When I purchased my Bosch it was from a woman at her home after an all day demonstration. She was an authorized home distributor. That's been a very long time ago though but I still think they only sell through a very few places.

/tricia

I have had my Bosch for 21 years and it doesn't miss a "whip". I love it. I, like tricia, purchased mine from a home distributer. I have a catalog with Bosch products in it. There's a couple of things I don't like about the Bosch. 1. If you don't put the splash lid on-the batter flies everywhere. 2. It only comes with a plastic bowl. If you want to whip egg whites, it's really difficult to get all the grease out of the bowl. They do offer a stainless steel bowl at an additional price. That's about it. It makes marvelous yeast breads and I can make huge batches of baked items.
Have you checked out the Kitchenaid vs. the Bosch? They look really nice as well, but I haven't compared as I am happy with my Bosch.
Here's the catalog: The Urban Homemaker PO Box 72 Paonia, Co 81428 www.urbanhomemaker.com 1-800-55-bread
This catalog has a lot of unique baking a cooking items along with some recipes and a book list.
Happy Baking Beth

I bought mine through Pleasant Hill Grain (excellent company online) but I have checked and I know there is a Bosch store south of my town. So there are physical stores out there but you'd have to check how close to your location.

I have the stainless bowl but 99% of the time I stick with the plastic one. For egg whites I just wash with a vinegar-water solution. Works fine.

I haven't had any trouble with things flying out of the bowl when I don't use the shield, but maybe that's a difference in models.

Carol

Thank you everyone. We have a Kitchenaid, it's only 10, or 15 years old, so I guess it's not one of the good ones. We are very happy with it, and it does everything we need it to do, and I much prefer the "homey" look of it. Just wanted to be able to make a double batch of cookies without flour, and chocolate morsels all over the kitchen. Thought about the pro 600 Kitchenaid, larger than this mixer, but not as big as the Bosch, but I've herd/read bad things about recent ones, so I've been looking at the Bosch. I found one place online that has videos showing the Bosch in action, and that makes me feel more confident, I'd still just like to see it in person, touch it, etc.. As mentioned before our old mixer still works, and it's difficult to spend that much money, just so I can mix a double batch of cookies. How many cookies could I buy for over $400.00, plus the ingredients? I guess you can't put a price on some things. Maybe if I get the Bosch I'll bake bread every day. That's my story anyhow.

Just to complicate your life...consider the Electrolux 'Assistant' before making a final decision.

When my Bosch needed replacement after 20 years of hard service I switched to the 'Assistant' after much comparing. I've had the Electrolux now for six years & love it. It handles every mixing chore quickly & efficiently but it excels at bread. It looks a little odd at first...KA has us brainwashed into what a mixer 'should' look like. And, there's a learning curve to the 'Assistant'. But, after you get the hang of it...it's one terrific appliance.

You'll immediately notice that it's not necessary to 'go ten rounds' with your mixer just to add an ingredient! They give you a whip & a plastic bowl for egg whites because so many Americans believe they can't whip egg white any other way (KA brainwashing). I've never used the plastic bowl/whip. Tossed them out a couple years ago. The roller does a great job...even with just one egg white. It hold 22-24 cups of flour. You can fill it to the brim with liquids (such as a custard base for bread pudding) & turn that baby on high & it will not toss custard in your face. It's fun to watch...sorta like a little whirlpool.

/tricia

Here is a link that might be useful: Electrolux 'Assistant'

I have two KitchenAid mixers (an old K45 they can bury with me) and a newer Pro600. I also have the Bosch Concept 7 (recently discontinued).

Dare I say size is overrated? If I had to choose just one to keep, it would be the little old K45. The capacity is not as great but for 30+ years it's been an absolute workhorse.

It sounds to me like your KitchenAid IS one of the "good ones." It does what you want it to do and you're happy with it. That's what matters.

I have had no problems whatsoever with the newer KitchenAid Pro 600. I've heard the complaints, but in my case it just hasn't happened. It has been a lovely machine. But of my two newer mixers, the Bosch is the one I prefer. It's strong but light. I can put it in a drawer while the KitchenAid Pro takes up a whole lot of real estate. The Bosch is also quieter and for a short person like myself the low profile is a benefit. The center post is a bit of a pain, but I've never met an appliance that didn't have a downside of one kind or another.

If you really want a new mixer it would be great if you could actually see demos from people who have and use them.

Yahoo has a very helpful mixer-owners group with lots of Bosch and ElectroLux owners. If you go to that you may find you can contact owners in your area.

Also, Fresh Loaf has a thread on Bosch vs. Electrolux Assistent you may find interesting. (KitchenAid Pro is mentioned in passing.)

Do give some thought to your baking style and needs. Except for Christmas and the occasional 5-loaf baking binge, I don't generally require the bigger machines.

Every brand has its loyalists. The trick is to find which one is right for you. It may be you'll discover it's what you already have.

Not everyone needs a trophy mixer.

Carol

Here is a link that might be useful: Fresh Loaf Mixer Debate

bob411. I always make a double batch of anything. Why get out all the ing. and mess just for one batch? I mk. the cookies w. a melon baller and put as many as I can on the sheet and freeze. When, the balls are frozen I put them in a plastic bag and pull as many as I want to bake. Off topic, I know.
But, the point is, I am very glad I have a big machine to handle the challenging chores. I always make double batches of cin. rolls - just everything. It's so nice to have baked goods on hand.
I recommend treating yourself to a new larger mixer. Life is short and you go around once. You're obviously an interested cook or you wouldn't be on this web site. Consider it a tool of your trade. That's my 2 cents and I will get off my box now.:)

Two more questions. I watched the video, and the dough hooks go around the bowl, but don't turn. Do the cookie paddles, and whisk spin as they go around? Not doubting that it does a good job of mixing, just curios. Also the electric outlet on my island is down by the floor, and the cord on the Kitchenaid just reaches, wish it was a little longer, so I could turn the mixer to face me. How long is the cord on the Bosch, and Electrolux.

I just measured my electric cord. It's 4', but my Bosch is over 20 years old. I have a center piece that remains still and the dough hooks go around. Thus, cutting through the dough with the center piece. After the dough is mixed, I set the timer for 5 minutes to knead. It turns out supper silky and squishy. My cookie paddle and whisk goes around.
One more thing, I did not like the blender. It was difficult to clean. I bought another blender that I like much better. But, how often does one use a blender, especially if you have a food processor?

I've been trying to butter up, ugh I mean explain the virtues of the Bosch to DW. I mentioned she could grind her own flour. Not something she seems interested in doing, but it made her think of our SIL, who does all that stuff. Just got off the phone with her, yes she has a Bosch. Her cord is 44" long. Kitchenaid is 48", but it goes to the top of the machine, so I think it will work. She also mentioned I could use an extension cord. LOL Just checking here before I order it.

Thanks again.

I bought my Bosch mixer just last year and absolutely love it. I also got it from Pleasant Hill Grain. They have always been a great company to order from, in my experience.

I bought the Bosch over the KitchenAid due to the fact that I could easily lift it out of the cabinet. My SIL got my KA since it was so heavy.

I just measured the cord and it measured at 47".

Good luck with your choice,
Linda

bob411, please let us know how you like your new mixer and which one you decided on.

Tricia - How do you mean "learning curve"? What's so different about it?

Bob - I can't speak for the mixers, but I ditto the comments on Pleasant Hill Grain. I've bought two fairly expensive things from them that I normally would have bought in stores (had I been able to FIND them in a local store). Both times I was very pleased with the whole transaction.

I ordered it from Pleasant Hill Grain. SIL bought her Bosch from who knows where, but she bought her 'Vitamill?, thing that grinds flour', from Pleasant Hill Grain. Also I liked that there was a phone number to call, to order it. We live in a small town, that doesn't deliver the mail, we have to go to the post office to get it, so my address is a P.O. box, but UPS delivers to our street address, so I need to give the street address if I order anything on line, but when they check your credit card, they need your mailing address. Most times I give up ordering online, because I get a message that they do not ship to my address. Michell, from PHG said it should be here Thursday, or Friday. Unfourtunatly it is comming Fedex. DW has a thing for the UPS guy. I ordered the new ultimate, with the cookie paddles, and the shreader/slicer.

beanthere,

The Electrolux 'Assistant' does not use a dough hook.

Instead, there is a ridged roller. The roller mimics the action of your palms as you knead dough by hand. The dough runs through the roller & then past a scraper (so you don't have to ever scrape down another mixer bowl)...then it whizzes around the bowl & back to the roller.

Since the 'Assistant' uses a completely different method to get the job done it takes a bit to get used to it. Most Americans are very indoctrinated into the KA concept. Another example, the 'Assistant' doesn't have a lid. It doesn't need a lid. That seems to freak some people out 'cause they've used or seen so many KA's tossing flour they believe any mixer must have a lid. The control knob on the 'Assistant' is variable to any degree of power you wish & can even be pulsed like a food processor. With that much control there's little liklihood of flinging flour all over the kitchen...hence, no lid.

/tricia

Most Americans are very indoctrinated into the KA concept.

I wouldn't necessarily draw that conclusion. It can also be a price point and distribution issue. KitchenAid offers many models at a wide variety of price levels. With its broad distribution it's possible to find a KitchenAid at 50% off, which makes it considerably less expensive than an ElectroLux or Bosch.

If someone buys a Chevy instead of a Rolls Royce it's not necessarily because they've been indoctrinated. Maybe they just can't afford it. An infrequent baker, in particular, may not want to invest more in an appliance than their sporadic use justifies.

Carol

I've had my KA (K45) for almost as long as Carol. And it still works fine. In 29 years it has never needed to be serviced. (Touching wood). But when I really got into bread baking, I bought the Electrolux that Tricia mentioned. Mine is about 12 or 13 years old. Can't imagine how any machine could do a better job at kneading dough than what it does.

Renee, it is different than other mixers, but it wouldn't take you 5 minutes to adjust.

Ann

By "indocrinated", Carol, I meant in appearance & generally how a mixer is supposed to work. Americans are conditioned by KA that a mixer should use a dough hook & have the motor housing over the top of the bowl. The 'Assistant' uses neither of those concepts.

/tricia

I accept that. I don't know what percentage of bakers in the Western Hemisphere buy Bosch or ElectroLux/Magic Mill, but it must be a small subset of the market.

Carol

Yes, Carol, you're right. Bosch & Electrolux users are sorta like a little 'cult'. Like most 'cult' members...we BELIEVE! lol I've used/owned all three & believe strongly that both the Bosch & the 'Assistant' are superior products. My KA left me feeling, "There has to be a better way." And, IMO, there was/is. My MIL's neighbor was a Bosch distributor back around 1980. I was complaining to MIL one day about my tribulations with my KA & she had her neighbor phone me...I have not had to use a spatula inside a mixer bowl since. My Bosch was a workhorse in the kitchen. My 'Assistant' is not only a workhorse...it entertains me as well. OK, so I'm easily entertained; but still...it very fun to watch the bread being slapped around by that roller. :)

/t

My new toy arrived yesterday. My Bosch Ultimate Plus in in the house. I ordered it Saturday, and am very happy I got it from Pleasant Hill Grain.

Only thing I actually have used so far is the shreader/grater. My mixing bowl locks in place, but I couldn't get the shreader/grater to lock in place. Anyone know if it supposed to?

The Bosch weighs about half of what the Kitchenaid does, and it's less cumbersome to get a grip on to pick up. With the suction cups on the Bosch it takes at least as much muscle to pick it up though.

I filled the KA bowl to the brim. Pretty sure it's 4 1/2 quarts, and poured it into the Bosch bowl, that's 6 quarts. It came as high as the gear on the top of the buntcake/center of the Bosch. I realize there is no way you could use the KA with the bowl compleatly filled. and The Bosch looked like it would still work with this much ingreadients.

I need an extension cord.

DW and I whipped one egg white. Her with her KA, me with my Bosch. It smoked her. LOL

Bob - Rather than an extension cord, would it make long-term sense to move the wall outlet to the side of the cabinet? It might not be the prettiest solution ever, but it would be more versitile given most kitchen appliances are notorious for short cords. Just a thought. I'm glad you're pleased with Pleasant Hill. I thought they were great to do business with.

Thanks, Tricia and Ann. That explanation made sense. It was hard to tell the mechanics of it from the pictures. What you're describing certainly makes more sense than fighting that dough hook.

I had a KA that was over 35 years old and heavily used by the whole family. After two rebuilds it really did bite the dust. No complaints. It performed long and well under very heavy use -- and it probably wouldn't have needed those two rebuilds if a certian relative hadn't tried to push her luck and its limits. I was about to buy a new one when my MIL downsized and gave me her newer KA Pro. She hated it from day one, being used to the older models. I hated it from day one. We've agreed to donate it to a local church's community kitchen where they won't make it do anything more strenuous than cake mix.
(Of course now KA is sold at Wal-Mart, so I'm not surprised that they are a POS compared to the old Hobart-built ones.)

So, I'm saving up for a Bosch or an Electrolux...if I can ever make up my mind which to buy. :) Bob may have just tipped the scales by mention of the weight factor.

We have an Electrolux which we bought several years ago when my arms and shoulders felt the pain of mixing numerous double batches of stiff cookie doughs by hand at Christmas time. We have not regretted the purchase.

I watched the video posted in one of the above links. Notice how easy it is to pour in the ingredients! You don't need to carefully pour them from the edge and hope it makes it in, like with a KA. So far we've made bread and cookies, and it easily handles a LOT of dough.

No I have never seen a Bosch ever. I will have to look it up. I have had a KA for over 30 years. Last Christmas I noticed that when I really used it a lot it smelled like hot oil. So maybe it is slowly dying and time for a new one. I have heard all sorts of bad things about the new KA's and afraid I wouldn't be happy with it after having one of the old models. I had heard a lot about Electrolux and it definitely looks interesting.

Here is the video of it in use.
Clare

Here is a link that might be useful: Electrolux