What does a Kitchen Aid do that other food processors don't do?

[MmeLindt]

Aside from looking good?

A local store has a Kitchen Aid Classic at a great discount.

I have a Braun food processor that I use mainly for baking, very occasionally for slicing/chopping veg. It has a crack in the bowl so might not last much longer.

Should I go for the Kitchen Aid or get another Braun? Or something else?

I do all my baking with my Kitchenaid - cakes, pastry, bread and pizza bases, whipping stuff and even mashing potatoes. It doesn't do slicing though.

They're normally £300 plus. How cheap is the one you're looking at?

CHF 350 - about £220

And that is at the ridiculously high CHF/£ exchange rate.

Do you have the Classic or a Artisan?

£220 is a great price

I have one, and i LOVE it... but I cannot honestly say that it is any better than my mum's kenwood chef.
in fact, I've read somewhere that the motor in the kenwood is better built, longer lasting.
also you can fix things like blender etc on.

the kitchen aid has some accessories, but not a lot

I wanted it because I wanted a beautiful pink mixer. it does everything I want to use it for.... so down to personal preference I think!

MmeL if you are looking at the fancy coloured one they mostly just look good .

I have this one which is the cheapest 'commercial' one, and it is wonderful - much more durable than I gather the pretty ones are - and it comes with 2 stainless steel bowls (or did when I bought it in the UK - doesn't seem to on the US site)

Things I do which I didn't with food processor: things that need lots of whipping - butter icing / frosting, meringues, etc, but also my cakes are lighter because they are better beaten. Also bread and anything else which needs kneading.

Things I still use the food processor for: chopping, mostly, and stuff like crumble, breadcrumbs and the like. TBH if the food processor died I would probably manage with the liquidiser rather than replace it.

oh and obviously it's a mixer, not a processor. so won't do all the slicing/chopping etc. so if you want that then you might be better just getting another food processor?

Damn I cam on here to say they look prettier!

Except my one which isn't the best colour

A Kitchen Aid is very different to a food processor, IMO. I love mine (have an artisan, I think) and have used it pretty regularly for 7 years. You can do all of your baking with it. There are attachments you can buy that will allow you to also grind meat, roll pasta, etc. But, for the most part it is a proper workhorse for baking.

I just got my first food processor and have used it, but only for blending and chopping. Prior to that, I had a little Braun hand blender that had a chopping attachment that was fab. But the attachment broke, so i though I'd go for a proper Magimix. TBH, I think I'll still use the Kitchen Aid much more, but that's to do with how I cook.

I think the coloured mixers are still quite the powerful machines, at least for home baking. I baked 2-3 times a week for 6 months last year and my 7 year old machine is still going strong. The non-commercial models are still quite robust.

Ok, have checked online and the next cheapest I can find is more that CHF 100 dearer.

I rarely use the Braun to chop, recently used it a few times cause I was using the Jamie 30 min meals, but tbh I find it as easy to chop by hand as to wash the FP bits.

I guess I could get the Kitchenaid and keep the Braun in the cupboard for the odd time that I need it.

Anyone else have an opinion before I go and buy it. Have DH almost convinced.

DO IT. :)

Oh, I almost forgot to come back and update this.

I DID IT.

Shiny new Kitchenaid is gleaming in my kitchen. It is great for making me clear up the kitchen, as I don't want mess around it.

Made my first bread yesterday and forgot to put salt in.

Doh.

DH suggested rebranding as "Authentic Tuscan Salt-less Bread".

go on - tell - what colour is it?

But I really don't need one - do I?

Mme do you stroke it like it's a thing of beauty?

I do.

coat honestly you need it more than pants.

I do browse the colours on the website sometimes. I have £500 to spend ........ or shall I just continue to fritter my Dad's gift away on day to day living???

No spend it on something significant.

Seriously I've had mine for about 8 years and it still makes me .

Currently I'm lusting after the new glass bowls. It's my birthday soon and I'm hoping to find one in my stocking!

What colour are you thinking of?

Not sure, probably cranberry or grape - but I also want an Orrery.....

Orbs to the Orrery - just look out the window.

I am currently trying to download a software version of an Orrery - so that would leave the way clear. Off to browse colours again.

Gwan, you know it's the only way!

And don't you sidle back on here gloating about your glass bowl.

I have the white one.

And I do stroke it.

When DH is not looking.

Yes, get one rather than fritter. When the money is gone, you won't know what you bought. If you buy a KA, then you will always think of the gift from your Dad.