KitchenAid KP26M1XNP Professional 600 Series 6-Quart Stand Mixer, Nickel Pearl
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of KitchenAid KP26M1XNP Professional 600 Series 6-Quart Stand Mixer, Nickel Pearl
Customer Review: Happy Baking Wife
Summary: 4 Stars
So for three years I put off buying the new LCD TV that I wanted, telling myself that ours was still sufficient. Well, impulse finally gave in and I brought one home when the wife was out of town. Pleased with my new purchase, I went along with my merry life. About 3 or 4 days before Valentine's Day, my wife asks if I would buy her a new Kitchen Aid mixer as hers was dying a slow and painful death. My first reaction was, "sorry but we cannot afford a new mixer right now"...but then I thought better. I had one of those guy moments when the entire world seems to make sense and the answers to life's important questions are revealed. You know a kind of moment that women have all the time. If I did not buy her a new mixer for Valentine's Day I would be the jerk of the world after just have buying a new TV for myself. So that afternoon I started my research to find one that would meet her needs as a semi-professional baker (the kind of gal that gets asked to bake the goodies at church and stuff). The more I looked at the options it became clear that this one would do the job. I found a great deal here at Amazon (made me happy) and it arrived in about 48 hours (made wife happy). Please note that I selected the standard free shipping. My wife was instantly delighted...you could tell because she kept saying he he he. The model was noticeable quieter than her previous model and she liked the larger capacity. Our only problem (and it was a big one) was that there was a defect in the hub attachment to connect the accessories. I contacted Kitchen Aid and they sent out a new unit with absolutely no hassle. I have heard about their excellent customer service, and they lived up to it. Now she is busy mixing away making breads, cookies, muffins, cakes, and other sorts of goodies. Yesterday I asked if she still loved her new mixer and she still does. Personally I think she is going to leave me for it.Customer Review: Never Loved an Appliance Before...
Summary: 5 Stars
I am deeply smitten with this beautiful machine (mine's Copper Pearl). I immediately started picking up accessories for it and determined that I would not let it get dusty in a corner. Got the Mixer Bible (available here on Amazon) to spark ideas beyond dessert.
I've used the three primary attachments plus the grinder and pasta attachments. The strainer and juicer are now here and ready to be used as well. I've used it to grind what needs grinding (though I wouldn't say that it's replaced my food processor, it's great to be able to grind straight into the mixing bowl and go), smash root vegetables, whip up quick snacks, make my own pasta (a new experience for me), and of course make the inevitable bars/cookies. I have to tell you - I'm in love.
Though I've used the dough hook for pastry dough and pasta, I haven't tried a yeast intensive item yet. If you watch Food Network, though, you'll note those chefs use the Artisan (5 Qt, tilt head). If they find that model sufficient, I think the Pro 6 can handle it.
Jan 2008: Just had to come back for an update. It wasn't just a fling, I'm still deeply smitten. I have indeed made use of the strainer and juicer. I wouldn't want to do high volume with the juicer, but for a couple of lemons, oranges, whatever it's good stuff. The strainer is very cool - and I used it a lot in making baby food. Also realized I didn't mention the whisk before - but whether making a meringue or just whipping up a whole bunch of whipped cream I love being able to drop it in and essentially ignore it. It's not that a handheld couldn't do it - but being able to set the speed and walk away is a vital benefit in my busy kitchen.
Next step, I want to start making more homemade bread. Looks like that kneading hook will get some good use in the near future....
Customer Review: Life Changing Mixer!
Summary: 5 Stars
What can I add after over 1,100 reviews? I can only say that I LOVE THIS MIXER. I noticed a lot of the negative reviews were from almost 5 years ago! Mine, purchased in September of 2010 (I'm writing this review in February 2011) is amazing. It can easily handle a double batch of gluten free bread--not an easy task! I've done double batches of cookies (both regular and gluten free) and it didn't hiccup a bit. I've stuff this thing to the top with big ol' batches of mashed potatoes and it not only made them perfectly but I never even had to scrape the bottom and yet my add-ins (garlic, salt and pepper, Greek yogurt, milk or cream, etc) are mixed all the way through.
The soft start feature is amazing! I love that even without the plastic guard it doesn't throw up a bunch of flour. Secondly, while it's fairly loud, I'm not sure why this is an issue. Sure, you hear the motor working, but it's not straining in any way and I don't think of my kitchen as a bastion of quiet and calm when I'm doing a major baking project. It's not so loud that it hinders anyone else, so it doesn't bother me.
I think my ONLY complaints are that you can't wash the attachments in the dishwasher (that's just a lovely convenience that it hurts to lose) and I have found that this isn't great for doing small batches of things. If I'm doing a single batch of something, say just one egg and a cup of sugar, the whisk can't quite reach it and I have to keep scraping it down. I know there are scraping attachments that might help with this, but it's just a bit annoying to have to buy something else that costs $25-$30 to use something that already cost me $350.
Still, I love this. I hope it's like my grandma's and lasts me 40 years! Even if it only lasted 10 it would totally be worth it. I'm so glad I finally got my KitchenAid!
Customer Review: A can't miss item, highly recommend
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a long time user of Kitchen Aid stand mixers. My original mixer was received as a wedding present 18 years ago and it is still going strong. The original just found a new home with one of the "kids" at the office, when this beauty arrived.
The metallic pewter color works wonderfully with the other stainless in the kitchen.
This machine performs magnificently. I regularly make whole-wheat pizza dough (with added bran, germ and vital wheat gluten) enough for 3 pizzas in this machine at one time. The machine doesn't whine or skip a beat during the long kneading process. I have also prepared enough dough for 3 whole-wheat baguettes at one time without a problem.
Additionally, the customer service at Kitchen Aid is very helpful. When my machine originally arrived they had sent the wrong color. When they were contacted they told us to repackage the machine and send it back their expense (they e-mailed a shipping label and scheduled pick up) and we received our replacement less than a week later. Fast, friendly and courteous customer service was able to make a mistake a non-event.
If you are looking for a workhorse machine this is the one for you. I am only sorry that it took me so long to retire my original machine. This machine is used three or four times a week in my home. I cannot imagine living a whole grain lifestyle without this little beauty. If you are a serious home cook, you will get a lot of use out of this machine.
UPDATE: July 7, 2006
The machine has now been in my kitchen for a full year. Even though I give it a workout every day or so with whole grain bread it is still going strong. I wanted to add this comment after I saw that other reviewers had indicated that they had problems with their machines.
Customer Review: If you are a bread baker, this machine is NOT for you!
Summary: 1 Stars
BEWARE! THIS IS NOT YOUR GRANDMA'S 1950 KITCHENAID MIXER (HERS IS PROBABLY STILL WORKING)! It is a badly-engineered, expensive, appliance nightmare.
I had a 5-quart KitchenAid mixer for many years, but since that one was almost worn out, and I really wanted a larger capacity machine, I "upgraded" to the 6-quart model.
BIG MISTAKE!!
This machine does NOT have enough power for serious bakers. It literally "smoked" the motor on the first try - and I was following all the instructions to the letter (i.e., only use the dough hook on speed 2, etc.) I'm not stupid. I even used a bread recipe out of the KitchenAid cookbook!
So I received a replacement from KitchenAid. (Good news if you do buy one - they will send you a replacement - but it makes you wonder why their return system works so well.. maybe because they have to replace these machines all the time??)
The new mixer has not been any better - while it doesn't exactly "smoke" (yet), it overheats and locks up. And it drips BLACK OIL out of the hole where the attachments go in. Yummy! Black oil in your bread dough. I spend more time wiping and cleaning it than anything else, and what SHOULD be a relaxing pasttime (baking), instead becomes a stressful, frustrating nightmare trying to use this badly designed, underpowered machine.
OK, if you are ONLY going to make fluffy cakes and pies, the KitchenAid is probably fine for you. On the other hand, if you want to make bread, brownies or other thicker-dough recipes, forget it. Go with a different brand and get at least an 800 or 1000 watt machine.
Because of my terrible experience with this mixer, I will NEVER buy another KitchenAid product EVER.