Help: buy KitchenAid Classic or UltraPower?
Lorna Lenehan
I'm looking at getting a KitchenAid mixer (4.5qt) this weekend, and am
wondering if there's any functional difference between the "classic" and the
"ultra power" models.
Both are widely available; there's about $50-$70 difference (since I found a
Classic in clearance, make that $100 if there still are some left).
I'm wondering if the extra watts KA talks about are really useful for the
moderate use I will be making of this, or am I just paying extra bucks for the
sexy two-tone stripe? I expect to be making cookies and such, but not much
bread or pizza dough.
Can someone help me out here? Really would appreciate some knowledgable or at
least humorous input.. :-)
Lorna
lo...@odyssee.net
(responses by email welcomed as well)
Hervey
In article <lorna.50...@odyssee.net>, lo...@odyssee.net (Lorna
Lenehan) wrote:
Lorna,
I have the same question so I can't be of much help. Do both classic and
ultra power have the arm that tilts up? I know that the high end models
have a stationary arm and the bowl lifts up to meet the beater. So my
question is, Which is better, stationary arm or tilting arm? I'm inclined
toward the tilting arm. Seems easier to work with.
Shaun
Barb Schaller
My K5 is 15-20 years old. 300 watts and it does everything I ask. I just
had to tuned up this spring for $25 or so. I like the stationary head.
It was a bit to get used to because I'd never seen another mixer work that
way. I don't notice now. I thought that the stop/open/scrape/start drill
on the food processor was a major pain at first, too. Don't notice it
now. I'd vote for the 5-quart model myself.
-Barb
In article <hervey-2211...@cnc132053.concentric.net>,
her...@cris.com (Hervey) wrote:
> In article <lorna.50...@odyssee.net>, lo...@odyssee.net (Lorna
> Lenehan) wrote:
>
> > I'm looking at getting a KitchenAid mixer (4.5qt) this weekend, and am
> > wondering if there's any functional difference between the "classic"
and the
> > "ultra power" models.
snip
> >
> > Lorna
> > lo...@odyssee.net
>
> Lorna,
>
> I have the same question so I can't be of much help. Do both classic and
> ultra power have the arm that tilts up? I know that the high end models
> have a stationary arm and the bowl lifts up to meet the beater. So my
> question is, Which is better, stationary arm or tilting arm? I'm inclined
> toward the tilting arm. Seems easier to work with.
>
> Shaun
--
Barb,11-22-96
"If you're ever in a jam, here I am."
Rex McCall
Hervey wrote:
>
> In article <lorna.50...@odyssee.net>, lo...@odyssee.net (Lorna
> Lenehan) wrote:
>
> > I'm looking at getting a KitchenAid mixer (4.5qt) this weekend, and am
> > wondering if there's any functional difference between the "classic" and the
> > "ultra power" models.
> >
> > Classic in clearance, make that $100 if there still are some left).
> >
> > I'm wondering if the extra watts KA talks about are really useful for the
> > moderate use I will be making of this, or am I just paying extra bucks
> for the
> > sexy two-tone stripe? I expect to be making cookies and such, but not much
> > bread or pizza dough.
> >
> > Can someone help me out here? Really would appreciate some knowledgable or at
> > least humorous input.. :-)
> >
> > lo...@odyssee.net
>
> Lorna,
>
> I have the same question so I can't be of much help. Do both classic and
> ultra power have the arm that tilts up? I know that the high end models
> have a stationary arm and the bowl lifts up to meet the beater. So my
> question is, Which is better, stationary arm or tilting arm? I'm inclined
> toward the tilting arm. Seems easier to work with.
>
> Shaun
If at all possible, pop for the 5 qt mixer instead. We bought the 4.5
several years ago, and wish we had spent the extra 90 bucks on the
bigger one.
Rex
j...@epix.net
In <hervey-2211...@cnc132053.concentric.net>, her...@cris.com (Hervey) writes:
>I have the same question so I can't be of much help. Do both classic and
>ultra power have the arm that tilts up? I know that the high end models
>have a stationary arm and the bowl lifts up to meet the beater. So my
>question is, Which is better, stationary arm or tilting arm? I'm inclined
>toward the tilting arm. Seems easier to work with.
>
If you aren't going to do a lot of bread, the K45 series will do nicely
(that's the tilting head), but for serious breadmaking, the K5 series is a
must. It's fussier to work with, but the rigidity pays off when you are
kneading heavy dough week after week.
--
Julian Thomas (and/or if appropriate, Mary Jane Thomas)
j...@epix.net
In the beautiful Finger Lakes Wine Country of New York State!
--------------------------------------------------
All wiyht. Rho sritched mg kegtops awound?
Kevin Miller
We have the 250 watt Classic and it gets the job done. It strains a
little on a 7.5 cup bread recipe, but it doesn't quit.
Kevin
lo...@odyssee.net (Lorna Lenehan) wrote:
>I'm looking at getting a KitchenAid mixer (4.5qt) this weekend, and am
>wondering if there's any functional difference between the "classic" and the
>"ultra power" models.
>Both are widely available; there's about $50-$70 difference (since I found a
>Classic in clearance, make that $100 if there still are some left).
>I'm wondering if the extra watts KA talks about are really useful for the
>moderate use I will be making of this, or am I just paying extra bucks for the
>sexy two-tone stripe? I expect to be making cookies and such, but not much
>bread or pizza dough.
>Can someone help me out here? Really would appreciate some knowledgable or at
>least humorous input.. :-)
>Lorna
>lo...@odyssee.net
>(responses by email welcomed as well)
TRUDIE FRASER URISH
spend the extra $$$$ and get the mixer with the more powerful motor.
you won't regret it and it will probably last a lifetime.In
<hervey-2211...@cnc132053.concentric.net> her...@cris.com
(Hervey) writes:
>
>In article <lorna.50...@odyssee.net>, lo...@odyssee.net (Lorna
>Lenehan) wrote:
>
>> I'm looking at getting a KitchenAid mixer (4.5qt) this weekend, and
am
>> wondering if there's any functional difference between the "classic"
and the
>> "ultra power" models.
>>
>> Both are widely available; there's about $50-$70 difference (since I
found a
>> Classic in clearance, make that $100 if there still are some left).
>>
>> I'm wondering if the extra watts KA talks about are really useful
for the
>> moderate use I will be making of this, or am I just paying extra
bucks
>for the
>> sexy two-tone stripe? I expect to be making cookies and such, but
not much
>> bread or pizza dough.
>>
>> Can someone help me out here? Really would appreciate some
knowledgable or at
>> least humorous input.. :-)
>>
>> Lorna
>> lo...@odyssee.net
>
>
>I have the same question so I can't be of much help. Do both classic
and
>ultra power have the arm that tilts up? I know that the high end
models
>have a stationary arm and the bowl lifts up to meet the beater. So my
>question is, Which is better, stationary arm or tilting arm? I'm
inclined
>toward the tilting arm. Seems easier to work with.
>
den...@nlci.com
On 22 Nov 1996 17:15:32 GMT, her...@cris.com (Hervey) wrote:
>In article <lorna.50...@odyssee.net>, lo...@odyssee.net (Lorna
>Lenehan) wrote:
>
>> I'm looking at getting a KitchenAid mixer (4.5qt) this weekend, and am
>> wondering if there's any functional difference between the "classic" and the
>> "ultra power" models.
>>
>> Both are widely available; there's about $50-$70 difference (since I found a
>> Classic in clearance, make that $100 if there still are some left).
>>
>> I'm wondering if the extra watts KA talks about are really useful for the
>> moderate use I will be making of this, or am I just paying extra bucks
>for the
>> sexy two-tone stripe? I expect to be making cookies and such, but not much
>> bread or pizza dough.
>>
>> Can someone help me out here? Really would appreciate some knowledgable or at
>> least humorous input.. :-)
>>
>> Lorna
>> lo...@odyssee.net
>
>Lorna,
>
>I have the same question so I can't be of much help. Do both classic and
>ultra power have the arm that tilts up? I know that the high end models
>have a stationary arm and the bowl lifts up to meet the beater. So my
>question is, Which is better, stationary arm or tilting arm? I'm inclined
>toward the tilting arm. Seems easier to work with.
>
>Shaun
Actually as a former Bakery type of Cook (no I'm not a chef and no I
don't sell the things, but I would have to say that the one with the
bowl raising up to the beater elements is more desirable, due to the
ease of use, and lessening of a mess when working with thinner batters
like those you would use for Crepes or waffles, as you will not have a
problem with the batter dripping back on to the machine and all over
the counter top. I have been wanting to purchase one of those also,
but I need to replace my flakey oven first. (it doesn't keep a steady
enough temperature) The extra power might be usefull for cookie dough
as some doughs do get pretty thick, in fact I think that I made a few
doughs that would fight our larger mixers (think 40# bowl when empty)
when they start out. I realize that you may not prepare really large
quantities of doughs, and bread dough isn't that rough with Kitchen
Aid's Dough hook, so I would choose the Mixer with the bowl that has
the size that I would need for my largest recipe when done for a
normal portion. If you regularly have 30 - 40 people over, I'd get the
larger bowl. Also if you plan to get the attachments for the nose of
the mixer, I'd go with the extra power as cheese can be a real pain to
shread (it can kill the mixer if you force it to do too much) or if
you plan to grind your own sausage i'd get the bigger motor. Again if
you don't save you money :) and make more cookies!!!
I hope this helps and doesn't confuse you if so send me rants or
raves.
"I'm Just a soul whoose intentions are good, Oh Lord please
dont let me be understood" Eric Burden.
"You can't get what you want 'Till you know WHAT you want" -- Joe Jackson
"I'm Just another guy doin' just another thing" -- den...@nlci.com
Dan Masi
> > I'm inclined toward the tilting arm. Seems easier to work with.
The atationary-head models offer higher power, and are actually
easier to work with than the tilting-head models in many respects.
For one thing, if you're working on a counter that has cabinets
above, the head may not tilt back all the way without hitting the
cabinets. Really a pain. Also, the stationary-head models
allow you to put a bowl of ice water (or hot water, as need be)
underneath the working bowl. Nice when you're whipping a lot
of cream or beating a lot of egg whites (chilling helps), or
if you're making something like mashed potatoes and you want
to help keep them hot.
Unless you're really strapped, if you're gonna invest in a
KitchenAid, go with the bigger 5-quart (i.e. stationary head)
models.
--
Dan Masi
Mentor Graphics Corp.
dan_...@mentorg.com
Nancy Dooley
On Tue, 26 Nov 1996 14:23:11 -0500, Dan Masi <da...@warren.mentorg.com>
wrote:
Nice when you're whipping a lot
>of cream or beating a lot of egg whites (chilling helps), or
Dan, Dan, Dan, chilling is wrong for egg whites; they're supposed to
be at room temp. I know your fingers just got carried away, and the
parentheses got carried past the phrase they're modifying....tsk. tsk.
;-p
Unless you're really strapped, if you're gonna invest in a
>KitchenAid, go with the bigger 5-quart (i.e. stationary head)
>models.
That's what I say, too, not that anyone asked. I have a 5-quart, 325
watt and love it to bits.
N.
Anne Bourget
Spring for the K5 Professional (350 watts)if you can. I bought mine
through Bridge in New York City for $295, which included shipping to
California. Best price I could find. It will last a lifetime. Cooks
Illustrated recently rated the stationary mixers and the KitchenAid K5SS
was rated the best. Check out the article; it is more interesting that
Consumer Reports'.
--
____________________________________________________________________________
Anne Bourget bou...@netcom.com
Sacramento, California
"A room without [cook]books is a body without a soul."
Cicero
Hervey
In article <bourgetE...@netcom.com>, bou...@netcom.com (Anne
Bourget) wrote:
> Spring for the K5 Professional (350 watts)if you can. I bought mine
> through Bridge in New York City for $295, which included shipping to
> California. Best price I could find. It will last a lifetime. Cooks
> Illustrated recently rated the stationary mixers and the KitchenAid K5SS
> was rated the best. Check out the article; it is more interesting that
> Consumer Reports'.
I've seen the bowl-lifting kind at Costco in Southern California for $250.
Shaun
Trey Jackson
> P.S. I'm still getting used to having a single paddle, and not two beaters.
> What do you do if you have two kids and only 1 beater to lick!?
That's easy, buy another KA!
;-)
TJ
ps. Happy Thanksgiving!
--
Trey Jackson
tr...@cs.bErkElEy.Edu
Bees need nectar from 100,000 flowers in order to make 2 pounds of honey.
Lorna Lenehan
In article <hervey-2711...@cnc132034.concentric.net> her...@cris.com (Hervey) writes:
Original poster here...
My hubby showed up after work on Friday with the 4.5qt Ultra, and I love it!
It also made my mind up pretty quickly when I saw the box in the living
room. What a sweetheart! Definately a keeper...
Anyway, to respond to various comments I have just read today (and excuse the
delay, the news server was throttling...), I am not into making bread (yet),
but have made bunches of cookies so far. Works great! I'm hoping to try pizza
dough later this aft, if I can take a break from work.
There's plenty of room to tilt the head up even when working under the
cupboards. Yes, I have the tilt model - I was worried I'd have fits (or
fights) with the bowl lifter style, actually. When I've used stand mixers
before, they were tilt-heads as well, so it's familiar territory. Guess I'll
wrap flexible freezer packs around the bowl if I need the bowl chilled.
A 'thank you' to all: I wouldn't have bought a KA were it not for the strong
recommendations of rfc'ers. They are expensive, and let's face it, you
can get a Sunbeam for half or even one third the price. But after reading
DejaNews, and the comments in rfc and rfe, plus the wonderful email I
received, there was no choice. A very sincere 'thank you', and you should all
get commissions from KA!
Lorna
Mary Ash
Trey Jackson wrote:
>
> > P.S. I'm still getting used to having a single paddle, and not two beaters.
> > What do you do if you have two kids and only 1 beater to lick!?
>
>
> ;-)
>
> TJ
>
> ps. Happy Thanksgiving!
>
> --
> Trey Jackson
> tr...@cs.bErkElEy.Edu
>
> Bees need nectar from 100,000 flowers in order to make 2 pounds of honey.
One kid gets the beater and the other the bowl. Switch off so each has a
chance. Problem solved.
Mary
Hervey
Those beaters are big. I'd say designate half for one kid and half for the
other. Save the bowl for yourself.
Shaun
Steve
Dan Masi <da...@warren.mentorg.com> wrote:
>> In <hervey-2211...@cnc132053.concentric.net>, her...@cris.com (Hervey) writes:
>> > So my question is, Which is better, stationary arm or tilting arm?
>> > I'm inclined toward the tilting arm. Seems easier to work with.
>The atationary-head models offer higher power, and are actually
>easier to work with than the tilting-head models in many respects.
>For one thing, if you're working on a counter that has cabinets
>above, the head may not tilt back all the way without hitting the
>cabinets. Really a pain. Also, the stationary-head models
>allow you to put a bowl of ice water (or hot water, as need be)
>underneath the working bowl. Nice when you're whipping a lot
>of cream or beating a lot of egg whites (chilling helps), or
>if you're making something like mashed potatoes and you want
>to help keep them hot.
>Unless you're really strapped, if you're gonna invest in a
>KitchenAid, go with the bigger 5-quart (i.e. stationary head)
>models.
>--
>Dan Masi
>Mentor Graphics Corp.
>dan_...@mentorg.com
I'm not quite sure we are answering your question, but I absolutely
agree that the the stationary head models, though more expensive, are
the way to go. The lack of an articulating joint assures a longer
life span than the tilting head variety. And at the price they
charge, you don't want to be buying one of these every couple of
years.
The only difficulty I have had with my stationary head machine was
with the adjustment of the clearance between the beater/ wisk and the
bowl. The beater and the whisk aren't the same size so changing the
clearance frequently was was a pain. I found that simply lifting the
bowl a bit once or twice during whisking takes care of the problem. I
love this machine and I'm sure it will last longer than I do.
Steve Hanagan
sh...@accessus.net
WL
On Thu, 21 Nov 1996 19:52:12 -500, lo...@odyssee.net (Lorna Lenehan)
wrote:
>I'm looking at getting a KitchenAid mixer (4.5qt) this weekend, and am
>wondering if there's any functional difference between the "classic" and the
>"ultra power" models.
>
>Both are widely available; there's about $50-$70 difference (since I found a
>Classic in clearance, make that $100 if there still are some left).
>
>I'm wondering if the extra watts KA talks about are really useful for the
>moderate use I will be making of this, or am I just paying extra bucks for the
>sexy two-tone stripe? I expect to be making cookies and such, but not much
>bread or pizza dough.
>
>Can someone help me out here? Really would appreciate some knowledgable or at
>least humorous input.. :-)
>
>Lorna
>lo...@odyssee.net
>
Well, I think you're paying extra bucks for the two-tone stripe. I
bought the 5qt. (next step upt) mixer in 1970 and have used it heavily
at home and in three different restaurants and it has always worked
beautifully-whether it was thin cake batter or pizza dough. And back
then there was no mention of watts-so I don't know if it is 300 or
350. The point is that if you're only going to making cookies and such
and not maxing out its capabilities-I don't see whether 250 for the
Classic or 300 for the Ultra Power makes any difference. I believe it
is largely a marketing tool. Notice how Eureka and Hoover are both
trying to impress us with larger numbers for their vacuum cleaners-one
uses amps and the other uses something called "cleaning efficiency"
(which always conveniently yields a bigger number).
The bottom line is that if it's a Kitchen Aid it's a great mixer. A
friend just bought a new Ultra (4.5) for $280 while the classic is
about $249. Good Luck.
WL
Linda Fortney
Where do you find a Kitchen Aid UP for $249?
Edwin Pawlowski
>
> >The atationary-head models offer higher power, and are actually
> >easier to work with than the tilting-head models in many respects.
>
> >Unless you're really strapped, if you're gonna invest in a
> >KitchenAid, go with the bigger 5-quart (i.e. stationary head)
> >models.
>
> >--
> >Dan Masi
>
> I'm not quite sure we are answering your question, but I absolutely
> agree that the the stationary head models, though more expensive, are
> the way to go. The lack of an articulating joint assures a longer
> life span than the tilting head variety. And at the price they
> charge, you don't want to be buying one of these every couple of
> years.
>
>
> Steve Hanagan
> sh...@accessus.net
>
A timely thread even though I just joined it. The old Oster Kitchen
Center is giving out and the replacement will be a Kitchen Aid.
OK, now we know what to buy, so tell us WHERE to buy. I remember a
question about this many months ago. There is a place in NY that sells
them cheaper than anyone. Since I did not need one, I did not pay much
attention to it. I think is a restaurant supply store or some such
business. Anyone know who it may be?
--
Ed
e...@snet.net
mcme...@concentric.net
lfor...@csc.umd.edu (Linda Fortney) wrote:
__Where do you find a Kitchen Aid UP for $249?
I bought one for my husband last weekend at Rich's in Greenville, South Carolina.
It was $219 on sale, with a 10% off coupon and an extra mixing bowl as a bonus gift.
I was so excited to find an Ultra Power for that price! I would have paid that for a
refurbished one!
BTW, that price was also good at Lazarus stores.
Beth
"Better not take a dog on the space shuttle, because if he sticks his
head out when you're coming home his face might burn up."
Jack Handey, Deep Thoughts
Hervey
In article <57pokv$j...@tracy.umd.edu>, lfor...@csc.umd.edu (Linda
Fortney) wrote:
> Where do you find a Kitchen Aid UP for $249?
If you live in Southern California, you might try Target or Linens 'n
Things. An even better deal is $249 for the KitchenAid heavy duty mixer at
Price Club/ Costco.
Shaun
Edwin Pawlowski
Linda Fortney <lfor...@csc.umd.edu> wrote in article
<57pokv$j...@tracy.umd.edu>...
> Where do you find a Kitchen Aid UP for $249?
>
I did some shopping today. The classic in WalMart is $177. At Lechmere on
sale it is $169.
The heavy duty in Lechemere and Service Merchandise is $249, the
Professional Series was $279. The Special Edition was $319. The SE has a
350 watt motor and a coupon that you send away for a second SS bowl
engraved with your name (or whatever). Not a bad deal considering that you
are getting a more powerful unit and the extra bowl for ab out the price of
just the bowl.
--
Ed
e...@snet.net
Nancy Dooley
On Wed, 27 Nov 1996 15:26:47 -500, lo...@odyssee.net (Lorna Lenehan)
wrote:
(re KA mixer)
>
>P.S. I'm still getting used to having a single paddle, and not two beaters.
>What do you do if you have two kids and only 1 beater to lick!?
One gets the spatula (rubber scraping tool) and the other the mixer
paddle - I make sure there's a more or less equal amount of batter on
the utensils. ;-)
N.
WL
>Well, I think you're paying extra bucks for the two-tone stripe. I
>bought the 5qt. (next step upt) mixer in 1970 and have used it heavily
>at home and in three different restaurants and it has always worked
>beautifully-whether it was thin cake batter or pizza dough. And back
>then there was no mention of watts-so I don't know if it is 300 or
>350. The point is that if you're only going to making cookies and such
>and not maxing out its capabilities-I don't see whether 250 for the
>Classic or 300 for the Ultra Power makes any difference. I believe it
>is largely a marketing tool. Notice how Eureka and Hoover are both
>trying to impress us with larger numbers for their vacuum cleaners-one
>uses amps and the other uses something called "cleaning efficiency"
>(which always conveniently yields a bigger number).
>
>The bottom line is that if it's a Kitchen Aid it's a great mixer. A
>friend just bought a new Ultra (4.5) for $280 while the classic is
>about $249. Good Luck.
>
>WL
>
Sorry folks-I goofed. The 4.5 qt. UP has been selling here in Chicago
on sale for $199 while the Classic went for $169. These are obviously
heavily discounted Christmas prices though-and were only for a week at
a time. But if you can swing it-go for the 5qt. It's a better
design-just like their (Hobart's) commercial line.
WL
Hervey
At Montgomery Ward, they are selling the Ultra for $199 and you get a free
pouring guard with purchase.
Andrew Lynch
Our local (Santa Clara, CA) Costco has the Heavy Duty (325 watts,
bowl moves instead of head, 5 qt) for 249.00. Macy's had the Ultra
(300 watts, head moves instead of bowl, 4.5 qt) for the same price.
If the HD had been $50 more expensive, I may have gone for the Ultra.
I think that the ~8% power increase is less important than the bowl
size and whether the head or bowl moves. I don't think I would be
happy with a 250 watt model, I tend to make some fairly heavy doughs.
-Drew
--
Andrew T. Lynch Synopsys Inc. (415)528-4960
Robert McDonald
Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
> OK, now we know what to buy, so tell us WHERE to buy. I remember a
> question about this many months ago. There is a place in NY that sells
> them cheaper than anyone. Since I did not need one, I did not pay much
> attention to it. I think is a restaurant supply store or some such
> business. Anyone know who it may be?
Bridge Kitchenware, E 52nd St. in Manhattan. Don't have the phone
number handy, sorry.
Bob
anon
> I'm trying to determine what the difference is between the K5SS and the
KSM5. I understand that they are both 325 watts and have 5 qt bowls.
Would the difference be the accessories?
I've been pricing them by phone today. Sam's Club has the K5SSWH for
$259 and Kitchen Collection has the KSM5 for $299 plus a coupon for 10%
off, so it's $270.
Anyone know why the products seem similar but the numbers are different?
Camille
symp...@enter.net
weiler
Well, I like my tilting head ! I purposely chose it because I felt I wanted/
needed the access that gives me ... and I got the impression from previous
posts that the stationery one would drive me crazy in this regard. Also, my
hands are pretty bad sometimes and I'm not sure I could handle the gadgets
on the it (I played with them in the stores).
I inquired of KitchenAid regarding the power because we knew we wanted to get
some of the attachments. I was assured that although there is a little
difference, it really is not significant. The woman I spoke with has a lower
powered one than mine and says her attachments work just fine.
-Kristina
Mark Patelunas
The Kitchenaide classic is only 250 watts the ultra power is 300 watts both
have flip heads and 4 1/2 qt. bowls. The proline is 325 watts 5 qt but the
head does not flip the bowl raises and lowers. Walmart has the classic for
$170 sears has the ultra power for $249 on sale $279 regular. Sam's has th
Proline for $259. If you plan on getting the grinder/food processor
atachment get the ultra power(grinder $40 at wallmart $100 through Penny's
catalog(comes with pasta maker, grinder , Food processor.)) If your just
going to mix batters and some breads get the classic. I had the proline
and I just purchased the ultra power and I like that much more. The flip
head is great for adding ingredients.