Bosch vs. Kitchenaide Which would you get?

[anomaly13]

So I want a stand mixer, mostly to make dough but for other things including some of the attachments. Considered a bread machine but overall would like only a few appliances (stand mixer with some attachments, vitamix/blendtec, my food processor, mandolin, that might be it). Trying to do some research on cost, attachments avaliable, warranty, longevity.

So what are the differences? Which do you have? Recommendations? What attachments do you love, which do you never use?

I am leaning toward the kitchenaide because I can get it at costco and return it whenever I want. It would probably get used 3-4 times a week around here.

[allnaturalmom]

What model Kitchenaid are you looking to get? Is it the 6-quart, bowl-lift, all metal gear model?

[Dandelionkid]

The bosch makes baking large quantities of REALLY good bread (and cinnamon buns etc) REALLY easy (b/c of three-arm kneading tool that fully develops gluten). It is ok at everything else but it takes more work to mix up small batches of cookies, cakes as you will need to scrape the sides often for these jobs. If you mainly want it for bread (I can make 5 loaves spur of the moment from start to finish in an hour) go with Bosch. If you want flexibility to make other baked goods REALLY well (and maybe less quantity/quality bread) go with pro kitchenaid. In a perfect world, I would have both

Edited: I never knew how to make cinnamon buns prior to bosch-they were always dry and hard.Now they are my specialty

[Dandelionkid]

oops

[anomaly13]

I am looking at this kitchenaid, in silver:

KitchenAid 5-quart
475-watt Stand Mixer
Designed for long life and quiet operation, the KitchenAid® stand mixer is the one mixer that generations have depended on for power, performance and durability. Built to handle large batches easily, this professional mixer features a rugged, all-metal construction, a powerful 475-watt motor, and KitchenAid's unique planetary mixing action that reaches every part of the bowl.

Gadget set (Included):
Digital timer
Set of 4 mini prep bowls with covers

Attachments (Included):
Burnished flat beater
Burnished professional dough hook
Professional wire whip

Features:
Color: Silver, Empire Red, White or Onyx Black
Durable, all-metal construction designed for long life and quiet operation
Powerful 475-watt motor mixes large batches easily
10-speeds
Electronic speed control
Unique KitchenAid 67 point planetary mixing action reaches every part of the bowl
Soft Start™ mixing eliminates "puff" of ingredients on start up
Five-quart polished stainless steel bowl with handle
Commercial style, bowl-lift design
Heavy-duty bowl lift lever
Ergonomically designed bowl lift handle for a comfortable no slip grip
Large capacity
Five rubber feet to protect countertops and help ensure mixer stability
Fan cooled motor
Commercial auto reset
Locked rotor protection
UL listed
Dimensions: 13.3" W x 17.3" D x 19.4" H
Weight: 25 lbs


http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...rodid=10043022

I guess since I won't be making more then 2 loaves of bread at any one time, and no more the 8, more like 6, in a month the kitchenaid makes most sense. Also plan on using it for all my baking like cookies, quick breads, brownies, cakes etc. As well as trying some other attachments not included in the intial package.

[mamadelbosque]

I faced this same decision a year ago and ended up with the pro 6 kitchenaid. I love it! I've been using it more and more over the past year - I use it to make meat balls, make pie crust, cookies, muffins, waffles, and occasionally bread (I made all our bread for a while last winter, but haven't for a while, just too busy with a toddler and new babe. I love it, and love it more and more as I realize 'hey I can make THAT in my ka and save LOTS of time!!'

ETA: oh and I don't have any attatchments for it yet, but think I'll ask for the ice cream maker for xmas

[BettinaAuSucre]

i have a kitchenaid as well. a 5 gt deal with attachments. its been indespensable for making baked goods!

especially whipping and mixing!

its expensive but i pawned it off as an investment for my "business" as a cupcake queen.

[bstandlee]

I think the kitchenaid model you're looking at has all metal gears. I had a 4.5 quart one that had plastic gears and I stripped the motor 2x! Both during Christmas baking, I was very peeved. Now I own a Viking. But, as long as the gears are all metal you should be fine.

[cristeen]

Personally, I love my Viking. After comparing the Viking and the KA, I decided the hype about the KA wasn't worth the hassle.

[34me]

I have had a KA for 18 years. I had my first one for 16 years and sadly lost it in a fire. I got my second 2 years ago. Love it. I have the shredder and the grinder attachments. I bake with it, made all my kiddos food, shred all my own cheese, If I can do it the "lazy" way, I do it!

[allnaturalmom]

I have the 5-quart professional bowl-lift model. White. I love the mixer itself, it's just the attachments that are a pitb.

They are made of burnished aluminum (the mixing paddle and dough hook, not the whip - that's stainless) and you have to be careful w/them because they discolor/oxidize easily. I have replaced them a few times. I do not put them in the dishwasher, yet they still have issues. They can discolor (and I've heard disflavor) certain batters/doughs, especially sour dough. They are cheap enough to replace, but I find that I have to do it directly through ka or another online store because all I can find locally are the coated ones. And don't get me started on those... lol!

I would probably avoid the headache and go w/the Viking. From what I understand their attachments are all stainless and dishwasher safe. If you get the King Arthur Flour catalog, they recommend the viking over the ka.

Anyway, you can gather a lot of info over at the kitchenaid forum. It's huge and there are a lot of knowledgeable people over there. I used to hang out over there when trying to make my decision as to which ka model to get and how to repair my mom's old ka mixer. It's pretty active so any questions you have would probably get answered pretty quickly.

gl
hth

Just wanted to add: If you get the ka and the burnished attachments make sure to wash/scour them well a few times before first use. Dry them well and check the towel because sometimes there will be tiny chars of aluminum that come off that may have been skipped during the burnishing process. Not always, just sometimes. That's been my experience anyway!

[anomaly13]

Wow just looked up the viking and it's pretty expensive. The thing about the ka is I'll be able to return it anytime no matter what.

[bugginsmom]

I have the KA professional with all metal gears and it is wonderful.

[Owen'nZoe]

I have the Bosch Compact Kitchen Machine, and I love it. When I bought it, my blender had just died, and I did not have a stand mixer or a food processor, so I liked the idea that one machine could be used for so many different things.

As a PP said, it does an excellent job for bread dough - really, it is amazing. It is also great for whipping cream and beating eggs, but only so-so for things like cakes and cookies. The lid takes a bit of getting used to - you can't scrape while the blender is going, and have to stop it each time you want to scrape the bowl. I do love, though, that there is no chance the kiddies will stick their hands in the mixer when they are helping me.

The blender attachment is terrific.

The chopper and slicer attachment is OK. I've never had a chopper/slicer before, so don't know how it compares. Honestly, I usually find it too much of a hassle to use this attachment, and have only used it a handful of times in the past 3 years.

I never got around to buying the food processor attachment, so can't comment there.

I've used my mom's and my sister's KA, and really like those, too. Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with either, but if you need a blender too, you might want to get the Bosch to save on space.

[velcromom]

I have the KA and like it, it is adequate for most basic things but I'd like to be able to do larger batches of bread than it can handle. I'd hold out for the Bosch for the versatility & longevity. My aunt has one that has been working hard for her for many many years & is still going strong.

[vintagetroll]

wish I could offer you a comparison but I decided on a pro 600 KA last year and love it. We do alot of bread and muffins in it, and it will be getting a real workout this xmas doing cookies. I have not had any problems with my attachements although if I could have choosen them in stainless I probably would have.

it was important to me that KA is still made in the USA. doesn't matter to everyone but it did to me.

We even had ours professionally pinstriped. but it helps to be in a Car Club and be owed a favor. Our friend joked that it was probably worth more than some of the "classic clunkers" he has striped over the years.

[Ellp]

How do you know if your KA has metal gears or not? Can you tell by just looking at it?

[Shantimama]

I have a KA and love it, too. One of these days I should get another mixing bowl for it because it seems like it is always in use!

[bstandlee]

Originally Posted by Ellp

How do you know if your KA has metal gears or not? Can you tell by just looking at it?

I think it says in the detailed description of the mixers. I'm pretty sure the higher end models do have the all metal gears.