The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Old Bosch, new Bosch, or Artiste?

dtremit's picture
dtremit

Old Bosch, new Bosch, or Artiste?

So I've finally managed to break my KitchenAid Pro 600 (circa 2005, so it had a good life), while making a 3 loaf batch of sourdough. I'm planning on repairing it, but it's clear it isn't going to cut it for bread use.

I've been looking at alternatives and from what I can tell, the Bosch family seems like it would be a good fit for me. The Ankarsrum is really more than I'd like to spend (and in short supply used) -- and I like the ecosystem of attachments on the Bosch, which seem to be readily available used. I'm not concerned about the small batch issues, as I'll still have my KA and bread machine.

That said, I'm having trouble deciding between 3 Bosch-family options:

  • A used Universal 
    • Definitely the most affordable; could be all set for ~$150
    • Sounds like the older bowl can't go in the dishwasher
    • No warranty, obviously
    • Bulkiest
  • A new Universal Plus
    • Love the idea of the dishwasher safe bowl, at least in theory
    • Most expensive option
  • Nutrimill Artiste
    • Middle of the range, price wise
    • Most compact -- seems like a big plus
    • Not sure about dishwasher
    • No high speed attachment port -- but I don't know that I need anything that uses it

My gut says any of them would probably work just fine, but I'm wondering if I'm missing something? If anyone here has upgraded from an older Bosch to a newer one, or loves or hates their Artiste, I'd appreciate the feedback.

David R's picture
David R

I don't have much to offer, but there's this: As long as you have good hand & arm mobility (arthritis etc), and as long as your sink easily holds it, a dough mixing bowl is relatively easy to wash. And a blob of dough that's put in the dishwasher tends to stick on one of your dishes and get cooked into place - most dishwashers don't do a great job of breaking dough up.

So my uneducated vote goes to the older Bosch, as long as it's still in very good shape.

MontBaybaker's picture
MontBaybaker

I've never used a Bosch, but am offering opinions to friends looking to buy their first stand mixer.  They're borrowing my Ankarsrum & basic bread/pizza supplies while we're traveling.  My husband spotted a Bosch dealer here, and we stopped in.  Got to see all 3 of the above.  The Artiste bowl is .5 qt smaller than Bosch.  However, there is cooperation between Bosch & Nutrimill, and all the components/bowls fit each machine.  She was about to start mixing bread when multiple customers came in (she was the only staff), and we couldn't wait around.  I would have liked to attend the short free class tomorrow (we're leaving early). Bosch has a newish item:  cookie paddles with a stainless hub which handles cold butter.  IMO the stainless components on Bosch seem built as well as Ank.

Hope you can find a certified dealer nearby who does demos on all the machines so you can look over each part and see how it mixes.  Also, dealers offer promotions; this one guarantees to beat any Amazon price.  

I have always used my bowls/beaters too often to let them sit in the DW (plus they take up space)  I always hand-wash as the detergent is hard on the finish, especially any stainless..

David R's picture
David R

Dishwashers especially hard on stainless steel? No, unfortunately, they're that hard on just about everything. The things they're especially hard on are the things that say "Not Dishwasher Safe", such as unprotected aluminum - the first time you run it through it just looks a bit discoloured, but when you give it more trips through the dishwasher, it starts dissolving bit by bit.

MontBaybaker's picture
MontBaybaker

Haven't tried it, but just remembered a tip the Bosch clerk shared Tuesday.  For tarnished stainless, apparently using a pop-up hand wipe (not baby wipes) will take off the tarnish.  That now sounds not great for one's skin...

David, I recall that when I got my KA Pro 600 15 yrs ago, the one time I put the metal paddle in the DW it came out tarnished with tiny bits of det. powder stuck on.  Had to soak & hand-wash; kind of defeated the purpose and I never did it again. 

barryvabeach's picture
barryvabeach

Monty, I had the old Bosch Universal. I would rank it above the KA, but below the universal plus.  It is a little bulky, and like most mixers, there are some doughs it does not handle well, for me, high hydration and small loaf was a real problem.. I would still get an older Ank rather than the BUP, they are on eBay all the time for $250 to $350, and while not indestructible, they are pretty close.  If you need the attachments, I agree the Bosch is a better value, since the Ank attachments are pretty expensive. For me, it is rare to find an attachment to a mixer that is anywhere as good as the standalone , especially for food  processers and blenders

David R's picture
David R

True, but dishwashers do exactly the same thing to plastics, glass, and everything else. (There's really no such thing as "tarnish" on stainless steel, but I know what you mean anyway.)

dtremit's picture
dtremit

Thanks to everyone for the responses! I think I'm going to keep hunting on eBay for a good bargain on an older Bosch -- it seems like the easiest entry point, and I can always put it back on eBay if I end up wanting something newer. (And who knows, maybe I'll luck out and find a deal on an Assistent...)

The Roadside Pie King's picture
The Roadside Pi...

Fyi. there is one used old style Bosch universal S/S bowl on ebay. $40.00 plus $15.00 flat rate USPS shipping. This bowl is a dedicated bread dough bowl the attachments do not work with it. However I hear tell the bottom drive dough hook is the bees knees. I was going to pull the triger on it yesterday and changed my mind. These can be had new also for $160.00 range I think. So $55.00 shipped is not bad.

barryvabeach's picture
barryvabeach

I have heard great things about the bottom drive bowl for the Universal as well, and that sounds like a great price. 

BTW, Dtremit, the idea of buying a used Universal, then selling it later if you don't love it worked for me,  I ended up selling it for about what I paid for it, so I was only out the shipping.  

Camarie's picture
Camarie

 

If money is your main issue, & you don't want to get a new Bosch universal, then please consider the Nutrimll Artiste mixer. It's lightweight like the Bosch, but it's no mere run-of-the-mill wimp! it is very strong, sturdy & powerful!!

It has a robust 650-watt motor, a 6.5-qt work bowl And it gives you more bang for the buck! I own it, & I'm so glad that I do!! Even though it does not accept the optional Blender & food processor, which I already have anyway, it still can use a host of other Bosch accessories.

I especially like the bowl guard, which has a wide opening for adding ingredients & you can close it completely, but still monitor the action inside. The dough hook is very superior than most, pulling through up to 10lbs of dough easily!! I have the optional cookies paddles, cake paddles & the labor-saving bowl scraper, which automatically scrapes the bowl as you mix. I really love it!! Works like a charm! A bit more compact than the Universal, but it will do the job very immensely.

And the price is very reasonable - $249!!

dtremit's picture
dtremit

A belated thanks to everyone here -- particularly to The Roadside Pie King to calling out the stainless steel bowl; I'd seen it, but couldn't figure out how the heck it worked!

I stalked eBay for a bit and ended up with what appears to be a 1990 vintage Universal; cobbling together items from a few auctions, I now have a working mixer with both a plastic and stainless bowl for under $200. My first few loaves came out very well; the dough does walk up the center spindle on the plastic bowl, but I've ordered the scraper that's supposed to help with that.

Maybe someday I'll treat myself to a new model and sell part of this haul to fund it, but for right now I'm very pleased with what I ended up with. Oddly the feature I find myself wanting most from the new models is the suction cups, as this one walks on the counter a bit! But it kneads efficiently enough that I don't feel I need to walk away, as I did with the KitchenAid.

The Roadside Pie King's picture
The Roadside Pi...

Were you able to get the S/S bowl with the bottom drive? If that's what you got, don't bother with the dough scraper, it does not help all that much. Just use the bottom drive bowl for all your dough making. Leave the plastic bowl for the whisks and other neat attachments. Smile. Congratulations!

The Roadside Pie King's picture
The Roadside Pi...

There is a new dough hook available made out of S/S with an integral scraper. I have it. Like I said not a cure all. 

Camarie's picture
Camarie

Get the Nutrimill Artiste. Even though it is lightweight, it is very strong & it can knead up to 10lbs. of dough at once, has a powerful 650-watt motor that can plow through lots of stuff!!

I have one & love it. It's a very good mixer.

Camarie's picture
Camarie

Get the Nutrimill Artiste. Even though it is lightweight, it is very strong & it can knead up to 10lbs. of dough at once, has a powerful 650-watt motor that can plow through lots of stuff!!

I have one & love it. It's a very good mixer.