KitchenAid stand mixer - are they worth the money?

[MacDuffsMuff]

I've been saving up for a KitchenAid for a long time and hoping to get one in the Black Friday sales.

Anyone have one? Are they worth the money? I bake a lot and want something that will last and look good on the worktop. I've considered a Kenwood KMix too as I think they're great too from whay I've heard but my heart always goes back to the KA. They're SO expensive though and although I've saved up the money now I don't want to waste it if they're not worth the expense!

I have a KA, and use it regularly.

Some of the attachments are very good, the grater is brilliant if you buy cheese bargains and grate and freeze, and for chutney if you are making huge quantities. I got gifted the spiraliser attachment which I know was expensive but it is a waste of ( a lot of) space.

Extra bowls are really useful, especially the ones with handles.

I haven’t got one and no desire to but my friend got one on her 50th from her daughter. She’s hardly used it but sure looks great!

I have a KMix, and I love it. I really wanted a kitchen aid but spent a lot of time reading reviews and the KMix seemed like the better buy. I was put off by the KA splash guard - why doesn't it cover the whole bowl?! Also the KMix was cheaper They've brought out a flexible beater which I bought separately and is really good for all-in-one cake mixes.

I've never had a KA so can't compare, but am very very happy with the KMix

We used our KA stand mixer a few times a week. We’ve got a mincer attachment and make our own minced meat and sausages. It’s paid for itself ten times over and it’s pretty

@rosegoldwatcher I know, I'm going to have to act overjoyed when all I'm really thinking is where's it going to live!
I got a drill for Mother's Day a few years back and I'd love an axe @mbosnz the one we have is crap!

It’s lovely. I’ve had it for 20 years and occasionally have to hit the big bolt at the back with a hammer but otherwise it is as new (jiggles out about a cm every 8 months or so). I like the glass bowl with the plastic lid for bread making.

I haven’t used either so can’t say from personal experience (yet!) but Which rates the kmix as a Best Buy with a score of 73-80% depending which version you get. The Kitchenaid scores 72% but isn’t a Best Buy. That, and the fact that the kmix is cheaper, means that I have bought a kmix which turns up tomorrow!

@Twobrews - buy him a Shark vacuum cleaner (or similar) for Christmas and enjoy his facial expression!

Stand mixers are a boon though. Mary Berry's all in one chocolate cake is a two minute make in one. I still use my hand mixer for whipping cream though; it is too easy to unintentionally over-whip and produce butter when using a stand mixer.

I love my KA, bought it with a pay rise 10 yrs ago and have never regretted it

My mother still has her KA that she received as a wedding gift in 1978 and it's still going strong. I'd say they are worth the money!

@rosegoldwatcher I'm considering getting him a jet washer!

I'm sure it will be a good thing in the long run. It's just that baking is very therapeutic for me, I feel I might lose a bit of that with a machine.
DH won't get it though, he can't understand why I still use the vacuum so much even though we have a robot one. It's the same thing, I enjoy the act of vacuuming. Although I also love my Eufy!

Buy the KA, if you love it it will make you happy every time you see it.

This is the 3 times as powerful Kenwood mixer that I was comparing up thread. Every bit as pretty as the KAs in my opinion.

If I needed to replace my Kenwood Chef I would be buying it - in white probably.
www.johnlewis.com/kenwood-kmix-kmx750-stand-mixer/cream/p4147039

That's the one I bought @rosegoldwatcher, in cream - I think it's just as pretty as a KA too.

I'm not familiar with the Kmix, but I bought a beautiful dark royal blue KA 30 years ago to match my kitchen...it worked perfectly even after manged to drop it whilst getting it out of a lower cabinet...totally my fault...it didn't actually break it, but the back round section kept coming loose...It still worked perfectly for about 10 years until I decided I'd have a diy day and fix it so the back would stay in place...I fixed it alright......so much so that it no longer worked at all which enabled me to replace it with the beautiful hyacinth colour I'd been lusting after
As far as accessories go, they are expensive but I've managed to find them at boot sales, estate sales and charity shops for a fraction of the price....I find I don't even use the extra bowls...I have 3 stainless and one glass...can't imagine why on earth I thought I needed so many but if I decide I need them, I've got them

Thought I'd send a photo of my lovely hyacinth KA mixer and all the attachments and bowls I've picked up along the way.....doing this has made me realise I may have a KA hoarding accessory problem....and I don't have a glass bowl...just 4 SS
And I 500% agree that the splash guard attachment is totally useless...at least that's my experience...the originally one that came with my blue KA was in 2 pieces that had to be fitted together....useless...wouldn't stay together..I thought the new one piece guard would be better, but nope....I have to admit that I'm a bit of a tornado when I bake, though, so may just be me

If you do decide to get a KA then Lakeland have got a deal on for either a metal or glass bowl with a cover on half price. They've also got a flexi blade half price and that's essential for any stand mixer.

My friend is a baker by trade and she’s used a KitchenAid for years and hers is still going strong. She does pay to have it professionally serviced though.

I love mine, it does everything! Creams, batters, mixes, mashes, does all sorts. Love it.