This mixer is a classic, and there are some improvements in this model over the one my mom had. First, the color! While the Kitchen Aid orange is paler than the FrancisFrancis! espresso machine, it's a nice orange. Second, the smaller size of the bowl is a big hit with me. The mixer part flips up so you can remove the bowl or add ingredients, making the whole thing easier to use and to clean. The power is amazing.
The first time I used it, I made mashed potatoes. I put three pounds or so of boiled potatoes in there, locked the paddle attachment in place, turned the unit on the lowest speed--I could scarcely turn the thing off quickly enough and I had wonderful mashed potatoes with skins mixed nicely throughout.
There really is no reason to have another mixer than this one unless you need a larger size or are so accustomed to the labors of the hand mixer that you couldn't adapt to flipping a switch and watching the mixing commence.
And of course it's sturdy. Great mixer. No complaints.Get more detail about KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer, Empire Red.
