KA Mixers revisited...if you were to buy again...what size would you get?

M

mariadnoca

Moderator
Ok, so I flipped through the channels and saw this puuurty brushed nickel KA mixer on Martha and fell in love with it. However it's only a 5qt. The KA site says that color only comes in the small size; it looks like WS has one in the biggest size for a not so small fortune. I often make double batches when I bake - would a 5qt be too small? Would doing something small like beating an egg or creaming butter/egg be too small in a bigger KA? I've always wanted a KA and holiday baking will be upon us soon. For those of you who already own one, what are your thoughts?

 
MariaDNoCA, The featured mixers are WS Exclusives, however, go directly to KitchenAid on line and

you will find the Pro 620 for much less ($499.00) when you click on it to purchase the price is $399.00. Many colors to pick from.

Have also seen it in Chefs Catalog.

 
Thanks Gay...that's what I meant by the $500 bump in price...

I wanted the brushed nickel finish, which you can find on the Artisan "metallic series" or on the WS pro model that is $500 more than the same machine in normal colors--they don't have it at the KA site. I'd be willing to pay a bit more for the nickel finish but that's a big bump in price for color alone IMHO. If it truly is only WS guess I may need to wait awhile longer (after all I've been waiting 20 some odd years already, lol)...those things always seem to have a limited run at WS then maybe folks could get a break on price. But if anyone finds it someplace else I'd appreciate a shout out. smileys/smile.gif

 
MariaDNoCA, From what I have read the price is what it is because the housing is Solid Metal and not

a painted finish.

 
Ah...well off on a recon mission to see it in person.

I'm going to have to love-love-love it or ask Santa for it at this price. smileys/smile.gif

Thanks!

 
I'm still happy with my smaller one. For 2 of us, I thought, as you have considered, that the larger

would be just too big to properly accommodate most of what I make. I haven't had any problems with the power and it's only 300, and I do appreciate the smaller size. I have the 2 sizes of bowls.

I must say though, that I don't do a lot of bread mixing or sausage stuffing, etc.

What about the new Cuisinart that is either 800 or 1000 watts? They are only $350 here.

 
Found good deal on refurbished! Anyone every buy refurbished?

They are about 40% less refurbished online. KA doesn't say much about the warranty:
"Refurbished products may contain cosmetic
blemishes which are not covered under warranty. KitchenAid does not represent or warranty refurbished products as first line goods. Refurbished products carry a 6 month warranty."

I would hope it shouldn't have any huge blemishes on it (30 day return).

Update from recon: brushed nickel = looks like stainless steel, just what I want; real copper is tdf but won't really go with my kitchen. I did a side-to-side comparison on size between the Artisan & Pro. Wow, the pro is BIG. It would only be 1/2 inch below upper cabinet and almost double wide from the smaller one. Plus I have a *tiny, tiny* kitchen so I'm leaning toward getting the smaller one even though I'd love the work-horse ability of the big one.

My only hesitation now is refurbished or not.

FYI, here is a picture I found on Flickr that shows a side-to-side size comparison.





 
Hi Marg, I'm starting to think smaller is better but you can get a small bowl for the big one

The big one is a good 3 inches taller and about 6 inches wider. Not sure my counter top can take somthing that large. Also, I read a review where someone recommended getting the small bowl attachement just for that very reason.

 
That's the same price I'm looking at for refurb; the copper/nickel/chrome are 40% more than most

because they are actually clad in that material vs painted.(I remember seeing copper a few years ago and this version looks so much better.) The clerk at WS said they were much heavier as well. Seems like a heck of a lot of $ but the refurb brings the costs into reality. Sure would like to know what folks have heard on the quality of the refurbs.

 
Depends when it was made. I was given mine (used) 30 years ago and only had it worked on once 20 yr

ago. My opinion is the old ones were made better.

 
Bought it! Here's what I got...

Tried my best to curb my "need for speed" aka power and got the refurbed 325-watt 5qt Artison Custom Metallic in brushed nickel. For $289.00 vs the new one on sale at $459.99. It has a 30-day return from KA. I will report back upon arrival!

BTW, the refurb doesn't come with the pouring sheild - does anyone use that? I thought it might just be something I had to find a spot for but not use anyway.

 
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