The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Help me decide--Bosch U+ or Ankarsrum Original

CelesteU's picture
CelesteU

Help me decide--Bosch U+ or Ankarsrum Original

I've searched, read, reviewed, and still can't decide, so I'm asking for your collective wisdom to help me make up my mind.  As the subject line says, Bosch Universal Plus or Ankarsrum Original?  I need a mixer upgrade...currently struggling along w/a KA Pro 600, but it doesn't have sufficient capacity to keep up with my cottage baking business.  I don't need a huge commercial mixer, as my oven capacity is about 12 pan loaves or three half sheet pans at once.  I'd like something that can handle small quantities as well as large, is fairly easy to use, and can handle at least 8 lbs of challah dough at once.  Also want to use it to replace an aging food processoR & terrible citrus juicer.

I'd love to hear from those of you who use both....pros, cons, etc.  Thanks, good people of The Fresh Loaf.

barryvabeach's picture
barryvabeach

I have owned the Universal, not the plus, but it uses the same bowl and hook arrangement as the Universal plus,  and the DLX,  no contest,  DLX.  The DLX never struggles with a load, and can handle the tiniest amounts and still do a good job.  There is a little bit of a learning curve, but you will pick it up quickly.  I do not have any of the attachments for the DLX, so can't comment on those. You will also love the ease of adding flour, compared to the KA, since the DLX is an open bowl, and no worries about a puff of flour everywhere when you turn it on.  Not sure if you would use the timer, but I do,  I set it, then walk away and it turns itself off - very helpful to me for recipes I make over and over and know the timing.   

CelesteU's picture
CelesteU

thats exactly what I was looking for......thx!  Glad to hear the Ankarsrum handles small batches too.  Have watched quite a few videos online, and all seem to focus on upper capacity.

evandy's picture
evandy

Can't help with "owning both" but I just got a new Ankarsrum Original, and have been working on learning its quirks.  Very happy with it so far; currently up to 1 batch of brownies with the cookie loops, and 4 batches of bread  @2lbs per batch (Beer bread, Bagels, Brioche, Italian Loaves).

I ended up with the Ankarsrum since I make giant batches of Pannettone every christmas (and it killed my KA-Pro 600, which I see is what you have: http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/50775/12-loaves-panettone-ankarsrum).   A lot of people love the Bosch, so I suspect those who have it will have similar glowing reviews.

CelesteU's picture
CelesteU

I'd seen your panettone thread....totally the sort of volume I'm planning.  Great to know that the A can do the job.

tgrayson's picture
tgrayson

The Bosch doesn't do small batches very well or wet dough. I put mine in the attic and bought the Ankarsrum. Highly recommended.

fupjack's picture
fupjack

For those of you buying or who have bought an Ankarsum - where did you get it?  I'm saving my pennies.

CelesteU's picture
CelesteU

Pleasant Hill Grain currently has a $50 discount on the matte black and mineral white colors.

CelesteU's picture
CelesteU

Wait, I just looked again, and all of the colors are now $599.

CelesteU's picture
CelesteU

According to the exceedingly nice woman who answered the phone at Pleasant Hill, the $100 price represents a model closeout price.  Ankarsrum is rolling out a new model in either April or May, and the big differences are 1)metal knobs/switches on the front and 2) a 7 year warranty (over the current 5 year one).  I don't see either of those as worth the wait or worth forgoing the discount.  (Has anyone heard of broken knobs/switches?)

 

evandy's picture
evandy

Darn.  I just got one at the $649 price... guess I could've saved an extra $50... but in the grand scheme of things, probably worth $50 to have it 2 weeks earlier.   Se la vie.

At the $599 price, I'd definitely jump on the Ankarsrum, given the descriptions here of the new model (very minor tweaks, it sounds like)

CelesteU's picture
CelesteU

New model will also have a power upgrade from the present 800 watts to 1500 watts.

barryvabeach's picture
barryvabeach

Celeste, the knob that operates the timer can break ( I bought a used one, and it was cracked, pretty easy to get it to work though.)  Surprised about the power upgrade,  I have the 450 watt model, and it is plenty powerful.  Guess they want it to be able to mix concrete if they are going up to 1,500 watts.  

CelesteU's picture
CelesteU

I just heard via email from the US distributor that only the European models will be 1500 watts.  The new US model will still be 800.

DaveTC's picture
DaveTC

I spent a lot of time choosing between the Bosch and Ankarsrum.  I had the opposite criteria that you had.  I found videos showing how big of a batch one could do as useless. I got mine a little cheaper off of eBay from a certified dealer by "making an offer".  My best guess is that they just have it shipped directly from Ankarsrum.  Pleasant Hills is a good company and would be worth it for the price.  My proofer and lame (which I already sliced myself with trying to trim parchment) arrived from them on Saturday.  

I love the Ankasrum and the steel bowl. A second bowl can be purchased.

1500 Watts would almost scare me.  That could blow a 10 amp circuit breaker if one needed the power.  It is probably sized more for Europe where about half amperage would be drawn at 220V.  I would go with the discount over the new model.

I read one review on Amazon where someone had a broken knob.  I think it ended up that customer service described how they could fix it.  

I don't plan to use any attachments, but I believe that I read a few reviews where the mixer can leak and destroy the motor on the Bosch unit.

DaveTC's picture
DaveTC

I should have said the Bosch blender can leak...

CelesteU's picture
CelesteU

Yes, the 1500 watts is only in the Euro models.  Turns out the US version will still be 800.  And the upgraded knobs are going to be offered separately at some point.

Don't dull your lame blade trying to slice parchment....save it for dough!  

DaveTC's picture
DaveTC

Thanks for the update on the knobs.  It is good to know.  

I looked for scissors, but did not see them.  My idea was that my finger would hone the lame after I dulled it on the parchment :).

pleasant-hill-grain's picture
pleasant-hill-grain

For anyone else shopping for a stand mixer and comparing models, Pleasant Hill Grain's Stand Mixer Comparison Chart could be helpful!

gregWFO's picture
gregWFO

a few people mentioned Ankarsrum being 800 W machine. It is 600 W vs the  1500W EU version.