[drriley]

Well .. my birthday is coming up in a few days, and I debating what I might like from my family as a gift. I know that a food processor can do a fair bit of what a stand mixer can do, but not necessarily vice versa. I'm debating what I might like better. I'm thinking that I might get more use out of the stand mixer, and get into more baking, as I already have a blender that can do most of what I would probably use a f.p. for. AND, I'm thinking that I should probably go with higher quality (e.g., Kitchen Aid). Then again, maybe there are very good quality comparable machines that are less expensive than the $250 - $300+ for Kitchen Aid.

Decisions, decisions. If I do decide on a K.A. stand mixer, then I would split the cost with family, as I don't expect them to pay that much for a b-day gift.

I'm interested in your comments/suggestions/opinions regarding food processor vs. stand mixer, and models of each.

[phatch]

I use my food processor much more than my stand mixer. But I don't have a blender.

Phil

[Andy M.]

First of all, you have to consider what type of cooking you will be doing and which of the two tools would be more useful.

Also, a hand mixer, which is a lot less expensive than a stand mixer, will handle most of your mixing chores outside of kneading bread dough.

If you pass on the FP, this is an opportunity to hone your knife skills. A good chef's knife will allow you to do much of what a FP would do.

Hmmmm. what to do, what to do.

[pgram]

I've got to say, I LOVE my Kitchen Aide. AND to me, if you buy the extra attachments, you've got a mulit-purpose machine that will save you $$ in the long run. I always seem to pull out my blender for pureeing or grinding before I do the food processor. But my blender (Cuisinart) also has a small food processing attachment, which I vary rarely use. If I'm doing a big batch of something, then I'll reach for a 20 year old processor my mom was going to throw out.

I primarily use my Kitchen Aide for doughs and mixing desserts. (The dessert thing is a biggy as I have recently gotten into catering and a hand mixer can't cut it.)

I have the meat attachment which I use for making sausages (for BBQ competitions). I also have the pasta extruder. You can also buy attachments for slicing and grating. You need to decide what your needs are. But here's a tip: When watching shows on the Food Network, I see more chef's using a Kitchen Aide than a food processor.

[Jock]

You hinted at doing more baking than cooking. If that is the case the KA mixer is the way to go. When you are spending a lot of $$$ on something, my philosophy is spend a little more and do it right. It is a lot of money but it will last for many years and as someone said, buying attachments as you go will only add to its functionality and let you enjoy it more.

Jock

[FoodieNews]

Originally Posted by Jock

You hinted at doing more baking than cooking. If that is the case the KA mixer is the way to go. When you are spending a lot of $$$ on something, my philosophy is spend a little more and do it right. It is a lot of money but it will last for many years and as someone said, buying attachments as you go will only add to its functionality and let you enjoy it more.

Jock

How durable are these? Reason asking is a friend of mine had a middle of the road mixer, not sure on brand and it didn't last more than a year after a lot of use.

[beefcheeks]

Can't go wrong with a KitchenAid. I still have my Heavy Duty I bought back in '96. No problems whatsoever. Still runs like a champ. The accessory I've found most helpful, is a second bowl. Especially when I'm doing souffle for 20.

[scott123]

If you make a lot of:

Bread
Cakes
Whipped cream
Icing
Cookies

Get a KA

On the other hand, if you make:

Pesto
Salsa
Pie Dough
Biscuits
Gazpacho
Hummous
Large quantities of sauted onions

Get a food processor.


Personally, I find that other than making the best pie dough on the planet, food processors aren't the perfect tool for much. They'll grind meat, but not that well (it's easy to overgrind it and you have to cut the meat carefully before you begin). They'll knead dough, but again, no where near as well as a mixer. They'll make mashed potatoes, but not as well as a ricer or a potato masher. They'll slice veggies, but in order to make the cleanup worthwhile, you have to slice a LOT of veggies. They're great for pureeing soups, but a hand blender does the job just as well, at a much cheaper price. For grinding things such as red curry paste, a blender is far superior. Pie crust, that's the only application I can think of where a processor is the clear cut best choice as the blades not only cut the fat into the flour, but they cut the ice water in as well, resulting in minimal gluten formation.

I've been meaning for some time to pick up a thicker slicing blade. Maybe if I had that I'd do more veggie slicing.

[Gravyboat]

Food processors excel in slicing and cutting jobs and although they claim to do everything in fact it is by large a compromise, apart from slicing they do not do do other jobs well. Meat mince is awful! A specialised mixer will mix better. And a specialised juicer extract more juice etc. With a food processor you get a machine that somwehow can manage next to any job, and leaves you with only one bowl to wash up , but do not expect fantastic results.

IMO from what you said the KA mixer is a better choice for you. And it has gears which give it much more torque. They are very reliable too.

There is a version of KA which is not covered by commercial warranty and I think it costs under $200. It is very similar to the commercial machine but I do not know much about them as we only sell commercial ones.

[MikeLM]

Bought our 300-watt (home use) KitchenAid mixer in 1972. It cost $112. Still going strong.

Took it in to a service station last fall for a cleanup and oil change. Expect to use it for the rest of my life.

Mike

[FLcookie]

Why not get the KA mixer and buy yourself an inexpensive FP. I have a Hamilton Beach FP that I bought from Walmart for $29.86 back in 1995 and it is still running great and does all that I need. I mainly use it for crushing canned tomatoes, pie crusts, chopping pecans, etc. Two years ago this coming Sept., my husband bought me a KA for my birthday. I love it!!!!!!!!!!

Hope this helps!

"FLcookie"

[jte1130]

My wife bought me a KitchenAid stand mixer about a year ago. I've used it a few times and think its great. I actually wish I could use it more. Where can I find some good "novice" recipes for my stand mixer?

[mudbug]

jte1130,
Call KitchenAid's 1-800 support number and tell them you lost your manual which included recipes. They'll send one to you.

Also look here:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...=Google+Search

drriley,
As Jock noticed you mentioned that if you had a KitchenAid Mixer you'd probably get more into baking, etc. Go for it. Anyone seriously considering it in the first place who gets one usually is grateful they did. It's a staple in the kitchen and you'll wonder how you ever got along without it. As pgram said, I too love my KitchenAid.

My only concern is that it was bought out by a different parent company a few years ago and the quality seems to have diminished. As a result I'd actually seriously consider a used KA if I were to get one for myself now because they don't make them like they used to. But even the new ones are still better than all the rest of the brands out there.

[Dagger]

one thing you can do is buy the stand mixer and an stick bleander with attachments. KA has one for $25 or go to HSN and look at wolfgaug Puck line of stuff, cost less and offers more.

[PJmomrunner]

Whirlpool Corp. acquired KitchenAid in 1985.