Love my Kitchen Aid mixer. I have had zero problems. I would suggest getting one with a powerful motor.

Thanks hull-o and if yours is one of the early models when still manufatured by Hobart, they have the reputation of being virtually indestructible. However, I have heard the problem with recent models is not with the motor or the gears but the gear housing. From all of the reports here, the gear housing in recentyears is made of plastic, easily overheats and comes apart under very heavy use. I would not be a frequent user of a stand mixer (obviously since I have never had one yet) but do have a habit of putting appliances/tools/etc through the paces.

We've had a Bosch Universal mixer for a couple of years. It has character (i.e. it's eccentric) and is very powerful. The bowl is shaped like an oversized bundt pan, and the beaters hang from its central spindle, and spin around the pan. It has enormous power, and can drive its dough-hook through a dozen-cup batch of dough without protest or smoke. Wash-up of the odd-shaped bowl is somewhat finicky and takes a little longer than I expected, but at least the tough plastic is almost non-stick. This machine works best with large batches - whipping the white of a just a single egg would cause some of the egg to be missed. But upon reflection, I'm still very pleased with it.

peter, thanks. This is the unit that incorporates a blender attachment, processor attachment etc is it not? How well do these work?

Hammacher Schlemmer rated the Cuisinart the best, and noted that it had metal gears.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hammacher Schlemmer review

This Bosch heavy duty mixer was apparently introduced in Europe almost a year ago but not seen over here so far.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bosch mum86 Dream Machine

As I understand it, all the current KA Pro 600 series have the metal gear box. It was a manufacturing change at the beginning of last year. For what it's worth, most of the problems with the plastic gear box shattering had to do with some models not having a retaining clip installed in the gear box. Ours has the plastic gear box and clip. No problems with regular use of batters, whipping, bread making, cookie batters and pizza dough.

Also the older gear housing is/was a high strength plastic, not a cheap plastic. I did order the metal housing to retro-fit sometime down the line.

I have had the 5 qt. Cuisinart mixer for a year and a half. No problems whatsoever with it. I have used it for cookies, cakes, quick breads and yeast bread. I absolutely love it and highly recommend it!

I have both a 6 qt KA Pro and the Electrolux DX. The Electrolux can whip one egg white or knead 20 cups of dough BUT there is quite a learning curve. I use it to make bread all the time and also for very dense cookie doughs.

But to whip up eggs or cream, make muffins, mash potatoes and most of the general baking I do, I still use the KA Pro. Mine is about 6 yrs old now so I probably have the plastic problematic gear box but so far it's only overheated once making a heavy bread dough. It worked fine after it had cooled down and I now use the Electolux for those jobs.

You can find the KA Pro at great prices (20% off at BBB - sometimes even better at Amazon if you don't care about the color).

Another thing to consider would be the tilt head. The Cuisinart and that great looking Bosch have tilt heads as do the 5 qt KA models. It makes it SOOOOOO much easier to add ingredients, scrape down the bowl and even just get the beaters into the bowl. That is one feature I miss on the 6 qt KA Pro - just thought I'd put it out there.

BTW, when I was looking and before buying the Electrolux, I did look at The Bosch Universal and it was my second choice - can't go wrong with that one either (www.pleasanthillgrain.com)

Finally the Cuisinart 5.5 qt earned top rating when Cooks Illustrated tested these in March 2008, the KA Pro 6 qt came in second. The Viking models and the Bosch Universal were recommended with reservations as were the KA 5 qt models and the Elecrolux - well that one was "Not Recommended".

Hello Breezy 2:
My unit has the drive outlet for the food processor, blender etc, but I did not buy these accessories because I have a 20-year old Braun food processor that still works like a charm.
best regards, Peter

Thanks to all! I do like the looks and info on the Bosch unit. I have their dishwasher and, although a completely different animal indeed, it is very impressive. I love the fact that it has that red light that shines on the floor so you know its running (I really did have to learn to look for that light before opening it). I have yet to find a price on the Bosch though.

Its also nice to know that KA went back to the all metal gear housing. I had always thought I really wanted the KA. Finally, good reviews and advice on the Cuisinart. I guess I wlll compare those 3 closely and make a decision.

ihad the same kitchen aid mixer for about 30 years still runs great.I like it so much I bought both daughternlaws one and my daughter.

Hi breezy.

Just in case here is one more option. A De Longhi mixer. I purchased mine when it was still named Kenwood. :) Much more powerful than any KA or Cuisinart.
If you put your equipment through its paces you will want units that are very powerful.
Also before taking the review of Cooks Illustrated seriously I recommend that you first check what they used as criteria to determine what finishes first and what finishes last. :) ;)
In the real world the most recommended home mixer by far is the Electrolux DLX. KA is always, and I mean, always last to be recommended. The biggest reason to buy the KA is because it has the most attachments available for it, among the mixers. Something that may be important to you.

Good Luck.
Rudy

P.S. A 30 year old KA is not the same as a 3 year old KA. :)

Thanks again. I am aware that the old KA when still an operating division of Hobart were a very different animal. By comparison, Hobart's current entry level stand mixer is about $2,400 I think. I have seen and heard some about the De Longhi. Also, the Bosch I was referring to is the MUM 85 which I gather now is not yet available in the US. Anyone know of a dealer selling this unit in the US. I will look at the De Longhi in more detail. I prefer to buy more HP than I need but within reason. I am not going to spend $2,400 but don't mind the thought of $600-800 for a good unit.

i've had my kitchenaid mixer since 1990. it is not manufactured by hobart. i have blown through quite a few cuisinart food processor motors since then however. of course a food processor is not a mixer, but i don't associate quality with the cusinart name.