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I need a new mixer - experiences please

(24 Posts)
kittylester Thu 01-Apr-21 07:27:55

My Kenwood Chef is on it's last legs. It is probably 12 years old and has been mended 3 times. I could take it to be repaired, again, but it takes about a month and costs about £50.

I no longer use all the accessories, using it mostly for cake making etc.

Are there any stand mixers that any one can recommend?

Thank you.

shysal Thu 01-Apr-21 07:46:39

I don't have one, but fancy this one because it has a beater with silicone edges to scrape the bowl clean as it mixes. When I had my ancient Kenwood Chef I was forever stopping to push the mixture down with a spatula, especially with small quantities.
Andrew James mixer

J52 Thu 01-Apr-21 08:46:24

My Kenwood has recently up after 40 years of constant use It probably could be mended, but I’ve treated myself to a new one. I’d like to think I’ll be here for 40 more years to use it grin .
I don’t think I could make a cake without Mr Kenwood!

Marydoll Thu 01-Apr-21 08:52:14

I love my Kitchen Aid,, especially for making bread dough, but they are very expensive nowadays.
That was my treat to myself, when I retired.
My DIL swears by her Kenwood, stand mixer.

kittylester Thu 01-Apr-21 09:08:03

I have been disappointed with my Kenwood Chef as I certainly havent over used it but it has gone wrong 3 times since I had it. My first instinct was to go for a Kenwood stand mixer but thought I'd better see what others thought.

I suppose I'd better have the same as you, J52. grin

Gagagran Thu 01-Apr-21 09:38:55

My Kenwood has been a great friend for over 40 years and has now reached honourable retirement age. It did start belching black smoke about 3 years ago and I took it to the Kenwood factory fairly near us and paid for it to be mended. Unfortunately it has never really been the same since and I am not going to waste any more money on it.

I have decided to go with a Kitchen Aid on the recommendation of my DdiL, who loves hers. It should see me out, I hope! Most of the cheaper models I have looked at, even with Western sounding names, seem to be made in China and I am reluctant to support their economy.

Marydoll Thu 01-Apr-21 09:45:43

Gaga, it's worth buying the beater with the silicone edge , which I don't think comes as standard. I bought my beater on E-bay, much cheaper.

JaneJudge Thu 01-Apr-21 10:02:29

Aldi have a standing cake mixer in atm. It is unavailable online but I imagine you can check with your local store? It has good reviews and seems good value for money

www.aldi.co.uk/pistachio-classic-stand-mixer/p/803982454840400

Katyj Thu 01-Apr-21 10:06:54

Oh watching with interest. My kenwood chef is 43 ! It wouldn’t work the other day, thought it had sadly died but only the fuse that had gone, still I would like a new one but the price ? mine cost twenty five pound all those years ago.

Callistemon Thu 01-Apr-21 10:11:45

Thanks for starting this thread kittylester - I need a new mixer as well.

I also need another breadmaker as it gave up yesterday, at the start of mixing the dough for the hot cross buns. I carried on by hand, hence they are tough and chewy.
Mr C has been detailed off to go to M&S and buy some!

Callistemon Thu 01-Apr-21 10:13:23

It did start belching black smoke
That happened to my sewing machine Gagagran - everything is breaking down.

Grandmabatty Thu 01-Apr-21 11:23:23

I have a pale blue KitchenAid which was a retirement present two years ago. I love it! I use the paddle for making cakes, the balloon whisk for icing,cream and meringues etc and the dough hook for effortless bread. It was very expensive though.

M0nica Thu 01-Apr-21 11:35:37

I have had a Kenwood Chef for about 50 years. I use it regularly and it has never caused me any problems.

We have one in France, which I think is even older, it was my mother's, but obviously is used much less. Especially the last year when it hasn't been used at all.

Ellianne Thu 01-Apr-21 11:44:25

Very, very pleased with my new purchase last month. John Lewis

kittylester Thu 01-Apr-21 11:54:49

That's sort of what I have currently got Ellianne just the latest version, I think.

Ellianne Thu 01-Apr-21 11:56:39

This is my first one ever kittylester. I used to do everything by hand but kneading dough was causing shoulder aches!

Lilith Thu 01-Apr-21 12:01:07

G'morning kittylester... My son-in-law is a chef and has just bought a Ninja food processor for home... Hope that helps :-)

Niobe Thu 01-Apr-21 12:23:55

I am lucky enough to have a Kitchen Aid that I bought in Curry’s for £260. A poster on Mumsnet alerted people to the offer so I rushed onto their website and got one. Only one colour was available (creamy white with a subtle sparkle) as it was a special offer. Very happy with it but I will buy a rubber edged paddle soon.
When shops reopen there may be special offers again to tempt us to spend so I would look then to see if any bargains are about.

Nannarose Thu 01-Apr-21 13:22:12

I think that problems arise when well known names start cutting corners on their build quality. I had a wonderful Kenwood that had almost daily use for 35 years. Almost without thinking I got another, and I never got on with it. I had a technician look at it, but there wasn't a serious problem, just that it felt poor.
Finally, fed up with my moaning, DH said we should be 'extravagant' and get a Kitchen Aid. Almost daily use for 8 years and I love it. Don't think I'll get to compare its longevity to my first Kenwood though!

Check out 'reconditioned' Kitchen Aids.

JackyB Thu 01-Apr-21 13:40:29

youtu.be/x4TR9xbpiO8

Here is a review of some mixers on the market. Even if you don't go for any of them it may help you to know what to look for.

Witzend Thu 01-Apr-21 13:58:56

My Kenwood Chef was a wedding present in 1974. I did have it repaired and serviced once, a few years ago, by a company in Fareham I think, but touch wood it’s still going strong.

Doodle Thu 01-Apr-21 14:05:18

Just curious Kitty, how many legs has your Kenwood had?
Mine didn’t come with any, I wonder if I should complain ? ??

kittylester Thu 01-Apr-21 14:09:10

Dunno, doodle, but the last one just fell off!! grin

Nannagarra Thu 01-Apr-21 14:24:44

I have had a Kitchenaid for 10+ years which is used daily, mostly to make bread. Imo it is excellent - yes, it was expensive but why not?
I have, however, replaced the supplied dough hook and paddle as the coating split and chipped off. The company replaced them the first time; the second time, exasperated, I bought a stainless steel pair online (also expensive).
If I didn’t have it, I’d be tempted by the German supermarket lookalike...