If you looked at my thread "another month..anothr cake" you will know I killed my little hand held mixer...may it rest in peace. So now I am looking for a "proper" standing mixer. Many of you have suggested the Kitchen aid machine but wow is that pricey!! I'm wondering why everyone seems to lean towards that machine?
I found a similar machine in the sears catalogue. It is a sunbeam, 450 watts, 12 speed, 3 types of beaters, 4.5 q bowl. It costs $169.00. The kitchen aid one runs $300 - $500 here in different stores. So I would really like to know your feelings on this I would really appreciate it.

I don't know about Sunbeam, they could be great quality, I've never used one.

The reason I love my Kitchenaids (I have two!) is that I bought my first one when I was 15, and after MUCH use it is still going ten years later. My hubby bought me a newer, bigger, more powerful one a few years ago, which is now the one I mainly use. There was a problem with that machine when I first got it, and when I contacted KA about it, they overnight shipped me another mixer THAT DAY. I shipped the old one back in the new box, and didn't have to pay for anything.

They have quality, long-lasting mixers with excellent warranties. I wouldn't trade mine for anything.

Good luck with whatever you decide to purchase!

Kitchen Aid all of the way...... I blew up my hand mixer year's ago. If you go online, the KA Website does have some mixer's that are refurbished and they have a great warranty. I've never bought from them, but lots of people here have agreed that the site is really affordable. I actually have two KA mixers and I would like another one.. I got one for christmas and bought one at a lawn sale and the older one from the sale works better than the new one.. I think the speed of the machine and the fact it can handle alot of ingredients at one time is the main reason why people love it so much. It does not burn out very quickly at all and the company has been around forever..

Try looking online, i'm sure you'll be able to find a reasonable priced one. Have you checked e-bay??? Not sure if they have them.

Good luck

I had a KA that was still going strong after 30 years! (Much of that time it was doing cakes and making icing.) I gave it away when my dear sweet aunt gave me a new one. How could I have been so stupid!?!


I now own that one and a new one I bought online directly from Kitchen Aid through their website. Their closeouts and refurbished machines are MUCH cheaper than you can find in any store, and you don't have to pay sales tax. Plus, shipping is often ( maybe always?) free. Their warranty is top notch. You can't beat it!

Target has the lowest line KA mixer for $169.00 - and you can get a good deal on Ebay too.

I must say, when I started with cake decorating, I was astonished at the prices of KAs. I could not bear to spend that much money. So I went out and bought the Sunbeam 450 watt. Needless to say two months later I bought a KA online at the KA website. It is refurbished but I love it. It works great.

The Sunbeam does not scrape the side of the bowls. You have to constantly lift the head and scrape or be careful and do it as the bowl is spinning. For me that was a draw back. It made me so frustrated.

I would suggest going with the KitchenAid.

LinB

I went to the KA site and can't find the areas you are telling me about. Would someone mind posting the link? I searched around for it but nothing there.

Yo DO have to kind of go through a lot to get there. Here's a link to a half-way point:

http://www.shopkitchenaid.com/

Then, go down to "outlet store" on the lower left. That gives you the option of choosing the closeouts, which are brand new machines that they're just, well...clsing out....or refurbished which are not new, but almost. (Six month warranty instead of a year.) . My Professional 600 was just over $200. And I got a GREAT deal on a refurbished extral bowl, which I just LOVE having.


When you factor in no sales tax and free shipping....such a deal.

The KitchenAid discussion forum is great, too. KA staff are constantly on it, giving tips, helping with problems, etc. Their customer service can't be matched anywhere.

You should get a Kitchen aid. If you really pay attention to ads coming out with Mother's Day coming up they will be going on sale. That is when I bought my first one. I have 2 now!! Love them.

Going now....(thank you)

Okay I am there now, have the window open. Is there a particular "name" I should look for for what I need? There seems to be quite a variety and I have no idea which would be best?

Well I figured out why I couldn't find the outlet section!! I looked up KA Canada....there are no outlet or refurbished icons to click on. It must only be available through the US site. I have emailed them to see if they will ship to Canada.

Amazon.com also has quite a few refurbished/remanufactured KA mixers on their site at great prices and free shipping. You might want to check there!

End of story, get the KitchenAid. I have 3. Lucky me, I got one still packed in its original box for $70.

Crimsicle, They have a forum too? oh,oh.

I'm right in there with everyone else!!!
KitchenAide all the way. It's worth the money and will save you money in the long run. I learned to decorate cakes years ago with my mom's KA back in the 70's. (She still uses that same machine to this day!) I spent the money and got my own only about 5 years ago and let me tell you, I sure did miss having one all those years!

Count me in on the KA bandwagon too!!! I love mine. I only wish I had seen the KA website where they sell the refurbished ones but oh well...
I'm not familiar with Sunbeam or any other kind. When I decided I wanted a stand mixer, there was only one choice for me. Reputation means a lot to me and KA has it!

Lazy_Susan

Ok, I am on my second KA mixer, absolutely LOVE it! I actually killed my first KA, it was the base model with the tilt head. I think that was just a fluke though, have the KA pro 6qt, 525 watt motor now...no problems, have had it for 4 years now! It still works like the day I got it, and in that 4 yrs, I've probably used it as much as some people will in a life time!

For all of you with more than one KA on "active duty"...what models do you have and why 2?

Hmmm? Never thought of buying another one, DH may kill me for even thinking such thoughts!

Yeah, fearlessbaker...a forum. And it's pretty active, too. It's interesting. There's a guy on there who has something like a DOZEN KitchenAids!!!! I learned a lot by reading it. The positive comments everyone had about their refurbished models were what gave me the courage to go that route.


GMCakes....I have the smallest model...dunno what it's called. 250 wats and 4.5 quarts, I think. I wanted to be able to make 2 and 3 batches of icing at a time, so I went up to the Professional 6, and I love, love love it! I haven't used my small one since the big guy moved in, but who knows....someday I might have them both going at once!

I have had an order pending for 3 days now! (Ordering the new 11-wire whip + new coated flat beater) So glad I found this forum, checked out the OUTLET STORE, just added a refurbished 6 QT bowl to my order...for only $19.00!!!!!!!! That's a $40 savings from the price of a new one!!!!!

Thanks everyone!