I am starting 2024 with a question for you, my readers. What is the best stand mixer? Is the best stand mixer a KitchenAid?
If you are a long-time reader, you might remember my Ask The Readers posts.
My readers are super knowledgeable, so I love to ask you questions occasionally. We have covered topics like substituting buttermilk, if grass fed beef tastes gamey, the best breakfast sausage, and more.
I have loved all the help I have received from readers over the years.
I recently talked to my sister about stand mixers and she said I should ask my readers what they thought. It was been a few years since I did an Ask the Readers post so I thought it was a great idea.
Let’s talk stand mixers.
I received a KitchenAid mixer as a wedding gift. I believe that it was a model that Costco sold at the time, but since it was back in 1994, I am not completely sure about that.
That mixer lasted about thirteen years, and then the first two speeds went out. Well, not fully out, but they often did not work.
So back in 2010 or so, I bought a new KitchenAid mixer when Amazon ran a good deal on them. About two years ago, the first two speeds on that mixer stopped working. Well, they work about half the time. You often have to turn the mixer on and off to get them to work.
I just put up with it, but it drives my family crazy.
For Christmas, my husband and kids bought me a new KitchenAid mixer. But they didn’t actually buy me the mixer, yet. They want me to pick out what I want, and they will pay for it. Which I love.
I love that they got me a gift they know I will use. I also love that they want me to get exactly what I want.
But I don’t know what I should get. This is why I am asking you for thoughts on buying the best stand mixers.
My mixer gets a lot of use. However, with my kids grown and two no longer living at home, I don’t use it as much as I used to.
Both of the models of Kitchen Aid that I have had were the lift bowl ones, not the tilt head version.
Growing up, I knew people who had KitchenAid mixers that were thirty years old. I am kind of disappointed that I have gone through two of them in less than thirty years. But I don’t think the new ones will last that long, so I guess mine have probably lasted a decent amount of time, considering I used them a lot.
I have done some research on stand mixers, especially KitchenAid brand, and I am still not sure what I should get. I am leaning towards KitchenAid, but I am open to something else.
What Stand Mixer Should I Buy?
Here are a few things that I am wondering/thinking about.
I like the idea of a tilt-head KitchenAid, but the motor is quite a bit smaller. Does that make that much difference? Or should I stick with the lift bowl version?
On the tilt head version, does it fit under your cupboards fine? Or do you have to move it out every time you use it because of the tilt head? I read mixed things on this online.
Costco and Sam’s Club have great prices on KitchenAid mixers, but they get mixed reviews, especially from people who use them a lot. It seems like Costco and Sam’s Club have versions that are specially made for them. I can’t figure out if that makes them a lower quality than other versions. A lot of people online say that it does. If you have one I would love to hear your thoughts.
Is there one that is better than KitchenAid? If I still made a lot of bread, I would probably buy a Bosch, but since I eat gluten-free, I don’t think a Bosch mixer would be worth it.
Are the Cuisinart Mixers well made? Or is there another brand that you love?
I would love to hear your thoughts on stand mixers.
What do you love or not love about your stand mixer?
If you have a KitchenAid have you had issues with the first two speeds like I have had?
How long has your stand mixer lasted?
What should I replace mine with?
I can’t wait to hear what you think about the best stand mixer to buy.
I’ve had my Kitchenaid mixer (tilt head, Artisan edition) since 2008. It still works absolutely fine and gets used often. So, 15 years with frequent use and no issues. The head tilts just fine underneath my cupboards. I have it sitting on an appliance mat so that I can just pull it out, push it back under when I want to instead of constantly lifting and moving, etc. I also have the shredder attachment that I use to bulk shred cheese, that works so so good!
I wonder if the tilt head ones last longer. The people that I know who have had them for years, are all tilt heads. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
My Mom has had kitchen aid mixers my entire life. She always liked the tilt head better than the bowl rising mixers. I have had one for 20 years and just got a new one because a prong broke off of the plug. I have heard good things about the Smeg mixer, but I don’t have any experience with them.
Thank you for sharing that. Were both your old one and new one the tilt head?
I have used both the bowl-lift and tilt-head versions of the KitchenAid mixer. I much prefer the bowl-lift kind! I have found a 5-qt is the perfect size for cookie batter and bread dough. The 4.5-qt I use now is just a bit small IMO.
Thank you for sharing that. I agree that the 5 qt. or about that is a good size.
I have had my Kitchen-Aid lift bowl since about 1980. I’ve never had a problem with it. I will add that I’m married to a mechanic and he greases it and has changed gaskets on it. The only thing is, it has started to rust around the edges.
I think knowing how to take care of it well probably helps a lot. From the research that I have done, I think the issue with the speeds can be fixed, but you have to know what you are doing. I might need to find a mechanic or someone like that to give my old one to. I bet they could fix it up and get it working again.
Love my kitchen!! My 5 qt artisan tilt head failed after about 15 years. I do make a lot of breads, pizza dough, thicker doughs. I now have 6 qt lift head and enjoy for the size and power in motor. Did try a Bosch and didn’t like it, but they had good customer service when I wanted to return it.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on them. Maybe 13 -15 years is just what the newer ones are going to last.
I have a tilt head Cuisinart. I have had it over 15 years but I would say I don’t use it THAT often. It still works well. We have the blender attachment but have hardly used it. There are two things I don’t like about mine:
1. The bowl is awkward. It has two little handles at the top of each side but it’s hard to pour from when it’s full. I have seen my friends’ Kitchen Aids with the handle on the bowl more like a traditional measuring cup and it looks way easier to deal with.
2. The attachments have to be hand washed. I used to put the paddle in the dishwasher, but it turned black in places and that transferred to what I was mixing. I had to purchase a new paddle.
I actually think I would use my mixer more if it weren’t for these two issues.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I have a lift-bowl Kitchen Aid now and my tilt-head one burned out at 13 years. It was exciting though as it sparked. I had gotten that one in 2007. This one is doing okay but I do use it a lot and it has started smelling funny if I’m kneading dough so I use it for shorter times. I’d love to be able to service it but that’s something I don’t know how to do. I’ve had this one for 2 or 3 years. My mom has had (different brand, I forget what she has) for decades so I’ve been disappointed in the short term use of mine. But I use it all the time, as well, and appreciate all the time and effort it saves me.
I have had my kitchenaid for over 31 years. I do not use it as often as you do, but love it. I got mine as a wedding gift. I love mine and have not had any issues with it.
Do you have the tilt head or the bowl that raises? I wonder why mine have not lasted…
I have a tilt-head Artisan Kitchenaid. I bought it because I wanted the color, but I had a perfectly good basic white Kitchenaid before that and passed it along to a friend. It was heavier than the new one. I’ve never had a problem with the Artisan, and mine came with both a glass bowl and a metal bowl. I don’t know if it was a special package deal or standard for that.
Before that, I had my mom’s Sunbeam.
Probably can only read this link once before you get a paywall, but GoodHousekeeping recently reviewed them:
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/appliances/mixer-reviews/g2224/stand-mixer-reviews/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=arb_ga_ghk_d_bm_comm_org_us_g2224&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAhc-sBhCEARIsAOVwHuThIR7ErInyh6tHpOV-cSzTBUJeL2-dQ14ms3fp4FkldJ5bVtxzMHoaAqIuEALw_wcB
Thank you! That article was helpful!
you’re welcome!