Spiral Stand Mixers
I don't do a lot of baking, maybe 2 - 3 times a year around the holidays and have always done my breads by hand. At 71 years the hands still work, but they complain a lot when the job is done. I hope by getting a good bread mixer I can reduce the workload on my hands.
I always wanted a KitchenAid, but after reading a lot of discouraging reviews and coming across spiral mixers in my research, I have narrowed it down to the three listed below based on frequency of use, how it will be used and versatility.
The mixer will be used for breads and pizza dough, shredding meats and general mixing. I would guess the mixer will get used for bread 2 times a month 4 to 6 months out of the year.
1 The Bosch Universal Mixer Plus: Rejected because of price, but not completely ruled out if a compelling argument can be made in its defense.
2 and 3 The WonderMix and the NutriMill Artiste, both almost identical in capacity and function, priced the same and basically use the same attachments.
I'm leaning toward the WonderMix because it has the dough divider. Are there any pros or cons for the use of the dough divider? Any glaring differences between the two that are not apparent?
Thank you,
John
Avoid the Wondermix mixer! The plastic drive post is crap. I!! Get the Bosh Universal or the Nutrimill Artiste, if you must. I have the Nutrimill Artiste, & it is a good machine!!
If you're not doing large batches or stiff doughs, I think a 6 qt KitchenAid Pro will work just fine for you. I used one abt 2-3x monthly for bread for 10 years. I only bought a different mixer because I scaled up production & needed more capacity.
It's worth looking at the Ankarsrum. It's a step up in price, but it's also a very solid machine.
I also have the Electrolux Assistant DLX-20000 - an earlier version of the Ank. Good machine!!
Thank you all for the good information. I believe I'll stay away from KA as my focus will be bread and pizza dough.
When I've had time I have been reading many of the threads here and this place is amazing if not a bit intimidating. My experience baking bread revolves around making Cardamom bread during the holidays and some whole wheat back in my hippie days, about 45 to 50 years ago. This is going to be a big learning curve and a lot of fun if and when time permits.
The main reason that I suggested that you avoid the Wondermix is because the plastic drive post keeps on getting eaten up. Like the worm gear drive in most of the low-price KA machines, the nylon drive post in the Wondermix breaks to take the strain off the motor so that the motor won't have to be repaired or replaced, saving you the added expense of getting a new motor.
But in the reviews at Amazon, there are tons of 1-star reviews because of this. The Bosch Universal & the Nutrimill Artiste both have a stainless steel drive post.
Camarie, thank you for the heads-up. I was looking at the shaft and thinking that might be a weak link and now it makes sense.
I think I'm going with the Bosch Universal Plus. Right now I'm in no hurry as I have more than my share of things to do outdoors. When Fall arrives I will try my hand at something other than cardamom bread.
John
You're so welcome!!