Stand Mixer Recommendations?

[acousticmom]

I made my first loaf of bread this week with lots of apprehension (it actually turned out good--I really expected to have to try a bunch of recipes before finding a decent one). Anyway, I had borrowed my mom-in-law's stand mixer, since I don't own one yet, and nearly burned up the motor on the dough. http://www.glutenfreeforum.com/style_image...icons/icon9.gif

I'm considering buying one, and I'm wondering how much power you need to deal with these heavy, sticky gluten-free doughs. Any recommendations?

Carol

[Guest barbara3675]

If you can afford it, buy a Kitchen Aid, you will never be sorry. I found a refurbished one for just under $100 and it is just like the expensive ones. They can go up very high when you add chrome, color and more features. All you need is the basic white one that has the three tools. It will mix your bread dough nicely. It also works so nice for beating up cakes, cookies and is a dream for egg whites and mashed potatoes. If I had known how great a Kitchen Aid was, I would have had one long ago, I just got mine. Barbara

[tarnalberry]

I'm also a fan of the kitchenaid's. I prefer the 5 or 6 quart models that tend to have a more powerful motor and the stand that raises and lowers the bowl, rather than tilting the head, but others prefer the other model. with the wealth of attachments and the longevity of appliance, it's an investment, though the cost can be off-putting.

[acousticmom]

If you can afford it, buy a Kitchen Aid, you will never be sorry. I found a refurbished one for just under $100 and it is just like the expensive ones. Barbara

Barbara,

How did you find a refurbished one? And are some models more cleanable than others, if I find a good one used?

My mom-in-law's old Sunbeam has ventilation slots that I couldn't clean inside of, and they actually came into contact with the gluten-free dough (it was riding up the beaters like crazy). I had cleaned the mixer as thoroughly as I could, but it still made me nervous. I wouldn't want to buy one used unless I could disassemble the whole thing & be sure there's no CC.

Carol

[penguin]

If I could have no other kitchen appliance, I would have my kitchen aid mixer. I am absolutely in love and I would never use another brand

Plus, there are like, a million attachments you can get for it from a meat grinder, sausage thingy (yeah, that's the real term ), pasta roller (if you get really amitious), shredder, etc

[Guest barbara3675]

Acoucticmom----I found my Kitchen Aid at Pamida. I was actually looking for just a hand mixer to get me by until I could get a Kitchen Aid when I went shopping in another part of Wisconsin, but when I saw these refurbished ones, I took a whirl. They only had those and not any other Kitchen Aids. They had some other brands of mixers, but they were almost as much. You never have the problem of the batter crawling up the beater and it is so easy to clean.....it is a marvelous piece of kitchen equipment. Barbara

[Rusla]

I have to concur on the Kitchen Aid. I got mine about five years ago, and it is terrific.

[wolfie]

Another vote for the KitchenAid....LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this appliance!!! I have had mine for a little over a year and can't say enough about it!

[ebrbetty]

KitchenAid all the way

[jerseyangel]

Yup--I've had my cobalt blue Kitchen Aid for years and love it.

[acousticmom]

Thanks for all the feedback on mixers. You guys are so helpful!!

Carol