KitchenAid Professional 600 Series 6-Quart [Moved from Home Cooking board]

[musteat]

Please note, this has been reposted in Cookware. Sorry for being confused and posting in the wrong place! I will monitor both threads. Thanks!

I have, for the longest time, made my doughs by hand, kneading etc., but I'm getting older and cooking more so I think it's time for a stand mixer. I've selected the above, but as this is my first foray into this equipment seek the advice of other 'hounds. Is this the best choice? I make a lot of bread, my own pizza, cheesecakes, and will probably be doing a great deal more baking than this once the right appliance is situated on my counter.

Advice or preferred alternatives?

Thanks!

[DigitalVelvet]

Lucky day!! I just got an email from cooking.com that the KitchenAid Professional 600 Series Stand Mixer is on sale. MSRP $499.99; now available for $399.95. And apparently they'll pay the sales tax (or something of the sort). I got a really good price on mine (again, the 5 qt.) at Costco. The 600 has a 5 star rating on their site.... "recommended by 97% of reviewers." There is always a small percentage of kooks out there.... in this case, it appears to be about 3%. ;)

[musteat]

Purchased today in Nickel Pearl for $344 at Amazon. Thanks to all of you for your advice!

By the way, DigitalVelvet -- I note from your profile you'd like some Shun knives. I recently got a very good deal: http://www.abesofmaine.com/item.do?it...

Abe's is predominantly an electronics seller (and they're in Brooklyn, I think), so don't expect knife expertise from them (e.g. they say the knives have "peckerwood handles" when it should be pakkawood). They did deliver, but it took a few weeks.

[DigitalVelvet]

Great deal!!! I appreciate the tip on the Shun knives, but currently the problem is not sourcing them, but affording them. :( But you are right! That three knife set is an exceptional offer!! I am going to save the page in the event a minor windfall comes my way!

Sur La Table's May catalog had a sweet new Shun paring knife on the back cover ($60) and I was on the local store's waiting list. When they called to tell me it had arrived, I had to pass...

Enjoy... you will LOVE it!! And pick up that SideSwipe! I haven't bought any additional KA accessories yet, but that one is a real winner!

[musteat]

Thanks for the advice and encouragement.
Best wishes,

[calliopethree]

Oh, I have the exact same model! It's been a pleasure for breadmaking, pizza dough and everything else. I've heard it's one of the best models for for heavy doughs and so far, I have no complaints. BTW...mine is called " Arnold" as in Swartzeneggar, because he's SO strong ;-)

[musteat]

Amazing lack of dissent here -- excellent sign!

[chowser]

I resisted getting one for a long time. I like kneading dough and doing things by hand so I thought it would be an expensive, rarely used appliance that took up too much space. But, I was wrong. I love it. I make bread and other things much more often now and it's so easy. I can mix cookies and clean up at the same time. I can knead and do other things. It's great for anyone who likes to multitask. I still do make dough by hand but use the KA more often. I like the 600 series--it works harder doughs like brioche and I don't worry about whether it can handle it.

[DigitalVelvet]

I'm sure that's a great choice... although last year I opted for the 5 qt. lift bowl model. Have been nothing but delighted with it, and have never had reason to regret not getting the 6 qt.

More recently I acquired a 12 cup KA food processor. Equally happy with it!

P.S. If you do have a KitchenAid stand mixer, you *must* check out the SideSwipe Blade. It's a 3rd party replacement (or addition) for the flat paddle. The SideSwipe has angle soft silicone blades on the outer edge that scrapes the bowl down as you mix!! No more stopping to scrape down!! Seriously. I got one and love it! sideswipeblade.com/

[musteat]

Sounds excellent -- I'm getting even more excited for this purchase!

[janeh]

Musteat, I have had the 6 quart KA for several years and now bake all of our bread with ease and pleasure. I debated between the 5 and 6 quart mixers and am happy that I chose the larger, particularly when making bread. Just got the SideSwipe blade that Digital Velvet mentioned - amazing that what looks like a Medieval instrument of torture can be such a cool kitchen tool! Last year I got a smaller bowl and combi whip/paddle to fit the 6 qt machine - it's really nice when whipping cream or mixing a smaller batch of batter or mashing potatoes for less than a crowd - only Williams Sonoma carried it at the time. It's hard to think about buying more "parts" when you're spending so much on the machine, but they're nice (not essential) to have as time goes on. Perfect gift ideas when anyone asks what you want for your bday, et al!

[musteat]

I wish they made a burner for the bowl platform -- perfect for slow stirring while reducing sauces or making custards.

[DigitalVelvet]

What??? You don't have a sous chef?!? ;)

[smtucker]

No THAT goes on the wish list. How cool!

Now does anyone know a place to find a scraper that helps remove the sticky dough from the bowl? I image something that is half-moon shaped and the curved end is a flexible, yet stiff, material that helps get sticky doughs like rye bread out of the bowl easily.

[bear]

musteat, you'll probably have more luck posting this on the cookware board. You should get lots of advice.

[musteat]

Thanks. I wondered if this was the correct place. Will re-post. Both threads will be monitored.

[Ima Wurdibitsch]

I used to think I didn't like baking bread. It turns out that I just didn't like kneading! Since purchasing my KA, I make bread MUCH more often.

My only regret about my KA is that I didn't get it years ago.

[musteat]

I think this will be true of me too! Thanks!