July 1, 2010 - 9:26am
Have the Electrolux DLX, but a mixer for things OTHER than bread?
I adore my DLX 2000 mixer, but it has limitations when mixing other things. Cookie dough just doesn't come out right. So what's better? I'm really hesitant with the Kitchenaids, but if you don't abuse them? Are they still good? I'm tempted by the globe mixer, but yowzers with the price tag (I got my DLX on a typo ebay listing 5 years ago for $250 shipped). Plus, I want something with accessories. I want to grind my own meat and make pasta and the KA has these options (as does the DLX), but I can get those accessories secondhand or on sales where I have to pay premium with the DLx.
So confused. Help!
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The gals on my cake and cookies forum mostly use Kitchenaid and no one's ever reported one failing them. The only thing you'll then need to worry about is getting the right beater or hooks for your particular machine - if they happen to not come with your machine for some unusual reason. There are different sizes of bowl depth so the shorter ones obviously won't work in the higher bowls. But the other attachments you're interested in (pasta maker, grinder, etc.) are universal as far as I'm aware.
Bread dough's higher density, compared to batters and such, is really the only thing that puts a KitchenAid mixer in peril.
Go for it if it's in your budget and you have the cupboard space to have two rather bulky mixers. I've had mine for 5 years now, a little Artisan model, and it's still going even though I do (cautiously) use it for dough.
Like a lot of "Loafers", I have a Kitchenaid mixer. It is the reason I started baking bread. Mine happens to be a Pro 600. I have owned it for several years. So far, so good. I have read the complaints and they do concern me. Be sure to read the comments people have made about the different models. One of the concerns is the dough hook. The smaller versions have a less effective hook design. I have not had any issues with the larger version. My mixer has been used within the parameters set by the manufacturer. The last time I used it, I was making a quadruple batch of chocolate chip cookies. The only problem I had was that the bowl was very full, so the dough was pretty much up to the top.
I'm not sure where you are located, but if you have a Kohl's department store near you and have a Kohl's charge card, you can sometimes buy them at 30% off. It is still a lot of money, but it compares to many other power tools. If you are going to make use of it, it should be a worthwhile purchase. Be careful in choosing the model you want. The larger models work better for bread, but they can be overkill for certain applications. Another option is Bed, Bath & Beyond if you have the 20% off coupons.
I would also bring to your attention that many owners, including myself have moved away from using the mixer for bread dough. There is something theraputic about hand kneading. It is a great machine for cookies and other applications. No matter what your choice, I hope you enjoy it.
Paul
Just as I thought my DLX mixer wasn't good for cookies, I made fabulous cookies. Maybe the first attempt I was still learning to use the machine. Now I'm happy. I guess I'll just wait to get accessories as I can afford them!
Hello:
I have both of these appliances and they are both great. I love my DLX 2000 for heavy breads made with stoneground flours. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I love that dough can rise in it after the intital mixing. "Cooks Magazine" did a reveiw of this machine and absolutely hated it and had nothing good to say about it. It puzzled me as I have always found it top notch. I do have the bowl and beater attachement as well, but have never used it I'm ashamed to say. I love baking bread but don't do too many cookies etc.
My Kitchen Aid Pro KSM5, I bought nearly 20 years ago and it is very heavy compared to the onces I see on the market today. It's great for two to three loaves of bread at a time. It can tackle anything you give it. I have three attachments but don't use them too often, but they're there if I need to slice, grate, or make pasta. You can usually get these attachements on sale. I paid half price for mine. Lately, I've even found a new blade for the Kitchen Aid Mixers, BeaterBlade+. It is shaped like the flat beater but it sweeps the side and bottom of the bowl like a windshield wiper!!! I know, get a life, but I love it. Smart thinking on someone's part! Their website is www.beaterblade.com
My final summation is for the best value and for multi-baking and cooking, I would buy the heaviest, Pro Line Kitchen Aid mixer I could find. Attachments are readily available and can be found for pretty good prices if you shop around.
Happy Baking...............Lyn
Well, if you ever decide to sell your beater bowl and beaters, let me know. I make cakes too and having a spare bowl and beater would be fabulous for the DLX mixer.
BTW, the beater blade looks great.
And why did Cooks Magazine hate it? I can tell you, they didn't really learn how to use it. They expected it to work like a KA or a Sunbeam, or whatever and it totalllllly doesn't. Now that I've gotten used to the open bowl, I cannot get used to the hard to access bowls of standard mixers. If my DLX ever dies, I'm replacing it for full price if I have to. Worth every penny and has saved me TONS of time with kneading and works great with cake batters (in the smaller bowl).
Thanks for your reply. If I ever get rid of the bowl etc, I'll remember you. I really must try it out and see how it works. So many great machines and recipes, so little time. I don't know why Cooks Illustrated didn't like the DLX2000, I think they were more critical of the plastic bowl and beaters and how they performed than the steel bowl and bread making aspect. It's a while back maybe 2years. I bought my machine when they were only available from a gentleman in New York. I called from Canada and he was so sweet and nice. I thought I was lucky to get it. It was advertised in Fine Cooking and I just had to have it. Like you I love it.
I see the blade for heavy flours, I don't have that and I wonder how well it works. I use mostly stoneground wholewheat flour and I must look into that.
Finding this website has rekindled my love of breadmaking and my need to exercise more too LOL
Regards............Lyn