pkmom's Full Review: KitchenAid K45SS Classic 250 Watts Stand Mixer
Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer 250 Watts
Several years ago, I had the burning desire to take a cake decorating class. About halfway through the course the motor on my hand mixer burned out. The package said it was especially for icing. The package lied.
We replaced that with a more expensive Sunbeam stand mixer. This one lasted nearly three months. Then, in a cloud of powered sugar that one breathed it's last breath.
My husband is normally not the one to spend a lot of money on a gadget - unless it's a power tool for the garage. (I'm told that's an entirely different scenario.) But when I went through two mixers in less than six months he took it upon himself to buy the Kitchen Aid.
He's been happily rewarded with homemade goodies ever since. After ruining two mixers the $200 price tag was beginning to seem like a bargain! We've had it for more than 5 years and have never had to do anything to it.
I've loved learning how to use the included accessories.
The mixer comes with a dough hook, wire whip, 4 1/2 quart stainless steel bowl and a flat beater. A one year warranty and no assembly required.
Use the dough hook as the name implies. It's good for mixing cookie dough, breads or rolls.
The wire whip is great for egg whites, cream or cake batters.
The flat beater is for icing, cakes, candy, meatloaf and everything else not listed above. I use this the most frequently. It does almost everything!
Clean up on this is a dream. Take the bowl out. Remove the beater or dough hook with an easy motion. Toss into the dishwasher. Use a cloth, soap and water for the rest of the mixer.
It's a good thing clean up is so easy. The one disadvantage of the Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer is the weight. Unless you are a weight lifter you won't want to move it often.
The mixer has 10 speeds.
Speed 1: Use this for very slow stirring or adding chips or fruit pieces to a work in progress. I use this rarely as it seems to be for the very heaviest work.
Speed 2: A less slow speed. Good for mashing or mixing heavy batters. It's my favorite speed for mixing ingredients for meatloaf or meatballs.
Speed 4: Mixing and beating.
Speed 5/6: For fast and medium beating such as cake batters.
Speed 8/9/10: Egg whites, meringues, some frostings.
If this isn't enough a full line of accessories is available. Turn the blender into a food grinder with the right attachment. ($25.00) Want to crush ice for slushy summer drinks? No problem! The food grinder with do that too.
Need a can opener? Buy the attachment.($50.00)
These are the only attachments I've been interested in. There are others. I've seen a pasta maker and juicer but have just never had interest.
For me, the standard Kitchen Aid and attachments have been more than enough to keep me busy for years. It's been better than great. I love it so much that when my daughters graduate from college, they'll be getting theirs.
The Kitchen Aid Classic Series Stand Mixer features a 4.5 qt. stainless steel bowl, large enough to hold all your favorite ingredients. The powerful 2...More at J&R Music and Computer World
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