What would best serve us? Bosch or DLX?
I know this is a question that has been bouncing around countless times on countless boards (because I've read A LOT of postings), but I'm still stumped -- and have to make a decision fast because of a very sweet thing my husband did.
For a little background, I've been baking our bread for almost a year now, after receiving (and being inspired by) a beautiful whole wheat loaf from a neighbor who owns a Bosch. We've been using a Zojirushi to do the hard work, though I take the dough out for its last rise and finish it in the oven.
I bake around 3 loaves per week with freshly ground flour.
As neat as the Zo is, the bread has never been quite as good as our neighbor's, my hubby has felt. (And it isn't the recipe.) So, for Christmas he totally shocked me with a Bosch mixer (800w). Wow! At the time, we thought it was the best out there for bread, but I've since learned about the Electrolux DLX/Assistent/Vernona, and I'm not sure anymore. (He wouldn't have a problem with exchanging; he just wants what will work the best for us as well.) The cost difference between the two isn't hugely significant (he bought accessories we don't necessarily need), and would be worth it if the DLX would be a better choice.
I have read that the DLX needs to be "babysat" a bit, and with two kids under 5 that might be a problem. The Zojirushi has been a blessing in this regard.
It would mainly be used for bread, but also sweet quick breads (I just made 11 loaves of cranberry orange bread for Christmas gifts) and cookie/biscuit batter. Also, for health's sake (when making bread) I "soak" the flour after initial mixing (minus yeast and salt) with a tiny bit of vinegar added for 12-24 hours before popping in the yeast and "really" making the bread, so it might need to sit in the mixer bowl for a while.
Any thoughts on what would serve us best for long haul?
Many, many thanks, and apologies as well if my asking the question AGAIN is nauseatingly redundant!
-- Marguerite