KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer, Empire Red Right now

In February, an Onyx Black KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer joined its cousin the KitchenAid food processor in my kitchen. All I can say is WHY oh why did I wait so long? (OK, I know, it is because I am thrifty to the bone, the curse of my Scottish ancestry.)

Sensibly timing my purchase for arrival during a few vacation days, in just the first 10 days of ownership, I've made cookies, more cookies, cakes, whipped egg whites, bread dough, more bread dough, pizza dough, and oh-so-sticky English Muffin dough. The mixer excelled in every use, and once the head is locked down, very successfully kneaded the bread, English muffin and pizza doughs without walking across the counter - my old Sunbeam was an accomplished walker, not a great feature in a mixer.

I read the reviews, and as yet have seen none of the few problems reported by others. I did adjust the height of the paddle to better scrape the bottom of the bowl - a simple adjustment not requiring anything more than a screwdriver (although you probably could use a dime) and most importantly, to have READ the directions.

My mixer came with the pouring shield and dough hook, paddle, and wire whip attachments. The pouring shield is a bit cumbersome and I probably won't use much, but for those who find a bit of flour on the counter a problem, it might be useful. I find it a bit annoying that the wire whip is not supposed to go in the dishwasher. I have concluded this is because the base of the whip is made from aluminum, which dishwasher detergent will discolor.

The only thing I do wish it had is a light, as the aforementioned Sunbeam Mixmaster had. I didn't think I would miss it, but the kitchen in my antique Cape is awaiting a lighting upgrade, and it's dark in the bowl without that light. The instruction/recipe booklet that with the mixer is lame. I mean really, really lame. Skip those recipes and go directly to the bookstore section for [James] Beard on Bread, The King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion: The All-Purpose Baking Cookbook, or any one of the other great books on baking and bread at Amazon.

Nonetheless, my KitchenAid seems to be a great mixer, and lo-carb diets be damned, I'm going full-carb ahead. Please pass the butter.

***March 14 update: Over the weekend, while making a cake, the mixer began to squeak loudly, getting worse as time went on. Not a good noise.... Today I called the customer satisfaction phone line and a new mixer is on its way, no questions asked, at no cost to me.

I am pleased there was no hassle with a replacement, but the very fact that I needed one is making me wonder what is up with the Artisan model.... Should I have opted for a bigger mixer? I would lower my star rating to 3 based on this experience.Get more detail about KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer, Empire Red.

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The Tangerine color in the on-line photo is more yellow than what we received. We found it to be a green-like tangerine.Get more detail about KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer, Empire Red.

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I purchased this with great anticipation after reading all the praise from past reviewers. Therefore, I am very surprised to find the machine so difficult to use and clean. The plastic guard is tricky to put in place, but essential because otherwise the food will be all over the counter, instead of in the mixing bowl.

I cannot get any of the beaters to actually get the lumps out of mashed potatoes. My old hand mixer does a better job.

My Mom has a 30 year old Sunbeam that gets better results.Get more detail about KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer, Empire Red.

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My appliance broke within 5 minutes of use. Called KitchenAid customer service -- they answered my call promptly, arranged deliver for a new unit without giving me a hard time, sent the unit immediately (received in 4 days), and picked up the old unit; no cost to me. That turned a frustrating moment into a 5 star review.

The replacement has worked flawlessly for 3 weeks now.

I'm a novice at baking breads (I bought this primarily as a dough mixer), but my very first experiments (rolls and pizza crusts) turned out 200% better than the bread machine -- which will go in the next garage sale. Dough still requires a little bit of hand rolling after mixing, but it's 10% the energy required, if even that much.

The wisk did not perform well on my eggs... hand wisking is still better, but hardly important. I also got the pasta maker accessory. It takes a couple practice rounds, but then it's fun and easy.Get more detail about KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer, Empire Red.

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I love this machine. I got one 6 years ago for my wedding and it still hasn't had a single issue. I use it at least once a week and during the holiday season a whole lot more! I have a home daycare and the kids love to help me bake. I never worry about them breaking this machine. It's solid as a rock. I think everyone needs one in their kitchen. Get more detail about KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer, Empire Red.

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I LIKE TO BAKE AND THIS MIXER IS FAST & EASY TO USE AND IT'S A SNAP TO CLEAN. YOU'LL WANT TO LEAVE THIS BEAUTY OUT FOR EVERYONE TO SEE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I DID BEFORE I GOT THIS MIXER. Get more detail about KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer, Empire Red.

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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.