KitchenAid Mixer – Three Ups and Downs

A User Review of the KitchenAid Pro Mixer for Bread Bakers

ARE YOU IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW MIXER? Looking for a gift for the baker in your life? Today, I will be providing you with an independent review (KitchenAid did not pay me for this review) of the KitchenAid Mixer Pro as a tool for making bread. This review specifically covers the professional heavy duty bowl lift models. Keep reading Bread Bakers (or those looking for a gift for your Bread Baker) and learn all about it!

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KitchenAid Pro Models

I personally have the 5.5 Qt. Professional Bowl Lift model. At culinary school, I used the 7 Qt Professional Bowl Lift model. I have used my personal KitchenAid Mixer several times a week for seven years. I use it for both making bread dough and other baking tasks. My 5.5 Qt is out of production but is comparable to the 6 Qt model that replaced it.

Three Reasons to Buy a KitchenAid Mixer – Pro

Reason # 1: Capacity. My 5.5 qt, the 6 qt Pro, 7 qt Pro, and the most expensive, 8 qt Commercial have fantastic capacity for a serious home baker. They could serve a semi professional operation in your home as well (I have a local cottage industry bakery where I bake out of my home). All these are counter top models. I can easily whip up a double recipe of bread dough (2-4 loaves depending on yield) in my mixer.

Reason # 2: Power. The professional KitchenAid mixer is outfitted with a strong engine that easily whips up egg whites or whipping cream in seconds. It makes simple work out of kneading bread dough. No need to spend hours a week over your work surface building arm muscles. Let the KitchenAid mixer do the work for you. The KitchenAid Mixer Pro 6 Qt Pro has a 575 Watt motor, the 7 qt Pro a 1 HP motor, and 8 Qt Commercial has a 1.3 HP motor. I find that with my 575 HP KitchenAid mixer most of my homemade bread doughs are done (window pane test) after 2 minutes on low + 5-6 minutes on high.

Reason # 3: Quality. KitchenAid mixers are made of quality, durable materials that last. I use my mixer 3 – 5 times a week for various baking tasks and have done so for the last 7 years. The quality of the machines leads to good value for money spent. I paid about $350 for my machine on closeout. In seven years time, based conservatively on 4 uses a week x 48 weeks a year/$350 = .26 cents per use. Not bad value.

Looking for other Gift Ideas for the baker? Check out my Recommended Products page.

Three Things to Know Before You Buy

Number 1: Weight. These KitchenAid Pro Mixers are not only heavy duty but they are just plain heavy. They weigh in between 25 – 31 pounds. The lightest of the bunch (but the most expensive) is the 8 Qt Commercial version.

Number 2: Height. At 16.5″ – 17″ high these are tall machines. Measure the location you plan to store your chosen machine BEFORE you buy.

Number 3: Motors. Do not abuse this machine. I only tell you this as a caution having heard from my culinary instructors that the motors can burn out. On the other hand, I have been using my machine for 7 years without a problem. However, I am cautious to not over use the machine by mixing too heavy of a bread dough. I am also mindful of how long I mix for, feeling the top of the machine to see if it is overheating. If it seems hot, it’s best to turn the machine off and let it cool before continuing. The overheated motor has only happened once or twice with the heaviest bread doughs. It quickly resolved when I turned the machine off to cool.

FAQ’s About the KitchenAid Mixer

What Colors are Available? If color is a factor consider going with the 6 Qt Pro, with over 10 options, it has the best color choices available.

Is Any Machine NSF rated? The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Rating is required for any equipment that is being used in a commercial kitchen. NSF rating means the equipment has met sanitation and food safety standards. Health departments will check for NSF equipment during inspections. If you are purchasing your mixer for a commercial bakery, you will want to buy the 8 Qt Commercial, the only countertop model discussed here with the NSF rating.

Will the KitchenAid Artisan mixer make bread dough? If making bread dough, I highly recommend one of the options I have discussed. Do not make the mistake of purchasing the cheaper and less powerful Artisan KitchenAid models. They will not get the job done and the bread baker will be unhappy. 😉 If you are only making small yield cakes, cookies, whipping cream, etc., then yes, consider the Artisan models.

THANK YOU!

Thank you for reading my review of the KitchenAid mixers. Have more questions – put them in comments below and I will be happy to answer them.

You can also tag me in social media @christinasbreadbakes on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. I will be happy to answer your questions on the KA or any other kitchen tools for the Bread Baker!