KitchenAid Classic Series Stand Mixer

I bought this from Amazon in 2005 and I'm doing a review in 2009 :) If you're making dough, consider using your hand to kneed dough for 1 minute then let it wait over night. Google no-kneed dough /… bread. You need to let dough sit over night to have flavor and for the gluten strands to develop. Surprisingly, I learned that if I let dough sit over night then put it into this mixer the dough will actually become non-elastic as the gluten strands are broken. I used to use this to kneed dough but the motor started to get hot and the motor made some odd clicking noise. It's still works, but after calling Kitchenaid and discover that only mixers with 450 watts or above contain metal gears while this mixer contain high grade plastic gears, it made my stomach churn. I've made many bread and pizza and I've discovered that no one needs a dough mixer if they are to kneed dough. Just let it sit over night and you'll be amazed how smooth the dough becomes. I do need a mixer for cake mix however. For that, I would look at getting a sunbeam, maybe Sunbeam 2591 which clearly has more wattage than this, but again, I don't think these mixers are really for dough, is more for cake mixes. Or get the cheapies without stand. If you want quality, review the Hamilton Beach 63220; comes with 400 watts and 3 year warranty for about $200 So, the bottom line is this: do you really need this machine? For dough, no, for cake mix, it would be cheaper to get another brand. Attachments? I ordered their flour mill attachment but I've been reading reviews that because all kitchenaid mixers (models with 350 watts or under) have plastic gears, the mill will ruin the mixer's motor. Search for kitchenaid mill attachment on amazon and read the reviews. Some of their attachment is a bit nutty; ask yourself, do you really need it? How much would you pay for an ice cream maker attachment, a pasta attachment, etc? Would it be better to buy separate machine, after all, if the motor breaks, you've lost your "investments". Why not buy separate machines? The flour mill attachment has reviews that have links where people can buy metal gear box cover, well that's available only on mixers with 450 watts or above! Also, all new Kitchenaid 450 watts and above mixers have the metal box, so if you really want to buy one to kneed dough, you might consider the 450 watts and above, but why when you can do it yourself and let the dough form over night?? I felt really disappointed to learn that one has to pay $300+ to buy a mixer with metal gear, and is a shame. If I have to do it all over gain, I would never get this mixer. I would get it if it was made with metal gears with circuit to power off when motor overheats regardless the price point. Lastly, the side of the mixers have two large black plastic screws that hold the motor's bushing (graphite lubricant?) and if you unscrew it, it will pop out. To put it back in the right orientation, use a flashlight and look for a grove that sticks out. The right orientation is one that allows the graphite to go deeper. **KitchenAid: I'm really disappointed in cheapening out on what appear to be a beautiful product on the outside!!** This product would have gotten 4 to 5 stars if it had metal gears.

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This was one of the best kitchen item's I've ever purchased - hands down. The price was right and it has been used so much more than ever expected. My better half - who makes the worlds greatest homemade… pizza - uses this to mix the dough...works like a charm, plus of course - all the standard items you would expect when baking. After four years of weekly use, it still performs perfectly. Built solid, I expect this will last many more years to come. A tad smaller than other sizes, this is perfect for those low on counter space or who typically cook for a smaller family. Excellent value, excellent product!

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