i've always owned those cheapie electric hand mixers, for mixing batters etcetcetc. however, i'm considering purchasing one of those nice kitchen aid mixers. they're anywhere from $159 on up. they seem very powerful and built to last. does anyone have one? what about the extra attachments? sausage grinder/stuffer attachment?

thanks gene

-- gene ward (gward34847@aol.com), March 28, 2001

Answers

We have a Kitvhen-Aid. They are GREAT. We do not have any of the attachment, but I have to assume they would be of equal quality. As you know they are not cheap, but we think they are worth it.

-- David in NH (grayfoxfarm@mcttelecom.com), March 28, 2001.

I have one and I love it! IMHO they are well worth the cost. A real time saver. I don't have the extra attachments though.

-- Jean (schiszik@tbcnet.com), March 28, 2001.

I love mine its worth every penny !

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), March 28, 2001.

I love mine and wish I'd bought it years earlier than I did, burned up and replaced enough of those hand held mixers to buy a Kitchenaid twice over. I have the grinder attachment and use it during canning season, a bit of a bother just to grate some cheese or grind a carrot for a salad but great when canning salsa, etc.

-- Betsy K (betsyk@pathwaynet.com), March 28, 2001.

We got a used one, seven or eight years ago. It runs like a top several times weekly. Before that, all the dough DW baked into bread turned out with a funny HOLE in the middle of the loaf. This thing kneads the dough more thoroughly, and NO MORE HOLE. We're very satisfied. I've heard from others that the meat grinding attachment doesn't handle large portions very well, but most folks probably aren't grinding large portions of beef, etc.. Be sure to get the HEAVY DUTY MODEL with the TWO STUDS on each side of the bowl holder. They DO make cheesier models... something to look for.

-- Action Dude (theactiondude@yahoo.com), March 28, 2001.

I have had a heavy duty model Kitchen Aid mixer for over 10 years. It gets lots of use and I've never had a minutes trouble with it. In fact, it is the one appliance in my kitchen I would never want to do without! I have the attachments but don't use them a lot. I don't make sausage and as some one said, it is too much trouble to just shred a little something. Does come in handy during canning season though. It is definitely a quality mixer and I highly recommend it. It is well worth the money. I got mine at Service Merchandise and got it for a good price. Shop around, the prices vary. Might even check Sam's.

-- bwilliams (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), March 28, 2001.

I have one of the heavy duty models and love it. It is also a larger one that is a 5 quart model instead of a 4 quart like so many. You will probably want the larger one if you will be using the mixer for bread doughs. I don't have any extra attachments, but have thought about getting the pasta extruder.

I agree with Action Dude, spend extra and get the heavy duty model.

-- Notforprint (Not@thekeyboard.com), March 28, 2001.

Hi I too have a kitchen aid mixer and wouldn't trade it for any thing. It's well worth the money!!

-- julie (nelson3@bright.net), March 28, 2001.

Ditto. Love mine.

-- Nancy (sonflower35@icqmail.com), March 28, 2001.

I have one and I "DO" have all the attachments. I agree get the heavy one with the most Watts you can. When I bought mine I was buying mainly for bread dough, I got a 300 watt cause the larger ones didn't have the tilt head, (for some reason I didn't think I'd like the arm that raises the bowl up and down) well now that I'm into gardening and such and got the attachments, I have to say I wish I had a bigger motor, the 300 seems a little wimpy when using the attachments with some heavy stuff, meat grinding for one. Don't get me wrong it hasn't broken or anything but when grinding goat meat for burger it suggest grinding twice for best results, well I grind it well chilled (nearly frozen) it does well but the second time around it just doesn't go thru the grinder again without a lot of pushing and force, to much force is required in my opinion, so I just put it thru once. When using a lot with the attachments you also need to ck the screw hub often cause it vibrates loose and your attachment will go flying across the room, mine just needs tighting every once in a while during heavy use. I don't use the attachments unless I have a lot of stuff to put thru it cause it's not worth the clean up, but it sure comes in handy during a good gardening season, it's fast! I would recomend it highly!

-- Carol in Tx (cwaldrop@peoplescom.net), March 28, 2001.

I have a kitchenaid with lots of the attachments. Yes, it is great. I have used the sausage/grinder and it works well. We used to hand grind our sausage, and the kitchenaid makes that a lot easier. We grind it twice in the kitchenaid and once in the hand grinder to stuff the casings. Meat comes out very fine. And you don't have to be so picky with fat and gristle. I also use mine to make butter, and that is a stress on any machine. It seems to be holding up well. If the butter takes real long to form, over 20 minutes, I'll shut it off and let it cool down as a precaution. Mary

-- Mary Fraley (kmfraley@orwell.net), March 28, 2001.

Mine is over 30 years old and doing great. It has never had a problem in all that time. I don't have any attachments, wish I did.

-- Jackie (miller672@cs.com), March 28, 2001.

Add my name to the growing list of satisfied Kitchenaid owners. I only have the smallest wattage machine, but it works great for me. No attachments yet, but they're on my wish list!!

-- Marcia (HrMr@webtv.net), March 28, 2001.

The only thing I like better than my Kitchen Aid is my husband! Jean from Kentucky

-- Jean in Ky. (dandrea@duo-county.com), March 29, 2001.

Just wanted to add my voice to the throng--I just got my own KitchenAid mixer for Christmas and I do love it. They are (don't test this) virtually indestructible. My dad's had his for 15+ years, never needed a repair, or anything. They're pricey but well worth the investment--and there are lots of attachments too.

-- Betsy in NY (sassyweitzel@yahoo.com), March 29, 2001.

If you're going to spend the money on a good mixer, get a Bosch Universal. I think they may be a bit more expensive, and they're a little harder to find, but are incredibly well made. Also, they have 700 watts of power, compared to the Kitchenaids 300 or 350. They will knead six loaves of bread all day long with no strain. They typically come with a blender, mixing bowl, dough hook, and sturdy whips. MANY other attachments are available. I believe the Family Grain Mill (or some other well-known mill) can also be modified to fit a Bosch. You owe it to yourself to at least check them out. (OK, Kitchenaid fans, shields are up. Blast away! :-) )

-- Laura Jensen (lrjensen@seedlaw.com), March 29, 2001.

Hey Laura...I've never heard of a Bosch mixer. Where are they available? I really am a satisfied Kitchen Aid user, but when I retire I'd like to start my own bakery...maybe I would need a Bosch!!?

-- Marcia (HrMr@webtv.net), March 29, 2001.

I have a 350 kitchen aide and I love it. It is well worth the money. If there is a Kohls Department store near you check it out because they always have sales on the kitchen aides. The cheapest I found mine at. Sara

-- sara (tshoos@peoplepc.com), March 30, 2001.

Add my name to the list of Kitchen Aid owners. I made 4 angel food cakes today, & don't know what I would do without it. I have the 350 watt model & some attachments. Kaye

-- Kaye Reno (klreno@irtc.net), March 30, 2001.

Here's another vote for the Bosch. I've had mine for 5 years and I use it alot, primarily for making bread. I make 6 loaves at a time (100% whole wheat which is a little harder on a motor) and the machine does all the work with little effort! Try doing a search to find a distributor. I got mine from a Kitchen Specialties distributor in the midwest (Iowa I think). The gal I got mine from has a bakery business and uses hers daily. It comes with the dough hook and wisk attachments as well as a blender.

-- Amy (gshep@aeroinc.net), April 03, 2001.

Satisfied Kitchen-Aide user! I think I went thru 3 other mixers before I wised up and got this one!

-- Maylene (zedanka@aol.com), April 04, 2001.

One thing to consider is whether you want the type that you pull back the motor unit from the bowl (what you usually see on the cooking shows, or the type I have, which has a handle that raises and lowers the bowl. We got ours at Costco. GT

-- GT (randomnotznospam@yahoo.com), June 26, 2001.