I think I need to buy a food mixer - what one?

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

I have discovered the joys of baking (I know its not exciting but we were forced to do domestic science at school and I hated it). Now I've got in to this making cakes/biccies thing I'd like to buy a mixer. I can't spend a fortune on the one Nigella uses (it looks like a spaceship, don't know the make). Can anyone recommend one? I've been using my braun stick blender which doesn't do "beat gently" and when I put the whisk attachment on and tried to mix that way, I found I had re-decorated my kitchen, plus myself .

I love my Kenwood Chef. Wanted one for years (OK, grew up with one and couldn't imagine using anything else, but then if my mum's been using the same machine for over 40 years it must be a good make! ) and finally got one when Costco had them for £140 - usually £200+. It came with a blender, plastic bowl, splashguard, beater, whisk and dough hook. I added a stainless steel bowl and mincer/sausage-maker attachment. Love the lot of it! Works really well, has a good range of power, from light mixing to vicious beating, and is very easy to use and to clean. Can't recommend it highly enough.

Agree with prettycandles completely.

In fact, going to my mum's now to use her 1960s Kenwood Chef, still going strong. I got mine for Christmas last year, from Empire Direct I think. I love it. They are not the cheapest but they last...

I have also seen Magimix recommended on here.

Empire Direct do a range of Kenwood Chefs

The kenwood chef is good for heavier duty jobs, or for large quantities, but for cakes a hand-held mixer with bowl and stand is better. Again, kenwood, I think is the best make.

I love my Kenwood ! I grew up using my mums and then my dh got me one for my 30th last year.
He got one from ebay which meaant that it was second hand but still works just as well. You need a decent amount of accesible storage space for it though, you'll want to have it out at least a couple of times a week.

Thanks everyone, I shall have a look on ebay tonight for a kenwood.

I love my magimix. Expensive though. Used all the time on Ready Steady Cook (my mum watches it, honest, not me...I am still at work, don't have time.....)

Kenwood Chef of Kitchen Aid for baking, I have a KA now but previously had a KC, there are loads of KCs for sale on ebay, they go on forever and are usually a good buy secondhand.

Another vote for the Magimix too if you want the food processor features too.

Before I had my Chef I had a handheld Kenwood with a stand. It now lives at the back of the highest cupboard, and I've no idea why we haven't got rid of it - I always use the Chef, even for the smallest cakes!

Oh, I jsut remembered why we kept it - in case I want to make American frosting, or some other recipe that requires whisking in a bowl over a pan of simmering water.