KitchenAid for a beginner baker ???

[BeaLola]

Hi,

Are they best suited to experienced cooks or if you are new at it all eg cakes, bread making will it be worth its wait (or cost !) jn gold ???

Sorry to just jump in on this but can I ask- can you chop veg in a kitchenaid? I like the mashing potatoes feature. I would love one, but I'm not sure I (or my waistline) could justify the expense if it's purely for making cakes.

Hijacked this a bit with more mashed potato advice, but I put the hot water in the steel bowl so it's warm before the potatoes go in, and put the attachment in there too. Warm the milk as well. I used the flat beater, and then the balloon whisk at the end. Amazing!

Hello,

Can I gate crash? I've always wanted one of these, but do worry I'd het more use out of the food processor that the Stnad mixer...

Today I've a very cheap food mixer that I use for mixing, grating... Not much else as I've lost all the attachments over the years.

What do you think I'd get more use out of?

www.amazon.co.uk/Kenwood-KMC010-Chef-Titanium/dp/B006WYVFBQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355062108&sr=8-1

We have just bought ourselves this for xmas as a joint pressy. DH loves baking, he's always knocking up something.. ..(including me so I intend to use ours whilst on mat leave next year and make cakes and bread to save a few quid!)

I have to say the quality of the kenwood is outstanding. Its so solid and well made. The attatchments and solid and heavy too. The dough hook is brutal looking!
This model comes with the food processor which slots on top. It also has a solid glass blender jug for soup etc which I make by the gallon.

We looked at the kitchen aid in a department store but went for the kenwood because my friend who is a serious baker uses hers daily and swears by it.
When it came DH and I commented on how much more robust it felt especialy given it was alot cheaper than the Kitchen Aid.
It comes in silver only but its quite matt so doesn't show up sticky marks etc and the little panels that click on and off for the attatchments are solid metal so won't crack or break over time and repeated use. It makes nice solid clunk sounds when you open and close the hinged bit to access the bowl and just feels quality everywhere.

A friend has got through 2 KitchenAids as they broke down after a year or so of heavy use. Her (and my) 30 year old Kenwood Chefs are still going strong. Yes KAs look nicer but if my KC ever breaks down I will replace it with another rather than a KA.

Mashed potato in the kitchenaid?!? Tell me more!

When you say the flat beater do you mean the 'k' shaped one? This could change my life

Ok so I've read the thread properly and think I'm prepared. Wish me luck, tonight this is my challenge...

I have a kitchen aid and I love it. They have them on special offer at www.petermaturi.com. I think they are £375 in most colours. I also have the paddle attachment with a rubber side. It makes the smoothest buttercream.