Best thing I own (KitchenAid Multi Function Mixer)

Member Name: freddiesmom

Product:	KitchenAid Multi Function Mixer
Date:	29/02/04 (1395 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: makes baking so easy, looks great, simple to use

Disadvantages: expensive (but worth it!)

When I moved here to the UK from the US, I was heart broken to have to sell my Kitchenaid mixer. When I found out they were available here, I used my first paycheque to purchase a new one, Those first few weeks without it were tough!
The kitchenaid mixer is a must for anyone who loves to cook or even if you just want to have more time and make life easier in the kitchen.
It is a gorgeous machine to look at and hasn't changed much since they were first made in 1919! No need to improve much on a great thing, I guess. The mixer comes in fabulous colours (Yellow, Blue, Grey, Black, White, Red or Almond Cream Finish and even a Brushed Chrome Nickel Finish) to match anyone's decor. They occasionally introduce limited edition colours also, I used to own the retro green one.
Of course the beauty of this mixer is more than skin deep. It also works really well. The mixer is made from solid metal which means it is very heavy so once you put it in place it won't be moving around, even at full speed with a bowl full of dough. It has little rubber feet on the bottom which also ensure that the mixer stays put. Also, no plastic to crack and break.

The 4ltr polished stainless steel bowl easily screws into the base of the mixer. You are able to access the bowl by tipping up the head or top of the mixer which is on a hinge. The head is held in place by a safety latch on the side of the mixer which you must push to lift it.
It comes with three attachments; a paddle for batters and doughs (cookies etc.), a bread hook for...you guessed it, bread dough and a whisk for whipping. The paddle and dough hook are coated in a nonstick vinyl coating and are dishwasher safe. All the attachments are easy to change. Sometimes they come with a plastic pouring shield as well. It clips onto the bowl and has a chute that you can pour ingredients down. I believe it comes standard now but mine didn't come with it.
The mixer has a "planetary mixing acti

on", this means that not only do the attachments turn while mixing but the housing for the attachments rotates as well. It has a 300 watt 10 speed motor which makes this a very powerful mixer. Because it is so well designed you rarely have to scrape down the inside of the bowl. The speed is easily adjusted by a switch on the side of the machine.
There is a little button on the front of the machine that is removable. Underneath it is a place where you can screw in lots of optional attachments like a pasta machine, juicer, meat grinder, electric can opener and lots more. I must admit I don't have any of these attachments but they sound cool!
There is a slightly larger version available which is the "professional" model. It has a 4.8ltr bowl and a 325 watt motor.
The kitchenaid mixer is expensive but I think it is worth every penny. If you treat it well it should last for the rest of your life. A great place for the mixer is a place that sells catering equiptment like www.nisbets.co.uk, they have great prices on them but none of the funky colours.
If you want to be baking like a professional I really recommend this mixer. Especially if you bake breads at home or would like to try. Kneding the dough is so easy. Also, whipping egg in the mixer takes half the time and none of the work that doing it by hand entails. I couldn't live with out my Kitchenaid!

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