Professional 6-Quart
vs.
Artisan 5-Quart

Professional 6-Quart

This is the third KitchenAid mixer I own. I have a Classic white 4.5 quart tilt-head that I have used for 40 years, and a 5 quart bowl-lift Proline which is about 20 years old. In addition I have an antique Hobart 10 quart mixer from 1910. It still works, and I do use it.
I bake a lot of bread and the main reason I just had to have this new mixer was because of the spiral dough hook, and yes...it was worth it. I think the spiral hook is far superior to the regular c-hook for mixing doughs, especially very sticky ones like rye. Also, I have made very stiff bagel dough in this mixer with no problem. I think the slow start is a nice improvement, eliminating splash out upon start-up. So far I have been pleased with this mixer, though it is noisy.

Pros: 1. It accepts all the attachments from the other KitchenAid mixers. 2. The cover for the attachment connector is hinged. (I have had the cover fly off one of the older mixers). 3. According to enclosed literature, the plastic parts which were the focus of previous complaints have been replaced with metal parts so that should no longer be an issue.

Cons: 1. I cannot imagine why, in this day and age, Kitchenaid would manufacture attachments that cannot go into the dishwasher! 2. The included splash cover feels kind of flimsy.

Note: I have purchased Metro Beater Blades for each of the mixers. I find they do a great job mixing batters and cookie doughs and definitely cut down on bowl scraping. Additionally they can go into the dishwasher.

Posted on: 2010-07-16
By Booklover
Helpful index: 100%

I purchased a Pro 600 mixer 3 years ago. Shortly after the 1 year warranty period the unit stopped mixing. Since I had called concerned about excessive noise, which the customer service rep indicated was "normal", they replaced it with a rebuilt unit. Now, 20 months later, the rebuilt unit is dead. The only help I get from customer service is a list of places to get it repaired.

I have not abused the units (I make 3 loaves of bread a week). Either I had 2 lemons, or the top-of-the line KitchenAid model lacks durability.

Posted on: 2010-07-02
By Knapp Farm
Helpful index: 100%

I purchased this for bread and pastry production at home after getting my associate's degree in culinary arts. I thought the larger Kitchenaid with more power would perform as promised and have the "oomph" to make a two loaf batch of bread with plenty of power to spare.

I am on my fourth one of these mixers....This one is now broken with a gear box that failed as with the previous three. The good news on the previous failures was that they occured within a year of my purchase.....Kitchenaid's help desk was great...as long as you're on warranty...otherwise it's "see how fast we can get this guy off the phone." Repair this time will be $170....and, as near as I can tell, there will be no further warranty.

THIS mixer does not stand up to dough kneading at the levels stated. It doesn't have a shut down mechanism if the dough is too stiff....it just strips its own cheap gear train and leaves you with a busted mixer....better pray you're still on warranty or tack 50% of the price you paid onto the total cost of ownership for the repairs.

I would recommend the Bosch 800 watt mixers if you are looking to make bread...if you are going to make a batch of cookies every now and then or a cake, this Kitchenaid will do a great job, but, despite it's impressive size it has no where near the power or capability promised. Ever since Hobart stopped making the KitchenAid appliances they are cheaply made and will fail if you really are doing professional level work and are not just a casual home kitchen cook. I have had similar failures with a KitchenAid hand mixer with poorly constructed wire beater that literally flew apart while I was creaming butter and sugar for a batch of cookies. I bought the Kitchenaid because the ones we had at school were great...now I realize they were very old....made by Hobart...not these new, cheap versions as are sold here.

Posted on: 2010-06-15
By M. Furlong
Helpful index: 100%

I really like the mixer with the large bowl. However, the sheild that comes with it does not stop all of the flour from flying out. I am happy with the speed and it is very quiet.

Posted on: 2010-06-13
By C. Busby

So much better than standing on your feet for hours on end in the kitchen. This thing is huge and fast! I have bought other infomercial junk and now I don't need to buy anthing else. This does everything! It looks great on the counter. Red was not my favorite color ever, and well this just looks awesome! It's almost to pretty to dirty up :O) Cleans fast, doesn not take up alot of space on my counter top as I live in an apartment. Motor is strong!! My family loves me more for all the treats and fresh bread they are enjoying. Defiantly worth the price!! no doubt about it. I have DDD and cannot stand on my feet for to long, so this has helped me be back in the kitchen. Everything that I have ever bought before, always broke/ motor would die or fry!! This thing is a working horse! I love it! you can not go wrong with this Kitchen Aide!!! :O)

Posted on: 2010-06-11
By L. Howard