Bread maker vs Kitchen Aid

rpf1007 · Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 159 Location: Chicago

I've been weighing the pros and cons of both. Like everybody, I'm very pressed for time and looking for an alternative to store bought breads. I always cooked and baked in my pre GF life but never did bread. I live in an apt with a crappy oven and was originally leaning towards a bread maker because of this. But I won't be here for ever, and wondering if a kitchen aid is a better investment and would have more uses. I am going to try my first loaf of bread next week (with a mix) but only my cheap handmixer, which I'm not sure is going to hold up with the dense flour. I was reading some older posts on breadmakers from last year...and wondering if anyone has had the same dilemma...and what they decided?
Rachel

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8502 Location: WI, USA

Hi Rachel,

It sounds like you've been doing your research...very good!

Hand Mixer - you're right, you'll probably burn this out. Plus, many mixes you have to beat for a good bit of time [around 10 min]. Peg said doing that with a hand mixer is not fun! Wink

You probably saw our story of burning out our stand mixer while making a loaf of bread Sad

It did get us our KA however Smile

Bread maker - we tried a bread maker when I first went GF. I prefer oven bread over machine bread. To be fair, we didn't mess with the settings of the bread machine to try to improve things.

Mixer - you said that you baked when you were NGF. If you think you'll be making cookies, cakes, frosting, etc - I think it'd be a better investment to get a mixer. Peg says you have so much more control [easier] of your product when you mix it and then bake it in the oven.

It'll be interesting to hear from our other bakers here Smile

Good luck which ever way you decide to go! Please share you decision and your results! We like bread porn Wink

hehehehee
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celiacmaine-iac · Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 668 Location: Maine

Al said:

rpf1007 · Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 159 Location: Chicago

Thanks for the advice. I actually did buy a cheap new handmixer when I went GF. You both confirmed what I have been thinking. Thanks for the advice. I'll keep you posted on what I decide.
Rachel

ostrich · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 4139 Location: Nebraska

FWIW I have a Kitchen Aid too. That thing is amazing. I use it whenever I'm baking something. I also make my bread in the oven. It's a little easier to manage.
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The Edifying Conscience · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 2424

I had both a breadmaker and a Kitchen Aid. The breadmaker was a lovely little space waster sitting under the shelf on the floor of the pantry collecting dust until it was donated to Goodwill. In all honesty the thing might have been used 2-3 times and not in the last 4-5 years I owned it.

The KA on the other hand is a work horse! I normally use it a few times a week for lots of different purposes. Though I only use it for bread if I'm making a mix (Bread by Anna, GFP, etc.). The recipes that I make from scratch easily mix up in a bowl by hand....Honey Yogurt Bread, Crusty Italian Bread and cornbread.

rpf1007 · Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 159 Location: Chicago

Thanks for the responses. It seems like there is a definite trend! I had actually been wanting a KA prior to GF living...but now that I intend to embark on making my own bread, it seems like a good plan.

cruelshoes · Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 2501 Location: Washington State

I think the Kitchenaid is a better use of $ in the interest of being able to do things with it besides make bread. If you do decide to get the Kitchenaid, get the largest one you can afford. I have the 300 watt Kitchenaid model with the 4.5 quart bowl. I have had it over 10 years and it gets almost daily use. I like it a lot.

If I were going to buy a new one, I would definitely go for the Pro model. The one I have is great, but it does not have the power or capacity to do double or triple batches like I want to. If I try to do a double batch of bread dough, it will climb up the paddle and really strain. For single batches it is fine, but I would like to have something with more power and capacity.

I have considered a breadmaker, but have never acted on it because our kitchen is so small. If I were to get one, it would be the Zojirushi.
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rpf1007 · Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 159 Location: Chicago

Thanks for all the advice. I decided to get the kitchen aid...and baked my first ever loaf of bread today!!! It actually worked!!!! I was pleasantly surprised. I used a mix...and it was super easy. My oven even surprised me. The Kitchen Aid was amazing- I've never used anything that requires no work. I can't wait to start doing lots of baking! Thanks again.

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8502 Location: WI, USA

Way to go Rach!

Glad to hear it turned out great. What mix did you use?

Thanks for the update.
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Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

rpf1007 · Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 159 Location: Chicago

I used the GF pantry sandwich bread mix. I'm so excited it worked! yipppee!

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8502 Location: WI, USA

Heheheheheee

GFP Fave Sandwich Bread mix is pretty good. We've got one in the cupboard!
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Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

mrsppmrxky · Joined: 09 Oct 2004 Posts: 1469 Location: GF Kitchen

I will weigh in and vote also for the Kitchen Aid. LOL I love the Kitchen Aid and for the money, I think that you will get more value for you $$ with the mixer.

I was given a Classic 250 watt KA from my kids a few years back. I loved it to death! I was afraid that I was ruining the mixer because it was groaning mixing 2 loaves of bread at a time. I usually throw 4 loaves in the oven at once so that I make full use of the stove energy and don't waste the $$ on the electric bill.

I was given a gift about 6 weeks ago and told to go and buy something that would cheer me up and make me have a glad day. Well, I had been looking at the KA site and was looking at the Pro line of refurbs and still they were out of my reach. I went in to Sam's CLub and found a 450 watt KA mixer for cheaper than on the KA site.

That is what I used my gift for. Now, my only want is to purchase a second mixing bowl. So that when I am mixing 4 loaves, I can just pop the other bowl on and cut down on the lag time.

With my classic, I had purchased 2 extra mixing bowls...........can you tell that I use my mixer a lot? LOL So, I might try to sell my extra bowls and purchase a new bowl to fit the new mixer. I gave my old mixer to my son and his wife to use in their home.
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aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8502 Location: WI, USA

bump
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Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa