Best Stand Mixer?

[MichaelJacksons#1Fan]

I am rather new to this and my first topic post, so please forgive me if I don't get my point across very well. I want to buy a stand mixer to make life easier when I bake. I have been gluten-free for about 9 months, but have not done much baking outside of Betty Crocker mixes (which I can obviously use a hand mixer or with a whisk) but if I want to make bread I have nothing to use. Now unfortunately, I my budget is EXTREMELY tight between the economy and gluten-free foods. So can anyone recommend a good stand mixer that is good without taking a chunk out of my pocketbook? Thanks in advance to all who answer!

MichaelJacksons#1Fan =D

[sa1937]

It didn't take me long to know that I needed a stand mixer to bake gluten-free bread. I bought a KitchenAid...not cheap but well worth the cost. FWIW, they normally have sales on them around Mother's Day.

I still use my hand-held for cake, muffins, banana bread, etc. but it's pretty much impossible to use it for gluten-free yeast bread.

[Darn210]

I have to agree with Sylvia. I finally broke down and bought a KitchenAid when my daughter went gluten free. I bought a bread maker at that time also. I would totaly give up my bread maker. No way will I give up my KitchenAid. I got mine at Bed Bath & Beyond with one of their '20% off one item' coupons.

[Diane-in-FL]

I agree with Sylvia about the Kitchen Aide. It is definitely worth the price and should last you a really long time. I had one anyway. And look for sales at Macy's if there is one near you.

[luvs2eat]

LOVE my Kitchen Aid mixer! I also found a paddle attachment that has like spatula "squeegies" on the outside that swipes the sides of the bowl and keeps everything moving!

[love2travel]

Yet another KA fan! Mine is the professional series, 6 quart bowl with stainless attachments. I would highly recommend if you decide on a KA that you get the stainless attachments instead of plastic as there have been breakage problems with plastic. The artisan mixer is ok but if you are going to do heavy duty baking the professional series 600 is able to do much more. I actually got mine from eBay for half price. They are a lot more expensive here in Canada than the US so maybe that would work?? Well worth it. I also have the pasta maker/roller attachments and LOVE them.

KA has such a reputation for their workhorse mixers. They can last and last and last and last! And come in delicious colours...

[ShelleP]

Sorry to be a broken record, but the KitchenAid is the only way to fly. Try Craig's List or ask some of your girl friends if they have one that they never use. Times are tough for everyone, they might rather have the cash. New ones go for $269 with a rebate (I just bought one for my Mom). Explain your problem to your girlfriends and offer to pay $135 in cash for it. Another idea is to go to your church and explain your need. They might be able to help you.

[mamaw]

One more vote for the kitchen aid mixer....it is a work horse .Cheaper mixers may be cheaper but wil not hold up to the gluten-free dough....so if you go cheaper then it may blow out the motor & you will be re-peating buying over ...

I got all new appliances when I went gluten-free ... I asked for appliances for birthday, holidays & any time some one would want to purchase something for me...Not very personal but very useful at a time when money was or is tight...

[Mizzo]

I took my time and looked everywhere and found a new kitchen aid with all attatchments on clearance " because it was red" for $110. Less than half price at target. It was worth the wait!

[mamaw]

Mizzo,, you got a real bargain. Good shopping!

[MichaelJacksons#1Fan]

I want to thank all of you for your wonderful advice! I decided to buy a Kitchenaid mixer after all, but will wait and see if I can find one on sale. Thanks again! I would have bought a mixer that would break down after a few uses if it were not for all you guys!

MichaelJacksons#1Fan =D

[mushroom]

Know I'm a Johnny come lately, but I have two Kitchen Aids, one here and one in U.S.

[etta694]

Do check prices vs power. Walmart here was cheaper.. then I found that it was also not as powerful. KA makes so many different powers/sizes that you have to check what it is you are getting for the money. and... one more vote.

[imsohungry]

My Kitchen Aide is also a professional model, and I found it for $150 (still in the box) on Craigslist. My mom got the same model 600pro at a regular store and only paid $250 b/c she found a sale. The bargains are out there on KA mixers...just keep your eyes open online and in store for the sales (around holidays, seasons' changing, and "ugly" colors are all prime for good prices).

[GlutenFreeManna]

If you can hold out for six months or so I always see KA mixers on deep sales for Black Friday. You do have to be fast however to get them. Walmart had one for $169 this past BF and that was the best deal I have ever seen.

[Maggie Mermaid]

Yep, love my KitchenAid stand mixer. Mine is refurbished, I got it at an outlet mall for a deep discount. No problems with it at all. I think it came with a limited warranty. Costco.com and their warehouses also have brand new ones. Also start haunting garage sales and thrift stores, you could get lucky. Maybe join "Freecycle" on yahoo or check the bartering section on Craigslist. Just some thoughts, good luck!

[Marilyn R]

I love my Kitchen Aid! I have a petite galley kitchen, so I keep the mixer in my home office. So ... I love the dustcover I ordered online too. The only negative I've ever heard from anyone that owns one it is that it's so heavy, and a pain to pull out of the cupboard. (But she isn't gluten-free or used to jumping through the hoops that we do.)

I've been thinking about buying the meatgrinder, and was wondering if anybody has that attachment and uses it?

[sa1937]

I love my Kitchen Aid! I have a petite galley kitchen, so I keep the mixer in my home office. So ... I love the dustcover I ordered online too. The only negative I've ever heard from anyone that owns one it is that it's so heavy, and a pain to pull out of the cupboard. (But she isn't gluten-free or used to jumping through the hoops that we do.)

I've been thinking about buying the meatgrinder, and was wondering if anybody has that attachment and uses it?

Hi Marilyn, my KitchenAid mixer is heavy and if I didn't leave it out, I probably wouldn't use it as much as I do. I wish my kitchen was a bit bigger though as I've bought so many new things since going gluten-free.

I do have the grinder attachment only because it was a promo freebie when I bought my mixer. I've never used it though. I know it's not meant for heavy duty grinding (like if your hubby got a deer and you wanted to make a lot of ground venison). You might want to pull up the grinder attachment on Amazon and read some of the reviews before you decide whether to purchase it.

[Marilyn R]

Hi Marilyn, my KitchenAid mixer is heavy and if I didn't leave it out, I probably wouldn't use it as much as I do. I wish my kitchen was a bit bigger though as I've bought so many new things since going gluten-free.

I do have the grinder attachment only because it was a promo freebie when I bought my mixer. I've never used it though. I know it's not meant for heavy duty grinding (like if your hubby got a deer and you wanted to make a lot of ground venison). You might want to pull up the grinder attachment on Amazon and read some of the reviews before you decide whether to purchase it.

Thank you Sylvia! I really appreciate your good advice.

[sa1937]

Thank you Sylvia! I really appreciate your good advice.

You're welcome, Marilyn! I had a choice of a free grinder or the slicer/grater/shredder. I figured I had enough grater/slicer thingies...but have since added a mandolin to my wish list. Go figure. I think some of these KA attachments are pretty hard on the motor, too (like the ice cream maker).

[Ginsou]

You may also consider purchasing a Cuisinart heavy duty stand mixer. I had a 20% off coupon for Bed and Bath and went in fully expecting to purchase a Kitchen Aid, and instead purchased the Cuisinart because it was the same price as KA, but it had slightly more wattage and the bowl had 2 handles on it vs. 1 handle on the KA. My husband paid for it, bless him, so I was able to also purchase a Zo bread machine at a later date. The bowls are very deep in both KA and Cuisinart, and I found a heavy duty large silicone scraper, to scrape down the sides and bottom if needed. The Cuisinart has more of a horizontal sewing machine shape to it, which fit my kitchen counter perfectly.

Keep an eye out for a coupon or rebate, and also join Freecycle and place your wanted ad and explain why you need it. Perhaps a relative can help you out with the cost of it....for your birthday, Christmas, etc. Good luck with your search....it will be worth it in the long run.