The trillionth Kitchen Aid Mixer ?

[keyslover]

I have decided I want one, never has been a big desire of mine before. In fact I didn't even register for one when we got married (gasp!)

I am moving towards making more things from scratch. We are a family of 4 - our girls are young 4 y/o and 15 months.

What things do I need to consider when making my purchase? Is the tilt head better than bowl lift? Bowl size- is it a huge difference between 4.5q, 5q and 6? I mean aside from the obvious.

Thanks.

[bleubook]

I have the artesian? www.williams-sonoma.com/products/4602819/?catalogId=93&bnrid=3120901&cm_ven=Google_PLA&cm_cat=Electrics&cm_pla=Mixers_&_Attachments&cm_ite=KitchenAid_Artisan_Stand_Mixer%2C_Komen_Pink_|_Williams-Sonoma&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=30-74159448-2
it's a 5 quart. pink bitches.
It has a tilt head.
It's big enough for absolutely EVERYTHING I do, and I cook and bake a lot.
I've had it for over 10 years (god I'm old)

I really love the attachments too, like the food mill and meat grinder. It took me years to get into them, but they are awesome.

I have 2 bowls and I think that's very helpful for may recipes.

[dochas]

I really do want a smaller bowl, because I feel like I would use it more often if I did. But I wouldn't want to be without the huge one it came with either. I love, love, love my Kitchen Aid - it's like having an assistant! I have the one posted above. In red. I got it with credit card rewards points because I couldn't bring myself to spend the money.

[dottyblue]

The bowl size is not the only difference between the 4, 5 and 6 qt. The engine is stronger with the larger sizes.

I got the 6 qt professional because I do a ton of baking and frequently double or even triple my recipes (I donate a lot of my baked goods).

I also make a lot of bread and pizza dough and use the dough hook for kneading the bread which puts a lot more strain on the engine, so I opted for the larger size.

We have the meat grinder attachment and make all our own ground beef for burgers, meatballs, etc. It's delicious!

The only thing to remember with the tilt head versus the drop bowl option (artisan vs. professional) is that if your kitchen cabinets are low, the tilt won't work while the mixer is still under your cabinets. You'll have to slide it out each time you use it. I don't have a ton of cabinet space, so I'm happier leaving my mixer in the corner/against the wall and using the counter space for measuring ingredients.

[PinkSquirrel]

I have the Costco 5.5qt professional and love everything about it. I would not recommend the 4qt as the engine is significantly weaker. The Artisans are a good middle ground if you're not looking to spend too much. They're hands down the most common KA's, but if you have a Costco membership you can get the 5.5qt professional for around the same price.

[lmbml]

I have an artisan, my mom has the professional. She bought it refurbished at the outlet mall. Check hip2save.com, she always posts good deals for these from Kohl's. there is a rebate on them now too. I love mine!! My mom just got a small bowl for hers, it's so cite, it comes with its own whisk. She has a food slicer attachment too.

[kaylie]

I have the 4qt and wish we'd gotten a higher-end one. I can do most of what I need to with it, but sometimes I need more room in the bowl.

[wannabe]

my kitchenaid is seriously so old, i don't even know what model or size it is. it's from 199-freaking-2. but it runs like a champ and i don't know how i'd survive in the kitchen without it, especially since i bake cookies at an alarming rate.

[dochas]

But I thought you could get smaller bowls for all of them? Are we talking max capacity and not bowl size? I would definitely get the most powerful motor.