KitchenAid mixers (and others)

[Jonny69]

Hey all, does anyone know anything about KitchenAid mixers? I was thinking of investing in one for some heavy duty dough mixing now I make my own bread. I knew they were expensive but I got a bit of a shock when I saw they were £385 in John Lewis

Well if that's what they cost then that's what they cost, but I've looked online and it looks like there's a couple of models which appear to be identical. Only hitch is the prices range from about £140 right up to £400. Anyone know if there is actually a difference or is it just the department stores cashing in on mugs like me?

I don't necessarily have to go for a KitchanAid one, but there don't seem to be any other brands that are the same quality or durability. Any recommendations for heavy duty mixers appreciated, domestic or professional and I don't mind second hand

Edit: I guess one reason I'm posting this is because I might get a KitchenAid secondhand on eBay, but I don't want to bid £250 for a machine that doesn't actually cost that much to buy new :/

 

[JBuk]

I have a Kenwood Km010 and it's excellent, I went for this over the Kitchenaid as some reviews led me to believe it is built a bit better and tbh the Kitchenaid looked poop.

I paid about £280 for it from Amazon on special offer which seems to be on every few months

 

[Jonny69]

I saw that one JBuk but it's really let down by the dial on the side. I know it won't last long compared to the rest of the machine. I don't understand why they make a machine that good quality and then stick a bendy cheap plastic bit on the side

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

I've got a Kenwood KM20, with the accessory pack. Got it for less than £500 from a place in the Isle of Wight. Bargain.

On a par with the Kitchenaid but the attachements mean I now make more like my own pasta and sausages.

It's replacing a 1967 Kenwood Chef. They were and are built to last.

 

[JBuk]

I saw that one JBuk but it's really let down by the dial on the side. I know it won't last long compared to the rest of the machine. I don't understand why they make a machine that good quality and then stick a bendy cheap plastic bit on the side

it feels ok when using the machine so I don't really give it much of a thought

I don't see why it wouldn't last long as it's not really getting much force on it

 

[Jonny69]

I don't see why it wouldn't last long as it's not really getting much force on it

I think I'm worried it would only take a bash and off it would come. Likely to happen because I'm quite clumsy, especially when hungry

What do they use in commercial kitchens?

 

[Jonny69]

Ah here we go, 8 different models: http://www.kitchenaid.com/flash.cmd?/#/category/230/

Shame it's all in American but translating isn't too hard. So it looks like John Lewis are selling the Artisan (which is the entry level model) for the same price as online places sell the more professional appliances.

Edit: the caveat being the online places are shipping them from America and they are 120V

 

[yermum]

I had a KitchenAid for 21 years and it was used practically every day, sometimes running for most of the day. I used it mostly to make cheesecakes and bread. The dough hook is excellent and we also had the mincer attachment. Unfortunately the gears went and it was uneconomical to repair. You can buy reconditioned ones direct from the manufacturer and these are good prices.

My Kenwood is now about 14 years old and is still going strong although the bowl size is smaller and it doesn't make such good bread.

 

[PlacidCasual]

How about buying a cheap second hand Kenwood and try it out for a while. I would imagine a food mixer is the type of gadget you might use a lot at first then taper off. If you're going to spend serious wedge on a quality product knowing you'll absolutely use it is a good precaution.

 

[robnut]

I have a Kenwood Kenmix 650 that snapped the lid lug the first time i did dough, its been solid since then and ive seriously abused it. Pizza dough makes it stress the most and aint died yet.

 

[JBuk]

I would imagine a food mixer is the type of gadget you might use a lot at first then taper off.

Not for me, I use it often as I have loads of attachments , if I'm suing it for mixing then I will be blending or chopping or grinding spices, I have a mincer, sausage & pasta maker parts also, these don't get used as often but still handy to have for any keen cook

 

[FISHGUTS]

We have a huge Hobart Mixer for large mixes for our Cafe/Restaurant.
Got a Kitchenaid for small stuff. There prety good. Whisks aren't up to much, but still ok.

We use these people, there local to us, pretty good prices commercial wise.

Have a look anyway.

 

[feedtheram]

we got a kitchenaid blender at xmas and i was shocked at how good it is. very expensive but fantastic build quality and performance. if you're using it a lot i would say defo worth it