Trilemma
Happen to be in the market for a new mixer/FP. Looking at both Bosches, the Universal and the Compact, as well as a the line from Braun. Here's some background:
About 15 years ago, and after about 14 years of use, the fuse to my old Braun K-1000 blew when I stupidly grossly exceeded its mixing volume capacity, and attempted to run the machine full throttle against a really stiff batch of dough. The motor survived, so the service center informed me, but they were never able to get their hands on a new fuse for me. Tragically, I was unable to reclaim the base unit before that business place was shuttered.
By that time the K-1000 had long since been discontinued, at least for sale in the USA. But I hung on to all the other equipment I still had that came with the Braun, in the vain hope that someday I'd chance upon another working base somewhere. Never happened.
But now I see an upgraded version of the model I cherished is available online in the US for about $365-$400, after S&H. This K-3000 includes a Large SS bowl rather than the white plastic one for mixing dough and batters that came with my K-1000; all the other parts and accessories look the same as mine.
Trouble is, it has not been remade for the US and Canada and runs on 240V/50Hz. The most appropriate device I can find to enable it on NA electric grid is the 1800 Watt LiteFuze Converting Box, available only from Overseas Electronics, about whom I know nothing. Coincidentally they also distribute the K-3000, and at just about the lowest price, after S&H. Don't know whether I can trust either this company or their wares, but I certainly can't find a better deal anywhere else, especially after combined shipping.
Now, my kitchen in the city is not huge. Don't have room for a lot of different machines on the work table, so it makes most sense for me to find a single unit capable of both mixing and processing. The Braun 1000/3000 still seems to me the best solution because both its mixer and FP have decent capacity: 4 kilo dough and 1.5 liter for the clear container. Importantly, Braun is quite conservative in how they rate those vessels, which are actually about twice the size in volume as the capacity stated. OTOH, their glass blender jar is kind of puny, and though the capacity is 1 liter, the gradient is only just below the rim. Still, it comes with two easily interchangeable blades, one smooth and one for crushing ice.
In the 14 years I owned the intact K-1000, the only parts that I managed to total were that glass blender jar (by dropping it) and the plastic mixing bowl (forget exactly how I managed that feat, but it took almost all of those 14 years to happen. Probably fell off shelf and then I stepped on it.) Was, and still is, easy to find replacements for both containers. Other parts of the set do show some wear and there are even some little cracks: a tiny one running through the head of one of the plastic spindles, and a more concerning one inside a crux of the dough hook where one of the two SS arms is anchored. Amazingly that arm is still secure, I could not twist it free or even loosen it from the body of the hook. Found a reasonable deal on that part; were I eventually to spring for the K-3000, I'd reserve an extra one or two right away as a safeguard.
As you can see from these pics of the remains of my K-1000, the dough hook (as well as the mixing arm) is internally geared to spin slower than the drive. With the continually variable speed control you can get the dough hook down so low you can see each revolution. Like the Bosches, the Braun's motor runs on DC and is electronically controlled. I do not know however whether the K-3000 circuitry is as intelligent as either of the Bosches: one YouTube video showed how the Universal self-regulated its speed and torque based upon resistance generated by the workload. The K-3000's motor is rated 950 Watt (at 240V AC; the cooling fan runs independently.) My old K-1000 was 600 Watt at 120V and it never seemed to lack for power — though as I have already admitted, I did ultimately blow its fuse. Don't recall ever having had any other problems with the machine, it performed flawlessly at all tasks. Though their stated/recommended mixing capacity is not as great as that of the Universal, the high end Brauns come close enough. The bottom-up dough hooks, similar to the "European" ones originally designed for Bosch's obsolesced Concept, also sport fins that help incorporate ingredients. I never had a problem with mine handling even the smallest batches; was fine up to about 6, maybe 8 lbs. Hazarding a guess the Braun's mixing performance would come in somewhere between the efficiency of the Compact and the sheer power of the Universal (though I have no hands-on experience with either of those two, only watched the demos.) Only attachment I can think of that comes with a Bosch and not the Braun is the cookie paddle, which only fits the Universal. Nor does the Braun come prepared to drive separate grinders or mills. But I've ground various grains/peppercorns/dried beans to dust in its little blender, a cup at a time. Had to purchase the Julienne disk and also I think the french fry one separately; not sure whether they are included in the present offering.
Still not sure whether I want to run the risk ordering the foreign unit and having to depend on an unknown voltage converter for its lifetime. Also it is not clear from Braun's website whether this model is newly released or obsolete. The only video I could find on it was just a series of Low-Fi static shots from their photo gallery set to music. Braun's engineering is superb but their marketing sucks. :( At least Bosch is aggressively informative about their products, gives me the feeling they will stand behind them for time to come.
Thanks to Barryvabeac for background information.
I don't know how sensitive this mixer will be to the frequency difference. A lot of machines are made to use either 50Hz or 60Hz with no problem. If that is the case, you could have a 240v outlet installed in your kitchen and not have to buy that device for converting the power. If you are able to install the outlet yourself, or have a friend who can do it for you, it can actually save you a lot of money over buying that converter, not to mention it removes a potential failure point. (If the converter goes out on you, you can't use your mixer, even if the mixer still works fine.)
How I know: I'm an electrician, and I once wired a whole kitchen full of 240v outlets for a German couple.
Thanks David for your thoughtful input. An Amazon reviewer claimed their K-3000 was working fine with a 1000 W transformer they had purchased for it, so apparently Hz is not an issue here. Unfortunately though I don't have the option you recommend as there is but one single outlet in my entire kitchen, so were I to upgrade it to 240V I'd have nowhere to plug in either my refrigerator or any other appliances that the Braun could not replace. Not to mention that my landlord would not take kindly to the idea, nor could I hire an electrician here in NYC for less than the cost of the converter that I'd need.
The good news is: Having perused some hundred or so reviews of LiteFuze products by Verified Amazon purchasers, I've come to the conclusion that their products are generally reliable when used as directed. The few problems reported were generally due to damage in transport overseas or a result of the units not correctly sized for their load or for the amperage of the circuits to which they were connected. In all cases LiteFuze swiftly addressed the issue. Came across a positive review (out of only three in total) for the 1800 W Premium ConverterBox that dated from July 2012, and the poster responded to my inquiry that yes, it was still working fine. So my previous doubts about LiteFuze are mostly assuaged.
There does remain the question of Braun's commitment to their line of FPs. Whether they have been obsolesced or if replacement parts are still produced for European distribution remains unclear. Would hate to be stuck with an expensive but inoperable and irreparable K-3000 should it fail some reason. Then again, my old 600 W K-1000 did last 14 years before meeting its demise, which was due only to my own stupid and easily avoidable mishandling of it. I still do believe the Braun 5-in-1 to be the best all-around kitchen machine ever produced. The 950 W K-3000 might even be more powerful and durable than the K-1000 I had; don't know for certain but sure would love to find out. And if indeed Braun has halted its production, this might be the last opportunity to get hold of one.
Thanks David for your thoughtful input. An Amazon reviewer claimed their K-3000 was working fine with a 1000 W transformer they had purchased for it, so apparently Hz is not an issue here. Unfortunately though I don't have the option you recommend as there is but one single outlet in my entire kitchen, so were I to upgrade it to 240V I'd have nowhere to plug in either my refrigerator or any other appliances that the Braun could not replace. Not to mention that my landlord would not take kindly to the idea, nor could I hire an electrician here in NYC for less than the cost of the converter that I'd need.
The good news is: Having perused some hundred or so reviews of LiteFuze products by Verified Amazon purchasers, I've come to the conclusion that their products are reliable when used as directed. The few problems reported were generally due to damage in transport overseas or a result of the units having been undersized for the circuits they were plugged into. Seemed like in all cases LiteFuze swiftly addressed the issue. Came across review for the 1800 W Premium ConverterBox that dated from July 2012, and the guy who had posted it responded to my inquiry that yes, after two years it was still working fine. So my previous doubts about LiteFuze are pretty much assuaged.
There does remain the question of Braun's commitment to their line of FPs. Whether they have been obsolesced or if replacement parts are still produced for European distribution remains unclear. Would hate to be stuck with an expensive but inoperable and irreparable machine should it fail for any reason. Then again, my old Braun did last 14 years before blowing its fuse. Still believe the 5-in-1 to be the best all-around kitchen machine ever produced. Guessing/hoping the currently available 950 W K-3000 would be even more powerful and durable than the 600 W K-1000 I had (which was never any slouch), dunno for sure. But if Braun has really halted its production, this might be the last opportunity to find out.
Well, the bad news is that one outlet won't power all those devices anyway, so you will still need another circuit added. Or you will have to do your mixing in another room. I don't know how your relationship with your Landlord is, or how laws in NY work. In NC, where I live, the Landlords have a legal obligation to perform maintenance and repairs on their properties, although sometimes they still don't. If you have a good relationship with him, perhaps you could get some additional outlets installed at the expense of your Landlord, including a 240V outlet.
According to the current National Electrical Code, it is required that there be at least two circuits in the kitchen dedicated to appliance outlets. Although that doesn't necessitate updating older houses, it may be that other laws relating to rental properties would kick in to help your cause. I don't advocate pushing him with law, but maybe asking politely, backed by the knowledge of law, you could get something done.
As for getting the mixer, I think you should. If you were that happy with the older model, and you're pretty sure this one is an upgrade, with at least the same quality standard as the other, then it would make sense to buy it. If you have an appliance repair shop nearby, they may be able to convert the voltage wiring for you, as electric motors are sometimes made with the capacity to be wired for different voltages. With that service, it still may be cheaper than buying the converter. I'm not against converters, but there are several drawbacks to consider, and I would only get one as a last resort, myself.
David, I agree that the converter is a last resort. But what would be the problem with the one outlet? It has two sockets. The only other appliance that would be plugged in at the same time is the fridge, which is only 450 W, and the circuit is 20 amps. The 1800 W LiteFuze has an efficiency rating of 1.25, the Braun is 950 W. I wouldn't be running my toaster oven or anything else other than the fridge at the same as that (not good at multi-tasking.) And I dare say it would only get a few minutes of use every other day or so, the 5-in-1 is speedy. Huh.
I do have a free 240V outlet on the living room for an air conditioner which I don't own, but there's no room for a mixer there and I couldn't really run an extension from to the kitchen, too long and convoluted a path. No way my landlord would cooperate to install a dedicated outlet in the kitchen, we've been in court for years.
Yeah I was thinking maybe I could have the Braun rewired some how for 120V. Don't know of any appliance repair shops in NYC anymore, seems they've all been forced out due to exorbitant rents. The place I took my old K-1000 to was the only one I could find in the whole city and they're gone now.
Would jump on the K-3000 were it not for the question of Braun support. As I mentioned, the plastic centered dough hook (which works wonders in mixing) is of course not as bullet-proof as the all-metal armature that comes with the Bosch. Think the slightly cracked one I retained have might still have some life left in it, and of course the K-3000 would come with a brand new one, but am not so sure now how easy it might be to find replacements down the line. Of the only two sites I could find which carried the hooks, one was kind of exorbitant; the other place offered them at half the price but only on special order, not sure there is any guarantee they'd come in.
Dang, it's a shame that Bosch doesn't make a decent FP for their kitchen machines, would save so much bother.
Thanks again Dave!
Because I looked too and couldn't find it. ReplacementParts has the gasket but the insert there is Obsolete. I still have an extra blender jar and would like to be able to use it.