Viking 7 Qt. Mixer

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bobbyderegis

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Found this on craigslist this week! For very short money, a chef in Harvard (Hah-vahd) Square was gettting rid of it because she had two identical KichenAid mixers. She said she liked the KitchenAid mixers better, but said she had to have one of them serviced twice already. We both questioned the quality of the new KitchenAid mixers. After a very detailed demo of the Viking, off I went with the mixer in hand. I must say that the seller was the kindest, most hospitable person I have met in a long time. It appeared that it would weigh a ton, but it is lighter and quieter than my KitchenAid K5. Does anyone have any insight or thoughts about Viking mixers? I would like to know who manufactures them. There is nothing that says where it is made, so I assume that Viking just slaps their name on it.
Bobby in Boston

3-22-2009-12-34-54--bobbyderegis.jpg
 
It's a Kenwood:

Bobby:

It's a Kenwood mixer, with an outer shell styled especially for Viking. The Cuisinart mixer is also Kenwood, as are several other brands, including DeLonghi, who distributes Kenwood here under the DeLonghi name; the Kenwood name is not used here in the States. Older Kenwood mixers are very powerful, durable machines, but my familiarity with them is limited to the ones that were actually manufactured in the U.K. Today's Kenwoods are Chinese or Indian-made, I believe, and there is not, as yet, any information that I know of on how well they hold up vs. the older models.

The Kenwood design is very good, and I was very pleased with mine, bought back when Kenwood were trying to crack the U.S. market under their own name. I only sold it because I'm now plagued with arthritis and cannot heft such large heavy equipment without causing myself pain.

I think you'll be happy with this.
 
Sandy beat me to it. Kenwoods were very good UK made mixers and came with lots of attachments to fit on the top under that removable cover.. blender, juicer. I'm not familiar with your rebadged to Viking model,, but Kenwoods always have a power takeoff on the front like a Kitchen Aid for attaching the grinder etc..maybe that logo pops off?
They were and maybe still are sold by Sears as the Sears Elite mixer although Sears never sold the blender attachment separately to sit on top I don't know why. They probably wanted you to buy the actual separate blender and blender motor base but the jar does fit the Sears mixer and so might fit the Viking. Unlike KA, not all Kenwood attachments fit later or earlier models, sometimes when they updated a model you had to buy attachments for that machine.
Here's the Youtube of my circa 50's Kenwood Mixer, still chugging along.

 
That's one badass looking mixer.

I have a newer Kitchenaid that was purchased, I'd say about three years ago. Something got discombobulated, and when I raise the bowl, it raises too high and hits the whisk (or whatever attachment I'm using). So I have to raise the lever just so, and stand there and hold it in place. Frustrating. Wish Miele made a mixer.
 
Arthritis

Sandy, with utmost respect, you mention you are plagued with arthritis. I know someone who was almost crippled from arthritis, he felt so much pain he had to lie all day long in bed crutched in fetal position, that cured his condition and became a normal person just by drinking a "coffe cup" early morning and late at nights of the following solution: dilute 33 grams (3 Tsp) of magnesium chloride (easily purchased in any drug store) in a quart size bottle of mineral water (glass bottle is better). Shake well, holds OK outside the refrigerator.

I hope this helps.
Emilio
 
The Viking Mixer

The Viking mixer made by Kenwood has a belt drive. Kitchenaid is gear driven. Kenwood has the advantage of having more attachments and ports for different attachments. I find the Kitchenaid mixers have a greater useful capacity, allowing doubling and tripling of some recipes more easily. The Viking mixer's beater, whip and dough hook cannot handle as much volume as effectively as a similar capacity Kitchenaid. Viking and Kenwood mixing attachments don't reach as far up the sides of the bowl. Also it is easier to wipe clean a Kitchenaid mixer after use, few crevices for flour and other ingredients to collect.
 
Kenwood Belt Drive:

I've had a Kenwood belt break, due to a guest overloading the machine. I've also been inside a KitchenAid K-5A that I used to own, to replace a gear; KitchenAids have one gear that is supposed to strip under overload to protect the rest of the geartrain.

Give me a belt replacement anyday!
 
P.S.: Bobby:

Kenwoods came in two models, the 5-quart Kenwood Minor and the 7-quart Kenwood Major. Unless something has been done to the attachment points to make them different to Kenwoods, attachments for the Kenwood Major should fit your machine.

When looking for attachments on eBay, you will find Kenwood stuff listed under Kenwood, DeLonghi, Viking, Cuisinart, Farberware, Sears, and Emeril, among others.
 
Have the 7 Qt size.nice machine.Yes its a Kenwood.mine says made in UK on it.I have the blender attachment and it works well.Great machine to make my ginger cookies with.The unit I have has a 1000W motor.Like it better then the KA.I would think you would have to have a heck of an OL to break the belt in the machine.Yes-would prefer the belt than the breakaway gears.At least you can replace the belt easily.
On mine the front chrome "Viking" logo can be removed by moving a lever under the front of the machine to reveal the front power takeoff to use with a meat grinder.don't have the grinder.I have a separate grinder I bought from the sport supplier Cabelas.They sell meat grinder from like quarter HP to 2 Hp.Usually sold to deerhunters to grind deer meat.I beleive the Chefs Choice catalog has Kenwood attachments.And sadly the old Linens and Things was a dealer that sold the Cuisinart version.they also had the attachments.Maybe Bed Bath and Beyond will takeover?The Cuisinart machines went quickly under the going out of Business sale-wanted to try to get one.
 
Thanks for the info, everyone. Isn't Kenwood a not-so-great quality machine? I can see where this Viking does not have the quality of the old Hobart KitchenAids.

Terry: I'll need to learn how to cook before I can whip something up.

Andy: Call me tonight- I'll walk you thru the steps to adjust the bowl on the KitchenAid. It's easy.

Bobby in Boston
 
Bobby:

Nonononononononononono. No.

Kenwood is a great machine, the choice of most of the world's professionals who need a countertop machine; KitchenAid is big primarily here in America. The Kenwood drive system is simple and reliable, and the machine is easily serviced. I am not trying to downgrade KitchenAid in any way, but Kenwoods are also fine, serious pieces of equipment. It's sort of like Ford and Chevy; both do the same job about equally well, and both have their fans and detractors, but you will not go seriously wrong with either one.

I'm missing a great opportunity here - I should say, "Oh, yeah, that's a piece of dreck, so let me take it off your hands." But, sweet, honest, simple person that I am (heh), I'm going to tell you the truth.
 
Danemodsandy:
Thanks, that's good to know. The seller emailed me today. She has the release button for the front nameplate that covers the attachment holder. Said she is going to mail it. What a love she is! She did say that merengues(sp?) and fluffy things came out much better with the Viking whisk than with the KitchenAid. I wonder what the difference is?
Bobby in Boston
 
Kenwoods

Bobby, Kenwood is an EXCELLENT machine, just as the Viking is. A friend of mine has one and she loves it. This will be my next mixer. I have a Kitchenaid (by Hobart) and it is 28 years old and still working nicely. I thought I would put the HOBART in just for you. lol

Ray
 

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