4paws's Full Review: KitchenAid K45SS Classic 250 Watts Stand Mixer
I received my The KitchenAid’s Classic 250 Watt 4 ½-Quart Stand Mixer as a "hand-me-down" from my sister-in-law who moved up to the "Industrial Model" of the same brand. I still feel like I won the lottery. I had never had a “stand“ mixer before this one and I love it. I had only dabbled, dribbled and slung stuff with an inexpensive hand mixer until it’s demise after a mere 20 years of use (the nerve). I discovered a whole new world of cooking. I first discovered the ability to make bread with much more ease (of course, my daughter ruined that one Christmas when she gave me my first bread machine). Then I found out how much fluffier cakes could be, as well as how well one could whip cream & eggs given the proper tools.
Sum of All The Parts
The KitchenAid’s Classic 250 Watt 4 ½-Quart Stand Mixer comes with three mixer attachments and other parts worthy of note:
1. A Flat Beater which is good for any type mixing of many different tasks. This may include mixing up cake batters (or other batters) and you can even use it for ground meat mixtures such as the old standby meatloaf, meatballs, and “designer” hamburgers. It is sturdier than the whisk but not quite as tough as the hook. The Flat Beater has a hard plastic (or I suppose it could be a tough Enamel) coating that is very sturdy and has taken much abuse with no significant signs of wear. The Dough Hook is constructed similarly.
2. The stainless steel Wire Whip is just what the cook ordered for mixing/whipping eggs and whipping cream. It is also good for mixing salad dressings and marinades. Only your imagination is the limit.
3. The Dough Hook is made for things that need kneading such as bread doughs. It does have its limitations. I have tried some bread doughs that actually caused the entire mixer to “rock” a little until the dough is more balanced (sort of like your washing machine might do). And that’s a pretty good trick since the mixer itself is quite heavy. See the Flat Beater above for information on construction.
4. The 4 ½ Quart stainless steel Mixing Bowl with a handle is also sturdy and holds as much (and sometimes more) than the motor can handle. The bowl locks into position on the base of the Mixer. The Bowl comes with a plastic lid with and indentation in the center in which the base of the head will fit.
5. The “Mixer” itself, housing the motor is, above all, heavy which may put you in my position of preferring to leave this appliance on the counter, rather than trying to put it away and getting out each time you use it. It, also, has the hard plastic or enameled finish and wipes clean very easily. This is good since it is all white. It has a “Tilt-up” head which is quite handy for the times you need to bring you mixing attachment out of what it’s mixing and to add ingredients or scrape down the sides. In some cases, depending on what you are preparing, you may actually want to change, say from the Flat Beater to the Dough Hook.
6. I must be a little vague with this one, as I did not get the manual from my sister-in-law. It came with two pieces of plastic which could be placed over the bowl and when placed together on a bowl, became a pour spout of sorts. I have no idea what this was for, although it made me think “splatter or sneeze guard”. I never used it and it has long since disappeared.
The Works
The The KitchenAid’s Classic 250 Watt 4 ½-Quart Stand Mixer works in a 110 outlet via a molded three prong plug. It has a 10-Speed Control. Following are the speeds available:
1. Speed One: Stir-for slow stirring, combining ingredients or just the beginning speed for some tasks where you have to mix flour or dry ingredients to liquids or batters, or vice versa.
2. Speed Two: Still for mixing heavy batters or mixing items (like chocolate chips and nuts) to your completed batter.
3. Speed Four: You will find this speed compatible with combining things like sugar and butter or adding the sugar to the egg whites for meringues.
4. Speed Six: Ok, we’re speeding up now, and this speed will be good for the final process of things like cake mixes and thick batters.
5. Speed Eight: This is the speed for whipping cream and egg whites.
6. Speed Ten: Very similar to Speed Eight.
Note: The speed control lever can be set between the speeds listed above to obtain speeds 3,5,7 and 9 if a finer adjustment is required. Also, a little practice will help you determine which speeds are the best for you depending on your mixing job.
Cleaning
Cleaning the The KitchenAid’s Classic 250 Watt 4 ½-Quart Stand Mixer is really a breeze, especially if you do it before your batter or whatever has time to dry on it. The only cleaning problem I have found is that when the “Mixer” is in its resting position; occasionally oil will drip from the head of the machine. I’m not sure where it comes from since I’ve never oiled it myself. But that’s the best use for the Bowl Cover. Otherwise, the surfaces are simple to wipe down after or between uses. Also, the attachment protrusion upon which you place your different stirring tools will sometimes collect matter that has spun out of the bowl. All in all, it is very easy.
Feet
The KitchenAid’s Classic 250 Watt 4 ½-Quart Stand Mixer measures 14 inches high (without lifting the head), by about 12 inches in depth, and about 9 inches in width with bowl locked in base. The entire unit is quite heavy which is good for holding the Mixer in place while in use, but discourages the practice of putting it away when not in use. I understand the unit itself comes with a cookbook, but since I received this as a “hand-me-down”, I did not receive said book.
Available Attachments
1. Pasta Maker…….$84.99
2. Grain Mill…..…$149.99
3. Fruit/Vegetable..$119.99
4. Citrus Juicer…….$34.99
5. Can Opener……..$49.99
6. Pasta Roller……$129.99
Final Thoughts
Even if I received this The KitchenAid’s Classic 250 Watt 4 ½-Quart Stand Mixer as a hand-me-down from sister-in-law, it has served me well. Before I got it, it had many hours of use from an avid cook and bread maker I’ve had it now for about 7 years and it still seems like new. I don’t cook as much as I used to, but when I need it, it’s one the kitchen counter smiling at me. That’s what happens when you make friends.
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