YAKASMT (Yet another Kitchen Aid stand mixer thread)
Hello All!
I've been lurking for a while, and actually joined when I started my research on my upcoming KA stand mixer purchase... I have been wanting a KA ever since I started cooking/baking, and realized I would use one more than I ever thought possible when I worked for a catering company. We used our row of KAs as our extra hands, we could put together meat loaves, breads, puddings, gravies and all sorts of other stuff when we were feeding people by the hundreds. In my search and from the experience I've had, I know that I want a bowl-lift. Now here's where the questions come...
I was thinking that I would purchase a refurbished mixer. I have never had problems buying anything refurbished and I don't expect this to be different. I've worked in a few repair shops and can understand what the machines go through when they are rebuilt.
I was looking at getting the Pro 600, seeing how every once in a while it will hit 229 for an over stocked color, but I began digging around more and am wondering if the metal gear case has had as many issues as the plastic case had, or if I would be fine with the new metal design..
My alternative would be to go to the 7 quart, because supposedly there is a new design all together and it sounds like it would last. What I have not been able to find out is if the 7qt refurbished ones (assuming they are Williams-sonoma) are the same as the 7qt NSF refurbs or not? For the price that they are asking for these machines brand new, refurb is the only way I can afford to go.
Now, my usage isn't going to be a lot at first. I manage a pizzeria and work at a vacuum repair shop.. An odd combo I know. I am 25 years old and I love to cook, I love cooking for people. I want to get into bread making, but I don't like how my breadman ultimate kneads the dough. I also love making pizzas at home, and want to break down my 30+lb dough recipie that I make at work to something I can make at home and freeze portions of the dough. I also plan on using the KA as a meat grinder and pasta maker, but I'll have to get the attachments in time.
I know several people are going to say 'Get a Bosch or a DLX' but I do not want either right now. My Grandmother has a KA bowl lift (hobart, she used it daily to make bread) that was bought for her as an anniversary gift when she wasn't even married 10 years (Shes been married 50), my mother has tilt neck that she uses for quick breads that she bought when she remodeled her kitchen in her second house (post whirlpool takeover). I am set on having a KA Stand mixer. I do, however, see a DLX in my future as I get bread making under control.. I love the concept of that machine.
So, after the lengthy rant, is the new 7 qt machine's design worth the price, or is settling for a 6 qt machine with the new metal gear housing going to endure a long life of somewhat heavy usage and possible abuse?