I promised myself the last time I had to buy a hand mixer( lack of extra $) that the next time I needed one I would buy a stand mixer. The cheap hand mixer retired a little quicker than I planned but I know it wasn't high powered enough for all I put it through anyway. So, I need to know what stand mixer I should get. Please help with any advice. This is a big purchase for me and I don't want to have to do it again soon b/c I got one that wasn't any good.

For me I would say Kitchen Aid...Nothing else!
Edna

Which one? There are several stages. would the classic do me fine?

If you have a Bed, Bath and Beyond they always have those 20% off coupons and here they are also offering a rebate on the Kitchenaids so that is a huge savings! The Classic is a good mixer to start with but I am looking forward to getting the 5 or 6 quart some day. If you like to make big batches of buttercream then it would be worth getting the bigger size.

I have had the 4 1/2 qt. Classic for 12 years. It's still running, but since I started using it to make Michelle Foster's fondant last year it was showing a few signs of age, think that may have been too much for it. My dear sweet wonderful husband just surprised me with the 6 qt Pro for my birthday last week!!!! I LOVE IT!!!! Not lonly can I make larger batches of cake batter, bc, etc, but it handles the fondant with no strain whatsoever. He said he got a great deal on it at Macy's (on sale, plus a discount for applying for and then using their credit card), wound up being $275. Still way more expensive than I'd expect for a b-day gift, but better than the $500 MSRP and I'm certainly not complaining about his rare splurge . They also have a rebate offer for a free meat grinder or slicer attachment. Good luck. I'd say KA is the best bet, considering my 12 year old one still isn't ready for retirement.

Kitchenaid all the way and get the biggest one you can afford.

I like the 4 quart for basic use..But might be cause that is my first one and I still love it!
Edna

Another observation regarding the size: my 4 1/2 quart JUST BARELY fits a WASC recipe using 2 boxes of mix, I can do it, but it is a hassle and a mess because the batter comes so close to the top. Not an issue with the 6 qt.

I have the Cooks mixer from JC Penny. I haven't had a Kitchenaid so I can't say which is better but I do love my mixer. It is powerful, has a 5 qt that works great for everything I need to do. My WASC fits perfectly in the bowl. It has a plastic lid (see pic) that keeps flour and PS in the bowl and not all over me and my counter. The price is awesome as well.

http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?ItemTyp=C&itemID=1010d86&GrpTyp=PRD&ShowMenu=T&ShopBy=0&SearchString=cooks+mixer&RefPage=SearchDepartment.aspx&s4PageSize=15&CmCatId=EXTERNAL|searchdepartment&Search1Prod=True

Thanks everybody! I appreciate all the help. It's such a big purchase for me but really if I don't get a good one I'll just be buying another one next year. I'll let you know what I get. I'm going pricing tomorrow.

My vote is for a Kitchen aide too. I have had mine for more then 25 years. It is still working. I have the one with the handle on the side. They have them at Sams club for about $265.00. And I think it is the 5 quart. I love my kitchen aide. We got one for my daughter when she got married...They are worth every penny

DH got a killer deal on a 6qt KA for me last christmas... i LOVE it, I still have my old Sunbeam stand mixer that I use often, for smaller jobs, or if I have to make multiple flavors.It doesn't have a whip attachment, or a dough hook tho. But for making fondant, and large batches of batter, icing etc., I can't live with out my KA.

I got a black kitchenaid artisan. Its gorgeous! I can't wait to try it out.

I have the 6 qt. KA but hated it because it didn't do well with small amounts. I also hated scraping and couldn't get the very bottom to mix up....then I heard about the scraper beater. It's all I use and love it. I like the capacity of the 6qt. but hate that it doesn't have the tilt. I do not like the lift. [/img]

Glad you got yourself a nice present. Enjoy!!!