I just got my kitchenAid in January... LOVE IT! I also got tired of blowing up hand mixers. I purchased mine at Costco it was the best deal at the time it is the 6 qt professional series. The downfall to Costco they only carry black. Khols also has good deals on kitchenAid. If you get the Khols coupons you can use a %30 off coupon on a KitchenAid.
Wow, the Costco here had black, white, red, and gray!
I just got the Pro 600 6 qt and absolutely love it. I do large batters and compared to my 4.5qt Artisian it is wonderful. I am keeping both, one for the batter and one for the icings. You can't go wrong with Kitchenaid.
I would definately go for one of the three you list - I love my KA Classic, but I've noticed that I am pushing it when I make something really still like MMF. Have fun!!!!!
What kind of baking do you do? Do you do big cakes (tiered, several layers) or smaller cakes?
I would go with bigger is better. I so badly want to upgrade mine but can't justify the money. Shouldn't have gotten the 6 quart to start. I would get it at Kohls and wait until they are doing one of their Kohls Cash promotions. Spend $50 get a $10 coupon for every $50 you spend. This with one of their coupons makes it a really really good
Enjoy. I'm still looking to buy lids for my bowls.
What kind of baking do you do? Do you do big cakes (tiered, several layers) or smaller cakes?
I do mostly little ones with a couple of big ones about 2 or 3 times a year. I most do cookies, shortbreads and doughs. And of course all kinds of icing.
I picked up my Kitchenaid today. It is sitting on my kitchen table where I can see it from my computer so I can admire it. When I waled into the store this one was screaming "buy me buy me" I got a great deal.
I got the Professional HD model that is 475 watts and is a Costco/Sam's Club exclusive. It is a bowl lift model and 5 quarts and has the spiral dough hook I paid $200 for it as it was a display model. Works beautifully. I already have the shortbread I made the minute I walked in the door with it, cooling on their racks. I don't know how I lived without one for so long.
I just got the 5 quart Artisan and I love it...but I only bake for family/friends. If you bake for a living, I would go with the largest you can afford. My biggest problem was deciding on the color (I ended up with black but truly desire the red).
I know your pain about the hand mixers. I too was having a hard time but mine was from holding the mixer while mixing a stiff recipe for 10 minutes. My arms were hurting so much but I didn't want to spend the money to get a KitchenAid. The breaking point came when I was making something very stiff and had to sit on the floor and use my knees as a support for my arms. My DH came home for lunch and saw how pathetic I looked. OMG he said, go get the KitchenAid!
I dont know what kind, it's my mom's from the 60's! Still goin' strong!!
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