Okay, I bought the Kitchenaid Stand mixer. Did I make a mistake?

[politicat]

I had to go buy grass seed today at the Hardware Store of the Gods, the shop that carries everything I could possibly ever want..... Including Kitchen Aid appliances.

I parked on the wrong side of the building, so I ended up walking through the kitchen section to get to Garden, and there it was... a 300W Kitchenaid Stand mixer on closeout for $169.00. It's this one:

Web description says this (I googled the model number):
Ultra Power Series Stand Mixer
Kitchenaid
Ultra Power series model with a 300W motor, 4-1/2 quart stainless steel bowl with handle and a tilt-back mixer head design that provides easy access to bowl and beaters. 10-speed solid-state control. Includes: Flat beater, dough hook, and wire whip. Power hub for additional attachments. Capacity for kneading 2 loaves of bread. Dimensions: 13.9" H. x 17.3" W. x 8.7" D. White on white.

Mine has a red stripe.

Now the question I have is this: It's the 300 Watt model. Should I take it back and get my money back and put it aside until I can afford an Artisan with a 325 Watt motor and a 5 q bowl? I could afford $169; I can't justify $270 right now. Or will I be happy with 300 watts?

Thanks,

PC

[lavenderdiva]

1. are you from houston?

if so, does this 'hardware store of the gods' have two locations? and start with the letter 'b'? If that's the one, you are right! it is the hardware store of the gods. It is totally awesome. and I don't doubt you were overcome passing thru the kitchen section! Sounds like your mixer was a good deal to me. I got one for a wedding present 3 years ago, but it hasn't been out of the box. I don't have a place for it, other than the counter, and to tell the truth, I am really quite intimidated by it. I have only used one once before: my sister-in-law's. She had me make the Christmas dessert for her Christmas party one year (boy, was she trusting!), and she wanted me to make her bouche de noel recipe. I did find it ok to use, but I had never used one before, and I didn't know what I was doing. You sound much more self-assured about it....

[politicat]

2. Nope: Boulder, CO. Store is McGuckin's, one location, downtown Boulder.

But your store sounds equally addictive. McGuckins is the place to go if you need a widget, but don't quite know what widget; someone can find you a creative solution. They're also about as eco-friendly as any store in the area.

I don't really have the counter space for it though I know what I'm rearranging to get space for it, and getting rid of the things that it can sub in for (except the breadmaker. That's the only way I bake in the summers, unless I can figure out how to make the gas grill work as an oven.....)

[Love Bug]

3. Wow, you got a good deal

Those mixers usually go for about $250.

[politicat]

11. I knew that much - and a froogle search assured me of it.

I've been looking at the bigger one for 6 months or so, but bemoaning the fact that I could not justify $270 (tax included) for something that I already had the same functionality in smaller appliances in. $170 I could justify.

Thanks!

[The empressof all]

4. I think you did good.

I actually have the larger model and wish I got the smaller one. I have a small family and really don't need the bigger bowl.

You will have enough power to do everything you probably want to do with the one you bought.

Are you someone who routinely makes more than 2 loaves of bread at a time? Do you really need more than 3 quarts of Mashed Potatoes?

If you need something to whip up a few batches of cookies, mix a cake or do a few loaves of bread--You got a good machine.

You're gonna love your new machine and wonder how you lived without it. Now you gotta start looking for the attachments like the ice cream maker, meat grinder, pasta maker.....

[politicat]

12. Okay.... that sounds about right.

There are just 2 of us and 2 feline owners, so a bigger one may not be functional.

If I were to make more than 2 loaves of bread at a time, I'd still have to stagger them; While I *could* put many more in the oven, they'd cook for shit. And I can't imagine needing a quart of mashed potatoes, let alone 3.

Those attachments are already calling, but the urge shall be resisted until certain other things are paid off. (Not this, though. I paid cash for this; when I get my credit card paid off - 2 more payments!! - I'll reward myself with what would have been the next payment, before starting to apply the payments to the husband's ex-wife's debt. Don't ask.)

[wryter2000]

5. Mistake? Hell, no!

I got a refurbished one on ebay for $149 recently. With shipping, it cost about $190. And that was a great price. You should not have left the store without that mixer. You'll love it.

In fact, I just came over here to start a thread about what I ought to make with mine this weekend.

On edit: I got the 5 quart, lift-bowl model, which is usually more expensive. But, I'm with the others. Unless you have a large family, this machine will do just fine for you.

[politicat]

13. I'm thinking something with eggs, but what, I don't know.

We've got tons of eggs, just dying to have the whites whipped.

Thanks for feeding the addiction.

[Warpy]

6. My KitchenAid is the cheapest model, cheaper than yours,

and I've put it through ten years of hard use baking bread at least weekly and doing all sorts of other kitchen mixing chores. It's never given one whimper. It's also the same model that was used in the kitchen of the last hospital (600 beds) that I worked in. I think it will stand up to nearly everything a home user can throw its way, unless you absolutely insist on whipping up more than 2 loaves of bread at a time.

That extra pint of bowl capacity won't do you much good, nor will that extra 25 watts of power, certainly not a hundred bucks' worth. I think you'll be delighted with what your affordable mixer can do.

[politicat]

14. I thought that might be the case, that the capacity would not be a biggie.

But you know, you never know. The difference between a 1.3 L engine and a 1.6 L engine may only be 3 deciliters, but it can mean as much as 50 horsepower depending on a lot of factors. I thought the same might be true here.

[Warpy]

34. Math time

The larger engine you mentioned has about 23% more power. That's a noticeable difference.

The larger mixer has a measly 8% increase in power.

Dunno about you, but that's not worth $100 to me.

[politicat]

36. Good point. And I shoulda thought about that.

Duh. It's not like I don't spend great gobs of time doing statistical analysis every freakin' day....

[wildeyed]

7. I have the same model.

It is fine. Occasionally when I want to double a recipe I wish I had the bigger bowl, but other than that, it is fab. I have made bread, mixed cakes, cookies all that and no problems. Enjoy!

Post what you make with it this weekend.

[politicat]

15. I'll try... we have a lot going on this weekend, though.

I have to go to the rental and do some major lawn work, and that may kill one day this weekend. (Hopefully tomorrow.)

Else, I'll post something monday.

[Stinky The Clown]

8. Put your hands up where I can see 'em and step *away* from the

notion of returning that puppy. You'll love it. I had one just like it. Bought new in 1972. It's still working its little avocado green ass off .... at my son's house. My mother had the same machine in white and my other son now has that. They just keep on keepin' on.

I only replaced the green one because the color was soooo awful ..... and I often do larger batches of pizza dough. My new one (6 qt) is sufficiently bigger that it does make a difference. Were it not for the pizza dough quantity, I would never need anything larger than the 4.5 or 5 qt model. These things are indestructible ..... and with accessories, very versatile.

You got a damned good price, too.

[politicat]

16. Okay.... I've been told!!

It won't go back. Of course, I must now clean out cabinets and such, but....

[merci_me]

9. You made a terrible mistake.................

However, don't fear, I'll be happy to take it off your hands and hide it at my house, along with my grandmother's old Dormeyer (which I keep hidden).

Heck, I feel so sorry for you, just pm me with the cost of the postage and I'll send it to you along with my address, which BTW IS in Houston. So I know the "b" hardware, and knew you couldn't have gotten a deal there on anything!!! But it sure is a priddy place to dream through. Just watch for the drool on the floor.



Mary

[politicat]

17. *snicker* there's another one for the same price, if you wanna be a sucker

too....

Actually, they had several. I take paypal, and I ship....

[fortyfeetunder]

30. Dormeyer mixer

My grandma had one, and my mom "inherited" it..I wonder if it got ditched in the last family purge. Great mixer....

[housewolf]

10. You'll love it...

Once you whip us your first batch of cream or egg whites, cream that half pound of butter or mix that chocolate chip cookie dough - you'll smile and be SOooooo happy that you have it.

I agree with what others here have said - unless you have a large family or intend to bake large batches of bread, the 4.5 qt/300 w model will suit you just fine.


Congratulations on your new addition to your family!

[politicat]

18. Thanks! I hope so.

Now, what to do with the stuff it replaces....

[Stinky The Clown]

19. eeeee-bay

the world's source for other people's cast offs

[politicat]

32. No ebay. Not until we find something blue....

We do Craig's list and Freecycle and the Community Exchange instead.

Got burned once on Ebay; then found out how Freeperish they are, and that was that....

I suppose this insulates me some.....

[Stinky The Clown]

20. a-c-c-e-s-s-o-r-i-e-s

Grind your own beef fer steak tartare


Add a tube to the grinder and make sausages (or snausages, if ya have a dog)


Add these and make macaroni


Or better yet, these for *real* macaroni


Ravs, anyone?


Cole slaw?


Carrot juice, parsnip puree, crushed 'maters, lots more from this one


Jams and jellies?


Heck, you can even do your own flour .....


Got an alpine orange tree in your Rocky Mountain backyard?


And imagine a meringue from **this** little gem!


You can even make ice cream or sorbet.


Just call me Mr. Information .... :evilgrin:

[politicat]

21. Enabler!! Not yet!!

I have to pay off my credit card. (I'm so close, I can't blow this.)

Stop! You're teasing! Tickling is easier to take than this!

Believe me, I've been looking, and I now know exactly what to tell relatives and friends and such what we want when they ask for a gift. But not out of my pocket, not yet.

[wildeyed]

22. He will stalk you and then hit you with temptation when you lest expect it

Actually, I think KA is giving him kickbacks.

And yes, H2S, I did finally succumb and buy the ice cream attachment. And it is FABULOUS! Early mother's day present to myself :)

[Stinky The Clown]

27. Seeeeee?

Ain't it fun? :)

[wildeyed]

29. Yep.

I made cantaloupe sorbet, which even my husband, an avowed non-fruit eater liked. And chai ice cream- black tea, ginger, cardamom and nutmeg. Brought it to a dinner party and it was the star. Easy to make, too :D

[The empressof all]

23. So H2S--Which of these do you have?

Give us the inside skinny? I've been longing for the meat grinder and sausage stuffer for a few years now. I've also heard they have a larger bowl that fits under your regular bowl that could hold ice or even hot water for making zambaglione. The juicing attachment also kind of fascinates me. I've never gotten into the juicing thing but you never know.

[eleny]

24. I love the meat grinder

Figured to jump in here. Hope you don't mind. I got a meat grinder with my K/A when I bought it from QVC. They had a terrific deal - on sale, pay over 3 months and I got a choice of one attachment from a few they offered. I took the meat grinder and make our hamburger meat with it. It came with two die - a fine and a coarse that's great for chili meat. It's wonderful.

I buy beef chuck roasts when they're on sale, slice them in long strips and feed them through. I've never regretted it for a second. The only thing I do is to throw a cloth over the grinder when the meat is especially juicy. It can splatter slightly as it comes out. Always wear an apron.

The next thing I want to get is the sausage stuffer. I like to make my own Lithuanian fresh pork kielbasa and potato kugele stuffed sausage. The doohickey will make short work of a tedious task.

[The empressof all]

25. OK it didn't take much convincing

I've wanted the grinder now for a while. I'm going to go looking for a good price on it now.

[eleny]

26. If you find a place with good prices...

would you please post about it? I'd like to get that sausage stuffer!

[politicat]

33. Sounds good! Mmmm.... potato kugele....

The meat grinder is probably the first shot, since I can buy a lamb at the county fair for about $80-$130, have it minimally butchered for about $40, and do the fine work myself with the knives and the grinder. For 100 pounds of meat, that will be about $2 a pound for lamb.

We love lamb, but hate the $13 a pound for it, and lamb is much easier on the planet than beef.

[Stinky The Clown]

28. I have ......

The cole slaw chopper-doobie
The meat grinder plus the pasta set plus the sausage tube
The roller style pasta maker set (but no rav maker ... yet :) )
The ice cream thing

[Shakespeare]

31. Welcome to the cult, politicat!

You're gonna loooooove that mixer. An excellent investment! ;-)

[demnan]

35. I have to get one of those

I'm looking for a price as good as yours.