DH bought me a Salter stand mixer from Robert Dyas the other day. It was £69 (after the discount if £30). Really, that should have been the red flag, shouldn't it? So I come home all excited about making cakes, bread, you name it.
The first time I use it, I only use it up to the 2nd speed setting (there are 6 speed settings). I beat some egg whites on the 2nd settings. So since it's a stand mixer, I think I have the liberty to walk into the living room for half a minute while it beats up the egg whites. I haven't been away from the mixer for more than 3 minutes maximum and when I return, there is a terrible burning smell and SMOKE is coming out of the bloody thing.
I immediately stop and read the troubleshooting section in the manual, where, obviously it doesn't talk about why my stand mixer is creating smoke. I then guess the problem could be that I have left it to beat for too long although I'm pretty sure I haven't (the manual says longest duration should be 6 minutes), or that the contents in the bowl were not enough.
I then repeat with more contents and less time again, I only get to increase the speed up to the second setting, and there is smoke coming out of it again.
So the moral of the story is; if you ever come across an unheard of brand (bar bathroom and kitchen scales) selling a stand mixer at a too-good-to-be-true price, don't fall for it. I'm now waiting to return the thing and go for a reliable Kitchenaid or something.