| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| _Rebecca_ |
Posted - Apr 12 2006 : 1:28:23 PM
I have a cheap stand mixer. I am wanting to know should I invest in a Kitchen aid mixer?
I would also like a handheld type just for quick use--any recommendations on type?
.·:*¨¨* :·.Rebecca.·:*¨¨* :·.
Wife of Jonathan, Mother of Joel, Caitlyn, Elia |
| 24 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Horseyrider |
Posted - Sep 08 2006 : 08:25:18 AM
Gee, I'm shocked by all the prohibitions to using the strainer. We've made dozens and dozens of jars of applesauce, tomato sauce, etc and do it easily and quickly with the KitchenAid strainer. I sometimes don't even bother to cut up the apples; I just cut out any bad spots, put them in a big pot with a bit of water and steam them soft. Then I scoop them out and run them through the strainer. Works great!
I don't think I'd use something with tiny seeds like strawberries or blueberries in there though. It seems like it'd clog the little holes. But bigger seeds like apple or tomato seeds don't. And the meal it spits out is so dry you know you're getting your money's worth; it works MUCH better than the old Foley food mill types.
If you don't like the amount of sauce that remains in the stuff that squirts out, you can run it back through. Piece of cake! |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Sep 08 2006 : 06:37:59 AM
Hey Brenda--
I don't have the fruit/vege strainer for the very reason you mentioned. I took a look at it and thought real hard and just figured I'd continue to use my Cuisinart and an old seive and wooden spoon for all that. It may be the backwards way, but if I'm used to it, and now it's second nature.
Just think of all of the roads there are...all of the things I haven't seen....yet. |
| sunshine |
Posted - Sep 07 2006 : 8:33:04 PM
I burn out 7 hand helds in less than 2 years I hate those things I have a kitchen aid stand mixer for 7 years now love that thing. I will never buy a hand held again the stuff I make is too rough on them. I use to decorate wedding cakes the icing would just kill a hand held after about 10 uses or less. Not wortht he money if I just keep throughing them in the trash. So we got the 4.5 when I work at a department store got an employee discount on top of a good sale didn't cost much. I think if I buy another it will be the larger and I would care if it was on sale noe that I have used one. For juices it is best just to get a real juicer where you can through every thing in and no cooking had one for 10 years of our marriage sold it when we moved due to space Great item.
have a lovely day and may God bless you and keep you safe
my web store www.sunshines.etsy.com my blog http://sunshinescreations.blogspot.com/ my google page http://sunshine.harbaugh.googlepages.com/home |
| brightmeadow |
Posted - Sep 07 2006 : 7:28:16 PM
Jonni, do you have the fruit/vegetable strainer attachment? If so, can you give me some idea of how soft the food really has to be before putting through the strainer?
The cone is so narrow I can't imagine that you could put much through it before it got clogged if there was any fiber or seeds or anything in the food.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com, web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Sep 07 2006 : 07:39:08 AM
I have both, and I use both. Used to just have the stand, and I found myself more often than not thinking "I wish I had a hand held, that way I wouldn't have to lug that out...." I use my kitchenaid stand mixer for big baking needs, mixing double batches of corn pudding, breads, etc... and my hand held for quick stuff--it's also a Kitchen Aid. I really liked the attachments to the hand held. As long as you have the storage space, it never hurts to have both.
Just think of all of the roads there are...all of the things I haven't seen....yet. |
| Lynn B |
Posted - Sep 07 2006 : 05:32:50 AM
I also have the KitchenAid stand mixer and hand mixer, love them both!! I do use the stand mixer more, but like everyone else said, the hand mixer is nice for smaller jobs. If you were going to get just one, I would certainly say go for the stand mixer. Big investment, but well worth it!
Lynn
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
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| bramble |
Posted - Sep 06 2006 : 8:20:22 PM
I'm coming to the party a little late on this subject but I say Kitchen Aid stand mixer as well. I once told my husband that if he valued his life he would NEVER buy me an appliance of any sort as a present with the one exception being a Kitchen Aid mixer. Good man that he is he bought one some months later but made sure I knew it was not "a present"! I have never regretted him or the mixer! I don't have alot of the attachments and seem to do fine, but the one thing I just found recently at the Thrift store was the copper bowl and that was very welcome since I make dessert way too much!You can't beat a nice Lemon Meringue in my book! Happy cooking!
with a happy heart |
| brightmeadow |
Posted - Sep 06 2006 : 8:06:36 PM
OK, I finally broke down and bought an accessory pack for my KitchenAid mixer - I am kind of puzzled by the fruit/vegetable strainer. The owner's manual says "TO STRAIN FRUITS AND
VEGETABLES:
• Cut into pieces that will fit into
hopper.
• Remove tough, thick skin or rind,
i.e., oranges.
• Remove all large pits or seeds, i.e.,
apples, peaches.
• Remove hulls or stems, i.e.,
strawberries, grapes.
• Cook all tough or firm fruits and
vegetables before straining."
So, I am wondering, what the heck am I going to use this for? I have an "organic" orchard (a sadly neglected one) and consequently have a lot of mis-shapen and discolored apples - I would almost rather make applesauce by quartering the apples cutting off the stem and blossom ends, then tossing it into a pan of water and cooking with seed cavity still intact, then put into a food processor and then strain the applesauce out (kind of like the way I make apple jelly only with bigger holes in the strainer) - rather than having to peel the apples and cut out all the seed cavities before cooking! Unless maybe if I use my peeler/corer/slicer it might go pretty fast, but it sure wastes a lot of fruit that way.
Has anyone used one of these attachments? What did you use it for and how did it go?
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com, web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| JennyWren |
Posted - Apr 20 2006 : 9:36:39 PM
I use my kitchen aid all the time, it cleans up so easily that I gave my hand mixer to my son. Beaters and bowl go right in the dishwasher, quick once over with a damp kitchen cloth.. swish, swish .. Done! Don't miss the hand mixer at all. The quality of everything is so much better, it does a spectacular job on everything. Gee.. I sound like a commercial!
If you treat an individual as what he is, he will stay that way, but if you
treat him as if he were what he could be, he will become what he could be.
-- Goethe
www.jennywrensurbanhomestead.blogspot.com/ |
| _Rebecca_ |
Posted - Apr 17 2006 : 5:48:10 PM
"One thing I do want to buy is the pouring shield which fits on the bowl of the stand mixer."
Yes, the last handheld mixer that I bought was so messy that I got really really frustrated using it.  I used to notch a paper plate to put around the beaters and cover the bowl so it was my splash guard.
.·:*¨¨* :·.Rebecca.·:*¨¨* :·.
Wife of Jonathan, Mother of Joel, Caitlyn, Elia |
| ali2583 |
Posted - Apr 17 2006 : 3:23:21 PM
I have an Ultra Power Kitchenaid mixer (275 watts) which suits me just fine. I also have a Kitchenaid hand mixer which I use constatly (makes the best whipped potatoes).
One thing I do want to buy is the pouring shield which fits on the bowl of the stand mixer. It makes it easy if you have to add liquid or slide an egg in while you're mixing dry ingredients. Also it helps to keep some of the mess in while the mixer is mixing.
But I love both of my mixers, I think every girl should have one!
"God's gift to you is life. What you choose to do with that life is your gift to God" |
| bboopster |
Posted - Apr 16 2006 : 08:19:43 AM
Hello,
I looked and compared mixers last year. My mother has the kitchen aid (don't know why she doesn't cook) and I loved to use it. I had had a old kitchen aid center and had love it. (moved out with first hubby) When it came time to buy one I just could not spend the money so I compared and shopped and tried to convince myself it was worth the extra dough. I ended up with a Sunbeam Mixmaster. Less cost, higher watts, better motor and bearings, lighter in weight, smaller in size, just made more sense. I will say that I have had it for a year (ended up getting it for a wedding present)and haven't used it due to building a new house and shop (for my husband)and now moving. But I think it will preform as well if not better then the Kitchen aid. 
Pray for our troops to come home safe and soon.
Enjoying the road to the simple life :>) |
| asnedecor |
Posted - Apr 14 2006 : 12:50:44 PM
One cool idea if you ever redo a kitchen cabinet or get new cabinets - my mom has her Kitchen Aid mixer on a shelf in a cabinet. The shelf pulls out and pops up to counter height, all without picking up the mixer. Man - when I get a new kitchen, that is what I want. I love my mixer, but like the rest of you - it sits in a corner on the counter. The way mom has it, it keeps it clean, and put away out of sight when not in use. Just an idea
Anne
"Second star to the right, straight on till morning" Peter Pan
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| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Apr 14 2006 : 12:16:49 AM
Mine is the smaller version...I probably still wouldn't have one if my ex mom in law hadn't got it for me as a gift one Christmas. It sits out on the counter..but I do use it alot. I got the grinder attachment and use that quite alot.
I am glad I have mine
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| Alaska farm girl |
Posted - Apr 13 2006 : 10:02:57 PM
I brought one home and it sat in the kitchen for three days.I just couldn't bring myself to buy something that expensive that I only wanted for the bread dough hook,so I took it back.For $350 dollars I'm better off kneading or mixing by hand.I was given a 1930 Sunbeam mixer 15 years ago and its still going strong.I don't like alot of stuff on my counter.I do use my hand mixer alot for making mashed potatoes. |
| farmgirlannie |
Posted - Apr 13 2006 : 4:13:56 PM
I absolutely love my kitchenaid stand mixer. I bought mine at an estate sale for 50$, the only way I could afford it! I can't imagine life without it. |
| brightmeadow |
Posted - Apr 13 2006 : 3:12:49 PM
I had a Sunbeam Mixmaster stand mixer for many years. I bought it at an auction for $.25 (that's right, twenty-five cents) and it served me well for about 10 years. Finally the blades got twisted and one wore through, though, so DH got me a Kitchen-Aid this year. Somehow he managed to get a pretty big discount on it and it is a really nice one.
I like the Kitchen Aid but it is too big to put in my cabinet. So it is on the counter all the time. It is huge. If I had to do it over again I would choose the slightly smaller version.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| _Rebecca_ |
Posted - Apr 12 2006 : 7:49:11 PM
Thanks, Gals! I usually hand-mix, but sometimes I want a really thorough mixing job and I have lost the beaters to my cheapie mixer and was debating on what to get!
Your information is very helpful!
.·:*¨¨* :·.Rebecca.·:*¨¨* :·.
Wife of Jonathan, Mother of Joel, Caitlyn, Elia |
| Horseyrider |
Posted - Apr 12 2006 : 5:59:29 PM
I'm on my second KitchenAid mixer. I used the first one up. The first one was the 4.5qt one, and I made all our breads, cookies, biscuits, and cakes in it. As soon as that one died, I immediately went out and got another to replace it. I got a heavier duty 5qt one, and still do just about everything in it.
I have a Cuisinart food processor, a blender, and a stick type mixer, but I don't tend to use those. I reach for the KitchenAid every time.
And when I finally kill it, I'll go get a third, although it shows no signs of fatigue yet. I got my first one in 1980, and my current one probably twelve years ago. |
| ThymeForEweFarm |
Posted - Apr 12 2006 : 5:08:22 PM
I have both and use neither. I can mix by hand in half the time it takes me to set it up or get it out, wash it and put it away.
Robin
www.thymeforewe.com
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| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Apr 12 2006 : 4:37:52 PM
I have had my kitchen aid stand mixer for hmmmmm19 years now!! It works just as well now as when it was new and I love it. I don't own a hand mixer. I should get one though..there are times it would be nice to have one. I use a whisk for hand mixing.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| blueroses |
Posted - Apr 12 2006 : 2:06:24 PM
I love my KitchenAid stand mixer. Anne is right-it makes such a difference when making cakes, cookies and such. I do need to get a new hand mixer, though. Gave mine to dd. I'll check out the KitchenAid. Sometimes you just want to have the hand mixer around for smaller jobs. It's quicker and less cleanup. So I vote for both.
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolfe |
| Libbie |
Posted - Apr 12 2006 : 1:51:17 PM
I have to say that I really like my KitchenAid appliances - I have both a stand mixer and a handheld. I DO have to say that if I were to upgrade, I'd be sure to get a stand mixer that has a greater "wattage" - mine has 300, and when I'm kneading bread, sometimes it strains the motor, which I don't really like to do. Also, the handheld mixer comes in handy and is easier to clean - a plus for small jobs. I like the KitchenAid version of these, too - mine is an "Ultrapower 5," and I find that it is just great for what I do...
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| asnedecor |
Posted - Apr 12 2006 : 1:50:23 PM
I used a kitchen aid hand mixer for years, which was great for a lot of stuff. But about 3 Christmas's ago, DH bought me the big Kitchen aid standing mixer. What a difference when making cookies and fillings for cheese cakes, etc. Much smoother mix, plus I can do other prep work while stuff is mixing. I still use the hand one for small jobs, but love the big standing one.
Anne
"Second star to the right, straight on till morning" Peter Pan
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