Bakers: Kitchen Aid stand mixer upgrade ?

[Susie]

I have a 15-16 year old KA Artisan mixer.  It's the one a million people had on wedding registries, and comes in a million colors.  The specs on it are 325 watt AC motor, and 5 qt. bowl.

Its performance has declined recently, and is no longer doing the job.  The tilt head lock no longer holds firmly when incorporating heavy ingredients, the beater bounces, and when it's working hard enough I have to hold the head down to keep it in place and stop it from vibrating across the counter top.  I have also wished for a bigger bowl many times.  So I think it's time to pick out an upgrade model, with bowl-lift mechanism rather than tilt-head.

I'm looking at:

1.  Pro 600.  575 watt AC motor, comes with 6 qt. stainless steel bowl.  ($500)

2.  Professional 6500 Design.  1.0 HP DC motor, comes with 6 qt. glass bowl.  ($600)

3.  Pro Line.  1.3 HP DC motor, comes with 7 qt. stainless steel bowl, 11 wire instead of the 6 wire whip.  ($630)

I'm very used to a metal bowl. So although the glass bowl would be microwaveable, I'm not sure that's worth the weight and fragility of glass to me.  Given the price jump from the Pro 600 to 6500, I don't think the 6500 is the right choice for me for the same capacity bowl.  But I am not sure if I want the Pro 600 or to jump up to the 7 qt.  The Pro 600 is already a nice jump from what I have, but I've read that the DC motor is better if you knead heavy doughs for 3+ mins.  Breads, sometimes double batches, are one of the things I tend to make.  The idea of having room left in the bowl with a double batch sounds so... low stress and enjoyable, lol.  OTOH, I don't want a 7 qt. bowl to dwarf smaller recipes and work less well.  Should I worry about that?

Finally, where would one take a KA mixer for repair?  Even if I get it fixed, the Artisan is still smaller than I want... but could be totally useful, once fixed, for someone else.  

Any suggestions appreciated!

[mala]

So I have the mixer at home you have and I'm having many of the same issues. And it's just not quite big enough for me anymore. I'd love an upgrade but it's just not in my budget. At work I use their profession (NSF)model, which is closest to your third option and I wish that I had it at home. If you will use it and you have it in your budget get the 1.3HP model. I think it's worth it.

EDIT: ok I actually read the last part of your post. For bread go with the pro, you'll find it is so worth it. You can get a 5 qt bowl for the lift models for $80, so factor that in on your cost.

[achi]

I have the Professional 500 bowl lift design. I`ve had it for 8 years now and have not had a single issue (knock on wood).

I`ve always used a metal bowl and had no problems with it. I bought a second for when I`m baking many things in a day (i.e. various holiday prep). I also bought the beater with a silicone scraper and it was the best thing I ever did.

[SusanBAnthony]

I have whatever the pro one sold at Costco is, and it is great for bread doughs.

[rhian]

I've had the Pro 600 for 8-9 years and have never had a problem with kneading bread doughs. Not sure how large of a batch you typically do, but mine can easily handle kneading the dough for recipes that make two loaves. I went with the Pro model over the Artisan because I wanted it to be able to knead bread dough well, and I've never felt like I needed something more powerful.

[circa1978]

I am all for upgrading but have you checked the hinge pin? There is a guy on TikTok who fixes mixers and I feel like I just saw a really easy fix for that.

I have the same KA and I often think about upgrading because it is so well loved but I worry the quality won't be as good in a newer model based on some reviews.

[Susie]

Nov 16, 2020 10:51:25 GMT -5 circa1978 said:

I am all for upgrading but have you checked the hinge pin? There is a guy on TikTok who fixes mixers and I feel like I just saw a really easy fix for that.

I have the same KA and I often think about upgrading because it is so well loved but I worry the quality won't be as good in a newer model based on some reviews.

Yes, I've had to slide it back in a bunch of times, and it used to fix things.  But now even when I have it in the proper position, I still have performance problems.  Overall I'm just really not very happy with the robustness of the head tilt mechanism.

Growing up my mom had a 6 qt. bowl-lift model dating back to pre-1980.  My dad still has it, and it's great.  (Unfortunately I think it's an old 6 qt. DC motor model, not directly comparable to any I'm considering.)  I have preferred it for years.  I'm baking more now than I have in a long time, between SAH due to covid, and having a 5 yo who is old enough to want to help, so I'm feeling kind of, TREAT YO SELF.

[circa1978]

Susie, I feel that. We currently have no kitchen at all and it's impacting my stress to not be able to bake. :-( Let me know what you think of what you get. Maybe I'll splurge too later.

[kadams767]

I can't speak to the upgrade question, but on the repair question, do you know anyone who is moderately handy with electrical/mechanics? My FIL fixed the motor and head tilt on my KitchenAid when it was having the issues you describe from me overloading it. It took him almost no time at all and was very easy for him as someone who is pretty mechanically-inclined. It's a pretty simple motor, I believe.

[egeiger]

If you go with the Pro 600, Kohls has it in red with $100 Kohls Cash back.

[Susie]

humpforfree tagging because I know you bake and not sure if you post on ML.  Do you have any advice?

[winecat]

There are other brands that I'd pick over KA if making bread is what you'll mainly do. I lust over these: www.amazon.com/Ankarsrum-Original-6230-Creme-Stainless/dp/B06XKMPBBG/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=Ankarsrum+Electric+Stand+Mixer&qid=1605550074&s=appliances&sr=1-4

There are commercial mixers at a comparable price point to the KA Professional: www.webstaurantstore.com/14255/commercial-mixers.html?filter=type:countertop-mixers

You'll get a lot more power and better dough mixing from a commercial mixer.

[picksthemusic]

I have the one with the bowl lift from Costco. My old one was bouncing all over the counter, the motor kept overheating, and it just didn't fit for the kinds of things I was making anymore. This new one is perfectly adequate for the kinds of things I make.

[humpforfree]

Nov 16, 2020 12:58:11 GMT -5 Susie said:

humpforfree tagging because I know you bake and not sure if you post on ML.  Do you have any advice?

Ahhh I don’t! I have the 5qt artisan also, and am also eyeing and upgrade, so I’m follow this thread. Mine seems to be having the same issues as yours, plus I am at a point where I need a larger capacity. My motor is getting pretty exhausted from my cookie dough 😬

[Susie]

Nov 16, 2020 13:24:07 GMT -5 humpforfree said:

Nov 16, 2020 12:58:11 GMT -5 Susie said:

humpforfree tagging because I know you bake and not sure if you post on ML.  Do you have any advice?

Ahhh I don’t! I have the 5qt artisan also, and am also eyeing and upgrade, so I’m follow this thread. Mine seems to be having the same issues as yours, plus I am at a point where I need a larger capacity. My motor is getting pretty exhausted from my cookie dough 😬

I see the pics of everything you make, I can't believe you get all that done with a 5 qt. bowl!!

This post was prompted by some completely unnecessary struggles on Sat. making the buttercream for DD's cake.  I needed 2-3 batches, and... It was so much harder than it should've been/used to be.  I am dreading the Thanksgiving baking, and I don't want to dread baking.  Even if we don't gather, my family will be looking for my rolls in the mail.

[humpforfree]

Nov 16, 2020 13:32:22 GMT -5 Susie said:

Nov 16, 2020 13:24:07 GMT -5 humpforfree said:

Ahhh I don’t! I have the 5qt artisan also, and am also eyeing and upgrade, so I’m follow this thread. Mine seems to be having the same issues as yours, plus I am at a point where I need a larger capacity. My motor is getting pretty exhausted from my cookie dough 😬

I see the pics of everything you make, I can't believe you get all that done with a 5 qt. bowl!!

This post was prompted by some completely unnecessary struggles on Sat. making the buttercream for DD's cake.  I needed 2-3 batches, and... It was so much harder than it should've been/used to be.  I am dreading the Thanksgiving baking, and I don't want to dread baking.  Even if we don't gather, my family will be looking for my rolls in the mail.

I’ve actually had the 8qt commercial mixer in my amazon cart to research a little more. 🤣 my cookie dough recipe is I think a normal person’s double batch and I typically need to do a couple of my batches, same for all of my icing and buttercream. It’s getting tricky lol

[hbomdiggity]

This is an upgrade we made at the start of covid.

H picked the commercial series 8 qt which has the 1.3hp motor. Not sure how it compares to the 1.3hp pro line you linked, but I would def get the bigger motor.

The commercial series has a orange cord that is not aesthetically pleasing. I prob would have picked the pro line, but H wanted the bigger bowl.

My artisan still worked fine, so I sold it on fb for $100.

[raleighnc]

I've been looking at the refurbished versions of those (because the prices for new aren't in my budget).

[tommygirl03]

Damn it. Now I want a new mixer. I thought the pin moving and overheating was just me abusing the machine by making it work too hard. My mixer is from 2002, and it definitely has been used a ton for the last 18 years.

[womet]

Nov 16, 2020 10:59:59 GMT -5 Susie said:

Nov 16, 2020 10:51:25 GMT -5 circa1978 said:

I am all for upgrading but have you checked the hinge pin? There is a guy on TikTok who fixes mixers and I feel like I just saw a really easy fix for that.

I have the same KA and I often think about upgrading because it is so well loved but I worry the quality won't be as good in a newer model based on some reviews.

Yes, I've had to slide it back in a bunch of times, and it used to fix things.  But now even when I have it in the proper position, I still have performance problems.  Overall I'm just really not very happy with the robustness of the head tilt mechanism.

Growing up my mom had a 6 qt. bowl-lift model dating back to pre-1980.  My dad still has it, and it's great.  (Unfortunately I think it's an old 6 qt. DC motor model, not directly comparable to any I'm considering.)  I have preferred it for years.  I'm baking more now than I have in a long time, between SAH due to covid, and having a 5 yo who is old enough to want to help, so I'm feeling kind of, TREAT YO SELF.

I had the same issue with mine. It was so bad that I shattered a plastic beater blade because the head was too low and put too much pressure on it while it turned. I ended up getting the model sold at Costco. I'm happy with it. It's 590 watts pro line with a 6qt bowl that lifts. And it was about $260. 

[Susie]

womet, we don't have Costco here (we have BJ's) but $260, damn!

I am hoping to just make it through the TG baking and then score a Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal.

[womet]

Nov 16, 2020 15:48:31 GMT -5 Susie said:

womet , we don't have Costco here (we have BJ's) but $260, damn!

I am hoping to just make it through the TG baking and then score a Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal.

I just looked on the Costco app and it's currently $329.99. And it's free shipping. If you know someone who would buy it online for you and let you pay them back, it would still be better than the ~$500 you initially mentioned.

[sproctopus]

I bake a ton and upgraded this year to #1 (same story, 11 yr old artisan tilt head). I bake an incredible amount. I love it and it's much better at kneading breads and I adore it. I got it through QVC for 329.

[Susie]

I didn't realize the issues I was having with my Artisan were so common.  For those who upgraded, what did you do with your Artisan?  IDK if anyone I know is capable of fixing.

picksthemusic, sproctopus

[sproctopus]

Nov 17, 2020 15:56:22 GMT -5 Susie said:

I didn't realize the issues I was having with my Artisan were so common.  For those who upgraded, what did you do with your Artisan?  IDK if anyone I know is capable of fixing.

picksthemusic, sproctopus

I kept it, so far. Havent looked into repair. I wanted another color anyways (old was red, I got pistachio).

[picksthemusic]

Nov 17, 2020 15:56:22 GMT -5 Susie said:

I didn't realize the issues I was having with my Artisan were so common.  For those who upgraded, what did you do with your Artisan?  IDK if anyone I know is capable of fixing.

picksthemusic , sproctopus

We gave it to a family friend who doesn't bake much but wanted one.

[rubytue]

Nov 16, 2020 13:46:22 GMT -5 tommygirl03 said:

Damn it. Now I want a new mixer. I thought the pin moving and overheating was just me abusing the machine by making it work too hard. My mixer is from 2002, and it definitely has been used a ton for the last 18 years.

Same. The pin is driving me crazy!

[basilosaurus]

I got whatever Costco had. It had a rebate, too, on top of the already excellent costco price which is what finally twisted my arm. I think it's the pro series. The bowl moves, not the mixer part, and it's a metal bowl. Glass concerns me, too. I don't think I've ever had a reason to microwave something in the bowl. I bought it in 2015 (I move so often, all I have to do is picture which costco to know location and thus year lol) so it won't be the exact models you're looking at but close enough.

I've slowly added some accessories. I think the 10? wire whisk is essential. It comes with a dough hook. I have the pasta roller but admittedly don't use it often.

I can't speak to longevity. It's been in storage while I've been overseas, 2.5+ years at this point, and 1.5 years I didn't really have much room to use it often in a teeny galley kitchen.

[rubytue]

If I were to jump on the upgrade train, will my current accessories work? Like the ones that come out the front? We don’t have a food processor, so I use the slicing/grating one a lot.

[basilosaurus]

Nov 17, 2020 16:41:00 GMT -5 rubytue said:

If I were to jump on the upgrade train, will my current accessories work? Like the ones that come out the front? We don’t have a food processor, so I use the slicing/grating one a lot.

I think they're universal. I don't remember buying for a specific model when I got mine. I think the bowls are the only things that are specific.

ETA: Confirmation producthelp.kitchenaid.com/Countertop_Appliances/Stand_Mixer_Attachments/Attachment_Fit_Guarantee/Attachment_Fit_Guarantee