I don't want this review to be full of teenage angst. My sister's were all married before me and received this as a christmas gift. I didn't get one. After reading the description.. I was drooling for one. I lived with one of my sister's and really got to know this appliance. Being in a very large family.. there is alot of baking that goes on at christmas. The mixer had a great trial by fire. Over 400 large cookies later (yes, in one day.. one right after the next).. the mixer was doing fine. After a few cakes, the mixer was still kicking it. It was pretty warm, but didn't overheat during this stress period. We even had 2 bowls going (you can buy a second bowl for the mixer). This mixer really did it's job. Supurb. No complaints from me or my sisters. They've had the mixer for about 10 years.
We often (during non peak seasons), put a bowl of cookie dough in the fridge or freezer (depends on the kinda' week it's going to be)... and have a few fresh cookies whenever. Since we have a second bowl.. you can still have your fresh bread with dinner.
For some reason, everyone includes the color on here... ours was white.
It's an appliance.. I realize it's a great appliance you have out all the time, but I'm not using the color to color code my kitchen.. got issues with the many color options.. put a cover over it.
I was also amused that someone got their mixer replaced fast and without hassle. This made them nervous and want to rate to product lower. I'm sad that of many people.. they had a problem with their mixer. Complaining that the company was too nice.. which made them nervous about the mixer and then wanting to rate it lower even though the experience was mostly pleasant. Maybe she needed to be yelled at or ignored for a better experience. Odd.
My life wasn't changed by this mixer. I just am more willing to try recipies that require alot of fuss. It really took the work out of cooking. Kinda' like having a stove, or a microwave. It did make a big difference with my baking.
Negatives..
- I hate washing anything with a wire whip. If you stick it in the diswasher it discolors a bit... (see above on covering mixer if you spaz on colors).
- If you over fill it you'll need to use the splash guard. if you can find it.. or you keep it out. cool. I find it annoying because then I can only pour something in at the pour area. The small amount of flower it kicks up isn't scarry for me. Also if you start it at the low speed and then increase it it's less likely to do this then when you add flower to something mixing at a high speed. The fun part.. is you don't need to over fill it... because it's not much more work to make 15 batches in singles or doubles as it is 2 the regular way. It's also nice not to have to wait for the butter to soften or to have to stop to rest your arm.
Good
- It really makes life easy if you've got alot going on in the kitchen. Without one.. there aren't times when I go.. how about I just whip up a batch of carrot cookies.. because it would take forever. With one.. I did all the time. Ask my sister :) When I first started using it.. I think her husband suddenly learned what "thin" jeans and "not so thin" jeans were for a few weeks.
- It's not hard to clean. I love my food processor.. but it's got to be a pretty interesting recipe for me to be convinced to get it out because of the cleaning. This machiene is actually pretty easy. I'm also not the kind of person who cleans their dish rack more than once every 2 weeks.. and shock of all schocks.. it remains on my counter alot.
- All of the attachments are easy to get and replace. I see alot of reviews for other products.. that if something is lost.. it's lost forever, but not with this company. They've been making these for awhile... everything's easy. If you need another pouring shild.. you can have it off amazon in a few days. Whatever.
I hope someone gets it for me soon.. I'm not picky about when.. the wedding, birthday, christmas.. someone.. anyone...bulerGet more detail about KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer, Empire Red.
