We did it, we finally bought a Kitchenaid Stand Mixer. Target’s sale paper had the “Classic” advertised in white on sale, and even though we’d prefer the “Artisan” in a different color we figured we’d never be able to afford it. Target’s was out, the surly salesperson informed us, so off to Meijer we went. Only to find their “Classic” sale started tomorrow, but lo and behold, they had an onyx black “Artisan” clearanced for a great price. Yay!
The attachments issue is puzzling me, though. An ice cream maker attachment for $80? I could buy an ice cream maker for far less! The slicer/shredder attachment looks interesting, but we’re looking for a food processer next so I’m wondering if it’s worth it. Anyone ever use the meat grinder? Pasta maker?
Part of the wonder of Kitchenaid is the ability to use all the cool extras, but now that I’m actually looking at them, I’m not sure we’ll ever use them enough to justify the cost.
We’ve got the slicer/shredder and meat grinder. The slicer/shredder is largely for cheese, but I’ve also shredded cabbage in it and other veggies (I prefer not to do these in a food processor). The meat grinder has been used for meatloaf, cranberry relish, and riced potatoes.
These uses are enough for us when we factor in the gazillion-year life expectancy of a KitchenAid. We were, however, foolish enough to buy the grain mill, and have only used it once.
Well, we have the Artisan one and the ice cream maker attachment. I really don’t think you can get a decent, stand alone ice cream maker for all that much less than that price, unless you get the old-style hand crank and salt block variety. (Plus, you can do what I did and buy it for around $60 at Bed, Bath, and Beyond using their ubiquitous 20% off coupons.) It works great, and it means one less electrical appliance around the house.
BTW - you made a good choice with the Artisan rather than the Classic. It has a significantly stronger motor and holds up better, from what I’ve heard.
I have made cookies, and damn was it easy. That puppy swallowed all the nuts and flour and never even complained, it was a thing of beauty. It’s just so shiny and new I keep staring at it on the kitchen counter.
I never thought of the meat grinder as a ricer or relish maker, how interesting. I can see some possibilities there.
I have a kitchenaid, and have long wanted the pasta maker attachment, but as my mother pointed out when she didn’t buy it for me, but bought me a standalone hand crank one instead, I won’t use it enough to justify the fact that it costs like 10 times as much as a hand crank one (why? I have no idea, when you consider that the the attachment is not significantly more complicated in that it runs off the motor on the base machine).
So, that’s certainly a factor – the attachments are expensive, and if you won’t use them often, there may well be cheaper alternatives.
Yes, there’s a crazy variety of attachments for KA mixers.
Some, like the meat grinder, are worth having if you’re into saving money by buying cheap hunks of beef and grinding them for less than you’d pay for hamburger. After you cube a cheap roast to fit the grinder’s feed tube, run it through two times on the coarse disk.
If you don’t have a food processor, the slicers can be handy.
Things like the can opener, ice cream maker or pasta maker? Eh…countertop porn.
The second bowl was definitely handy. It’s great for those times I’m making a cake and icing in the same day. I haven’t ventured into buying other attachments yet either because of cost vs. use as well!
I have a second small (3 qt?) bowl for mine.
In addition we have the meat grinder, juicer, and bowl shield (came with the unit)
We don’t use the meat grinder much, but we do use the juicer a far amount.
I like the meat grinder attachment, mostly because I’ve lived in a lot of places where I couldn’t get ground chicken. I do want another bowl, but haven’t gotten one yet. I don’t have anything else, and probably won’t get anything else for a very long time.
Ivylad has the shredder (he uses it for shredding cheeses for toppings) as well as the meat grinder. He buys the higher quality cuts of steak and grinds them into hamburger.
I would say, if you find that you would get a good use out of it, get the attachment. But don’t just buy the attachment to buy it.
My KitchenAid came with the shredder/slicer, and I use it for a number of things. But many of the KitchenAid accessories are little more than countertop porn. (Great phrase, gotpasswords!)
The boyfriend is looking longingly at the pasta maker, and he does make a ton of pasta dishes so that might be happening. I’m a heretic that can’t really tell the difference in fresh or dried pasta, but it’ll make him happy.
That sideswipe blade looks awesome! I’m in Detroit, I could just as easily buy two and ship you one if you like. One of the reasons I was jonesing for this mixer to begin with was a cream cheese cookie recipe I love making, great tasting cookies but I’ve killed more than one unworthy mixer getting the batter incorporated. The sideswiper would be absolutely perfect for that.
I have the meat grinder and the pasta attachments. As mentioned, the price may not make them worthwhile, but they sure do work well. I’ve made linguini with the pasta maker on several occasions and I used to make my own sausage.