Foodmixer

I've had various brands throughout my 68 years, including 2 Kitchenaids. I hear raves about Kitchenaids, but both of mine did not scape the bottom of the bowls cleanly. I gave both to my kids. My little Krups I've had 45 years finally died. I couldn't justify the cost of another Kitchenaid as I don't make bread and my husband prefers pie to cake. I bought a Howork 8qt Stand Mixer, 660W 6+P Speed Tilt-Head last Nov on Amazon. At that time it was on sale for $80 US, it's now about $108. I'm in SC, US, but enjoy your site and comments. Thank you!

Aldi and Lidl have great food mixers from time to time, about £50.00, watch out for them wonderful value

Our Panasonic breadmaker is about 18 years old, has had one replacement part (from Panasonic) and is in frequent use.

I bought a KitchenAid about twenty years ago it was expensive but it’s in constant use. It’s still like new as I look after it very well. It was worth every penny it will last me out and probably who ever takes it on after me.

I have a KitchenAid and love it. For years I got by with a hand-held beater, but finally splurged for myself about 5 year ago. What a game-changer, I should have had one year ago.

My grandson, a keen and proficient cook, asked for a stand mixer as a combined Christmas present from all grandparents. We decided that Kenwood etc were too expensive, but the Russell Hobbs seems to be fine after two years.
I do get it that you don't necessarily want to spend £££ on a mixer at this point in life.

My old Kenwood (Circa 1972) died about 10 years ago, as a temporary measure I got my old Kenwood Chef out. I did have a Magimix for food preparation, it only lasted about 10 years. Then by luck I got an old Kenwood off freecycle, which I've been very happy with for about 5 years. Not sure what I will do when it gives up the ghost!

Yes it does leave a hole but it really doesn’t matter. Most of the time I just make the dough and bake two small loaves or rolls.

My one question about bread makers is the paddle used to mix and knead the dough. Doesn’t that leave a hole in the bottom of the loaf? Sorry to hijack the thread but it’s a question I’ve wanted to ask for a while.

my small breadmaker I bought from Lakeland many yeas ago.

I had always made my own bread but when I found it difficult to stand I bought a breadmaker. A short while ago I decided to buy my bread. I was astonished at how many additives were listed so have gone back to the breadmaker.
Most people do not bother to read what is in food these days.

Thank you for comments , never thought of bread maker 😊

Catterygirl at the risk of starting a complete new thread here on rather unusual (i.e. useless) gifts, you must have felt thrilled with the breadmaker! OH once bought me a black velvet pencil skirt , size eight, which might have fitted me when I was eight.....

Should you decide to buy a breadmaker, I have found Panasonic to be the best machines. To my surprise they were much cheaper bought directly from Panasonic, almost half the price offered by Amazon, and the latest model too!

Just bought a Kenwood food processor for £40 from Argos. Used Nectar points to pay for it. Haven’t had chance to use it yet but my old one was similar and lasted years.

Have the Panasonic breadmaker but haven’t used it. Christmas present from OH! I never eat bread.

Kitchen aid with attachments to slice, make into a processor, pasta maker, spiraliser/corer, ice cream maker,,weighing gizmo, juicer and bowl to make bread in that has a top and when mixed and prover you tern bowl upside down and put straight in the oven. Act like a Dutch oven. In my holiday home l have a magimix which is a standard processor
L had Magimix as wedding present and bought Kitchen Aid about 20 years ago - so both 20 and 30+ years old respectively
Both have been reliable and well made. Sadly l believeKitchen Aid has been sold. Still make them of course
My mum was a Kenwood supporter and hers lasted 40+ years
So l think it comes to personal choice. Plus there are innovations coming onto the market all the time eg Thermomix
My Dil is German and has one from Aldi and is very happy with that: l like my Kichen Aid and if it broke irreparably l would buy 2nd hand one of the older ones as they were alledged to be well made and over engineered

I’ve been a cake maker for years but no longer do it unless it’s for family. Kenwood are by far the best but I now have a Kitchenaid which looks beautiful and just the job for what I need x

I've had my Kenwood Chef for 60 years. Use it frequently. At 82 years old I won't need it too much longer. Hope it doesn't break down yet.

Mine is KitchenAid, I've had it for 30 years I guess and it is great but was expensive. I've also got a pasta attachment and I'm guessing you could have a go at gluten free pasta, though I've never tried.
Like others I'd suggest that you try to get yours repaired, but you could also look on Amazon? If you click the "used" filter on Amazon they include ones with damaged boxes etc. at much lower prices even though they are actually new or sometimes reconditioned. For example they have a "Used - like new" Kenwood chef for under £300.
I'll put a link for a basic Amazon search below so that you can see the type of thing they offer - obviously the hand mixers would not work. Apologies if this is teaching a Granny to suck eggs, different Gransnetters have different levels of ability with computers.

www.amazon.co.uk/s?rnid=3146281&ref=sr_nr_n_4&s=price-asc-rank&crid=EO8VZRTWPVG6&sprefix=food+mixer%2Caps%2C79&rh=n%3A3146281%2Cn%3A11052591%2Cn%3A11052681%2Cn%3A391784011%2Cn%3A3147441%2Cn%3A3538288031%2Cn%3A10706601%2Cn%3A10706621%2Cp_89%3AKenwood%7CKitchenAid%2Cp_n_condition-type%3A12319068031&i=kitchen&k=food+mixer&tag=gransnetforum-21&qid=1690029475&dc&ds=v1%3A3Tc1TQfkgItJfOkucqJpZzaN4ISdsoNenw0mcFa7J6c

EBay might be worth a look too, there are loads on there.

I also agree with others that a food processor could work for you, provided you don't want to mix a large batch of dough as they tend to throw themselves about on your worktop as they work with large quantities of dough.

I have a Magimix food processor, 23 years old and still going strong, which is just wonderful. My breadmaker, an inexpensive one as I don’t eat much bread, is an eight year old Breville and is perfectly fine for my not very demanding needs. It does make gluten free however. My sister and her husband (who actually makes the bread) tell me that their Panasonic breadmaker is marvellous as did my late MIL. I think they are the ‘gold standard’ with a price to match! However the undoubted co-star of the kitchen (along with the aforementioned f/processor) is my Kitchen Aid Artisan mixer. I do make bread in it, mainly speciality ones which are often difficult in the breadmaker and also cakes, pastry etc. I have a few other attachments I don’t use much. It’s a real workhorse for me. I also have a Kenwood K-Mix hand mixer which is very useful and surprisingly sturdy. All handy when it comes to baking for my greedy (adult) family and grandchildren!

Kitchen Aid stand mixer. The one and only to beat all other mixers. Excellent for making, kneading bread.

Be prepared to spend $$$ money. My Kitchen Aid is FIFTY years old and still magnificent.

This is an investment, worthy of passing on to family if it outlasts you. It may even make you a stellar baker again because of ease.
USA Gundy

I noticed a stand mixer in my local (French) Lidl middle yesterday. It was same size as my Kenwood Chef but only 49.99€. Lidl appliances are usually very good in my opinion. Usually the UK Lidls stock similar to French. Check their on line catalogue.

The Panasonic breadmaker had a gluten cycle. I used to use one a lot but bread from shops has improved so much over 20 yrs. I tried offering it to 'recycle' but no takers - gone now.

Aldi do a stand mixer for a very fair price, not sure if they have any stock though.

I have a Ninja Food Processor… it’s brilliant!