You gotta hand it to 'em. KitchenAid's got guts . . .

[gansky1]

true KA devotee...

I haven't used a "real" hand-mixer since I bought my KA stand mixer in 1992. I've seen several of the KA hand-mixers at sales but have never picked one up. I have a couple of chrome Sunbeam Juniors, but have never used them for real mixing.

Terry and I bought a whole box full of food processors and parts for $5, sorted it all out and had a lovely Sears model and a Cuisinart, made in France KitchenAid that works beautifully - and in mint condition! I burned out a similar B&D cheapie in two years slicing apples but this KA seems/is much more powerful so it will probably be the last one I ever need.

 

[sudsmaster]

If I had any reservation about the 5 cup KA fp it would be that small size of the container, and the limited blade selection (thin slice or grate, that's it). I suppose there might be other blades available, never checked. This one does have the mini bowl and blade extra, which I would imagine would be handy for chopping up small amounts of herbs.

I don't think my Mom ever used it. She probably preferred to use one of her dull knives... lol... It's still in the original box, with original warranty card. Not sure if the owner's manual is around any more, though.

 

[tlee618]

Hey Greg, we sure did have fun putting those together. You are correct that Kitchen Aid is the only process you will ever need, it will last a lifetime!! They were truly a quallity machine.

 

[irishwashguy]

i have a two newer KitchenAids and one older one

I have a New Food processor I bought on everyones' recamondation, thank you!!Made in France, i have a 1997 Made in St Joeseph, Michigan,USA the label reads. KitchenAid handmixer five speed with the little lever, not the cheap eletronics that the newer models have on them.They work wonderfully!! Now my newer Stand Mixer just says assembled in USA, with pride in Ohio the box says. It always made me wonder where the parts came from, maybe like a Hines 57(outsourced )although, it is kind of made here, right? .It works good, louder than the old one.I have been happy with it., they have Fabulous service for the Stand mixers, it is their flagship product. When i was at the Seattle kitchen supply, they tried to tell me not to discount the new things coming out of China, and to give them a chance. take it home and see how well I like it , that I would be supprised. I declined. I really read labels on everything very carefully now, on everything, and have for the last ten years. You would be shocked where everything really comes from. Alot of manufactures, one of them being Sears, can get away with Hoffman States Il, at Least on the big appliances.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Most of the garlic sold in the US comes from China. The food section in either the Post or the NYT showed that garlic with all of the roots cut clean so the bottom of the bulb is concave is from China. Looking at garlic in stores seems to bear that out. If it has some short roots, it is probably from California. I got tired of looking so I bought some elephant garlic which apparently won't grow in China so it is safe to buy, but I still look for point of origin. I really don't want to be consuming stuff grown in polluted soil and air and watered with polluted water or subjected to heaven only knows what kind of dangerous insecticides, herbicides or agricultural treatments for plant diseases.

I was reading this week that because of inspectors at the large west coast ports, the major center for imported seafood from China is Las Vegas so it can be more easily imported without having to deal with the inspectors. Also, 5 years ago a law was signed mandating that all imported foods had to have a country of origin label, but it has yet to go into effect because of the big food interests. Right now it is in a 60 day "comment period" which is just another way of holding up implementation. I often can find competitive prices for organic produce at the My Organic Market stores and unless I know where food comes from at the grocery stores, I will be buying more from the organic market. The big food companies think that they have us over a barrel, but a lot of people who do not buy a lot of convenience or highly processed foods, will be leaving the big grocery stores for places where they are not afraid to put the names and locations of the farms or producers on the food they sell. It is insanity or treason to buy products from a nation that is not a friend and is seeking to cut us down economically and militarily (just look at China's treaties with other non-friendly nations) and to let those products, especially the agricultural products, into our food stream without rigorous inspection. Our government responds to increasing food imports from China et al by cutting food inspectors to record low levels.

 

[tolivac]

Wasn't it a few weeks or so ago that Chinese Food products and toothpaste were recalled because they DIDN'T MEET USA food safety standards?Same thing with Chinese made pet food additives-that caused the death of many pets several months ago.
I also have a French made KA food processor.Nice machine.compared to the Chinese made KA ones-the Chinese ones are pretty lame.After all the food processor was invented in France-Robot Coupe.That company still exists-and they proudly build the machines both in France and in the US-factory is In Misisippi.Robot Coupe markets to commercial users.I have one of their machines-its pretty nice.Bought it used from a Restuarant equipment supplier here in town.they sell used and new equipment.They are a RC dealer.I have a newer and older KA mixers-like the OLDER one better.the motor is quieter and actually has more torque-and the COATED beater blades.The newer one has the uncoated bare metal blades.These make me nervus.

 

[gyrafoam]

BOYCOTT CHINA!

I have been on a mission for months boycotting Chinese products----and its HARD! Once you start looking at labels the shock of how much this country has been sold-out to the Chinese really hits home! As Tom pointed out it is really treasonous how "corporate" America has sold us out. Big surprise.
If enough American's would raise hell about it, there is always the possibility things might turn around. I'll remain guardedly optomistic.
BTW "Google" "Boycott China" and you will find all kinds of kool bumper-stickers,etc. Join the movement!

On the up-side China has just executed the head of their version of the F.D.A. For "corruption". So there IS some redeeming value to their government after all. Wouldn't it be wonderful if our woosie Congress and Senate passed laws requiring public execution for government corruption! Washington,D.C. would become a ghost-town in short order!!!!!!!! Oh, and don't forget the lobbyists----hang-'em-high!!!!!!

Tom, you are right about the organic food. Of course, the hidden hazard is shopping at the so-called Organic groceries. We have the "Whole Foods" chain (a.k.a. "Whole-Wallet") in Atlanta. They have unusually sneaky methods of marketing their products, so one has to be very careful not to get ripped-off when shopping there. Before I go in the door I always remind myself to buy ONLY organic items. They are very sneaky how they will place non-organic items right next to organic ones, label them "natural" to catch you off-guard and their "non-organic" stuff has rip-off pricing.ACH. Another shell game! I hate them, so am very careful when shopping there. I also make a run to the Farmers Market over in Forest Park whenever I can. Anything to avoid buying Chinese!!!!!

 

[andrewinorlando]

The Chinese are corrupt and greedy, and now that they have had a taste of capitalism, the want more! And guess who's supplying it? We are. I avoid MADE IN CHINA at all costs, I don't trust the quality, and I certainly don't trust food safety. All of that manufacturing capacity they have absorbed comes at a cost to their country - POLLUTION!! You really wanna eat the stuff they produce? There is limited enforcement of regulations.

Just think about how they have us over a barrel....they have taken over our manufacturing infrastructure to the point that we have lost so much manufacturing capacity in this country.

I say buy vintage! That's my motto. And I gladly pay more to buy MADE IN THE USA. I'm not sure yet about some of the products that are made in Korea, but at least South Korea seems to be a reasonably friendly country to us, and the make so damned many of the microwaves out there today. And there is always good old Japan, too. They turn out decent products and a decent price for the most part.

But if anyone needs a new microwave, and want American, then buy a DCS...made in good ole California!! When I needed a new vacuum, I went online and bought a vintage Electrolux Super J...it will probably outlive me. It was a whopping $60, and it's almost brand new...not a mark on it...like it was never used.

I used to be all for globalization, but since it seems to mean giving the house away, I'm not so sure anymore.

 

[sudsmaster]

The garlic growers in Gilroy, CA would be shocked to hear that China outproduces them. Gilroy advertizees itself as "The Garlic Capitol of the World", and has a big Garlic Festival every August. I buy Christopher Ranch garlic from Costco once or twice a year, whole bulbs. Lasts a long time. Grown in Gilroy. Don't think I've ever seen any garlic from China, but I wouldn't put it past the big supermarkets (Safeway, Albertson's) to import cheaper Chinese garlic.

Ever tasted garlic brittle? I have. I just substituted garlic cloves for peanuts. People liked it. I probably should have patented it, lol. But I don't think it keeps very long. I should probably cook up a batch and bring it to Gilroy, LOL.

 

[petek]

To be fair you can't soley blame the Chinese after all it is all the major manufacturers and not just US ones who are over there courting for a piece of the pie. Chrysler will be introducing the made in China, Chery model A1 to N.America next year I read in the paper the other day, it's expected to retail in Canada for $10,000. so it will obviously be a cheaper in the US.
GM manufacturs the popular Buick Century or whatever it's called now over in China for their burgeoning middle class but it doesn't have all the pollution control crap on it and catalytic converters and uses one of their much older version engines. All to make it affordable in China.

 

[tolivac]

Chinese leather belts

I needed a new belt-the simple thing to hold up your trousers-bought threee from Pennies a few months ago-THEY BROKE already!Just as I thought-a bold label on the back--MADE IN CHINA!!Now I am back to using my old belt-was made in USA!!What do the Chinese use for leather?maybe I don't want to know.Its sure poor quality!Now I am going to have to buy some belts again-this time pay more attention to where they came from!

 

[fa_f3_20]

At least some small appliances still made in the U.S.

Up until a couple of years ago, my wife's stepmother was working at a contract manufacturing plant in central Alabama. They made small appliances for several brands; Sunbeam and Cuisinart were two that I recall. We have a Cuisinart food processor that was built there. I'm pretty sure the plant is still there, although I don't know what they are making now.

 

[tolivac]

Chinese tubes!

A couple mornings ago I was going to sign on one of the transmitters here-and would you know it-the chinese made #807 tube that is the 1st RF amp wants to die!It is glowing a beautiful blue purple color- and no output-gassy-so I replaced it with another(the only ones our supply "contractor" gets)we will see how long this one lasts.Its the first stage of the transmitter-if it doesn't work the whole rig won't work.We have to replace these on average every few months or even more often.older made in USA or made in Russia tubes lasted much longer.Chinese parts--don't you love-em!

 

[bongobro]

down the tubes, tolivac?

What kind of radio station are you talking about? I work at an AM station in St. Louis, and we switched to a solid-state transmitter back in 1980!

I'm amazed that someone's still usin' tubes...

just curious, bro'...

 

[tolivac]

unlike commercial transmitters the ones we use generate 250-500Kw of power-5 to 10 times the power of a commercial 50Kw AM station.The agency I work for has some MW solid state transmitters rated for 600Kw-1Mw of power.The one I use are olderShort wave-so far there are no solid state shortwave transmitters over 20Kw.I just got done working on one of these 60yr old monsters-when something goes in these--IT GOES-a flash and many small peices to clean out.A ceramic blocker cap went out.In another-a bandswitch went-had to crawl under the PA tube boiler to fix the switch contacts.The station I am at is an international short wave station-broadcasts to Africa,South America,and Cuba.Many stations still use tubes-FM transmitters,TV transmitters(some are solid state)UHF TV stations use tubes-Klystrons and Klystrodes.These generate 30 to 65Kw per tube stage.Some transmitters have up to 5 Klystrons.Digital TV transmitters have from 1 to 4 Klystrode tubes.A Klystron or Klystrode tube uses a series of resonant cavaties to aclomplish gain.Yuou should see the tubes we use here-they weigh up to 300 pounds and cost as much as a $150,000 house!A website called Jim Hawkins Radio World has pictures of one of our transmitter sites.It is under VOA.