My KitchenAid Artisan 5 Quart Stand Mixer was a wedding shower gift from my in-laws in 2005 because they know how much my husband and I love to bake cookies for every holiday.

Description:
The KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer comes in many sizes and power levels to suit your needs. Mine happens to be 5 quarts and runs with a 325 watt motor. The machine color is metallic chrome with a silver bowl to match all my future kitchens. The machine is made of metal and the bowl is stainless steel. Along with the stand and bowl there are three mixing attachments and a pouring/splash guard shield. This Artisan mixer is best used for large baking jobs such as multi-layer cakes or several batches of cookies.

Features:
325 Watt-Motor
5-Quart Mixing Bowl
Rubber Base
Splash Shield w/ Pour Spout
Three Attachments
Tilt-Back Head

The Goods:
This Artisan Stand Mixer was designed for those of us who love baking, but don't love the pain of mixing.

The machine is powerful with speed setting ranging from Stir to 10. There are 6 speed settings. Level 10 uses the maximum power of 325 watts. Even with the full power at level 10 the machine does not shake. In fact, the machine has a rubber bottom to prevent shaking, noise of vibrations, and damage to your countertop. The highest level I use the machine at is speed 4, which is powerful enough to stir 3 batches of cookies.

The 5-quart mixing bowl allows me to mix several batches of cookies at the same time. The bowl is stick resistant so you can squeeze out every cookie you deserve. Also, the bowl easily detaches from the mixer to bring it closer to your baking pan and for easy clean-up.

The mixer itself has a tilt back head so you can easily place all your ingredients inside the bowl. The machine will not work unless the head is clicked into its down position, meaning your fingers cannot get near the powerful mixing attachments.

The attachments include a flat beater, dough hook, and wire whisk. I use the dough hook most frequently. The attachments are designed to reach every part of the bowl turning your cookie mix into a ball ready for rolling.

The pour spout with splash shield makes it easy to use this machine throughout the cookie making process. For example, blend the sugar and margarine in the machine to start and then, while leaving the machine on Stir, pour in your eggs, flour, and other ingredients. The shield works on any setting to ensure your clothes will not end up wearing the batter.

Best Thing about this Stand Mixer:
Never stir sifted flour with your own hands again (we all know the pain of it).

The Not So Goods:
The machine is made of metal and quite heavy. If you can't leave it on your countertop, you will regret moving it around for use.

The 5-quart bowl is designed for big jobs. I don't normally use this machine for small jobs like muffin mixes or biscuits.


Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 299