Hello
I will be buying my first Kitchenaid mixer in the next few weeks. Should I get the Professional 5 plus series (425 watt motor) or the artisan? the price difference is only $20. I plan on holding on to this little gem for a long time. Right now I just bake for fun but I would like to be able to bake for $$ .
Any advice is appreciated.
thanks
tara

I have the Classic, The Pro 5 and the Pro 6.....

I LOVE the Pro 6, it's my favourite and I wish I had 2 of them versus the Pro 5, I feel it doesn't have enough power.
Never used the ARtisan to compare, but the design style is similar to the Classic, which I don't like using for anything but royal icing as I dislike the tilt head design

I recently purchased a Kitchenaid Pro. I 'm really enjoying it. This pro model has the 425 motor which is great and whips anything without a problem. It also has a wider bowl that allows you to easily add ingredients to the bowl. than the Artisan model. The only thing that is taking some getting use would be a problem with either model. With the bowl lift you can only use that one bowl so if you're making a 2 0r 3 step recipe it becomes problematic. For example, I was making the whipped cream buttercream frosting . (great frosting)You beat the first set of ingredients for quite awhile. Then you mix and beat the second set of ingredients separately for another length of time. Of course to do this you must empty the first bowl, wash it , and start again. Then you're to add those to the first and whip again.I guess I will buy another bowl but will the metal handle and lift projections on the side you certainly can't stack the 2 bowls for storage. It's not that big a deal but different from using a hand mixer that you can move from bowl to bowl. Enjoy your new mixer and do lots of baking in the new year.

I have been shopping for one myself - My mom has the Artisan (which I borrow ALOT), but I really like how the bowl lifts on the Pro's. That is the one I want! And 20 bucks is just one less trip to the ATM machine (or that is the way I always justify it)

Melissa

Prettysweet, it is worth the money to get another bowl. I was VERY lucky to get my second bowl at an auction for only $5 (including an extra paddle beater). Even though I don't do alot of decorating, it comes in handy when making alot of batter or frosting.

TaraRowan, good luck with your KA shopping. I don't know how I survived without mine. I'd get the biggest that I could, if I were you. You won't regret it in the long run.

Diane

I second getting extra bowls paddles and whips!

It's not a luxury if you are doing this for a living, it's so worth it!

I just ordered this one from Amazon..I took the free shipping and the credit card offer for an additional savings of $30.00 I have the money saved already so I'll pay it off when the bill comes in.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002Y5X9W/?tag=cakecentral-20

thanks everyone!!!

KA 600 Pro - wouldn't recommend anything else, ever! WITH extra bowl. Anything else is just too small, IMO.