The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

bosch compact

lizaveta's picture
lizaveta

bosch compact

hello. this is my first post. i want to buy a bosch mixer, but am not sure whether to get the compact or the universal. we are a family of three (including a 1-year old who doesn't even eat bread) so basically, i do not expect to be making 4 loaves at a time like you seem to need with the universal (that's what the people from pleasant grain told me, minimum 4 loaves). at the same time, i don't understand how bosch compact with 400 or 450 watts can be good for a whole wheat bread that others have claimed proved impossible for ka which has 600 watts. what am i missing here, is it the difference in the hook or construction or something? so, if anyone has used the bosch compact to make bread and otherwise and can share their experiences with me, i would greatly appreciate it. also, there are some models that come with blenders, is it crazy to expect the compact with blender to crush ice?

again, thanks ever so much,

lizahello. this is my first post. i want to buy a bosch mixer, but am not sure whether to get the compact or the universal. we are a family of three (including a 1-year old who doesn't even eat bread) so basically, i do not expect to be making 4 loaves at a time like you seem to need with the universal (that's what the people from pleasant grain told me, minimum 4 loaves). at the same time, i don't understand how bosch compact with 400 or 450 watts can be good for a whole wheat bread that others have claimed proved impossible for ka which has 600 watts. what am i missing here, is it the difference in the hook or construction or something? so, if anyone has used the bosch compact to make bread and otherwise and can share their experiences with me, i would greatly appreciate it. also, there are some models that come with blenders, is it crazy to expect the compact with blender to crush ice?

again, thanks ever so much,

liza

 

LindyD's picture
LindyD

Do you have a link for the Bosch compact mixer?  I thought they were discontinued.

swtgran's picture
swtgran

I have a Bosch Compact, a smaller KA, and the Universal DLX.  I got the Compact last and use it almost exclusively.  It makes 2 loaves of 100% whole grain wheat without breaking a sweat. 

I use the blender quite often for smoothies.  The only thing you have to remember is to have it running while you add the ice.  It does a nice job.  And the  slicer shredder also works great.

I like it so well that the extra one I bought for a wedding gift, I kept, when I learned they were no longer going to make them.  Now I should be set for life.

I hate the KA and am saving it for my daughter when she leaves home.  The DLX only gets used when I am making a lot of bread for church or a holiday.  I am actually thinking about selling it, as it is like new.

Oldcampcook's picture
Oldcampcook

I have two Universals and use them to bake one loaf batches quite frequently.  My "normal" batch makes 3 loaves.

Bob

swtgran's picture
swtgran

I too, have used it for one loaf and it works great, but the Bosh is so much easier to clean up and so much smaller. 

lizaveta's picture
lizaveta

thanks for your replies. when you say that you've used the universal for 1 loaf batches it's a normal, 1-2 lb loaf that most cookbooks have recipes for? because when i called a bosch representative they told me that the smallest batch would be 3 to 4 loaves and that i should freeze what we don't consume. this might work out later but for now i'd like to be able to make one loaf at a time. also, would you mind telling me why everyone complains that ka don't have the power to mix whole wheat bread when the newest models are of 600 watts and the compact is just 400? thank you very much for your replies. it really helps to have people with personal experience rather than salespeople to guide me in the decision.

LindyD's picture
LindyD

I've read that one shouldn't judge a mixer by its advertised wattage because the number refers to amount of watts coming into the mixer from the power source, not the amount of power being produced by the mixer.

Not sure if the output wattage is even advertised.

I'm also interested in learning more about the one-loaf batches being mixed in the Universal.  It would be very helpful to learn the amount of flour (by weight) being mixed for the one loaf.

I've been contemplating purchasing a Universal but haven't done so for the same reason as the OP: I was told by the Pleasant Hill people that it does not perform well with one loaf (i.e. a one-pound loaf).

Perhaps there are special mixing techniques that can be used?

lizaveta's picture
lizaveta

yes, the compact is no longer available from pleasant hill but i found it on another site. 3 lbs is how many loaves more or less, 2? it's just that most recipes are for one loaf, 2 lbs more or less i guess, so i don't see how we would be eating so much bread without it going to waste.  3lbs doesn't sound that bad though. thanks for your comment franz.