KitchenAid Mixer - Good Buy?

[Deleted]

For years, i have heard people rave about these mixers. And, i am not much of a baker or have had much need for a mixer in the past. But, my daughter (10) loves to cook. She is very much a homemaker, more so than i ever was. So, we have been spending a lot of time baking cookies, bread, muffins, trying assorted recipies, etc.\
Anyway, i went ahead and ordered a Kitchenaid Artisan on amazon last night. So, good buy? And, what kinds of things do you use your mixer for other than cakes and bread?

[yogiii]

I bought the grinder attatchment and we use it to make our own hamburger. We also grind pork to make sausage patties. Given how long they last, I think it's a good buy.

[Deleted]

We got the icecream maker attachment for ours.

[lexpenguin]

I love mine. I have the fresh pasta attachment and the ice cream attachment. I use both semi-regularly. Plus I think they are beautiful pieces of "kitchen art".

Enjoy!

[redwagon]

Love ours! We need to attempt pasta again - it was too wet last time. But we definitely use it for baking. very helpful around the holidays!

[Clever Username]

I got mine as a generous and un-asked-for wedding gift.
It's an awesome tool for bakers.
Enjoy.

How much did they charge to ship that bad boy?
I imagine that would be a hurdle.

[dakota4600]

Love ours! Though mine is a 1950's one that my grandma owned. Looks exactly like the ones to only it is just boring white. We use it all the time for doughs. I just discovered a recipe for home made pretzels and it is getting a work out now.

[sarcasticgirl]

Love it. I got it as a pre-wedding gift as I was frugally making dozens of homemade cookies for our wedding. It saved me!
Now, I mostly use it for baking or making whipped cream. I have the pasta roller attachment as well and it is awesome. I have had my eye on a few other attachments that may be coming my way soon ;D

[thyme4change]

Pizza dough!

[kittensaver]

I burned out THREE stand mixers in the first 7-8 years of marriage (baking is a serious hobby). I finally broke down and bought a Kitchenaid. I agree with other posters that it's a great tool and a great investment. Mine is still going strong after 21 years. I use it regularly for baking and meat grinding (homemade cat food), and occasionally for juicing and ice cream making.

[thyme4change]

I burned out THREE stand mixers in the first 7-8 years of marriage (baking is a serious hobby).

I burned out a stand mixer and I don't even bake. I don't remember what I was making, but I remember it dying and me thinking "Drats! That wasn't worth it." (Heck ya I said Drats!)

[kgb18]

I love my KitchenAid stand mixer. My grandmother bought it as a wedding gift. She knew I had wanted one for years. I don't use it a ton, but when I do need it, it's wonderful to have.

At Christmas I made homemade ginger bread cookies. The dough hook is great for that batter. I make homemade whipped cream with it. I have a yummy tortilla rollup recipe, and if I have to make a double or triple batch, I use the mixer.

[mizbear]

My aunt took 30 years to burn up the KA she got for her wedding. She got a new one for her 30th wedding anniversary (my uncle splurged on all the cool attachments) and she loves the new one too.

I am planning on replacing my $99 starter stand mixer with either a KA or Cuisinart. Either is a good buy.

I would have started with the KA- but I didn't have the money when I moved out.

[skubikky]

We bought one for Christmas. It's the 5 quart Artisan. On Amazon paid $261 with shipping and got a $42 rebate.
We use it to make pizza dough, homemade cavatellis and other assorted macaroni, any type of dough or cake batter etc.
As it's rather heavy, it's best if you have some counter real estate that can be dedicated to it.

[debinwa]

I have the Artisan Kitchen Aid too, and I love it. Besides cookies, breads, whipped cream, etc., it's fantastic for mashed potatoes. I throw a couple of garlic cloves in the water when I boil the potatoes, and then put the potatoes and garlic into the mixer with some butter, salt, and milk. It's strong enough to do that job with no problem.

[mizbear]

deb- when are you having mashed potatoes again? I'm hungry now

[mrsdutt]

My KA is the one thing I'd like to have on a deserted island. I don't even care if the island doesn't have an electrical source! Just stuff it with a few books and I'd be happy. Mine is black and just turned 14 this month. Seems like just yesterday we brought 'her' home.

[Deleted]

My KitchenAid arrived today! As soon as we got it out of the box, my daughter and i proceeded to make a loaf of homemade bread and some pepperoni rolls. Where has this been all of my life? I love it.

[Deleted]

Ok. I am checking out the pasta attachments and they are like $199!

[mizbear]

shooby- Keep your eye out on Amazon and for sales around the holidays. A lot of times you can get the attachments either individually or in groups for less money there/then.

[Deleted]

Oh thanks! I didn't know they went on sale so i will keep my eye out. I did check ebay thinking i would be able to find some attachments but was surprised there weren't more for sale!

[p8nt]

Best Purchase Ever!

[Deleted]

Putting in 2 new batches of pepperoni rolls for the neighborhood kids who are waiting outside! Yummy!

[finnime]

My DD25 has been wanting one like mine for a long time - so I gave her my Artisan 5 quart for Christmas (got an extra bowl - glass - to go with it.) And then I got myself on Amazon Black Friday deals for $249 the 6.5 quart version. With this one, the bowl lifts up instead of the head moving down.

I really love this mixer, for everything and anything. I have no attachments - have to check out what other people are recommending.

[Deleted]

I am going to get the pasta attachments very soon if i keep baking like this!

[kgb18]

Putting in 2 new batches of pepperoni rolls

Will you share your recipe? I would love to try to make homemade pepperoni rolls.

[Deleted]

Just make regular bread dough or frozen bread dough. Then pull off some balls of dough and roll flat. I add about 6 slices of pepperoni and half slice of provolone. Roll it up like a jelly roll and then pinch all the ends shut and bake! ;D

[kgb18]

Thanks! That sounds pretty simple. I've never made my own bread. I always end up using Rhode's frozen bread dough, which is actually really good, but I should try my own.

[Deleted]

I was never good with baking and dough. And, the bread recipie that came with the KA is so simple. And, so is the pizza crust. I knocked out 4 strombolis yesterday. The dough was so simple to make and easy to use and roll and all of that. Whenever i tried before i could never get dough the right consistency to roll or it was too sticky, too dry or whatever. And, i make double batches and now keep in the fridge so i have fresh dough available all the time for rolls and crust!

[Deleted]

OK, i am making chocolate chip cookies today! And mashed potatoes with the KA! I love this thing!