Buying a stand mixer

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Question: "Is spending the money on buying a stand mixer worth it?"

Always! You have no idea how helpful this countertop appliance is until you own one. There is a certain amount of sticker shock that comes with see the price for the first time. Buying a stand mixer is a big decision, but there is a clever little trick to finding a discount stand mixer that might fit a little easier into your budget!! (more on that later)

Owning a stand mixer is the sign of a great pie enthusiast and the ease of use and time-saving nature of this machine is a big bonus and certainly worth the price. The gift of being able to walk away from your mixing food and be with your family - there is no price for that.

The most popular brand for stand mixers is KitchenAid and rightly so. Their multiple color selection makes them a dream for a decorator. Yours will more than likely sit out on the counter - so having the right color is a necessity.

Your ideal first stand mixer

Here is what you should look for in a stand mixer:

1. Planetary action: meaning the beater rotates around the bowl, and is not just stationary.

2. Power: not in the form of watts, but cups of flour it can knead. You will want to aim for no less than 8 cups.

3. Accessories: Should have, at minimum the three basics: a beater, a dough hook and wire whip.

4. Weight: over 20 lbs should prevent the mixer from jumping around at the highest speed.

5. Mixing Bowl: a bowl greater than 5 quarts is necessary for heavy duty usage, but 6 quarts is recommended.

6. Personal preferences: warranties over a year and sliding wheels are always nice, too.

Using these criteria the KitchenAid Artisan would be a perfect fit for any first time stand mixer owner. It has planetary action, holds 9 cups with a mixing bowl size of 5 quarts. At 22 pounds, the mixer will not jump or rock around your counter, yet it is light enough to slide around without great effort. It comes with the standard three basic accessories (beater, dough hook and wire whip) and comes in up to 25 different colors.

Brand new stand mixer- on discount

You can also sign up for the "Easy as Pie" Newsletter for the lastest deals and discounts on KitchenAid, Cuisinart, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn and Cooking.com.



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