Mom-ninja. Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 When I become diagnosed with celiac I said I wanted a Kitchen Aid mixer because I'd be making pretty much everything from scratch at home. My mom told me I was ridiculous for thinking of spending that money on a name brand. She bought me a "Cook" brand mixer. She has one, and she says she likes it. Some things to consider: 1. She does not ever bake. 2. She does not make gluten free dough 3. She does not make anything from scratch ever. I have been using the mixer she got since Dec. I have to say that I think it stinks. Dh agrees. It does not mix anything properly. There is always always unmixed ingredients at the bottom of the bowl. I have to detach the bowl, and scrap and mix with a spatula to get everything off the bottom. Then I reattach and turn the mixer on again to finish mixing. Frankly, it's easier to just mix using my arm. Dh asked me if the Kitchen Aid mixers do the same thing, or if they really are of better design and quality. So, do the expensive Kitchen Aid mixers have the same problem, and my mom is right when she says the generic brand works just as well? I can't imagine that being the case because I hear people rave about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissad2 Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Get one! You will love it! It mixes beautifully and the new ones have a beater with a scraper on the edge so no scraping the bowl! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamakimberly Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Kitchenaid mixers are worth like 10 other stand mixers- they just do a better job. It is like comparing a Vitamix and a $10 crap blender. It does a better job. Yes, you pay more. But it lasts. And it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 There is a contingent of people who make a lot of bread who are crazy fans of the small Bosch (Compact). It's not heavy (so you can easily store it in a cupboard) as the Kitchen Aid and looks not particularly strong, but can mix up several loaves of bread in one go and is apparently more durable. I know some people find making whole wheat bread burns out their KA. I don't have one, btw. I've just read about them. They run $199 new (this is a dealer set price so everyone sells them for the identical price), and are sold at places like http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/bosch_compact_mixers.aspx but occasionally used ones pop up on ebay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 I have no idea what a Cook mixer is as I haven't heard of it before. I have a KitchenAid that I purchased used for $100. I love it. It is a 325 watt model and I really like it and have purchased extra attachments and paddles for it. Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsJewelsRae Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 I borrowed my mom's Kitchen Aid a year ago. ;). She doesn't bake much at all and her kitchen has been under renovation for a while so she hasn't needed it back. I love it! It's wonderful and I use it all the time! If and when I must part with it my dh will be buying me my own at the next closest present giving holiday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexi Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 We are GF here too and I would not survive without my Kitchen Aid. I love it! It mixes wonderfully-even the sticky messy gluten free dough. It kneads my gluten free bread perfectly. I am so very thankful my hubby bought one for me-he's thankful too when I make him chocolate cake :001_smile: My generic brand was not cutting it and the upgrade has been worth it for us. We bake everything from scratch too. It was expensive up front but after I killed our other mixer and the hand mixer-it might end up being a cheaper option than replacing generic every year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 I had my mil's decent quality stand mixer before my kitchen aide. I had dinner with a woman who had "Just" a good quality hand mixer - and I remember looking at how her item turned out compared to how it turned out when I made the exact same thing with my kitchen aide. big, HUGE, difference. the other one out there that I do know people with kitchen aides expressing interest in is a Bosch. eta: if you plan on alot of heavy dough's - get a higher wattage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thessa516 Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Oh yes! KitchenAid is SOOO much better. I bought a cheap stand mixer. Then one Christmas my DH surprised me with a KitchenAid. There is such a huge difference. Night and day. Can you tell I love my KitchenAid? :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 I have owned mine for over 20 years. Granted, I haven't used it every-single-day... usually just for mixing and kneading bread dough. I don't bother with it for cookie dough. I cook from scratch too, but haven't found it absolutely necessary for everyday cooking. I wouldn't recommend the grain-mill attachment, the motor will burn out if you use it regularly (grains), and I have heard this from numerous people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in CA Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 I think if you want the KA and can afford it, you should get it. HOWEVER...have you tried checking to see if there's an adjustment for beater/bowl clearance on your current mixer? Many mixers (even KAs) need adjustment in order to work properly. If you can find that, and make the necessary adjustments, then I'd use that one until it dies, then go for a new KA. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarreymere Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 I'm nearly fifty years old and have run my own home for over thirty years. I just got a KA last year. Let me just say that the KA is a whole different animal. Wish I'd gotten one sooner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SailorMom Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 I absolutely adore my Kitchen Aid mixer. Very solid and works like a charm :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nukeswife Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 I own both a KA artisan (in apple green no less) and a Bosch universal. They will both be much better than what you have. I love my KA for cake mixes, muffins, small batches of cookies, but not for bread. I use my bosch for bread and pizza dough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I own both a KA artisan (in apple green no less) and a Bosch universal. They will both be much better than what you have. I love my KA for cake mixes, muffins, small batches of cookies, but not for bread. I use my bosch for bread and pizza dough. :w00t:....then, :001_huh:...that's just not fair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nukeswife Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 :w00t:....then, :001_huh:...that's just not fair. I'm a lucky girl because my MIL sends me a large check every Christmas, so I use it to buy my kitchen gadgets :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truscifi Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I have a KA. It is way better than the generic I used to have. Also, a friend has a Bosch which, from what I have seen, is just as good as my KA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureMoms Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 The generic ones are fine for folks (like my mom) who want to mix up cake batter for the occasional birthday cake. Though, frankly, batter is rather easy to stir by hand so I don't think I'd bother. Nice for things like whipped cream though. If you are mixing heavy doughs for bread or baking lots of cookies, a KitchenAid (or Bosch) will make all the difference. I made flourless chocolate cupcakes with mine this week. Yum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I own both a KA artisan (in apple green no less) and a Bosch universal. They will both be much better than what you have. I love my KA for cake mixes, muffins, small batches of cookies, but not for bread. I use my bosch for bread and pizza dough. :iagree: My daughters and my DILs all have KA. I have used them and I much prefer for Bosch for mixing bread dough. It does not hiccup with 16 cups of flour in it. I can mix up 3 pounds of burger into meatloaf. It's fantabulous. However, my DIL cute Apple Green KA looks so much nicer sitting on her counter. :001_smile: And they do work better for smaller things like cakes and such. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I have sworn (outloud) that my daughters/daughters-in-law will have good cookware and better-than-good kitchen tools. All these years of acquiring wisdom has to count for something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
besroma Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I love my KitchenAid, but I love my Bosch even more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 You're not paying more for the name. Your paying more for the motor. Good ones aren't cheap. I've used mine about twice a week for 5 years now. I only have the Artisan, but it meets my bread and dessert needs beautifully. Anything more would be overkill for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarlaS Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 My KA Classic is at least ten years old and going strong. When it dies, I'm getting this one (if it's still available): I think it would look pretty sharp in my turquoise kitchen. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I'm definitely a Bosch fan, but mine isn't a compact model. A friend owns a Bosch Universal (like mine) as well as a KA, and she says the Bosch is much better at bread than the KA. I have forgotten why she said that, but she said the difference was noticeable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellers Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I absolutely LOVE my KitchenAid! I have the Artisan in Red and I love it. KitchenAids aren't a waste of money! My three girls (14-21) all aspire to own one someday because they grew up loving mine. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kristine in KS Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I have my inlaw's KA that they received as a wedding gift in 1966. It's still going strong. Granted, I don't use it for bread dough. I didn't grow up with a KA and I love it for cookies, cakes, brownies, etc. It was originally green and my FIL painted it tan. If it ever dies, I'll probably get a medium to high end KA, but I'm not sure it's ever going to die. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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