Kitchen aid mixers, which one?

[Edensmum]

I know we often see specials on these coming up. It seems there are three classic, artisan and pro, and there are different features. I make cakes, breads Etc and would love one of these. What do I need in one? Any really great deals at the moment?
Thanks!

[Melaine]

I'm sure I just have the classic and it has served me well, but I *believe* I have the larger bowl and it has definitely been worthwhile, so maybe check the size.

[crl]

I have the classic. When I got mine, I saw some comparisons and remember thinking that I would not make big enough batches of anything to justify the bigger size. I believe the other two considerations were that on the classic the attachments are machine washable, but not on the pro? And that the classic fits better under kitchen cabinets? Something to do with the tilt head instead of the lift one?

Catherine

[lhafer]

I have the Artisan 5 qt in Empire Red and LOVE it! I don't use it nearly as often as I should!
http://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KSM150PSWH-Artisan-5-Quart-Mixer/dp/B00005UP2K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320762907&sr=8-1

Here's mine. It fits fine under my cabinets, but my house is only 2 years old! It's next to my bread maker for comparison.
2149 2150

[sweetsue98]

I have the classic but wished I had the artisan. The bowl has a handle.

[Melaine]

My bowl has a handle so maybe I do have the artisan. Not sure how to check, I've had it for 6 or 7 years. I do like the handle!

[khalloc]

I have the Artisan 5 qt. and i love it!

[mytwosons]

I have the Pro 600 and really like it. When researching, it sounded like the motor of the Pro was needed when making bread.

Costco has a special on their version around this time of the year. I think there's compares to the Pro 500 - IIRC, basically the same motor, but a smaller bowl.

[Binkandabee]

I have the Artisan and it works fine for my uses. I make quite a bit of dough, so I didn't really think the smaller classic motor would cut it for me. However, I bought the pro for my sister in law who is a serious cook/baker. It's very tall, though, and it just barely fits on her counter top.

I'd go with the Artisan for a regular home cook. It should be plenty of power to handle just about anything! Kitchenaid.com has a refurbished white artisan for $169.99 shipped. There is nearly every color imaginable available for $189.00, the white one just happens to be about $20.00 cheaper.

[larig]

most important thing is the motor, if you're making any sort of bread dough. Get the best you can. I prefer the ones that don't tilt back but raise and lower.

[Ceepa]

most important thing is the motor, if you're making any sort of bread dough. Get the best you can. I prefer the ones that don't tilt back but raise and lower.

:yeahthat: For bread you'll want a strong motor. The heavier duty, larger sizes (6 qt) have a bowl that raises and lowers.

[JoyNChrist]

I'm subscribing to this thread because a KA mixer and a breadmaker are on my Christmas list this year.

[new_mommy25]

I have the Costco Pro and I love it! Mine is about 7 years old and still going strong.

[icunurse]

The Costco Pro is a 5.5 quart bowl. I recently had to re-buy one (Costco took back my 4-year-old one after it literally fell apart!) and the bowl is shaped differently than the previous model...less deep, wider. My splash guard doesn't fit on it :( Not sure if KA is changing the shape of all of their bowls or not. And I have no problem fitting it under my cabinets. It is currently $250 with instant rebate and you can't beat Costco's return policy!!

[wendibird22]

I have a wicked old Kitchen Aid that was my grandmothers and it works great but the motor isn't strong enough for heavy doughs (like my pumpkin choc chip cookies...once you add the choc chips it really slows down). Last year DH bought me the Pro 600 w/ 6qt bowl and I'm in love. It did the cookies beautifully and I've done meatloaf. It came with wisk, beater bar and dough hook. My old classic tilts but this one raises/lowers. Did I say I love it. I really love it.

[Indianamom2]

I have the Artisan 5 qt in Empire Red and LOVE it! I don't use it nearly as often as I should!
http://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KSM150PSWH-Artisan-5-Quart-Mixer/dp/B00005UP2K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320762907&sr=8-1

Here's mine. It fits fine under my cabinets, but my house is only 2 years old! It's next to my bread maker for comparison.
2149 2150

:yeahthat: I have the exact same one and I really like it. I got mine last year around this time from Kohl's for a really good price with a rebate and 30% off coupon plus a sale.

[JTsMom]

I've had a 6 qt pro for around 8 years now. I'm really happy with it. I make double batches of chocolate chips cookies with no issues, tons of bread, and more.

[Kymberley]

My mother found the deal of the year on an Artisan 5qt ($128!), and she grabbed it up for me. :love-retry: I love that thing, and I need to use it much more than I do, rather than just staring lovingly at it.

[bekahjean]

I have a 6 qt pro that I bought with wedding gift $ 8 years ago. love love love it. I know that you're not supposed to put the beater and dough hook in the dishwasher but I do it anyways. Sometimes you can find an enameled beater for the 6 qt, and then you don't have to worry about the dishwasher. Also, the newer 6qt bowl lift model has a better dough hook than the older models. I also bought the beater blade (http://www.beaterblade.com/) which scrapes as it mixes, so I don't have to stop and scrape the sides.

[AnnieW625]

I would've been fine with a classic, but I was able to get an Artisan for $225 (on sale and using addt'l coupons at Macy's) in the pistachio color and I love it. I use it on a weekly basis and have had it for 5 yrs. .

[m448]

I had a classic that we registered for as wedding gift for over 10 years until last year. I wanted bigger capacity so we bought a pro and I handed down the classic to my brother and his wife. Still going strong and I'm a frequent baker. I do love the pro since any time I'm making something I tend to double and triple batches. I don't use it much for bread since I slow proof in big buckets and I also like to hand knead some doughs or use the food processor for a 60 second super fast knead. The mixer I use mostly for cakes, frostings, bars, cookies, making pancake dry mix, etc.

[sunshine873]

DH bought me the Pro 600 last year for Christmas & it has changed my baking life! :) It totally worked out for him, because now I make cookies like they're going out of style. It can handle double batches with no problem. Yes, it's big, it's heavy, but it lives on my counter. It's beautiful, so I don't mind.

[wendibird22]

Mine lives on the counter too (in a deep corner) and DH bought me a nice Kitchen Aid cover to go over it. Keeps the dust off and has a big pocket for holding the extra accessories.

[daniele_ut]

I have a Pro 600 Bowl lift model and I LOVE it. Mine also lives on my counter and it fits under my cabinets, but just barely!

[Kymberley]

Mine lives on the counter too (in a deep corner) and DH bought me a nice Kitchen Aid cover to go over it. Keeps the dust off and has a big pocket for holding the extra accessories.

Ooo, good idea! Wish List!

[wendibird22]

This is the cover I have. It just fits over the Pro 600..it just grazes the top of the counter. It would definitely fit a smaller version well.
http://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-Stand-Mixer-Cover-Empire/dp/B000NNDG1O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320786214&sr=8-1

[elliput]

I'm piling on to the Pro 600 love. A couple years ago, I made dozens of batches of bread sticks and it handled the (what seemed like) near constant use amazingly well.

[elephantmeg]

I have the 6 qt pro and love it for large batches, it is hard to use it for a little bit of something though. But love it overall!

[AustenFan]

I have the Pro 600 6 qt and use it to make bread, rolls, pitas, hamburger buns, etc, every week (for 3 years). My standard bread recipe calls for 12-14 cups of flour and makes four loaves, so I need the big capacity. I made a triple batch of cookies for DH's students last week, and it all stayed in, as well. We didn't have a stand mixer at all before, so I didn't know if I'd use it and if it would be worth springing for the stronger motor, but I'm so glad we did. The standard 4 or 5 qt size would not be big enough for several of my recipes!

[Kymberley]

This is the cover I have. It just fits over the Pro 600.
http://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-Stand-Mixer-Cover-Empire/dp/B000NNDG1O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320786214&sr=8-1

Thanks! :D

[soontobe]

Hi everyone:) quick question for those of you that have the 600 pro- would it make 4xa batchÉ Meaning I always double recipes, but sometimes I need to quadruple them-would it fit in the 600 pro

thanks!!!!