I am not going to bad mouth a brand of mixer based on one persons experience not getting what they want after the warranty period has expired.
Ok, then lets bad mouth the KA mixer from more than one persons experiences!
I smoked two and am working on a third.
With nothing implied or intended regarding Laurel and her experience, there is no way for KitchenAid to know if the mixer was abused or mis-used.
True.
I watched In Julias Kitchen today. There was a guest making bread sticks using what looked like a Pro 5. This guest started the dough using the paddle. ? Then she put the dough hook on the machine and ran the machine at speed 4 or 5. ?? I've had three KA in the last year, my ears have gotten pretty good at 'hearing' how fast the mixer is running. And in one shot I could see the mixers speed lever was set in the mid range.
And the machine was bouncing around like you wouldn't believe.
In short, you see a pro do something on the Tube you think it's an acceptable practice. No, not always.
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After doing in the second Pro 5 transmission I was talking to KA Customer Service. CS was telling me that autolise is a second kneeding. What?
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After buying the first KA I realized there was a big difference in the philosophy in which the mixer was built. The old(er) KAs had motor brushes which could be replaced with nothing more than removing the brush plug. The new KAs are sealed, replacement of expendable items (brushes) requires disassembly. When there are funny smells (with two mixers) I can't inspect the brushes to see if their smoked.
Short is: Indicates these mixers are now disposables.
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Noises? I have used two old(er) KAs and witnessed a third in heavy action. The old machines are
SMOOTH! All three of my new machines made nasty noises. The first new KA made 'burr' noises and was rough in the beginning, then the roughness went away and it just made noises. The second one made a sort of bang noise right from the beginning. The Pro 600 just makes lash noises.
In a way I hope the 600 makes it through the warranty period so I can take it apart and set the gears so they run smooth. In a way I hope it doesn't make it through the warranty period.
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I will say the older machines I used didn't have the grunt/ torque of the newer Pro 5 or 600.
The third older machine I only watched being used seemed to have ample torque, but , that machine was from the mid to later 60's when I believe KA was a commercially rated mixer.
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Then you have the N-50. I forget it's exact rating, 325 or 350 watts. So how is it if we tied a N-50 "bumper to bumper" to my Pro 600 rated at 575 watts (?) why would my 600 end up a plie of twisted scrap? I believe the N-50 uses a full speed motor with a gear box to achieve different speeds where the KA uses variable voltage and amperage and motor speeds.
Eventually I will go to the Hoibart dealer and check out the prices of the new and used commercial equipment. Get an eyeball on the cost of accessories and tooling.
The Delonghi/Kenwood I had died right out of the box (They make the Viking).
After smoking the second Pro 5 I started checking out other mixers. The Viking isn't all that highly thought of.
As for this misconception that they were GREAT when Hobart owned them and lousy now that Whirlpool owns them, I can show you the boxes of HOBART-KitchenAid made attachments made out of plastic. I can show you the dead Hobart/KitchenAid mixers bought for parts.
Let's not let reality quash the Bash Fest!
According to Cooks Illustrated and Consumer Reports, KitchenAid continues to be the best home mixer on the market.
What can you say.
I'm into other types of equipment. Woodworking being one type.
To give up some of my old stuff for whats top rated today wouldn't exactly be an upgrade.