Stand mixer

[Gardener]

Cooks Illustrated agrees with the people here who favor Kitchen Aid.

[yt][/yt]

That's a commercial grade one, not the ones people are going to buy in Target.

[Michael Wilson]

The same goes for tools you use in your garden; don't buy the "weed-eater"; lawn mower; hedge trimmer or other power tool at the big retail stores; they are basically junked down versions, made as cheaply as possible. Go to a commercial house and pay a little more money and get a descent machine that wont break down right away; can't be fixed; or isn't worth the price. You will have a machine that will last for years and will pay for itself in the long run.

[Gardener]

The same goes for tools you use in your garden; don't buy the "weed-eater"; lawn mower; hedge trimmer or other power tool at the big retail stores; they are basically junked down versions, made as cheaply as possible. Go to a commercial house and pay a little more money and get a descent machine that wont break down right away; can't be fixed; or isn't worth the price. You will have a machine that will last for years and will pay for itself in the long run.

Indeed. When I want to buy a tool, I ask those who use them professionally. Notice how many general contractors, who live and die by their thin margins, trust their livelihood to Milwaukee and Ryobi. I've never seen one with Black and Decker, for example.

I think the problem with the modern kitchen aids is they use plastic gears. The old ones were metal. I'd assume the industrial ones are too.

[Maximilian]

That's a commercial grade one, not the ones people are going to buy in Target.

You didn't watch the video.

[Gardener]

That's a commercial grade one, not the ones people are going to buy in Target.

You didn't watch the video.

Yes, I did. Of the 3 kitchen aids, one was the classic type people are generally going to get. The other two were from their various pro series and cost double to triple  what the public generally thinks of when they think kitchen aid stand mixer. They've got more powerful motors and can withstand heavier/denser mixes. They're not the standard Kitchen Aid, which in its modern construction is basically nostalgic crap.

ETA: those particular models cost in the same
Ballpark as other commercial stand mixers, because they are commercial grade, which is what I've been saying to do all along. 

[Maximilian]

Of the 3 kitchen aids, one was the classic type people are generally going to get.

Which was ranked second best out of all the models tested even though it cost the least.

The other two were from their various pro series and cost double to triple  what the public generally thinks of when they think kitchen aid stand mixer.

The higher-end KitchenAid model which ranked first in their tests is sold everywhere you can buy appliances. It is not NSF-rated for commercial use. I have bought one in the past at Sam's Club.

[Tales]

I am starting to suspect that half of SD posters are Grimer family members...

[Heinrich]

[yt][/yt]

[Gardener]

Of the 3 kitchen aids, one was the classic type people are generally going to get.

Which was ranked second best out of all the models tested even though it cost the least.

The other two were from their various pro series and cost double to triple  what the public generally thinks of when they think kitchen aid stand mixer.

The higher-end KitchenAid model which ranked first in their tests is sold everywhere you can buy appliances. It is not NSF-rated for commercial use. I have bought one in the past at Sam's Club.

Seems we are talking passed each other. A 600-700 mixer, which costs the same and is marketed as professional, is not the run of the mill Kitchen Aid 4.5 quart classic. I've had the classic. It was NOT up to the task that the OP wants one for.

Were we to buy another, we would buy a truly commercial one.

[Heinrich]

Of the 3 kitchen aids, one was the classic type people are generally going to get.

Which was ranked second best out of all the models tested even though it cost the least.

The other two were from their various pro series and cost double to triple  what the public generally thinks of when they think kitchen aid stand mixer.

The higher-end KitchenAid model which ranked first in their tests is sold everywhere you can buy appliances. It is not NSF-rated for commercial use. I have bought one in the past at Sam's Club.

Seems we are talking passed each other. A 600-700 mixer, which costs the same and is marketed as professional, is not the run of the mill Kitchen Aid 4.5 quart classic. I've had the classic. It was NOT up to the task that the OP wants one for.

Were we to buy another, we would buy a truly commercial one.

From Germany?

[Gardener]

Of the 3 kitchen aids, one was the classic type people are generally going to get.

Which was ranked second best out of all the models tested even though it cost the least.

The other two were from their various pro series and cost double to triple  what the public generally thinks of when they think kitchen aid stand mixer.

The higher-end KitchenAid model which ranked first in their tests is sold everywhere you can buy appliances. It is not NSF-rated for commercial use. I have bought one in the past at Sam's Club.

Seems we are talking passed each other. A 600-700 mixer, which costs the same and is marketed as professional, is not the run of the mill Kitchen Aid 4.5 quart classic. I've had the classic. It was NOT up to the task that the OP wants one for.

Were we to buy another, we would buy a truly commercial one.

From Germany?

I trust German engineering, but I'm not sure if I trust Turkish factory putting-togethering:D

In all seriousness, we gave away the kitchen aid (after the meat grinder attachment choked on anything normative for to-be-ground cuts, the wife decided it was basically worthless compared to cheaper options). A handheld mixer handles the basic stuff and the wife mixes other stuff by hand, as is her choice. I fully support overspending on domestic needs, but she is indeed her mother's daughter.

[MundaCorMeum]

I appreciate all the responses and discussion so far; it's been helpful.... thanks.  I just have only had time to read through, and not respond thoroughly.

Heinrich, that little mixer is just the cutest thing 

[Gardener]

(sad trombone noises):

I might have been wrong. Just stay away from the ole' KA.

http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/15101/kitchenaid-pro-all-steel-gears

http://www.chadwrites.com/kitchenaid-just-doesnt-give-a-damn/  (pre-metal gears upgrade as noted here: https://www.amazon.com/review/R2FDDNXEN48LF1)

More if you google.

I'd look into other brands, and moreover mixers which are made with your intended usage in mind and have solid reviews that aren't based on nostalgia for a brand.

[Lynne]

(sad trombone noises):

I might have been wrong. Just stay away from the ole' KA.

http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/15101/kitchenaid-pro-all-steel-gears

http://www.chadwrites.com/kitchenaid-just-doesnt-give-a-damn/  (pre-metal gears upgrade as noted here: https://www.amazon.com/review/R2FDDNXEN48LF1)

More if you google.

I'd look into other brands, and moreover mixers which are made with your intended usage in mind and have solid reviews that aren't based on nostalgia for a brand.

So, so logical! 

I thought the video had wonderful points though about the handles and the chute/cover and the shape of the bowl.

[Gardener]

(sad trombone noises):

I might have been wrong. Just stay away from the ole' KA.

http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/15101/kitchenaid-pro-all-steel-gears

http://www.chadwrites.com/kitchenaid-just-doesnt-give-a-damn/  (pre-metal gears upgrade as noted here: https://www.amazon.com/review/R2FDDNXEN48LF1)

More if you google.

I'd look into other brands, and moreover mixers which are made with your intended usage in mind and have solid reviews that aren't based on nostalgia for a brand.

So, so logical! 

I thought the video had wonderful points though about the handles and the chute/cover and the shape of the bowl.

Yes, the ability of the attachment to reach all parts of the bowl is key. If one has to assist their mixer in mixing, it's problematic.

When we would use the KA for making whipped cream, I found it annoying to have to manually fold in portions which had been untouched.