Any Kenwood mixer experts on here!?

[rollonthesummer]

I am looking for a mixer to make cakes, biscuits, bread, icing etc and have whittled it down to these two. Can anyone help me to decide!

This was the first choice

one

but the fact it's stainless steel puts me off as I have a brushed stainless steel cooker hood and I find it difficult to keep clean!

two

This is the other one. I much prefer the retro look, but the bowl is smaller (4 litres rather than 4.3) and the motor is 400 watts rather than 900w.

Can anyone advise!?

[rollonthesummer]

This is for my Christmas present, by the way why it's posted on here, but maybe I should try a different board!?

[NannyR]

I'd go for the first one because of the more powerful motor and I think you can buy attachments like a food processor to fit the Prospero. I bought a Kenwood chef titanium about five years ago, it lives on my work top, is used several times a week and is no trouble to keep clean, I just wipe it with a damp microfiber cloth.

[GoodyGoodyGumdrops]

TBH I wouldn't go for either. I'd get the classic Kenwood Chef. The larger bowl and more powerful motor are both very much worth having, if you're going to really use it.

[GoodyGoodyGumdrops]

If you're likely to get mincer or blender attachments, then go for power over volume.

(I love my Chef, and use it a lot.)

[Hopefully]

Proper chef all the way.

[fourcorneredcircle]

First one, I have the titanium in stainless steel and it just gets a quick wipe every week as PP said (mine also lives on the work surface). It gets no where near as dirty as a cooker hood (which is designed to attract grease and steam!).

My top tip for stainless steel cooker hoods and hobs etc is once you've got them clean rub a very small amount of baby oil over them. Much easier to clean afterwards as the grease (or over spills) doesn't "stick" the same way.

[CarrotVan]

Id also recommend a proper Kenwood Chef. We use ours most days and it's marvellous. My sister has my mum's 1960s one and it's still going strong

[Duckyneedsaclean]

I'd go for the proper kenwood chef, rather than these, too.

[VeryPunny]

ANother vote for a proper Chef. This one is a similar price.

I have a Titanium Chef, which was a wedding present, and it's used all the time. Love it.

[Duckyneedsaclean]

Like this

www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/household-appliances/small-kitchen-appliances/food-and-drink-preparation/food-mixers/kenwood-kmc510-premier-chef-kitchen-machine-white-03140919-pdt.html

[bookbook]

Agree - go for the original Kenwood Chef.
(I have the Kenwood Major with the stainless steel bowl - barely needs a wipe down, and it sits on my worktop)

[rollonthesummer]

Thank you for all your kind replies! I have ordered the chef!!

Is it as sturdy as the original ones? Or is it like the new GHD hair straighteners which seem to be flimsy and you are probably better off buying a second hand 'original'?!

[Duckyneedsaclean]

No, new ones are still sturdy!

[GoodyGoodyGumdrops]

If I had never used an older one, I'd consider mine sturdy. It's been going strong for over 10y. But I grew up with a 1960s model, which my mum regrets replacing when it was 40something years old!

[A1Sharon]

Sorry for taking over the thread OP, but can I just ask something of all the Kenwood folk.
I was looking at the Kenwood k mix stand mixer in cream ( sorry, can't link at the min). I want a mixer for meringues and cake batters mostly. Should I get the Chef or the Kmix?!
TIA

[Duckyneedsaclean]

I think the Kmix are prettier, but the chefs are more powerful and versatile.

[Flingmoo]

Our kenwood chef has lasted 5 years so far which I think is already good value for money by today's low standards! I'm hoping it'll last many more to come.

My only complaint is that over the years you end up collecting so many different attachments (usually DH making late night impulse purchases!) that take up space to store! You'll end up with not only the blender, processor and beaters but also a mincer attachment, pasta maker, ice cream maker etc etc etc!

[GlumsTheWord]

I have the first one - I wanted a Chef but couldn't afford it. I'm really happy with it and it's no problem to keep clean. If you prefer the retro look, have you considered holding out for a Kitchen Aid - maybe in the sales - very spendy, though.

[bookbook]

A1Sharon - I think the Kmix will just limit you a bit - its a lesser power I think - 500W compared to 800W for the Chef. That in itself isn't a problem with meringues etc , but if you want to batch make cakes, or start using it for bread or such the more powerful motor helps enormously .
I'm on my second Kenwood - I had a classic chef with every accessory known to man for years. I moved, got a small kitchen and sold it ( Bad error on my part) I lasted for about 5 years, managing with a hand mixer and a Dualit but eventually cracked and bought a new one , and I am so glad I did. I don't have all the accessories for this - I don't really need them as I also have a heavy duty Bamix as well as the Dualit.....so much for a smaller kitchen

[BiddyPop]

I've got the only type that was available (classic) with stainless steel bowl (there was the white plastic bowl available too), which is 17 years old now. It gets reasonably well used, although not as frequent as I'd like. Powerful motor is good. Stainless steel washes very well and can go in the dishwasher too (I rarely have the room, but sometimes I get lucky!).

[frikadela01]

I got a kmix a few weeks ago when my Morphy Richards died (800w motor). The kmix has a weaker motor but just using it a few times it's clear to me that the wattage of the motor is the be all and end all. The kmix is far better at bread than my previous more powerful mixer. It's so quiet too. And it looks lovely.
The next option was a Kenwood premier chef from curry's for £179.

[frikadela01]

Isn't the be all and end all. Bloody phone.

[A1Sharon]

OK, thanks all. Chef it is!

[rollonthesummer]

It's arrived-the box is enormous!! DH is asking if we've bought a cement mixer by mistake !

[bookbook]

ooh - exciting!
(being somewhat a hoarder, my box is in the loft )-
and yy to being enormous!