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- Verified Buyer
4.5 STARS. As always, I prefer to give credit where credit is due rather than short change a product, but just keep in mind there are a few drawbacks to this mixer. But first the pros, this sucker is STURDY! Most of us have seen these mixers everywhere for what seems to be decades, but it was probably just me that didn't realize all kitchenmaid stand mixers aren't created equal. While they may look alike, different models have different capacities, speeds and effectiveness in various applications. I really wanted to wait to write this review until I had really explored this machine because it's such a big investment (in my opinion at least!). Now that I have, the sturdiness of this product has definitely proven to be true. We have a rather small kitchen and so it gets moved around quite a bit, this hasn't resulted in any sort of loosening or wiggling which is important when you have that dough hook running at top speed (some of the cheaper mixers act like poorly balanced washing machines). The sturdiness, however, can be a double edged sword due to the heft. If you have trouble lifting things or perhaps a bit of arthritis be sure to store this on a mobile kitchen cart or simply give it a permanent countertop space to avoid having to lift it from a bottom (or worse-top) cabinet which can be a task. Next is function, I cannot tell you how nice it is to be able to toss something into this mixer and walk away to get the other ingredients without having to babysit a bowl! Especially when I'm working with something dense like honey or doughs. The attachments have all been easy to put on/take off and are sized well enough to store away easily. There is room for improvement though, the rubber spatula sided mixer attachment is sold separately which is what can scrape down the sides of your bowl without you having to angle a separate spatula into the mixer, I would have been open to forgoing some of the other attachments in order to have this one right off the bat, but they are cheaper and easy to find at TJ Maxx, Marshalls, etc.. Also, the swing back mechanism for the top of the mixer via the hinge at the neck has no protection against it flipping up and down hard. Think about the drawer add-ons you can install so they don't slam, that would be great for the head of this mixer, just to protect the hinge. Color-wise, the blue color of this mixer is absolutely dreamy! It's beautiful and a bit novel without being overly kitschy and is still easy to match to other kitchen products out there. Overall, I really do love this piece of equipment and think it is a great investment for anyone who likes to cook or bake. This model and size is great for families and even sturdy enough to teach the little ones on. Half star loss for the lack of slow-down mechanism for the head and the lack of spatula on the mixer attachment leaving you to clean up the walls of the bowl pretty frequently, but apart from that this machine is fantastic.PROS: Built To Last, BEAUTIFUL color, Easy On/Off Attachments, Does Not Slow Down When Dealing With Thick/Difficult Foods (i.e. Honey, Doughs, etc.), Great Size, Good Investment Piece (I bought this two years ago and the price hasn't fallen).CONS: No Cushion For Mixer Head When Lifting up/Down To Prevent Hard Slam, Spatula Mixer Attachment Not Included Requiring You to Scrape Down The Bowl Pretty Often, Expensive (but again, it's not bad for an investment piece-I can't see this thing breaking any time soon or ever maybe)TIPS: TJ Maxx and Marshalls have attachment for these mixers on sale regularly for 60% off the selling price so if you have one nearby go and check for that spatula attachment or even a pasta maker or meat grinder I've seen them all there!, If you are working with dough (or especially if a young one is learning) watch out for it coiling up your dough hook and into the gears-it can happen quickly if you're not careful. Last, I've found that a metal blemish extractor (bought and dedicated for mixer cleaning) is the best tool to get into the attachment holder and metal pieces in the head of the mixer in case they get dirty (or gunked up with aforementioned dough... ). It is sturdier than a toothpick which runs the risk of breaking and getting caught in the gears.***Did you find my review helpful? I hope so! Let me know if you have questions by using the comments section below ***My original stand mixer stopped working. I ordered this one and it is so easy to use. I love the one beater attachment for cakes. No spatula needed while mixer is blending. The pour sheild that comes with it makes it easy to add ingredients.I've been using KitchenAid products for years now and to be frank, have not been dissatisfied with one of them. The 5 Quart Artisan 325 volt model being reviewed here is no exception. We have quite a few friends and relatives who use this same model and without exception all are delighted with this machine. It is dependable, reliable, mixes well and we personally have had no problems with ours what-so-ever. It does the job we pay it to do and does it well. Our mixer goes through very frequent and heavy duty use.Now there are a couple of things to note here:First, this machine is quite heavy. This puppy weighs 22 pounds without the attachment and full mixing bowl. This is not an appliance you can easily move from place to place in the kitchen. Along the same line, this is not a small machine my any means. It does indeed need at least 1 square foot of working space. It should also be noted that when the head is tilted back, it adds another approximate 3 inches to the height. This is important if you have cabinets built in over your counter top you work at. We are fortunate to have a built in specialty bake center in our kitchen which has been designed to accommodate appliances such as this.Second, I cannot emphasis enough the need to thoroughly read and reread the instructions that come with this mixer! I read the majority of reviews on this mixer and I note that a goodly number of the negative reviews stem from the fact that the instructions had not been read. Please refer to the number one review here by Kathleen. She gives a wonderful procedure for adjusting the mixing tool using a dime as a measurement device while adjusting the mixing functions. She is spot on and here method she shares works! In addition, we have found that the service department at KitchenAid to be extremely helpful, not only for this product, but others also.Third, there seems to be a raging argument going on here as to whether or not this is an American made product. This mixed has "Made In America" stamped all over it. The assembly plant is located in Greenville, Ohio. Now I have no doubt what so ever that many of the "parts" to this machine are indeed made in other countries, China being the primary source. Folks who read my reviews will know that I am something of a fanatic (Actually, you could say I am sort of possessed) as to buying products made only in the U.S. when ever possible. But on the same note, I am also rather pragmatic and a bit of a realist. I would strongly suspect that right now, if everything in your home and care that had parts made in another country would suddenly vanish, you would end up without one electronic or motor driven device that worked and you home would be a pile of rubble. I don't like this but have to accept the fact that that is just the way it is.Fifth, every now and then you will indeed run across a "lemon" with any manufactured product. I note in the reviews here that this has obviously happened to some folks with this particular machine. On the other hand the vast majority of reviewers here have had no problems (me included). To be honest, that is one of several reasons I ordered this mixer from Amazon - if I should have happened to have received one of these "lemons" I feel very comfortable with Amazon's return policy. I have used this policy before and have found it to be efficient and hassle free.Sixth, I note that the vast majority of negative reviews on this product date back several years. I note that the vast majority of newer reviews are all favorable. Perhaps KitchenAid was having problems at one time in the past. As far as the machine setting in our bake center as I write this, I have absolutely no complaints and am delighted.Seventh, I note that a number of the more negative reviews here reference machines that do not have the 325 Watt motor. I am not sure of the reason for this but I hardly think that a mixer with a smaller motor should be compared to this machine. Power makes a difference in this sort of appliance.Eighth, I note that many have compared this product to that of Hobart. Folks, I have no doubt what so ever that Hobart is probably a better machine. On the other hand I do not have the inclination or need for a mixer that runs into thousands of dollars. Granted, I am cheap, I admit that, but I simply cannot justify the cost of one of the high priced "professional" machines.Clean-up for this mixer is extremely easy. As I am the chief cleaner-upper in our household, this is important to me. The machine is quite simple to use - simple to the point that a small child could quite easily use it with minimal directions. This is an extremely attractive appliance and if we did not have an enclosed bake center, we would not hesitate to have this one setting on our counter top.Bottom line is that we are completely happy with this product. It does the job we paid for it to do. Others quite well may have had bad experiences with it, but ours have been all positive.Don BlankenshipThe OzarksWe ordered this for our Granddaughter, she picked the color. I would say it is a very pale taupe and not close to white at all. Very attractive and will compliment any decor.I have always wanted one, and it has not disappointed at all. I love it. This baking queen is VERY pleased and has already begun adding attachments. I adore the pink. It is such a lovely, cheerful addition to my kitchen.Bought this for my mother and she absolutely loves it and it makes the baking go faster.
