Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer Questions

[macw1960]

I would really like to know if any SC'ers have the Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer and what they think of it.

$349.97 plus tax at Home Hardware this week. It is also eligible for a $50.00 rebate. Is this a good price?

I know nothing about them except what I have read on SC. Thanks for your help, mac.

[Chantel]

I bought a classic last year for $88 at Zellers with that coupon and a price match (still on cloud nine over that one). I really do like it. The only real bonuses to the artisan over a classic are the slightly larger bowl + handle on it, splash guard/pouring shield is included.

If you want a wild color like baby blue, maybe try the artisan if that's worth it to you. I wanted simple black, so I don't care.

You can also purchase the accessories like the pouring shield, handled bowl/glass bowl and paddle attachment with scraper separate for a fairly decent price on ebay or amazon.

All the accessories (ice cream maker, pasta maker) fit on all of them, so if you don't need the extra half quart bowl, may as well stick with the smaller, much cheaper one.

I'd also hold off a little, I know they go cheaper than $350. http://www.londondrugs.com/Cultures/...9&ProductTab=3 This one, while not available for sale online, is an artisan on for $300 and I believe it's eligible for the rebate as well.

[IMLN]

I have the pro and love it, i paid 500$ a couple years ago and never looked back. My MIL have a smaler version and the problem with hers is when she makes bread the mixer mooves on the counter, so she needs to hold it and its smaler. Really depends what you want to do with it. I make everything, bread, pasta, grind meat, shread, slice, cake... I use it dailly, for me it was an investment.

[marstec]

Buy the one with the bigger motor (the wattage is shown on the outside packaging), it will last longer and you will have enough power to mix just about anything. I bought mine at Costco...there was a rebate at the time, so I think I paid under $300.

[macw1960]

Thanks for the info everyone.

[Natalka]

I've done tons of research on these, as I've been looking for a KA - the model you want depends upon what you are going to do with it.
For bread dough, the Artisan apparently just doesn't have enough power. For regular mixing like cookie dough, it's fine.
Do some googling and you'll see tons of info online from users.


It's on amazon dot ca for 249.99 (not all colours, some are more)
http://www.amazon.ca/KitchenAid-KSM1.../dp/B00005UP2P

It's on for 325 at Sears
http://www.sears.ca/product/kitchena...%2C+KSM150PSAC

However, I've seen it lower than that - usually in the fall, there are sales on them.
The Artisan has 325w.
Last week, the shopping channel had the deluxe 5 (450w) on for 299 with a bonus artisan coffeemaker (I think I'm going to regret not getting it then)
I'm hoping they have a sale on again soon.

[Insane]

I love my artisan. I've gotten rid of most of the attachments though. I love my kitchenaid food processor more. It rocks my world!

[MrsSunshine]

just like others have said. if your going to be using it daily/ or for more intense products like bread dough etc..or even icing.. then def. invest in the higher wattage.. the motor won't burn out as fast.. if your don't mind taking it all 'apart' to add ingredients.. then the regular would work best. if you want more convenience get the bowl lift one.
i havea a 'knock off' version but let me tell ya I would be extremely happy if a KA bowl lift 500+ watt in any color with all attachments include the shield appeared under my tree this year. even if my tree is only 2 feet tall..
its all I want!
anyways make sure the one you get has a warranty.

[marstec]

Costco has the Professional KA mixer on sale this week Sept 24-30. Regular price is $379.99...instant rebate is $80.

[marstec]

macw1960,

On the Costco website, it says the wattage for this mixer is 575. That seems like a new wattage from previous years; I think mine might be 650. It's still far better than the 325 of the Artisan.

[breylormom]

I got the Professional 5 for $299 on sale at CT about 4 to 5 months ago. Love it. I wanted the more powerful motor to make bread. I think I got a good deal, as I was looking at these for a while and pricing them out. It was CT 1 year anniversary sale in the store where I live.

[sarah_cio]

I love mine and think it was totally worth the money. I have had it for about 6 or 7 years and I got it in the US for about $200...I would totally recommend it for cookies, mashed potatoes, biscuits, etc.

[PurpleBunny89]

Okay, ready for the bashers.

I do NOT recommend Kitchen Aid.

I went to Bed bath and beyond last year to get one. The Artisan. I price matched Amazon.com when it went fairly cheap and then used my 20% off coupon on top of that. It was a killer deal. Something like 50% off of what they were originally selling for. I was in heaven ... until I used it.

Mine was very very loud. I was surprised by how badly it mixed, (yes I checked to make sure the paddle was installed correctly, right height, etc) I would mix and mix and mix the darn thing and then when I poured it out there would still be powder cake mix at the bottom. It would of taken me less time to mix with a hand mixer and get better results.

So I was willing to put that aside. As well as how much space it took up and the fact that I had to carry the darn 50 pound thing from one room to the kitchen and then back when I wanted to use it/was finished. I'll blame that on having a small apartment.

So I gave this little expensive machine many chances. I really did. I tried it on several different types of things. Until it broke several days later when trying to make buttercream icing. Yes, seriously. Luckily I returned it because BBB is amazing and they let me get a new one.

Took the new one home tried it out, had all the same issues with noise and everything so figured thats just how loud they are supposed to be. Then it broke a few days later when making chocolate chip cookie dough. It went back and I promised to never buy another one again.

That being said this was a year ago and I think I may be willing to try one of the higher wattage ones BUT I would only ever buy it from BBB as their return policy is amazing. If you ever have any problem with any of their products ever you just return it. So if it breaks down 5 years later? Return it!

Alas we couldn't afford it last year when I got it and we most certainly cannot afford one this year or in the next year either if things continue financially as they are.

EDIT: I should mention that each time it "broke" it would be in the middle of mixing something and then would just stop. Completely stop. I would turn it off, turn it back on again nothing. Let it sit for a little while then try again, try a different outlet, everything. Nothing worked. It looked the same, there was no smell coming from it and it was not hot or anything that would make it obvious that it definitely died. It went silently which they tell me is the best way to go.

[plc]

Wow, sorry to hear you have had a bad experinece with Kitchen Aid, PurpleBunny.

I've been extremely happy with mine. I've had it for about 10 years now and I've had no issues. I finding making pastry dough and pasta to be so easy with the mixer. When it came to needing a new food processor we decided to go with Kitchen Aid and I wish I had done it years ago because it is amazing how well it works.

[snuffaluffagus]

Glad this thread was resurrected. I bought mine last year at Costco on sale for 299$ (Professional Series, 575watts). I haven't had a chance to use it yet but will take it out tomorrow to make bread for the first time (wish me luck, lol). I'll let you know how it turns out. I'm really glad I got it at Costco though; I've never known a store to have such a great return policy and customer service.