The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Ankasrum mixer. Worth the price?

Chana's picture
Chana

Ankasrum mixer. Worth the price?

Hello from Chicago. I'm new here! I'm considering replacing my KA with an Ankasrum. I use my mixer at least once a week for challah, and often for other yeasted breads and for cakes and cookies. (Never for my no-knead sourdough, which I make a couple of times a week.) Is it worth the high price for large volumes only? Can I mix small volumes successfully in such a large bowl? Is it too powerful, even at low speeds, for tender batters? Thanks for your advice. 

barryvabeach's picture
barryvabeach

Yes, buy it .   

It can knead anything I through at it,  even very small loafs.   It is wonderfully designed, very well engineered, and a joy to use.

By way of background,  I have owned a KA,  a Bosch Universal, a Bosch Compact, a Bosch Concept, and the Ank -  though mine is the older model sold as the Magic Mill.   It is not too powerful for tender batters,  it actually has a very smooth motion using the roller, and of course, it has a plastic bowl and whips for egg whites,  etc.

Buy it,  I think you will love it,  As for the cost,  I always buy used,  and used models can usually be found for around $300.

 

 

Chana's picture
Chana

Thanks so much! If it works as well for cakes and cookies as it does for bread, I think I'll go for it! 

gary.turner's picture
gary.turner

I use the plastic bowl and wire whisks for batters simply because it's lighter and easier to pour from.

g

Chana's picture
Chana

I prefer the paddle for batters unless I'm incorporating lots of air. Is the roller basically the same as a paddle? Can I use the roller in the smaller plastic bowl? 

Wow. This site is such a great resource, and I really appreciate your advice!

 

gary.turner's picture
gary.turner

The whisks are driven by a shaft through the bowl's center, and the bowl is locked in place. So, no. The roller and whisks are not interchangeable. I've made cheesecake with both, and at low speeds neither incorporates any significant amount of air, which is desirable. The same whisks or roller run at higher speeds make wonderful whipped cream or meringues.

You can use the roller and scraper for any mixing need. The whisks, as you can imagine, are not as versatile.

g

suave's picture
suave

I have both.  I use Ankarsrum for some breads - larger batches, longer mixes, denser doughs, and KA - for one loaf batches of soft doughs, cakes and cookies, and with attachments.  I think KA works much better for small batches of cookies, particularly with a silicone-sided paddle, and is much easier to clean.

Chana's picture
Chana

Is the roller attachment equivalent to the KA paddle attachment? I use the paddle for my cake recipes, especially ones that have a tight crumb and I don't want to incorporate a lot of air. The Ankarsrum is such a big $ investment, and I have limited counter space, so I prefer not to have 2 mixers. Thank you for your advice!

suave's picture
suave

In my opinion KA paddle is much more efficient particularly when working with butter, particularly with cold butter.   There is a plastic bowl and a wire wisk for the Ankarsrum, but I can't say I've ever used it.

Re: price, yes it is rather expensive, but you can find a used one at a reasonable price - I live in Lake County and I went all the way to Grand Rapids to pick up mine, and it cost me under $200, including gas. 

swadeeka's picture
swadeeka

I have a very small apartment and had a KA.   I brought my Ank home and ran it through all my repertoire of recipes. I felt it treated my delicate breads more gently. Made small and large loaves. it whisks great.  i also have the pasta attachments and it works equally great as the KA pasta attachments. needless to say I have now sold my KA as the Ank was superior on so many levels.   i had to choose one due to my small living and kitchen space.

Chana's picture
Chana

I’m convinced! Thank you for guidance :)

barryvabeach's picture
barryvabeach

Chana,  be sure to post back after you have used it a while to let us know.  It is very expensive, and there are not a lot of reviews about it , so it will help people who are facing the same question in the future to get your input. 

Chana's picture
Chana

so kind of you :)

barryvabeach's picture
barryvabeach

Don't know if you got yours yet, but wanted to post that I made a cheesecake today.  Used the Ank with the stainless steel bowl and roller and scraper, and the filling came out of the mixer looking great.  I had to push the roller to the middle a few times to incorporate ingredients, but other than that, it was mostly hands free. 

Chana's picture
Chana

I haven’t bought it yet...I’ve been leaving some pretty blatant hints about getting it for my upcoming birthday. I am very happy to hear it works well for large or regular size batches. 
Thank you for taking the time to reply. Much appreciated.

Camarie's picture
Camarie

I have the Electrolux Assistant, which is an older version of the Ank! It still works good. I once used it to make a double batch for 2- 7up Cakes!! The giant 8-qt bowl holds a lot!!

Chana's picture
Chana

Really appreciate your advice!