Barbarajo's Full Review: KitchenAid K45SS Classic 250 Watts Stand Mixer
DISCLAIMER
This is the closest model that I could find on the database. Epinions lists the K45SS series for KitchenAid's Stand Mixer. I happen to own a 5 quart K5SS, which has a larger quart capacity and several different features such as a Bowl Lift Handle as opposed to a movable Motor Head.
It took me several years to purchase my KitchenAid Stand Mixer. The reason is twofold. First, they are expensive. Second, there are so many models that choosing became confusing. Every time that I went to a Department Store to buy one, I could never get a clear answer regarding the differences in each model. So making a choice was difficult to say the least.
I recently gave up a very successful career as a Project Manager to start a catering business. You can therefore imagine why the purchase of a KitchenAid Stand Mixer became crucial. My darling purchased one for me as a Christmas gift. Our “choice" issue became mute in that we made our purchase at BJ’s Warehouse and only one model was available. Thankfully, our model came with a Food Grinder / Pasta Maker, so we felt that we were getting a bargain despite the $300.00 price tag. At the time, the smaller models were on sale for $149.00 in many of our local Department Stores. In my opinion and for my usage, they do not compare to the larger, heavy-duty models. The extra cost was worth it for me.
I’ve put off writing this review because frankly, I am still not entirely satisfied with it but in all fairness, I am a novice user and I am still learning just how to use it. I read here on Epinions that 99% of the written reviews highly recommend this product and those that I have read have nothing bad to say. In fact, most reviews report, “None” under Cons. Yet when I speak to people who have them, they too voice the same complaints that I find. To boot, I hear many say that these complaints are known facts.
Although I do highly recommend this product, I will be pointing out the negatives and potential pit falls that I have found. My intention is to provide more comprehensive insight than I have found while reading those other reviews. In all fairness to those writers however, most are long-term users and probably forget the pit falls they encountered as novices. By the way, I just got ahead of myself by pointing out a very HUGE PRO; that being the longevity of this well made machine. Several claim a 20 – 30 year ownership of the same machine.
I have concluded that the differences between the models are the quart size and the motor. For most home uses, the standard 4½ quart, 250 Watt Motor is sufficient. Because of the catering that I do, I went for the 5 quart, 325 Watt Motor. My machine is also categorized as a Heavy Duty model. Larger motors are also available. Remember, the heavier the duty, the more expensive.
For the novice user, I highly recommend reading and re-reading the instruction manual. As they point out, this machine will mix faster than most other electric mixers and mixing time for most recipes will therefore need to be adjusted. All bakers, whether professional or not know that overbeating or overkneading are both no-no’s!
Speaking of overkneeding, here is a BIG negative that I find. I’ve been making pizza dough for many of my almost 49 years. Having had the luxury of an Italian Grandmother straight from Naples had many advantages, one being an outrageous pizza dough recipe. We always did it by hand. Yes. It is tiring but a worthwhile effort. I couldn't wait to make pizza dough in my KitchenAid Stand Mixer. To date, I have tried it 5 times. Each time has produced disastrous results. At first I blamed the flour, so I tried using freshly purchased, high quality flour. I have tried recipes straight out of the booklet that provides precise instructions including the speed, proper attachment and times.
Here is an excerpt:
“Continue on Speed 2, add remaining flour, ½ cup at a time, and mix about 2 minutes, or until dough clings to hook and cleans sides of bowl. Knead on Speed 2 about 2 minutes longer”…...
My dough never clings to the hook or cleans the side of the bowl. In fact, my problem is that the dough never forms. It clumps into tiny balls that refuse to merge! I never experience this problem when making my dough by hand.
I have even watched several chefs on the Food Network prepare dough using a KitchenAid Stand Mixer.Alton Brown offered a foolproof perfect recipe. So did Wolfgang Puck and Mario Batali. In fact even Ming Tsai and Emiril offered their versions. Though you never do quite see them perform the entire process (sous-chefs behind the scenes do all the perfect work).
Although I have failed so many times, I will master this task. I must! I simply must! I just booked several parties for which I have to make homemade pizza. If anyone reading this review can help out, please feel free to E-Mail me at Msxbja1@aol.com. Thanks! : - )
Gale Gand of Sweet Dreams fame is the only Food Network star who points out that it is necessary to turn your machine off occasionally while mixing to scrape down the sides of the bowl. This is an absolute must when making cookies and cakes. In fact, she also points out that for some recipes, it is necessary to finish mixing or kneading by hand because the machine just does not cut the cake. Ahem! Sorry, couldn't help myself.
I recently used my mixer to make the batter for Manicotti shells and noted that I could not get all of the lumps out. I also noted that the “Beater to Bowl Clearance” might be the problem. All models are adjustable so if you run into any of the aforementioned problems, it may be worth trying to adjust.
Before I move on to the features of the KitchenAid Stand Mixer, I would like to state that all of my cookie dough recipes have come out great. Toffee Cookie Batter is outrageous but I do mix it by hand afterward. I even made Stroffole (sp?) (Honey Balls) dough at Christmas time. It was excellent. I have not had much success with my cake batters. In fact, I followed a recipe for a Blue Ribbon Winner Red Velvet Cake. I did it in a heart shape and made a walnut, cream cheese icing. It looked fabulous. It came out so dense that it was extremely difficult to cut! You may want to experiment before embarrassing yourself in front of friends and family. That happened to have been my Dad’s Birthday cake that was presented to him at a Comedy Show in front of over 100 people. Yup! I offered everyone cake. They were all kind and spared me. Thank God it was after the show!
All models come with a Stainless Wire Whip. This attachment is for mixtures that need air incorporated such as eggs,egg whites(it makes great meringue),heavy cream, boiled frostings, sponge cakes, angel food cakes, mayonnaise and some candies.
The Flat Beater is for normal heavy mixtures such as cakes, creamed frostings, candies, pie pastry, biscuits, quick breads, meat loaf and mashed potatoes.
The Dough Hook is for mixing and kneading yeast dough’s such as bread, rolls, coffee cakes, buns and pizza.
KitchenAid offers a one year warranty and will pay for repairs to correct defects. They provide an 800 number to obtain authorized service centers. Now that I am writing this review, I think that I will call myself. Perhaps my machine is defective. Either that or I should not have quit my day job!
The more expensive models come with the Bowl Lift Handle in lieu of the Motor Head lifting back. I think that I would prefer the lift back feature. It seems easier to add ingredients. Several of the TV Chefs have mentioned this as well.
Most machines have 10 speeds, a Beater Height Adjustment Screw. (I think I have to play with this screw.) and an Attachment Hub. More later on this important feature.
The instruction / recipe manual also provides several trouble shooting tips, assembly instructions, many warnings, care and cleaning, uses, speed control guide, mixing tips, explicit egg white and whipped cream techniques, and my favorite, the Attachments and Accessories section. The next to last section contains a comprehensive, interesting recipe selection.
Perhaps the most impressive feature that adds ultimate versatility is the attachments that are available. They include:
A Multi-Function Attachment Pack. This contains the three most popular attachments in one carton. The Rotor Slicer / Shredder, Food Grinder and Fruit / Vegetable Strainer.
Each of the above noted can be purchased separately as well.
A Food Tray helps hold large quantities of food for quicker and easier juicing, pureeing and grinding.
A Sausage Stuffer. Can’t wait to get this. Mario and Emiril make it look easy.
A Grain Mill. Great for grinding grains from extra fine to extra coarse textures.
A Can Opener is even available!
A Citrus Juicer and Pasta Maker are also offered.
Accessories include a Water Jacket to keep items hot or cold, Pouring Shields to minimize splash-out, Bowl Covers, Mix Covers and Extra Bowls.
In conclusion, I believe that this is a worthwhile investment but strongly suggest that:
~ Novices proceed with caution by
~ Reading the entire manual before using and
~ Don’t expect perfect results on everything right away.
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