Hi folks! I'm a newbie here, I hope you don't mind me jumping up right away and asking for some advice

I've been using my mother-in-law's small artisan Kitchen Aid mixer and really like it, but it's barely big enough to make a decent sized batch of icing so I've been looking into getting a bigger one. A pro 600 to be exact.
But I started looking at the reviews on those things and now I'm scared!
They shut off after 10 to 15 minutes and you have to wait for it to cool off for 30 min. before you can use it again?
The gears break? I know it'll be under warranty for a while but even though the fixing of it won't cost I'm thinking the shipping back to get it fixed will be a killer!
So are they worth it?
Should I look into something else?
Thought? Advice?


Thanks in advance.

I have the 5 quart "professional" kitchen aid mixer and I love it. Received it as a wedding gift back in 2001 and have used it VERY regularly. Makes a perfect batch of Sugarshack buttercream. If it ever dies on me I know I'll go out and get another one ASAP. It is definitely one thing I would not want to be without. I am not sure on the pro 600 specifically. HTH.

I have no idea what the reviews are saying but I have the KA600 pro and I simply love it! I use it nearly every day and have absolutely no problems from it at all.

I have had the pro KA 600 for about 5 years and have had no problems. However, after hearing so much about the problem with gears, if it ever quits I'll probably look into a Viking.

Okay, Thanks gals! The Viking seems to have it's cons as well - and they look to be quite expensive.
I knew there must be people who had good luck with their kitchen aids or else they wouldn't be so popular but I just know I'd be the one to get a lemon

I think everything has it's cons.

I recently bought a KA Artisan Pro 5, I use it quite regularly and haven't had a problem yet. It's only been about 4 mos though.

I bought the KA 600 and had trouble with it right out of the box. I returned it to KA 6 times over 18 months and they finally bought it back from me for full retail value (at their suggestion). I bought a Waring which is just like the Viking and been extremely happy with it. It has a 7 qt. bowl which easily makes a double batch of buttercream, it runs for hours without heating up or giving any problems. I've had it for over a year now!
Good luck whatever you decide!
Lori

I've been using my KAPro600 for over 7 years with no problems. It gets used for cake batter, icing, cookie dough, pasta dough (and rolling the pasta), pizza dough, bread dough, and my hubby uses the meat grinder attachment to make homemade sausage.

I have had the KA6Q for about 6 months now and no problems (fingers crossed). I also have the KA Pro 5Q right next to it and mix cakes and frostings at the same time. It is awesome! My 5Q is more than 15 years and the only problem is you have to unplug it to shut it off. Other than that- it is STILL awesome! HTH!

I have had a KA Pro 600 for about four years - sitting beside my 28-year-old 5qt KA. I still use the 5qt frequently - love 'em both.

Thanks ya'll I'm starting to feel encouraged now. From what I'm reading it seems like the KA customer service is also unparalleled. Have ya'll found that to be true?

Love it...Love it...love it . No problems out of my Pro600. I've had it for only a year but I don't anticipate any problems....its a KitchenAid for after all

A few years ago the Pro6's were plagued with ALL kinds of problems. I went thru 3 in four months. They kept breaking and the company kept replacing them. After the third one, I asked for my $ back and got a full refund.

The KAs from the olden days were indeed a fine piece of equipment. Not nearly as well made any more.

I have a Kitchen Aid Ultra Power mixer that I have had for about 19 years and I love it. I would definitely buy another one when this one quits. Can't speak so highly of their blenders however

I love mine

I love mine too. Can't imagine how I ever lived without it!

I have a Pro 600 that I got about 2 months ago. It is awesome. It was my undersatnding that the problems people were reporting was because they were using plastic gears in them at one point, and that now they are using metal gears.

I've had my pro 600 for about 5 or 6 years and I use it a lot for everything and never had one problem. The other mixing bowls look too small for me. I love the 6 quart capacity and trust me I push it to the max.

I received one of these for Christmas last year and have had no problems with it so far. It has been used to make bread (2-3 loaves per day), 20 to 30 lbs of icing per week, as well as mixing cake mixes, etc.
It is a good, sturdy unit that performs well. I would suggest getting an additional paddle that has a rubber scraper. It is not available from KA though.