Stand mixers... If you love yours, come in!

[Brit]

I posted on here on TN some, but I don't think I have ever posted on this board on GBCN. Maybe you all will be kind and answer my question anyway.

I burned up the motor in my mixer last weekend kneading bread with the dough hook. It was a KitchenAid Artisan 325 Watt mixer. I don't think I want to replace it with another one because I think I was overworking that one, that is usually why electric motors fail. Can anyone, especially if you bake bread or do other "heavy duty" mixing, recommend a stand mixer that you like and that holds up to a little abuse?

Thanks!

[walterwhite]

Perhaps you could upgrade to the KitchenAid Professional. I've also heard great things about the Cuisinart Mixer.

[jaimeledessert]

KitchenAid mixers are supposed to be able to withstand mixing bread dough. I've done it several times with my KitchenAid (I think it's a model lower than yours - not exactly sure what it's called). I read in the manual that if you try to do bread dough on any speed other than 2 it's not going to work properly (and could stress the motor).
How long have you had the mixer? KitchenAid has a pretty good replacement policy too.

[Brit]

Feb 13, 2013 12:52:46 GMT -5 jaimeledessert said:

KitchenAid mixers are supposed to be able to withstand mixing bread dough. I've done it several times with my KitchenAid (I think it's a model lower than yours - not exactly sure what it's called). I read in the manual that if you try to do bread dough on any speed other than 2 it's not going to work properly (and could stress the motor).
How long have you had the mixer? KitchenAid has a pretty good replacement policy too.

I've had it for six years. I have made a ton of bread/dough with it and the past few times it has smelled funny. This was the first time that it started smoking. We decided to toss it rather than risk burning our house down. (It wasn't a little smoke, it was a turn on the fans, flap dish towels at it and pray that the alarm doesn't go off kind of smoke.)

I should probably call KA before we take the trash out tonight to see if they will replace it. Doesn't hurt to ask. Thanks!

[redheadbaker]

I have a Kitchen Aid Pro 6-quart Professional that I bought refurbished in 2005, and it's still going strong, despite being put through its paces (bread dough, stiff cookie doughs, etc.)

[lb2006]

my best friend also had issues with hers working properly & called kitchen-aid. They repaired hers & it's as good as new! She's had hers for 8ish years, started having issues around 7 years

[circa1978]

I've made literally hundreds of batches of bread dough w/my Kitchen-Aid. I agree with calling. To me, it has been such a vital appliance though, that I'd probably fix it or replace it myself if for some reason they wouldn't.

[magdala]

Feb 13, 2013 12:11:02 GMT -5 walterwhite said:

Perhaps you could upgrade to the KitchenAid Professional. I've also heard great things about the Cuisinart Mixer.

Another vote for KitchenAid Professional.  I mix up a quadruple batch of dough at least twice a week and have been for last eight month with no problems. I also use it mashed potatoes, pancakes, puddings, cookies etc.  I love mine.

[rootbeer]

Kitchaid's also have a pretty serious motor, that many owners neglect. They need to be taken apart, cleaned, and re-greased yearly, or more depending on use.