"Terry" > wrote in message
...
> Hello all,
>
> I've been looking for a larger mixer than the 4.5 qt KA we have (it's
> 15-20 yrs old). Finally decided on a Cuisinart SM70 and thought you
> might want to know a little about it. It's been used only for one
> batch (2 loaves) of bread dough ---very limited experience.
>
> -Has an automatic timer up to 15 minutes. Convenient for kneading the
> bread dough.
> -1000 watts, at least that's what the nameplate says. A good bit more
> power than my 4.5 quart KA.
> -A little noisier than the KA but at 3X the power, that's ok.
> -Doesn't 'walk' while kneading, the way our KA does.
> -The top lifts off to reveal two accessory connections; moderate speed
> and high speed (blender, food processor, other?). A third, low-speed
> port on the front. I might get the meat grinder attachment later, I
> like the idea of home-ground beef and homemade sausage.
> -Bowl *holds* a little more than 7 quarts, but the amount it can
> actually *mix* is around 5 quarts. Reason: The top of the beater is
> down inside the bowl, not slightly above the bowl like the KA. I
> don't expect to mix large volumes of material, I mainly wanted
> something with more oomph than the 4.5 qt. It did mix two loaves'
> worth of bread dough without a hiccup.
> -Tall narrow bowl takes up less room in the fridge when chilling the
> bowl or its contents. A big plus for our fridge.
> -Bowl has handles!! (KA does not, it's hard to remove that bowl after
> a kneading session.)
> -The paddle and dough hook are anodized aluminum. Better than the 6qt
> KA (chrome plated? at least the one I use in the lab is) but not as
> good as the 5 qt and 4.5 qt KA (plastic coated). I expect the
> anodizing to wear off somewhat with use, while the plastic-coated
> paddle of our KA is still good after 15+ years.
> -The dough hook is definitely more effective for mixing than the hook
> on the 4.5 qt KA.
> -Each of the three beaters can be adjusted for optimum height. Depth.
> Whatever. On the KA that adjustment is on the mixer head and so is
> the same for all three beaters.
> -Tilt-head, not bowl-lift. I've used both and prefer the tilt but
> that's a personal preference.
> -The clear plastic splashguard WORKS, is convenient, and is easy to
> clean (one piece).
> -About the same price as the 6 quart KA on eBay. (Actually a bit less,
> got mine for only $320.)
> -Only one color, silver. And here I had my heart set on royal blue.
> Ah well.
> -Comes with a DVD which I have yet to watch, but is probably much
> better than an instruction manual.
> -Lifetime? Time will tell.
>
> Overall it seems to have been a worthwhile purchase IMHO.
>
> Hope someone finds this useful -- Terry

A recent Cook's Illustrated spoke *very* highly of the Cuisinart.