I have been really interested in getting a mixer..... i have the hand one..but, i want one that will mix for me!!
I was curious, they have one at walmart... for 60.00. beats paying 300!! and i defintely dont have the money for a 300.00 one!
does anyone have a cheaper brand than Kitchen aid?
what about sun beam? all i need it to do is make my icing.. and mix cakes !!

I have a really whammin jammin mixer and i have the $60 mixer from Walmart.... the $60 one works well so far. I've made icing in it a few times. I usually use my more expensive one, but I've had to use the cheaper one a few times with no problems. I don't know that it will last as long... but it's working very well so far.

How often are you making buttercream? Once or twice a month? I'd say go for it. If a little more often than that, I would save another $40-50 and get the Hamilton Beach from Target. I use that one also and it rocks!

Or watch Kohls for really good sale prices on the Kitchenaid stand mixers

Yes, KA is the best... but even on sale they are too expensive for many people. The Hamilton Beach is a great "starter" mixer and very affordable.

I did the consumer reports research before purchasing it. It actually has more power than the same size KA and made with metal construction. The bowl does not have a handle, I wish it did. I've been using it three years now and it's kicking butt. I fully do not anticipate it lasting as long as a KA- but it's a really really good mixer.

I have purchased several mixers in the past and including the one you are talking about and realized the you will burn out he motor in no time if you mix to much icing in it it is better to save your pennies for th big heavy duty mixer check Amazon.com for a reconditioned one it may be 179.00 or so it will be worth the investment.

I did a search on target.com under Hamilton Beach and also under stand mixer and I did not find anything.

momof3,

Gotta put my 2 cents in....

I had a Hamilton Beach.. bought it for Wilton classes to do royal icing in.. I used it once & it burnt up!!! Fire & smoke!!!!!! I will NEVER use hamilton beach products again. I brought it back to the store, got my money back, I had sold my tread mill the day before so I used that money & the money I got back & bought me a KITCHEN AID!!!!! I love it!!!!!!!

My friend just bought a Wolfgang stand mixer & it came with a lot of stuff. She bought it at Sam's Wholesale (Walmart) for $175. She got a lot of bowls with hers. She loves it.

If your planning on making royal icing I would advise you to get a KA or WolfP or anther well known mixer.

~TC~

I found these models at target.com

KitchenAid Ultrapower Stand Mixer - KSM90 $199.99
Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer - K45SS $179.99

amazon.com is having a special on their KA mixers. The price is about $250 but you get a free attachment (I'd pick the pasta roller for fondant). The pasta roller attachment by itself sells for about $145. Plus you'd get to pick from all those fun colors. I know...you should not buy a mixer based on its color but I just love the bright colors. Mine is black--heavens do not buy black. What a mess it always is.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/feature/-/560190/ref=amb_right-2_194511_7/104-2593418-6775908

My vote definitely goes for the KA. I bought a refurbished one from Amazon.com just a few months ago, and got a great deal. It was on sale, and had a $30 discount for purchase over $150, and free shipping. I think the end price was $135. Alas, I DID buy the black one, and it is indeed always a mess, or at least the mess shows immediately! If you can possibly do it, go for the KA, otherwise in the not too distant future you will probably be faced with this decision all over again...that was what happened to me. Janice

I don't know where you live or if you have Linen's n Things but they charge $249 for the Artisan 5Qt (which I like better than the classic because the bowl has a handle.) They always send us coupons for 20% off in the mail so I got mine for about $214 w/tax and I love it.

I bought a Hamilton Beach from Target (don't know if it is the same one mentioned) and only the bottom of the beaters go down into the batter, and when I turned them on medium it smelled like burnt rubber (maybe that goes away?). Just FYI...I personally love my Kitchen Aid!!! but I have also read good things about Sunbeam as well although I am not familiar with those.


Hope that helps!
Mixee

The cake supply store I go to has refurbised bowls for kitchen aids. I have bought 3 so far! Only $10 a piece!! They also have new batters & all for the KA. I have the first one that Briansbaker showed. I really wish I would have gotten the largest one though!! But then again the extra bowls come in handy!! You'll get the right one don't worry!!
~TC~

Glad I don't have the money for a KA right now - there are 3 colors I'd have a hard time choosign between! The right one would be the Majestic Yellow to match my cow & butter colored kitchen but the inner child in me is screaming for the bright blue one! Like I said - glad I don't have to decide now!

I'm glad you got the KA, I don't see how you could ever regret the purchase! I invested in an extra bowl and two paddles for my KA (got them at Kohls.com for a good price...$9.95 I think). I'll be checking with my cake store and see if they have any of this stuff for sale, could be a good source! I'd like to have a bowl cover thing for mine, I seem to have a knack for throwing whatever I'm mixing all over the kitchen, and I have the black KA that shows every little thing!

Well I must say I only have 2 hand mixers ...a hamilton beach and a sunbeam. One was mine, one was my husbands before we were together. I cant say I have any complaints with either...I've been wanting a KitchenAid but as others have stated here the money was outrageous , but the way it looks I will get a KA, my husband asked me what I wanted for our anniversary (12 April) and for mothers day. "nothing! BECAUSE with us getting ready to move I want to wait, because the only thing I want is a kitchenaid mixer! but ask me again come Christmas! I told him I showed him what I was talking about, and his mouth dropped, but said if I wanted a KA I could get whatever one I wanted, attachments and all! for Christmas at the lastest...we both want to wait until we are back to the states...our household weight remains the constant reason we didnt buy much while we were here.....I got my grandfather clock, I got Belgian tables and alot of Pampered Chef~ So we are having a huge basewide yard sale 30 April, and we will unload lots of our electronics that we have doubles of! SO I have to remain very happy for all of you that have a KA, or any stand mixer!!!!! Cuz all I have is hand mixers!

But, you are going to GET the KA, by Christmas! How great is that! You are going to be so busy, the time will fly, and soon you will be back in the good ole' US of A. I've never been "across the pond", it seems like it would be a great experience to have and remember, but it is a long way from home. I did live in Alaska for 17 months back in 1958-1959, when they got their statehood, being from Texas I wasn't too impressed...if they ever thaw out who know how much will be left? Brought back a little eskimo though! LOL Janice