KitchenAid Stand Mixers ~ thoughts on size, etc.?

[w1986]

We're foodies who also love to cook. We'd like to buy a KitchenAid stand mixer, new or used however have a question about size. Initially we were thinking of a 6 quart model so we can double recipes then store or give away however, does anyone know how the 6 quart will handle smaller volumes?

Any thoughts on size and anything else will be appreciated!

 

[henry200]

I bought my first Kitchenaid mixer when I was 16.  They're fantastic!  I use my 6 quart model for quadruple batches of cookie dough, double batches of bread, mashing 10 lbs of potatoes etc. but the 4.5 quart with the more tapered bowl does a better job with small quantities, especially things like beating just a couple egg whites for waffle batter, etc.

 

You will need to decide how often the extra capacity is really necessary.  A 5 quart model might be a good compromise.

 

[mixguy]

Which Size

Did you know that there is now a 7 quart model? Available at Kitchenaid.com and Williams Sonoma. Keep in mind you should have the oven space for all a mixer that size can make. Some people find the noise of most Kitchenaid 6 quart models and the "wide" 5 qt. a bit irritating especially running at high speeds. Kitchenaid claims the new 7 qt models is their quietest yet. No one in the forum has mentioned having purchased, no testomonials seen posted yet. In choosing a size or capacity, I agree with henry200. Also, please consider getting a Kitchenaid spatula shaped to fit the curve of the bowl too, one with a wood handle!

 

[sudsmaster]

I've been able to beat three egg whites in the 6 qt KA stand mixer with no problem. It handles small volumes just fine, because of the close fit of the wisk to the sides of the mixing bowl.

If you want the best of both worlds, get a 5.5 qt model (featured at Costco these days). It has the motor and frame of a 6 qt model. The only difference is the bowl is about 3/4 inch shorter. In fact you can stick a 6 qt bowl on a 5.5 qt model and it works just fine. The advantage of the 5.5 is that the mouth of the bowl is wider than that of the 5 qt, and the shorter bowl means there's even more room between the head and the bowl rim to add ingredients.

As for noise... I've noticed that there is some variability in noise levels in KA mixers, even in the same exact model. When I got the 6 qt I actually bought two, and tested both for noise, and returned the one that was louder. And it's quieter than the 5.5 qt model I purchased five years later. Both have all metal gearing. Go figure!

 

[maytagbear]

I have the 4.5 quart model

K45, and have been very satisfied with it. Of course, I bought it in 79(?) Hobart built. It is the only appliance I have in Almond. I am tempted by the 5 quart one in Gloss Cinnamon, but the K45 serves my needs quite well, and I am a good and frequent baker.

I rarely, rarely need more than two loaves of bread at a time, so it has been all I have needed. I have an extra bowl, the 3 quart "efficiency" bowl, and the Food Grinder.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[gadgetgary]

Question

The bowl-lift KA mixer at work just about turns on the highest speed.

The motor sounds fine.

What could be the problem?

 

 

[mrb627]

Bowl Scraper

I happened to be channel surfing last week and noticed on one of the shopping channels they were selling a KA mixer with a glass bowl. The cool feature was the paddle beater had a silicone edge down one side of it. So it would scrape the bowl as it orbited around. Pretty cool.

Malcolm

 

[mrb627]

Video

Here is the QVC ad

 

[westie2]

We have the 4.5 QT Ultra mixer and it is a work horse for us.  We did buy an extra bowl to use for us and it works great. 

 

Malcolm

We did purchase that new beater and it does a pretty good job on cake batter but on a thicker batter (cheesecake) it did tend to push the batter up the sides and balled up on the beater.  Look at the beater and it does not have the small extra part in the middle of the beater.  Have used this beater only 2 times so vote is still out for use.  At $26.00 plus is it really worth it.  We may get us a glass bowl though. 

 

My sister has the 6 QT with the lift and it is so much heavier than ours. 

 

[sudsmaster]

The bowl-lift KA mixer at work just about turns on the highe

Not sure what you mean by "just about turns".

Do you mean it won't turn at any speed, but shows some inclination to turning at the highest speed only?

If so, sounds like stripped gears to me. The grease in the transmission is probably transmitting some movement to the final output, but obviously it's not designed to deliver any kind of torque. That's my guess.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

I have what is probably a basic "entry level" Artisan series Kitchen Aid...

It seems to be a tradition in my mother-in-law's family to have one (she has one made before they used the THREE-PRONG plug!) as her & a few other relatives (her daughter/wife's sister, the daughter-in-laws of her three sons/wife's brothers, & many others whose houses I'd been to...

I wish we'd gotten ours in a color other than the metallic black... (which my wife in effort to 'help me make up my mind', chose) I see Empire Red & wish that was the color ours was in (although probably likely to be offered w/ colors like Sunny Yellow, Turquoise, & PANK, how CAN you make up your mind???? Heck, go over to www.kitchenaid.com & surely some buyers are savvy enough to get one in avocado. harvest gold, coffee, almond or copper!!!!) but otherwise it's a fine mixer, indeed!

Cakes, pie fillings & even (when I finally got the knack), a perfect (& very YUMMY!) meringue...--All sooooooo good!!!!

-- Dave

 

[jetcone]

I saw the new copper mixer the other day

what a beauty! Mine is a 4.5 Empire Red and sometimes its a little tight in the bowl but its 30 years old and one of the big purchases my Mom bought me so I am sticking with it!

 

Does anybody know if the glass bowl fits a 4.5?

 

 

[w1986]

gotta love Craigslist

Many thanks to all those who replied!

I scored a twice used red Professional 610 on Craigslist.