Refurbished Kitchen Aid Mixer
My wife and I currently have a KitchenAid Ultra Power stand mixer that is close to 20 years old. It seems to be on it's last legs, the speed control seems to be going out on it (it only wants to work at one speed). I'd like to replace it with an Artisan model.
It seems that I can save about $100 by going with a refurbished model. Does any one have experience with these direct from KitchenAid?
vanillagorilla
Sep 22, 2008 09:37AM
The old Kitchen Aids are better build then their newer products, so if it is only the switch is bad, I would recommend having it replaced, along with the motor brushes.
If you are committed to a newer mixer, then factory refurb's are a good option in lieu of paying more for a new model, but I would confirm that the mixer includes a full factory warranty.
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Yea, if your older Ultra Power KA still works for you, then that's great.
Grillncook brings up a good point about the now metal gearbox. When it was plastic, this would break all the time especially with the powerful Professional 600 series models. Now that it is metal this issue seems to have subsided. Warranty will probably be half the length if it is refurbished and as said, the 'no hassle' part will not suffice. That said, KitchenAid always takes care of their customers well and their refurbished / re-manufactured products are durable (generally only used a few times for show).
All that said I would probably just fork over the extra 40$ for a new instead of remanufactured. You will have this mixer for a long time, might as well protect yourself with a safer, longer warranty. Check Amazon on Friday's for huge sales - a new white Artisan is 239$ + free shipping!
http://shop.kitchenproductdeals.com/s...
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A refurb is acceptable, mine is 8 years old and still works fine. In actuality there was a period when KitchenAids were made poorly in the recent past. For about ten years KitchenAid used a plastic housing on the transmission and the larger units with more power would break their transmission. KitchenAid rectified the problem in mid 2007 and went back the the metal transmission case, so current models should be better. A refurb does not carry the same warranty as a factory new unit does. I believe that you only have a 6 month warranty and it isn't the "No Hassle" warranty where KitchenAid picks up the bill for shipping and sends you a new one.
If you aren't just dying to replace you Ultra Power, replacing the speed control is quite a simple repair. Basically, you remove the trim band around the motor, remove the screws that hold the motor together, and pull the top off and the speed control is right there and you just plug it in and reverse the procedure. Take a look at www.mendingshed.com find your model mixer and there is a schematic and you can order parts from them.
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Perhaps, all it needs are some new racing stripes.
http://flameka.com/buy.aspx
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I bought a refurbished with a full warranty and it looks and works like brand new.
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I posted about this on a foodpro thread, but their refurbs are truly as good as new. They're often unused returns. I believe strongly in KitchenAid.
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More than a year after my post above, I've ground many, many pounds of meat, made pasta and even actually used the mixer part :) It's like new. I love it.
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