Solid state Kitchenaid mixers were introduced in 1978 (the K45SS and the K5SS). In 1986 the line was sold to Whirlpool and all the Artisan, Classic etc. mixers sold today are basically the same models as made in 1986 (some improvements and efficiencies in the machining but anyone who has an old "original" K45SS or K5SS can repair it using today's parts). The Pro line was developed as something entirely new so it doesn't have the same history, but the company has worked very hard to upgrade and improve the model since its inception. There was a period of time when people were having a lot of trouble with their Kitchenaid mixers and the company had to work very hard to restore the reputation of the product. That's when they instituted the one-year no-questions-asked full replacement policy. It's still the best guarantee in the business (my opinion). I'm not convinced the old Hobart mixers are inherently superior to the Kitchenaids made today. I think there's a lot of mythology attached to the brand, but my take on it is people have trouble with the newer mixers because they ask them to do more than they were designed for, especially kneading bread. 50 or 60 years ago women (and it was women in the home kitchen) fortunate enough to have mixers used them for cakes, cookies, meringues, whipped cream, etc. They didn't use them for bread dough, which was generally kneaded by hand. My MIL baked 4 loaves every other day and her old Dormeyer never saw the dough. There's a lot of discussion on The Fresh Loaf about people who burn out their mixers with stiff doughs mixed at speeds higher than the recommended "2" setting. Bread is not the KitchenAid's strong point, though you can mix a perfectly fine one or two-loaf batch or autolyse a portion of a bigger recipe and finish by hand. For bread the Bosch (stiff doughs) or the Ankarsrum/Electrolux Assistant/Magic Mill, etc. (wet doughs) are more suitable. Getting back to the original discussion, the two attachments I use most often on the KA are the grinder and the colander/sieve. The colander/sieve is wonderful, but you have to purchase a vintage one and the K5 is the biggest mixer one will fit. Why the company doesn't offer a new colander/sieve for the 6 quart I do not know. The Viking/Cuisinart/De Longhi (all the same machine) did have a colander/sieve attachment available. I use the shredder attachment less frequently, but I do use it, and even though I have a 14-cup Cuisinart, I prefer the shredder attachment because I find since the mixer is already on the counter, it's less fuss for me to use. Just one of those individual quirks we all have. Carol

I Was aware that kitchen aide was now made by whirlpool, and that my old kitchenaide food processer was actually made by kitchenaide. Someone ask the question WHY I did not go with kitchenaide in the first place since I was familiar with the kitchenaide and that was one of the reasons why...also like I said before, I was looking at a cooking show on t.v. and they were using cruisinart. That is why I thought I would like a cruisinart instead of a kitchenaide. Then I had second thoughts, as I had told my SIL that I had bought a cruisinart, and she told me she had, had more problems with her cruisinart. I started questioning my choice, so I Thought I could come on here to get a vast number of opinions. I am going to keep my cruisinart...actually used it today, and really like it. Either my K.A. was wearing out for awhile or this is just a tougher machine. Also nice and quiet. Looking through your responses, I found more people satisfied with the Cruisinart than the kitchen aide. So thanks for your help. Much appreciated!! Your opinion of appliances counts with me! That is the #l thing I like about the K.T. and would read alot of your suggestions and opinions before I EVER started posting. Again thank you.

I have an old VitaMix w/ reversible motor. I use the reverse function when I grind egg shells into powder. DSII bought a Ninja that he uses for making smoothies. I've only used it a couple of times. It's a Rube Goldberg contraption and is somewhat confusing to assemble the different blades, bowls/ containers. I default to using my old Cuisinart food processor, the Vita Mix or a stick blender. Also have a regular Oster blender--seldom used. Mostly, I use a stick blender or the food processor. I use the bread maker to make yeast & pasta dough. (Super easy clean--just let the leftover dough bits dry & they flake off.) Kitchen Aid mixer is used for making cookies & cakes that need long mix times for creaming butter & sugar. Use a hand mixer for making mashed potatoes.

I cook a pound of dried chickpeas for hummus, divide the cooked peas three ways, make hummus with one portion and freeze the other two for later batches. The frozen peas are indistinguishable from freshly cooked when made into hummus. I have a really ancient (stainless steel four-sided container w/ a spigot) VitaMix that I found at an estate sale. (I got a plug from VM for the spigot hole because food got into the spigot, was wasted and the spigot was a pain to clean out.) Has reverse which I use when grinding eggshells--Need to do this outdoors. I have used the VM to make cornmeal out of popcorn when I had run out of cornmeal. It did an OK job. Used it to make lo-carb ice cream--cream, sweetener, ice cubes, vanilla--did a good job with that. Used it a couple of times to puree soup. Abandoned that because it's messy and I don't like dirtying up extra containers & transferring hot soup. The stick blender works just fine for that task. I tried smoothies but my stomach does not like all the air that gets incorporated into them. Gives me terrible pains. And I like my margaritas on the rocks. Actually, we like the already mixed Chi-chi's margaritas, diluted with a little water because they're too strong/ too sweet w/o dilution & served on the rocks. Chi-chi's might be just about right undiluted if you're blending w/ ice for a frozen drink. Bottom line is that I could easily live without the very loud beast. I'm just glad that I paid only $20 for the it. Satisfied my curiosity about them. IMO, VM, Blendtech, etc. are over-hyped & overly expensive. To be fair, I very seldom used my old Oster blender before I got the VM so didn't really have much use for a super-duper blender in the first place.