What Is A KitchenAid Mixer?

• A KitchenAid mixer is a stand mixer. The body of the mixer has a head that can tilt back or lock into place while the engine is running, and the bowl of the mixer can be removed or snapped securely onto the base of the mixer.
  
  The first stand mixer was created in 1919 and, shortly thereafter, the KitchenAid brand was born. That first mixer had attachments that promised to slice and do other food prep. KitchenAid mixer models have not changed dramatically in the past 90 years. The KitchenAid Classic model, which was first called Model K45, was introduced in 1962.
  
  

KitchenAid Classic Features

• The KitchenAid Classic stand mixer features a 250-watt, 10-speed motor. It comes with a 4½-quart stainless steel bowl, and the mixer body is only available in white. The mixer includes a wire beater, a flat beater and a dough hook. The retail value of the KitchenAid Classic is about $240.
  
  

KitchenAid Artisan Features

• The KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer improves upon the classic design slightly by offering a 325-watt, 10-speed motor and a 5-quart stainless steel bowl. The body is available in 25 colors. The mixer comes with a wire beater, a flat beater and a dough hook, as well as a plastic pouring shield. The KitchenAid Artisan series has a retail value of about $350.
  
  

Pros and Cons

• The Artisan edition of the KitchenAid stand mixer has quite a few advantages. Unlike the Classic version, the Artisan features a handle on its bowl, making it easier to turn and hold the bowl. The more powerful motor and bigger bowl size of the Artisan make it easier to work with larger quantities or denser doughs, such as bread dough.
  In addition, for style-conscious cooks, the many color varieties of the Artisan edition are an advantage, allowing you to match the mixer to the kitchen décor.
  The Classic, on the other hand, is a more economic option.
  
  

Other Considerations

• If neither the KitchenAid Classic or the Artisan seems powerful enough for your cooking needs, you could opt instead for the KitchenAid Professional 600 model, which has a 575-watt motor and a 6-quart bowl. It has a dozen color options and is about $150 more than the KitchenAid Artisan.
  For any KitchenAid mixer, keep in mind that you can purchase additional attachments to perform more tasks, such as making pasta, creating juice or grinding meat. One advantage of these add-ons is that they are interchangeable with any KitchenAid stand mixer, so if you purchase a Classic version now and upgrade to an Artisan version later, your attachments won't need to be replaced.