I’ve decided that it’s time for me to buy a mixer. I think I’ve proven myself in the kitchen (kind of.) When I make pancakes, I beat my egg whites…by hand…with a whisk. Not even one of those rotary ones! Brownies, cakes, and cookies ALL get mixed by hand. And I have a huge right bicep to prove it. OK, maybe not huge. But I’m pretty sure it’s bigger than my left bicep.
I had a mixer once. It was an old beat-up thing where the bowl didn’t rotate unless you pushed it. I think only 3 of the 10 speeds actually worked. And to get the beaters in, you had to put in the left one first, twist to the right, jiggle, then put in the right one, quarter turn to the left, pull out slightly, then push in. Half the time the beaters still fell out half way through the mixing process.
I also had a handheld mixer at one point, but after three moves, somehow I ended up with just the mixer part and no attachments.
But this time will be different. Through the grace of God and heavy searches through Swagbucks, I have accumulated a good amount of gift certificates on Amazon, which I would like to use to buy a brand new, fully functional, mixer. WOOT!
Right now I’m peeping this KitchenAid mixer. It looks pretty cool (yes, part of my decision is based on looks….who wants an ugly mixer?) It doesn’t look too big (counter space is important) and has the attachments I think I’d need. But the $200 price tag seems a little high. Is that a good price? Too expensive?
Before I purchase, though, I would love to hear if any of you have a mixer, and if you do, do you like it? If you could buy any mixer on Amazon, which would you get and why?
Denise says
February 8, 2011 at 5:20 pmThe KitchenAid is THE mixer to get. I have the one that is one step more powerful than the one you’re considering, but not the one that has the bowl that comes up to the beaters (almost a professional-style). I know it’s pricey–but it’s so worth it. Especially if you make yeast doughs.
If you pay attention to the ones used by chefs/cooks on the food network, almost all of them use a KitchenAid. It has all metal works inside and a 1-year warranty, too. You do have to occasionally scrape the sides for some things.
My vote is KitchenAid. I had a Sunbeam that was second-hand–nothing was wrong with it–but it paled in comparison. My mom couldn’t handle the power of the KitchenAid–can’t always teach and old cook a new trick. 🙂 I love mine!
Denise says
February 8, 2011 at 5:22 pmps. the price hasn’t changed much over the years and they come in a multitude of colors, too.
But, brownies, pancake batter and waffle batter and a few other things should still be mixed by hand.
Miriam T. says
February 8, 2011 at 5:27 pmWhy should those be mixed by hand?
I know I really could have used the mixer last night after spending 30 minutes trying to get the meringue the right texture. Sore arms….
Lfhpueblo says
February 9, 2011 at 2:42 amI don’t have one. I want one and I’m trying to win one over at Leite’s Culinaria. Actually they have a couple of different ones in giveaways over at their site.
My mom had one when we were little and she used it lots, then it got knocked off the counter or something while there was lots of cleaning going on for a holiday and it broke. It never got replaced.
They sure make mixing up big batches of cookie dough for freezing easier,
as well as big batches of homemade parker house rolls easier for baking etc..
Hope you find a great one you like, there are so many companies that make them from affordable to very expensive. Some with many attachements and some with very few.
Miriam T. says
February 9, 2011 at 7:03 amGood luck in those giveaways!
This is the first time I’ve actually shopped for a mixer. I’m not even sure what attachments are considered “musts”…
Denise says
February 9, 2011 at 4:53 pmbecause a mixer will overmix those–they might not rise properly–most times the dough for those needs to be slightly lumpy
on the kitchenaid, you use the whip beater for the meringue or making whipped cream or pudding–amazing the difference
Lynnette Watkins says
December 19, 2012 at 2:51 pmI would any kitchen Aid mixer. I have had the same mixer for ten years now and I have not had any problems. The chop speed is great for nuts.