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kitchenaid stand mixer - looking for reviews

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Hmmmmm:
If I remember correctly, the artisan is one with a tilt head instead of one that lowers and raises.  I actually wish I had purchased that model instead of the raising and lowering one. 

I think they all come with a wisk, flat beater, ad dough hook.  I'd start with those and then decide if you want to go for additonal accessories like a pasta roller or meat grinder. 

Breezygirl:
Another thing is measure your space between your cabinet and counter if you plan to store it there. The mixer with the lifting arms is a bit taller.

Also they usually go on sale at all the big retailers at Christmas and Mother's Day along with the accessories. Also look on Kitchenaid's site for promos and rebates. I just received two rebates for a total of $70 from them. I plan on getting the accessories we want at Chrismas or during the Mother's Day sales.

artk2002:
Some of this is a repeat from the other stand mixer thread.

I've lived with KA mixers since I was born -- my parents were given one as a wedding gift. This is back in the day when the 4qt was all that there was. When  moved out, I got that mixer and it stood me in good stead for many years. The only problem was the speed control getting flour dust in it and not working quite right. A blast of air cleaned that out.

When my ex and I were married we were given a new KA mixer, again the 4qt. That worked well and is now in storage for one or the other of the boys when they move out. The only drawbacks are that the dough hook isn't as efficient as the spiral one on larger models and the bowl is a bit small for some of the bread baking that I do.

For my birthday a couple of years ago, Mrs.k2002 got me the 6qt model. In general it works great, but it has had two mechanical problems. One is a sticky speed control (much like the original one); the other was more serious. I stripped some of the internal gears and had to have them replaced. It was a warranty repair, but I understand that it's a common failing in this model.

Since that original one, I've had the "food grinder" attachment and have used it for a lot of things. Regrinding meat to make meat loaf, along with grinding up vegetables. I've made breakfast sausage and gyoza filling as well. The newer version of the grinder is plastic and mine has a crack in the body but it seems to be holding up despite that.

We have the juicer attachment and use it only rarely, but when we use it, it's very handy. We keep a lot of citrus fruit on hand (especially during blood orange season) and sometimes there's a lot that must be squeezed right away. Neither of us has wrists that can handle manual squeezing for that much fruit.

My model came with the pouring shield. I'm still not certain how useful it is. It's in one piece which is nice; the shield for the smaller model comes (came?) in two pieces and is a pain.

I've been wanting another bowl and have thought about some of the pasta attachments. Haven't had enough spare change to warrant buying them, though. If we didn't have a Cuisinart food processor, I'd consider the slicer attachment. I've also thought about the sausage stuffer.

Color: The current and previous one are blue. I got some grief years ago when we registered for the previous one -- the registry lady thought that white was the only color one should have.

If you have the 4qt model (where the bowl attaches to the base), be very careful about the bowl adjustment. There are instructions out there on how to adjust the screws but you really shouldn't have to. I haven't tried adjusting the 6qt which has the bowl held in arms and is raised by a lever.

Occasionally I'll have a problem getting the beater or whisk or dough hook in place but it's really not that much of a problem once you get the hang of it.

PastryGoddess:
I have a professional one which is a 7 qt that raises and lowers with a handle on the side.  It holds up a bit better than the Artisan I believe.  However, unless you plan on starting an in home restaurant, you should be fine with the artisan.  I think we have a thread on the boards about uses for the mixer.

wonderfullyanonymous:
I also have a standard run of the mill came with the paddle, beater, and dough hooks. I've had mine somewhere in the neighborhood of 15 years, and I love it!

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