Stand Up Mixer?

[EdgarVerona]

Dear all:

Hello! =)

My wife has Celiac disease, and she has been hankering for a stand up mixer for quite some time.

I've been hesitant to get one, because they cost a lot and we usually just about break even every month in terms of finances. A large monetary investment is hard to swallow at this point in our lives.

However, Christmas is coming and I'd like to get her one for Christmas if possible. I've been roaming the internet like a madman and have found three that sound like possibilities:

1) Kitchenaid Classic (250 Watt) - Can find for $129.00

2) Kitchenaid Artisan (325 Watt) - Can find for $225.00

3) Kitchenaid Pro 600 (575 Watt) - Can find for $299.00

The thing is... I don't know what'd be best. Kitchenaid seems to get the best reviews, but I hear bad things about each... and I hear people saying that you shouldn't use Classic/Artisan if you're making bread because it's thicker, but then I hear that Gluten-free dough is thinner than normal dough.

I guess my question is (and hopefully some people in the forum owns one or more of these =) ), which one would "fit the bill" without breaking the budget? Would the Classic work well due to gluten free dough's thinner nature, or do we need to get an Artisan or Pro to do bread-level creation in the gluten free world?

Thank you so much for any help you can provide! There's some Black Friday deals going on with these models tomorrow, so I guess it's a bit late to be asking now... but admittedly, seeing the advertisements today made me think of it. =)

Any help would be awesome, thanks again!

-Alex

[EdgarVerona]

Ahh, my first search to see if someone had already posted about this came up blank, but I tried just "kitchenaid" this time and I found quite a bit of resources. =)

Though there does seem to be contention on the issue... some people say go for pro and some are saying that classic is all you need. I wonder if the people who said they used Classic are still using it today? Perhaps some "Classic" owners can shed some light for me? =) Thanks!

[jerseyangel]

Hi,

I've had my Kitchen Aid Ultra (300 watt) for well over 15 years. It's gotten lots of use pre-gluten-free for large batches of cookie doughs, breads, etc.

I continue to use it for my gluten-free breads and other things--it runs and looks as good as the day I bought it.

[cruelshoes]

I have the 300 watt model with the 4.5 quart bowl. I have had it over 10 years and it gets almost daily use. I like it a lot.

**BUT**

If I were going to buy a new one, I would definitely go for the Pro model. The one I have is great, but it does not have the power or capacity to do double or triple batches like I want to. If I try to do a double batch of bread dough, it will climb up the paddle and really strain. For single batches it is fine, but I would like to have something with more power and capacity.

If your wife will not be doing large batches, I would think the mid-sized one would work fine. But if she wants to bake in bulk, I would go for the biggest one you could afford.

[NewGFMom]

I have a 325 Watt one, and I can do a double batch of gluten-free bread or piecrust or whatever. I LOVE it. I think it's totally fine for any gluten-free stuff you want to make. I definitely would NOT get the low end one. It's not sufficient for the serious baker.

The professional one takes up a bit more space. But it might be worth the extra $$ if you think she's going to be making huge batches of stuff for the freezer.

[melrobsings]

I have the Kitchenaid 4.5 and i wish I also had the bigger one. They are SO EASY to clean, no small parts and are very reliable! I really want a bigger one because I want the flour guard. gluten-free Flour flies out of that thing like ya can't believe and my kitchen forever has a light coating of "dust" (gluten-free flour).

I also would have gotten a cuter color, white is grand (and I have the matching coffee maker) but i wouldn't mind a purple or green...then again, I stole mine from my bf...he didn't know it was missing till 6 weeks later when he walked in and i was using it and said "mel....is that mine?" and I said "nope, it's mine now!" he said "as long as you keep baking great things you can keep it!"

rather then getting one yourself, try getting a family member or bf/gluten-free to get one!

[sixtytwo]

I have the 300 watt one and I agree, it does not do double batches of bread, but it will do a double batch of cookies or cake pretty well. I think if I were to re-purchase, I might consider a larger one, but I am very happy just to have the one I have. It beats up my gluten-free bread so nicely. If I knew how good a Kitchen Aid was, I sure would have had one years before this. You are very nice to be getting one for your wife. Barbara

[Emily Elizabeth]

I have the Kitchenaid Epicurean Mixer (475 watt) and I LOVE it. I've had it almost 6 years now and have used it for double batches of bread and pizza dough (gluten and gluten free) and millions of other things. It's wonderful! I like having the larger bowl even for mixing up smaller things like whipping up whipped cream because things don't splatter out of it. But, if I were on a very tight budget, I would say get the classic. My mom had the classic and it worked just fine. The larger version is definitely a nice luxery though!

[bakingbarb]

Dear all:

Hello! =)

My wife has Celiac disease, and she has been hankering for a stand up mixer for quite some time.

I've been hesitant to get one, because they cost a lot and we usually just about break even every month in terms of finances. A large monetary investment is hard to swallow at this point in our lives.

However, Christmas is coming and I'd like to get her one for Christmas if possible. I've been roaming the internet like a madman and have found three that sound like possibilities:

1) Kitchenaid Classic (250 Watt) - Can find for $129.00

2) Kitchenaid Artisan (325 Watt) - Can find for $225.00

3) Kitchenaid Pro 600 (575 Watt) - Can find for $299.00

The thing is... I don't know what'd be best. Kitchenaid seems to get the best reviews, but I hear bad things about each... and I hear people saying that you shouldn't use Classic/Artisan if you're making bread because it's thicker, but then I hear that Gluten-free dough is thinner than normal dough.

I guess my question is (and hopefully some people in the forum owns one or more of these =) ), which one would "fit the bill" without breaking the budget? Would the Classic work well due to gluten free dough's thinner nature, or do we need to get an Artisan or Pro to do bread-level creation in the gluten free world?

Thank you so much for any help you can provide! There's some Black Friday deals going on with these models tomorrow, so I guess it's a bit late to be asking now... but admittedly, seeing the advertisements today made me think of it. =)

Any help would be awesome, thanks again!

-Alex

Alex I am wondering how you fared today?

I would say to you that anyone of those mixers would be fine. I wouldn't worry about how heavy the gluten-free batters are though. My thoughts are all of these are excellent mixers. I had my first one (medium size for 14 years) and bought my second one last year (the larger one). The only reason I went up a size is I make and sell cheescakes and needed a larger size to handle larger batters. If your wife is going to be making a loaf here and there or a batch of cakes or such either of the smaller sizes are big enough. They are also lighter weight. Mine sits on a shelf and I have to carry it to the counter everytime I need it and it s a bit heavy where the smaller one was much more manegable.

I honestly think the smallest one is fine unless you are baking every day or making double batches everytime.

Hope this helps

[WW340]

I don't have the kitchenaid, but I do have a Wolfgang puck model that is very similar to the Kitchenaid Artesian. I would be very happy with the Artesian personally, but I do not cook for a large family.

By the way, I searched amazon .com and noticed they have the white artesian on sale with free delivery for $199. You also get a $20.00 rebate coupon, making the effective price $179.

Here is the link - Open Original Shared Link

[babinsky]

I just bought the kitchenaid pro at Costco today...they have a sale going...it was very reasonable.

[cmom]

After the previous posts, this question is probably pointless but I have been looking at the Sunbeam stand mixers, 350 watts (due to financial constraints). Any input? Thanks.

[bakingbarb]

After the previous posts, this question is probably pointless but I have been looking at the Sunbeam stand mixers, 350 watts (due to financial constraints). Any input? Thanks.

Sunbeam has been around for years. I have my Grandmothers sitting in my kitchen, although it runs I won't use it. My sister and I were thinking it is at least 35 years old, very heavy beast for the size.

My ex bought me a sunbeam when we were first married and I used it for years. Even though they really don't compare to a kitchenaid, they are worth owning. They are very capable machines.

Here is a link to peeps opnions on the Open Original Shared Link,although they are talking about the 450 watt I think.

[Juliebove]

I have this one from Bosch. I love it!

Open Original Shared Link

[RuthR]

I have had a KitchenAid Classic mixer for about 14 years. Unfortunately, it died the day before Thanksgiving. I just ordered the KitchenAid Professional mixer to replace it. My husband was diagnosed gluten intolerant just under 2 years ago. That was when my mixer started giving me problems. I believe it is due to the length of time the gluten-free doughs need to be beat, on high. I bake all of his breads and pizza dough along with cookies, brownies, cinnamon rolls and anything else he has a craving for. I decided that I didn't want to be replacing my mixer again in a couple of years from all the use it gets, so I did upgrade. I say get the best one you can possibly afford. Think of the savings over buying the premade items (that aren't as good) from the health food store! Good luck!

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

I have the "Pro" and I enjoy its company almost as much as my girlfriend's...

[jerseyangel]

I have the "Pro" and I enjoy its company almost as much as my girlfriend's...

[EdgarVerona]

Hi guys! Sorry it took me so long to reply, I was gone for post-Thanksgiving stuff. =)

After looking about, I decided I'd bite the bullet and go with the Pro 600. My wife does like to make a lot at one time, and it sounds like the lower models were good except in that scenario.

Thanks for your help everyone! =)

EDIT: Heh, hopefully she won't run into this post until after the fact. I just realized this morning that she goes to Gluten-Free forums sometimes, and I don't know which ones. =) lol Well, either way it should be good. =)

[WW340]

You are a good man, Edgar. You will have a very happy wife.

[cruelshoes]

Glad you found a model that would work for you. My husband bought me my Kitchenaid for Christmas. Every time I use it, I remember how thoughtful he is. Your wife is a lucky lady.

[Guest j_mommy]

I love my kitchen aide and had lots of help picking it form the people on here! I chose the artisan and I use it every day!

also...great christmas gift! I'm sure she'll love it!

[Guest j_mommy]

Oh...Try to get the 5 or 6 qrt bowl with handle!!!

[Trillian]

Dear all:

Hello! =)

My wife has Celiac disease, and she has been hankering for a stand up mixer for quite some time.

However, Christmas is coming and I'd like to get her one for Christmas if possible. I've been roaming the internet like a madman and have found three that sound like possibilities:

Any help would be awesome, thanks again!

-Alex

Alex,

I just want to pat you on the back for doing this for your wife. It takes a really special person to be so thoughtful to think of this kind of gift.

When I was diagnosed a few months ago, our eating habits were horrendous. Since I had to start cooking most of our food, I had to get a new mixer (my old sunbeam couldn't handle my abuse). My dh splurged and bought me the kitchenaid pro and now, everytime I use it (a lot!), I think about him and how lucky I am. We ate out all the time... and we ate all kinds of pre-packaged glutenous food at home... he's had to make a big lifestyle change for me but jumped in with both feet. He's been super-supportive and he shows this by eating my sometimes-crappy (yet inventive!) meals, buying the expensive flours and raw food without complaining, and giving me the best mixer possible.

You are a good person. Your wife is lucky.

[Ginsou]

I just noticed that JC Penney has a 700 watt professional grade commercial mixer available for $149.99. It might be worth looking into. Go to www.jcpenney.com and type in item # 780-2111 to view the product.

This mixer was advertised in a sale flyer, I noticed their online website does not show the sale price. Perhaps during the holiday the price will remain at $149.

[EdgarVerona]

Well, it came in and I wrapped it while she was gone and stuck it under the tree =) I don't think I can wait though, I think I'm going to let her open it tonight. Next year I'll have to get her the "big present" on Christmas Eve to stave off my inability to keep secrets. =)

EDIT: Heh, I couldn't keep it secret from her for long. =) She came back, and I couldn't resist letting her have it early. She loved it! Thanks for your help everyone! =)