On Sun, 29 Mar 2004, Darrell Grainger wrote:
> On Sun, 28 Mar 2004, Charlie Sorsby wrote:
>
> > In article >,
> > sgumpel > wrote:
> > = I currently have a 4.5 quart Kitchen aid 325 watt mixer and am
> > = considering getting the 6 quart model to have greater capacity.
> > =
> > = I am very happy with the 4.5 quart model except for the fact it is
> > = very difficult to double recipes.
> > =
> > = What do people think of the 6 quart machine? I had heard there were
> > = some quality issues when the machine first came out, problems with the
> > = motor.
> > =
> > = Peoples thoughts?
> > =
> > = Thanks,
> > =
> > = Susan
> > =
> >
> > Well, here's my experience. Quite a few years ago, the old
> > KitchenAid (made by Hobart) went with my ex-wife in the divorce.
> >
> > Fewer years ago, I bought the KA 5-quart mixer and noticed that,
> > while it works "OK" the manufacturing is somewhat crude. I
> > complained to KA and they agreed to swap for the 6-quart which I
> > agreed to try.
> >
> > When I took it out of the box, I was DOA. When I advised them of
> > that, they offered to replace it but I chose to keep the 5-quart
> > which at least ran. Just before returning the larger mixer, I
> > tried it again and it ran. I'm guessing a loose connection that
> > made contact sometimes.
> >
> > Some things I don't like about current KA production (in no
> > particular order):
> >
> > 1. The naked metal paddle and dough hook. They claim, as I
> > recall, that's to make them look "professional"; I suspect it's
> > because it's cheaper not to coat them. If you get this sort, don't
> > let them soak in water--they get little chunks of white cruft on
> > them, at least they do with my water.
>
> This strange. My paddle and dough hook are coated. It was a selling point.
> The whole idea is that the cheaper models come with the bare metal paddle
> and dough hook. You can purchase the coated one as an accessory. The
> higher end models (over 400 Watts) come with the coated paddle and dough
> hook. Maybe things are different in the USA.
>
> > 2. The various beaters don't seem to fit the bowl as well as I
> > remember the old Hobart-made version.
>
> This makes me wonder. Someone else posted that for small recipes the 6
> quart might not work well because the paddle will not get the stuff in the
> bottom very well. My KA has an oddly shaped bottom (little cone shape in
> the centre of the bowl) to ensure that it does scrap the bottom very well.
> Maybe this is different for KAs sold in the USA as well.
>
> Actually, my wife just came in and asked what I was doing. When I told her
> about this thread she pointed out that the Professional Series 6 quart KA
> does not have the coated paddles and might not have the same bowl as mine.
> Apparently, the Custom Edition is better and addresses the problems you
> are noting here.
We got my wife wondering. I gave the computer up to her and she did a
little checking. Apparently, our Custom Edition mixer does not appear to
be available in the US. It is made in the US but only appears on the
Canada web site (
www.kitchenaid.ca). I guess you could always order it
from the Canadian web site.
> > 3. Manufacturing quality is poor. E.g. the ventilated back cover
> > of the motor housing is not centered properly. Removal shows that
> > the hole for the attachment screw is off-center. That is not a
> > functional problem but if their manufacturing process is so sloppy
> > what else may be wrong that *will* eventually affect function?
>
> That would worry me as well. I looked at mine and it is very well made.
> There is a definite attention to detial in the Custom Edition.
>
> > --
> > Kind regards,
> >
> > Charlie "Older than dirt" Sorsby Edgewood, NM "I'm the NRA!"
> > www.swcp.com/~crs USA Life Member since 1965
> >
>
> --
> Send e-mail to: darrell at cs dot toronto dot edu
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>
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