The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Mixers available in the UK

jamesl's picture
jamesl

Mixers available in the UK

Hello everyone, I hope someone can help me, does anyone know if either
the Magic Mill DLX or the Bosch Universal mixers are available in
the UK? If not then what would be a good alternative?

Many thank - yous

L_M's picture
L_M

Hi Jamesl,

I've been searching for quite some time for a DLX in Europe and finally I came upon this site that I think has them, but so far I sent them 2 emails, 1 fax, and I even phoned them...the person that answered the phone told me they were on vacation until Sept 8 and they will get back to me, but so far nothing...

http://www.thilman.lu/thilman.taf?IdCat=1&IdLang=UK&PageType=list&SearchKeyword=ELECTROLUX

I think it is the item at the bottom of the page (N24 Assistent).

I even tried ordering it from 2 different websites in the States, and both replied that they don't ship overseas - maybe you'll have better luck:

http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/magic_mill_dlx_mixer.aspx

http://www.everythingkitchens.com/dlxmixer.html

In the meantime, just by chance, I noticed that the Bosch Universal Plus is now available here in Israel - and on sale - so I quickly bought one! It wasn't my first choice because I was reading up about comparing the older Bosch to the DLX, but now it seems there have been improvements to this newer model.

The model available here comes in red or white with a SS bowl and I decided on the white, so I'm waiting for it to arrive (they were out of stock). I will report back with news as I get used to working with it.

L_M

 

jamesl's picture
jamesl

Hi L_M, and thank you for your message. I'd be really interested to know how you get along with your Bosch! It seems that the Bosch Universal Kitchen Machine is available via Amazon.com, I think they'll deliver to the Uk, but it may be ridiculously expensive to do so!

I wonder if the company you got yours through in Israel would ship oversees?

Re: the first link you sent, yes it would appear that that is the mixer  the N24 Assistent, though there's no pic' of it, and I think I'm a little reluctant to order it if it's the wrong item..

Many thanks.

 

james

 

 

 

L_M's picture
L_M

Hi James,

In that first link there is a place to contact them - that's where I found their emails. Now I don't need it any more since I ordered the Bosch but maybe they will answer you and send you a picture of it so you won't have to order an unknown item!

I think the Bosch is made in Germany. I know the importer here is BSH and they import both Bosch and Siemens. I can find out if they will ship to the UK but again it would probably be best if you could get it straight from Germany.

I've had my Kenwood Chef (1000 W made in the UK ) for probably about 5 years now and I must say that it is a very sturdy machine. It can knead bread on speed # 3 (med) forever without straining the motor, but it can only take 1 kg of flour and I think that's actually pushing it. The gluten will get fully developed eventually, but as the dough gets stronger I have to hold the mixer constantly or else it will leap off the counter! Another problem that I have is the heat. Our summers are very long and hot - that means hot air is being kneaded into the dough with every turn of the dough hook and the dough ends up too hot and sticky, even though I start with flour straight from the freezer and ice cold water. I hope the Bosch will develop the dough more efficiently so less time will be necessary for kneading. In the winter I don't have this problem at all, so I imagine you won't either since I believe your climate is much more moderate.

Still waiting for my Bosch...

L_M

 

james9's picture
james9

Re : prooving your bread, it sounds like a bit of a problem, the heat that is! A friend of mine in south of France recently bought a wine cooler, it's about the size of a smallish fridge but designed to keeping the wine at  room temp' which I think is about 16 c ; (you can adjust it anyway) she lets her dough prove in that. That might work for you? I don't think she paind much for it knowing her..Summer there is pretty hot too, though not as hot as Israel I should think!

Re: the link, Will email that company and see what they say.. again many thanks for your help.

 

james

L_M's picture
L_M

James thanks for the wine cooler idea, but my problem usually starts with the dough being too hot when it comes out of the mixer - with the flour available here, I find that the dough gets very soupy when it is too warm (29C - 31C ) and it feels like it is under developed, but more mixing doesn't help at all. Often I put the dough in the freezer for a quick chill and then try again several times. All of this makes any sticking to a schedule almost impossible, plus the baked loaf of bread is far from great, and most important for me is that it takes all the fun out of it as well!

Hope you get a reply from that company in Luxemburg.

L_M

pjaj's picture
pjaj

You might take a look at the Kenwood Chef Major, it doesn't appear to have as big a capacity as the DLX, but can still kneed the dough from 1.5kg (3lb) dry weight of flour. My particular model is now some 37 years old and still going strong. In its current incarnation it's still in production and widely available. As a bonus, it looks considerably more versatile then the DLX.

I've searched for the DLX, but there are no hits on any company this side of the pond. It looks as if they don't make a version with a 240V 50 Hz motor. Your only solution would be to take a holiday in the US and bring / ship one back yourself. You would then have to get a suitable transformer in order to run it from UK electricity. Even then, using a 50Hz rather than 60Hz supply will probably mean that the motor will run hotter. Is it worth all the extra hassle?

jamesl's picture
jamesl

Yes I think you're right, now seriously considering the Kenwood Chef Major. Power supply ia a major consideration that I'd completly overlooked too.

many thanks.

james

sphealey's picture
sphealey

The Electrolux DLX is known as the Assistant in Europe.  Here is a link to Electrolux Norway site which I found by searching google.no:

http://www.electrolux.no/node322.aspx?wscid=5

google.de turns up similar links but I am unable to read enough to figure out what links to follow and #2 child, who could, is still asleep at the crack of noon.  But since it is made, and very popular, in Sweden I would be really surprised if it is not available in northern Europe at least.

sPh

pjaj's picture
pjaj

Strange that there seems to be no other European reference to this product other than Electrolux's Norwegian site. I've emailed Electrolux UK to ask them if it is available in the UK and will report back here if I get a reply.

Wednesday

Their reply was

"Please contact 08445 614 614 for further assistance."

Very helpful! Note, this is an 0844 number, so they want you to pay them for trying to sell you something! However saynoto870.com gives 01325 300660 & 01582 491234 as possible alternatives (ask for customer services). The ball is now in your court. Please let us know how you get on.

james9's picture
james9

the search continues..

 

regards.

james

james9's picture
james9

Yes sorry - i didn't read your post properly. Well I'm lost for advice I'm afraid. You say it might be the flour you 're using? I mean it seems like a very short time that it's taking for your dough to go all funny. Sorry if I'm stating the obvious here, but are you not able to order some strong high protein flour from abroad?

James

L_M's picture
L_M

Hi James,

Now I can report after using it once so far that the bread was wonderful, but it was certainly different than my other mixer so I'll have to get used to working with it. I'm sure there are many others here that can give you their feedback about the Bosch as well so you can compare before deciding which mixer to purchase.

In the instruction booklet there is an email that you can try for inquiries:

bosch-infoteam@bshg.com

re:the flour...it does make good bread if it doesn't heat up too much, and sometimes I add gluten when extra strength is needed.

Let us know how your search is coming along.

L_M