Kitchenaid .........

[frazzledbutcalm]

I know this has probably been done a dozen times, forgive me

I'd like to buy a kitchenaid .. what exactly do they do? I make cakes, meringues etc, pastry, bread. Is it worth it?

It's popular here. I use it for cakes, cream, pastry, bread and meringues. My dd prefers the handwhisk for meringues. It's heavy and pretty so stays on the worktop. I don't regret buying it.

I don't know...but I fancy one too. Next birthday if we have enough money I have said I'd like one. Not sure I can justify it, but I do cook quite a lot.

I don't regret buying mine at all. It makes lively cases and butter cream. I've made bread and used it to make crumble toppings. I love it.

I bought one a few months ago, it's brilliant!

Good for anything dough, pastry, batter based and is fab for mayo, meringue etc

As long as it lasts as long as it's supposed to it will be very good value for money too.

I have a Kenwood Chef. No, not as gorgeous looking as a Kitchenaid but by 'eck is it amazing. I use it All. The. Time.

Mine makes the lightest sponges, the best buttercream, and whisks the quickest meringue - I love it. I hand knead bread dough so haven't used the hook, but for everything else it's great

I love mine. It lives on the kitchen worktop because it looks beautiful & I like to stroke it every now & then

It makes amazing cakes, bread, meringues, everything really. I wouldn't be without it.

I was lucky because mine was a gift, but I'd craved one for years.

Not alone drama

I stroke mine too

Thanks all. I love the idea of one. I really want one. But I think I want one more because I like the idea of having one iyswim? I'll use it, no doubt about that, BUT do I need it? Probably not. Is it really much easier than a hand whisk for cakes? I've heard someone say they make pancake batter in theirs. My only thought was 'what an absolute waste!' ... pancake batter takes a couple of minutes to whisk in a jug! I want to buy one now .. but I'm just not convinced it's for the right reasons.

drama giles ... I can fully understand why you'd stroke it

It is much easier than a hand whisk - I love being able to cream butter and sugar to a lovely fluffy finish without standing there for ages. You can get that going while you weigh out the rest of the ingredients. I suck at pastry but make lovely stuff in my KA, meringues are a dream.

Doing something like a birthday cake when you've got cake to mix, buttercream to make, fondant icing to knead, and then party baking...well it's all so easy and you end up doing more yourself just because there's so much less effort.

You can use the hand whisk and KA, then put both in the dishwasher at the end, rather than having to washup mid baking session.

I've ordered it!! It arrives Tuesday!!

Ooh, how exciting frazzled! What colour did you choose?

< awaits cake>
exciting. ...

That's the only reason I bought it drama
Raspberry Ice!! Can't wait

Me too giles

BUT to my shock and horror ... there's been a mix up with the order! I've just checked the email and they're sending cranberry! I don't know what to do!!

Ooooh tough. They both look the same on my phone except raspberry is glossier. I think you have to correct them really as its a lot of money and you don't want to be unhappy with what you got. I got what I ordered and I regret not being a bit more daring.

What did you order? do you like cranberry equally?

you have to get the one you wanted or you will he disappointed. It's too expensive to not be exactly what you wanted.

fyi I have cobalt blue it's beautiful

That's what I think shelagh

I LOVE the glossy! It's already been dispatched, it's due to arrive Tuesday. I'm going to email them but I'm assuming I'll get nothing back yet with it being bank holiday weekend

I'm assuming I can return and exchange but I don't really want the extra postage costs (I can't imagine they'll not charge).

When yours does arrive, make mashed potato in it! Use the whisk attachment to break up the chopped, boiled potatoes. When it's "mashed", add melted butter, salt, black pepper and warm milk and continue whisking.

Keep a close eye on it so it doesn't go gloopy, but stays smooth and glossy.

Absolutely bloody gorgeous!

Ooh thanks little ... how do you know when it's ready (still smooth, not gloopy?)

I've checked my email, I can return it, the cost is £10 so I guess that's not too much to pay. I'm going to see what it's like, then go to my local currys, see the raspberry ice 'in the flesh' and see which I prefer.

I can't believe I didn't see the mistake earlier

raspberry ice definitely!!!!

Yes yes giles ..... It's just so lovely! I'm pleased it's only going to cost £10 to return and exchange. I hope they have my raspberry in stock!

If they don't try elsewhere. somewhere will have it. of not wait cos if that's the one you want and there's not one you like equally then it's just a let down and when you have wanted so long.....

I love the look of these but don't understand them. I only make cakes using the " all in one method" so can you do that?

Seems like you have to cream the butter and sugar etc....

Is this the case?

Funnily enough i made raspberry ice in mine today!

Well actually it was raspberry and blueberry ice cream in the ice cream maker attachment that came free. We got the ka at Christmas (it's actually dd's ) but it's the first time I've made ice cream. It was amazing and super easy. You can just walk away from it and its ready 20 mins later.

i would say you don't need one. Its a total luxury but it looks lovely and does encourage us to do more baking.