Hi there. I've finally convinced DH that I NEED a KA stand mixer - the hand mixer just isn't cutting it! But I know nothing about KA's. Any suggestions as to which one I should get? (I'm sure they have different wattages or something...?!) Thanks!

I have the Artisan. I think it is the most popular model. It works great for making icing and mixing cakes. I have not used it to make MMF, don't trust it. You might check the Kichenaid website for more info and they sell new and reconditioned mixers there. Good luck...

Cindy

I have the KA Pro 600. It works very well and is A LOT more powerful and sturdy than the one my friend has (I believe he has an Artisan). Truly, after you use a Pro, the other KA look like toys. If you're serious about this and maybe want to do a little business, I wouldn't be satisfied with anything less than a Pro.

. . .if you have a little more money to spend, you may even consider a Viking.

I got the Professional 600
I got this one because I didnt want to tell myself
in 2 years I wish I got the 14 cup one
You have to remeber this will probably
be the only one you will ever need

i have the 600 pro as well. i got it from www.kitchencollection.com for 239 - great deal! came quickly, good customer service. it is refurbished, but i have had no problems with it, and it's so big i can make multiple batches. i think the bigger one is worth the investment. i hope you find a good one for you!

I also have the 600 pro and love it. I can put 3 cake mixes or 3 batches of BC in it with no problem. It was well worth the investment.

Hi All

I also have the KA 600, actually you can get 4 cake mixes and a 4 batch of icing no problem. I absolutely love it!! Can't imagine life without it.

Well I have a KA Classic and it works just fine for what I do with it! I have made MMF in my mixer the only thing I had a problem was getting the bowl off the stand when I was done mixing it. It took two of us to get it off. Good Luck and enjoy your mixer when you get one.

Get a KA! I now have the Pro600 and that's what I'd tell you to start off with, if you can. I got my first KA 22 years ago and my daughter is still using that one. Personally, I wouldn't go back to the bowl that twists into place on a bottom plate. I found that when I did heavy doughs, the bowl could pop off. I don't have that problem anymore. They're wonderful, sturdy machines that can last for decades! I'm proof of that!

Whichever one you end up getting, I would suggest getting at least one extra bowl. It is such a pain to have to stop everything to wash a bowl in between the cake batter and icing prep. They don't cost that much, and definitely saves your sanity in the middle of a mad dash cake prep.

I just got the KA 600 from BB&B. I used the 20% off coupon and they are also have a $30 cash rebate (by mail) until I think the end of March (which reminds me:I have to mail that in!)
I am very giddy over my new "toy". splurge on the 600!! one other thing my friend pointed out on her artisan is that the notch on the bottom of the bowl 'collects' ingredients that don't get mixed in.
good luck with it!
tara

I also have a refurbished Pro600, and LOVE it! This is my second one -I burned out my first refurbished one, and KA replaced it FOR FREE. Their customer service was outstanding and I had my new mixer within 4 days of when I called them. They even paid for shipping and scheduled UPS to come and pick up the old one!

I think that the one I had before had a defective gear (according to DH), but the new models all have steel gears so that shouldn't be a problem again. I would not hesitate to purchase another KA!!

Ok I will be purchasing a kitchenaid soon probably in a few weeks, so if I understand this right refurbished means that it had to be fixed and they are re-selling them right? But if I have any problems I would contact Kitchen Aid themselves to fix it not Kitchen Collections? Because if most of you got yours refurbished and they work great why spend $469.00 compared to $239.00 if you are getting the same thing?

I won't tell you which one I have or which one I want, but I will share the same advice given me when I was first considering buying a KA:

Shop around for the best price and buy the very best one you can possibly afford. If one is just a few more $$ than the one below it, you are better off with the more powerful one. Remember, these are not simple kitchen appliances, they are lifetime investments.

Go now, and let us know what you buy.

Thank you SO much everyone, for your wonderful advice! You've given me so much information! I'll keep you posted on what I get and how I like it! Thanks again.

My grandma passed hers on down to me...its over 25 years old I am sure....it works fantastic! Its a 6 quart...my mom just gave her 5 quart to me...so now I have two! Yay! I will say whichever one ya get, you are guaranteed to have it FOREVER. So get what you want the first time around.

OOO....
I'm so happy this topic came up for discussion. I had started looking at getting a new mixer before Christmas. Seeing as I had heard SO much about KA, I decided I deffinetly needed to go with that brand. So, I began my research online. I looked at all the different models and specs with much excitement. So, I decided that the 600 Pro model was what I wanted deep down. I put it on my Christmas wishlist, but alas no one could afford it. My MIL decided to get me a mixer (a sunbeam $50 mixer) and I tried hard not to show my disappointment. DH says that I will have my Red Cyanne KA Professional 600 Mixer by Valentine's Day. We'll see.
So, like I said, I'm so happy you asked for the KA advise. I am reassured in my choice. I think I'm going to go for the new vs. the refurbished model just cause I'm weird.
Happy Mixing!!!

I have the 600 pro. I do a lot of baking and it comes in handy. If you do a lot of baking at once or make lots of frosting get and extra bowl.

Here's a thread where this discussion has come up as well: http://forum.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=619233#619233

Watch Amazon also. They had them before Christmas for $300 for the Pro-600. I was so upset that I didn't order one because when my other mixer started smoking they were back up to $400! Luckily, I bought mine at the Navy Exchange when it was on sale with a $50 rebate so I still got it around $300 but I had to wait a while! I love it! I watched my aunt with her model (not sure which one but the bowl twist on) and it was a pain. I could also see how much more power mine had! I was glad that I went ahead and got the pro!

Don't forget eBay. You can get you accessories there too. Just research who you are buying from. Check out there score and percentage. I have had pretty good luck on eBay.

I bought myself the KA600 a year ago. There was a rebate on it so I ended up getting it for about $50 bucks more than the Artisan model. I love it...for what little I've used it. But as someone else said in the forum...it is an investment. It is well worth the money.