AHey y'all! So I'm just looking for some opinions...

I currently have a pro line 5 qt KA mixer which I love. I have two bowls for this mixer, which makes things very convenient. Business is doing well, and I'm wondering about getting another mixer. However I'm having trouble imagining in my mind how that would work? If that makes sense...

I'm wondering if maybe it's better to just buy more bowls? What do you guys think? If you have to mixers, I wonder if you wouldn't kind explain your production schedule with it? How you manage it...just trying to see how beneficial it would be.

marganchampagne;  Just a hobby baker here, but it's a hobby that I enjoy. There are 2 mixers on my counter, a KA-7 qt. & a KA-5 qt. like yours, and a hand KA mixer in the drawer.

Everything small, light weight, & half batches in the 5.

Big batches, breads, & heavy batters in the 7.  (Also the 7 will also work with my old 6 qt. bowl/beaters.)

If you can afford it - go for it.  If not - be prudent and save for the day that you may afford it.  Cheers.

AYeah..I've got a little stash lol. Trying to upgrade my equipment, invest in some other things you know? I'm strongly considering it.

AOk, I have the exact same set as MBAlaska. I really like having the different sizes.

I, too, have both a 5 qt and 7 qt plus a hand mixer. The larger size bowl in invaluable. 

I just have 1 5.3 qt mixer. I wish I had the money and storage space for a second one as I have had 2 different recipes going at once. I couldn't afford the KA when I first started so I bought this one brand new off of Ebay for $70...What a deal! It has been great. It has a very powerful 650W motor. If they had a bigger one I would have gotten that. http://www.food.com/recipe/no-cook-7-minute-frosting-107841

I have 3 KAs- 4.5, 6, and 7 quart.  I use  the 7 quart far more often than the others.  If you are hoping/planning to do some serious baking, at some point you will want to start doubling your recipes to fill the larger pans, or to fill and bake more pans at a time. (I am an avid non pro and can't comment on the bigger indistrial sizes, because I am now at the limit of oven/refrig/freezer capacity).   My doubles barely fit in the 6 quart, but are perfect in the 7.  I also like to make double or triple batches of SMBC (10 or 15 whites)  and that will not fit in anything but the 7.   My DH gave me the 7 as a gift, and I wasn't sure I would even use it. But, I love it, and if it broke today, I would go out and buy another.  HTH

AThanks everybody!! I'm going to start looking into the KA 7 qt mixer. When I first got one years ago I came thisclose to getting the 7 qt, but I really couldn't see my way to using it. Business being what it is now, it's looking as though I can finally start with the larger orders...which I've been holding off on until I felt ready

Happy shopping!

oops...got my links mixed up. It was a Dr Tech 7 in 1. They have it on Amazon for $240 normally $399...but this guy on Ebay sells them real cheap....must have "fell off a truck" lol. No really, I don't know what his deal is but he has tons of feedback and mine came without the ice cream bowl and he actually sent it to me. I was surprised. It is no KA...but it is worth way more than what I paid. And hopefully it will last me for a long time while I save up for a 7 qt KA. This is the guy...http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dr-Tech-6-in-1-Multi-Functional-Stand-Mixer-Blender-Grinder-Citrus-Juicer-More-/400556068735?pt=Small_Kitchen_Appliances_US&hash=item5d43008f7f But I think it is worth the price on AMazon too

ALmao at "fell off of a truck" you'd be surprised at the major amounts of kitchen aids that fall off all these trucks. I will not get my name or brand tied up with that foolishness lol!! Thank you for the link..so question.

Having a kitchen aid and that mixer as a SECOND mixer, what would you personally take? I don't make breads or anything that's terribly tough on a mixer.

I just got a refurbished 7 quart Kitchenaid Pro (same motor as commercial model) and I really like it so far.  I can make about 8 lbs of cookie dough in it at a time.  I think it was $359 or $379 with a coupon code on Kitchenaid.com.

Liz
 

ALiz, is that the only mixer you have or do you have an assembly line of sorts?

Sorry, I have KA Artisan 5 quarts also - it is nice to have a smaller capacity for small batches of various items.

Liz
 

AOk, so Im gathering i should definitely get a larger mixer, not two of the same.

Also, is the 7 qt mixer considered "commercial" ? under my cottage food law we are not to allowed to have commercial equipment

I was looking at a refurbished KA 7 qt mixer today (candy apple red -- swoon). Anyway, Kitchenaid markets their 7 quart mixer as the largest "residential" mixer. 

AAwesome! So yeah I'm thinking that's what I'm going to get...

Six, do you have multiple mixers as well?

Liz, thanks for the price and the tip about the coupon! That's definitely in my range, I've saved quite a bit, looking to really invest, bump up to the next level so to speak.

AI feel you on the cake stands lol!! I'm trying not to get too many, the agbay you will love! I fought with that Wilton one for about a year then I just did it with a knife. I'm really looking forward to getting a larger mixer, or at least another one! It's definitely time. I've always been curious as to how others have managed having two

ASorry, I was just wondering if you could choose between that one and a KA which one would you choose, keeping in mind I don't make large batches of breads, or things that don't really work you mixer. I saw in one of your earlier posts though that you said you'd rather the KA!

Oh if I had the money at the time I would have purchased the KA based solely on the reputation. This one has been totally reliable but not having had any issues I cannot speak as to what it would take to get it fixed, etc.... Given that $$ were not an issue I would still go with the KA, but at the time it was. I just posted my experience for anyone who may be a home baker (non pro) or just starting out at baking and not have the money for a KA and wanted to see if baking is something they would stick to. That being said I would not have paid over $200 for it from Amazon (not that it did not turn out to be worth it, but solely because if I was going to spend that kind of $$ I would have just saved more and got the KA) But being that I was able to get a deal for $70 I am very pleased with my choice. I keep trying to get my daughter to get a Hobart for the restaurant but she says she doesn't need anything that big