A mixer for people who seriously love to cook.
Written: Dec 20 '00 (Updated Dec 22 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Powerful, high-capacity, standard KitchenAid quality.
Cons: A bit noisier than the older 4.5 and 5 quart models.
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| Masque's Full Review: KitchenAid KT2651X Epicurean 475 Watts Stand Mixer |
At first glance, this mixer appears to be simply a more expensive version of the older, five-quart 'Heavy Duty' model that KitchenAid makes, and which you will see on nearly all of the shows that Food Network airs. In actual use, however, this mixer shows that it is simply the next logical step up from that mixer. This appliance is large enough and powerful enough to mix several batches of cookies at once or dough enough for multiple loaves of homemade bread.
I purchased this mixer after looking long and hard at the entire
KitchenAid line, and here's why:
- The 4.5 quart models simply don't hold enough and aren't powerful enough to churn through a bowl full of dough. For the occasional baker who likes to make a loaf of bread or pan of brownies occasionally, these models are an excellent choice. If that's not enough, you move on to...
- ...the 5 quart 'Heavy Duty' model. This model is where the 'bowl lift' feature is introduced, and the extra power and capacity of this mixer is a welcome change. You lose the convenience of the tilt-up mixer head, but the bowl lift has some advantages as well. Stability is one of them. This is the mixer that I was going to buy, but a good deal on the Epicurean and the rumor that this model was being phased out lead me to look at...
- The 6 quart Epicurean, which is overkill for most people's kitchens, but for mine, where I'd like the option to mix concrete or multiple cheesecakes at a moment's notice, it's a fantastic option. The new bowl shape and handle design are easy on the eyes and even easier on the hands. It's noisy, but it'll mix just about anything, and LOTS of it.
- The 6 quart 'professional' model, from what I can tell, is not worth the extra money. I see no benefit to the bare-metal mixing paddle and dough hook that this model comes with, other than the pseudo-industrial look they provide. The extra 12% power might someday come in handy, but I don't think it justifies the extra expense. My impression is that the Professional is there for people who want the top of the line because it's the top of the line. The Epicurean, as the name indicates, seems aimed at people who love food and its preparation.
As nearly everyone already knows, the quality of KitchenAid appliances is second to none. We can't all afford a Hobart, but for those of us that yearn to, this is a savvy alternate choice. This mixer is powerful and capacious, a worthy companion in the kitchen of a serious chef. If you're just going to make single batches cookies and smaller cakes, find a good deal on the Ultra Power or Heavy Duty models; if you're serious about your baking, however, you can't go wrong here.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Masque
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Reviews written: 1
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