posted
So a buddy of mine who works for Whirlpool sent me an e-mail saying they are having a KitchenAid demo day and can invite their friends to come and check it out. We can get 15% off of their employee discount. This will be nearly 50%.
My wife has wanted a stand mixer for quite some time, but at over $250, we haven't been able to get one yet. With this discount, we can.
My quesstion is this, of those out there that have mixers like this, which do you have? A bowl lift or tilt top?
Do you have any of the attachments? How do you like it?
posted
I have one that I bought in late 1988. I've used it nearly every day since then. It's the bowl lift type. I love love love it and if it died today, I'd be at Macy's with credit card in hand to replace it within the hour.
I have the grater/shredder attachment, which I use a fair amount (but less than I did when I had all of my children at home).
I recommend you jump at the chance. You won't go wrong with either model, but I recommend the larger one.
Posts: 2069 | Registered: May 2001
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I have the tilt-top, but I think I'd prefer the bowl lift. I don't have time to bake much anymore, but it really is an excellent mixer. I have no attachments.
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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I have the tilt top, and it works pretty good for me, puts out 3 pounds of dough. I don't use the shredder slicer much, but we've used the meat grinder more than we thought we would.
Posts: 11017 | Registered: Apr 2003
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I have a bowl lift, would prefer to have a tilt top. (which I wrote before I read rivka's post .
I love the grinder. I don't use the slicer/shredder since I got a good food processor. The pasta maker plates and sausage stuffer attachment were cheap, cool add-ons to the grinder.
I've heard the pasta rollers are good if you make sheet pasta and slightly cheaper than a powered one.
The ice cream attachment is supposed to be pretty good, but it's not much (if any) cheaper than a model with its own motor.
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
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I have the bowl lift, and love it. I don't use mine very often, since I live alone and cook for one, but when I need it I'm so glad to have it.
Posts: 7954 | Registered: Mar 2004
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quote:Originally posted by katharina: That gizmo is AWESOME.
How is the mixer stored? Is it attached to the board?
I don't believe the mixer is permanently attached to the board, but the cabinet is specifically designed to hold the mixer all the time. Apparently there's some storage behind it for attachments and stuff. But really, when you have that much cabinet space (you can't see the gigantic pantry/laundry area they have in the mud room), there's plenty of room for a dedicated mixer holder thingie.
quote:Originally posted by erosomniac: My god, I want that kitchen.
The two double-ovens (the device on top is a microwave/convection oven) were purchased specifically with me in mind as I don't let people touch then oven when I'm cooking. I tried to convince them to get a gas stove top/grill too, but apparently the hood would have been nearly impossible to install over the island (the house is poured concrete walls, ceilings and floors, so significant pre-planning would have been required).
Posts: 4753 | Registered: May 2002
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quote:Why? I haven't used the lift ones much -- I just know I find moving the heavy tilt top a pain.
The weight doesn't bother me, and the tilt makes it easier for me to pour ingredients in.
Does yours not have the pour spout?
Is the tilt head pretty heavy? My wife's not weak, but she is short. If a tall mixer is on top of the counter, it may be kinda hard for her to tilt the head.
Posts: 1766 | Registered: Feb 2006
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I bought my mom the ice cream attachment for her KitchenAid mixer and she loves it. And she keeps making some of the weirdest ice cream I've ever tasted. I like the KitchenAid mixer. We have the tilt top. I've never used any other mixer, other than the giant one I use at work, and the KitchenAid one.
I like my mixer at work though. Then again it's a giant restaurant sized mixer that probably isn't very practical for home, but what if I want to make 16 quarts of ranch dressing for a party?
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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Nope. I want it, but never enough to actually buy it. There's always something I want more.
quote:Is the tilt head pretty heavy? My wife's not weak, but she is short. If a tall mixer is on top of the counter, it may be kinda hard for her to tilt the head.
I would think the height could be a factor. Definitely go to a store and have her try each one on a standard counter.
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
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I bought my daughter the ice cream attachment last year (found it on clearance for $20!), but I have a cuisinart ice cream maker, so didn't buy one for myself. I haven't used mine much in the last few years, cuz I never seem to have room in my freezer for it.
I've considered getting a pouring shield/spout for my mixer, but I've never seen one when I was actually in the "buying" mode and don't care enough to buy one online. I've been using the mixer for so long, I can use it in my sleep without making a mess.
In the 19+ years since I bought my mixer, I've had to have the bowl re-welded (the hooks and button that hold it in place) once, then bought a new bowl; replaced the flat beater twice (but probably will never have to again, since the newest one is stainless steel and not vinyl-wrapped) and replaced the dough hook once (ditto on the ss vs. vinyl comment).
I'm not exaggerating when I say I've used it every day for nearly 20 years. Back when I was a SAHM feeding 8-12 people every day, I frequently used it 3-4 times in a day. Even now that I only cook for myself and one daughter, I'll still use it 4-5 times a week. When I moved to Maui 7 years ago, I brought it with me in my checked bags instead of shipping it with the bulk of my belongings.
Posts: 2069 | Registered: May 2001
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posted
We have both (Bob had the tilt-top before we got married and I had the bowl-lift). I like the bowl-lift better. Besides having your wife test out the weight/height of tilting, check your cabinet hight. If the counter where you'll be using it has an overhead cabinet you might have to slide it forward to the edge of the counter to lift the top on the tilt one, which is a pain.
Posts: 9866 | Registered: Apr 2002
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I have a tilt-top. I like it a lot. I don't do heavy-duty baking much but I have made pasta in it (no attachments, I used it to knead the pasta.)
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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We have a tilt-top & love it. I agree with the advice to have your wife try out the two types to see which she likes better. Just make sure you get one! Best appliance evah.
Posts: 834 | Registered: Jun 2005
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quote:If the counter where you'll be using it has an overhead cabinet you might have to slide it forward to the edge of the counter to lift the top on the tilt one, which is a pain.
Excellent point and worth repeating. In this situation, the lift is far preferable.
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
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quote:Originally posted by dkw: If the counter where you'll be using it has an overhead cabinet you might have to slide it forward to the edge of the counter to lift the top on the tilt one, which is a pain.
Or the larger bowl lift variety may not fit on your counter at all.
Posts: 4753 | Registered: May 2002
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posted
I LOVE mine! I have the tilt one but I would love to get a lift. I was always of the impression it's better for heavy duty like bread dough. I have the ice cream and the sausage stuffing attachment, Also the grinder. I love them all. I try to get Kitchen Aid products when given a choice. My food processor is also awesome. The juicer attachment makes great juice fast and it cleans well. Get everything you can at that kind of deal! Wish I was in your position! I'd get the pasta attachment!
Posts: 601 | Registered: Sep 2002
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quote:I have the tilt one but I would love to get a lift. I was always of the impression it's better for heavy duty like bread dough.
In the past, the highest-powered motors were only available on the lift models, at least in the consumer lines. I don't know if that's true any more.
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
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I don't cook much and don't buy expensive kitchen stuff, but you people are making me want one.
Posts: 2034 | Registered: Apr 2004
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Mine doesn't have a pour spout but my mother-in-law's does. I think it depends on the model and/or when it was made.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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I have the bowl lift kind. It's the greatest mixer ever. My cake batter is like 1/3 more voluminous and fluffy than with any other mixture and it makes great cakes.
Posts: 6246 | Registered: Aug 2004
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I'm old school - I have a bowl and a wooden spoon.
The neatest food processor device we have is one of those Braun handheld mixer blender thingies - makes the finest houmous in the area (number one in a league of one?), Especially fine is the little glass jar attachment which is great for making pesto or dicing herbs.
Posts: 892 | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
So I just heard back from my buddy, he said it will be $158 including tax for the mixer. That is an outstanding deal. If they have them, I can save more if I get a refurb.
So I think the bowl lift will be the best option for her. The good news is they will have both setup so she can see which one she likes.
It looks like color is going to be the big decision now.
quote:Originally posted by Tante Shvester: Glynn, that is a kosher cook's dream kitchen. Two sinks, two ovens, two microwaves.
I'd be happy to have it. Sigh.
I'd be happy to have it too, but I like my little kitchen. My parent's kitchen was designed so that my mother and I could cook at holidays without annoying each other.
She and I cook in very different ways. I'm a perfectionist and I tend to dominate the kitchen. She's very laid-back and likes for people to just stay out of her way. With such a large kitchen (and two ovens), our conflicting kitchen personalities will clash less.
It also means I can keep people out of the oven while I roast my turkey.
Posts: 4753 | Registered: May 2002
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If I were that difficult to work with and harassed my mother when she was cooking, my dad would have told me to get over it immediately and to stay out of the kitchen until I learned how to be pleasant.
Posts: 26077 | Registered: Mar 2000
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quote:Originally posted by katharina: If I were that difficult to work with and harassed my mother when she was cooking, my dad would have told me to get over it immediately and to stay out of the kitchen until I learned how to be pleasant.
This isn't fair. If this were posted by someone else, I could probably explain myself and expect to get the benefit of the doubt, but my experience with conversations with you in the past has lead me to feel cautious about anything I say being construed poorly. So I don't think I can have that conversation.
I'll just leave this by saying that I was using hyperbole to amuse myself. I'm not that bad in the kitchen and my Mom and I almost always have a good time when we cook together. There have just been a couple of situations where we clashed.
My father's motivations are more likely that he used the Thanksgiving where my Mom and I clashed over the turkey as an excuse to put two big, shiney stainless steel ovens in his kitchen. If there's anything true of my father, it's that he likes big shiney things.
Posts: 4753 | Registered: May 2002
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I wasn't being condemnatory. I imagined at least an instance or two where it became apparent that it would better to have separate cooking - not a full on Iron Chef between you and your mom.
Posts: 26077 | Registered: Mar 2000
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quote:Originally posted by ketchupqueen: Of course, people I hear from who make a LOT of bread seem to prefer Bosch.
Bosches are fine machines, but not as easy to use or clean than kitchenaides. And I prefer the stainless steel bowl from the KA to the plastic of the Bosch, although you can buy a Bosch upgrade.
In today's internet world, it doesn't matter any more, but back in my day <wheeze> kitchenaide mixers/attachments were more mainstream and easier to find in retail stores.
Posts: 2069 | Registered: May 2001
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I think the people who talk about this around me are usually talking about Bosch's pro line, which doesn't come with plastic bowls...
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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So, we decided to get the bowl lift. The reviews here helped that decision. Then... my buddy called and said they had some refurb tilt top mixers for $110. They look brand new and have the factory warranty. So, we decided to go with that one. My wife will be able to raise and lower the top easily enough. We saved $160 off of retail price.
We get it on the 25th. I can't wait.
Thanks for everyone's help here.
Posts: 1766 | Registered: Feb 2006
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One advantage of the bowl lift is that you can put a hot water or ice water jacket under the bowl which is essential for some of the deserts I like to make.
I also have the ice cream maker. Although it isn't significantly less expensive than one with its own motor -- it is bigger.
Posts: 12591 | Registered: Jan 2000
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quote:Originally posted by ketchupqueen: I think the people who talk about this around me are usually talking about Bosch's pro line, which doesn't come with plastic bowls...
Nah. All the bread-making fiends that I know have a plastic-bowl Bosch. Most get the Bosch because that's what's been recommended for bread making, though I have one friend that went through two Kitchenaids before getting a Bosch. The motors on the Kitchenaids burned out on her. She made a lot of whole-grain bread, for what it's worth.
Posts: 3275 | Registered: May 2007
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My wife has a Kitchen Aid which she bought about 6 months ago and between all of the bread and divinity we have made with it I think it is going to give out on us and we will have to get the Bosch.
quote:Originally posted by Sergeant: My wife has a Kitchen Aid which she bought about 6 months ago and between all of the bread and divinity we have made with it I think it is going to give out on us and we will have to get the Bosch.
Sergeant
I used to own a Bosch but burned it out after about 10 years of heavy use. I replaced it with the professional grade Kitchen Aid mixer and its still going strong after 10 years. I've known people who've used them for nearly 40 years without trouble.
Posts: 12591 | Registered: Jan 2000
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posted
From what I've read - which may not be reliable - the big difference in longevity is whether the particular model has a metal or plastic gearbox.
I too know heavy bread-makers who have had KitchenAids for more than 10 years.
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
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