4 ms·

What if modern appliances were built like the KitchenAid stand mixer?

11 points by arbesman 3y ago

tullianus 3y ago
https://archive.is/K51TH https://archive.is/K51TH
WarOnPrivacy 3y ago
> "Modern appliances are rarely built to last. They could learn something from the KitchenAid stand mixer...My dad bought the white-enameled machine 35 years ago" There were good appliances 35years ago (except maybe GE). Our garage fridge is 20yo. We found a Maytag washer dryer set from 88 (but still using the 90s Whirlpool washer). We bought a new (entry model) KA mixer about 15 years ago. It had too many issues and went away. We eventually found one from about 35 years old and it's been great. Son #3 replaced something on it recently(& cheaply, & easily), a bearing I think.
plopz 3y ago
Not sure if it affects the older ones, but I've burned out the motor on a few KitchenAid mixers when using the dough hook.
- JohnFen 3y ago
  Newer KitchenAid stand mixers are very much inferior to the old ones. The sad thing is that they are still better than most of the other ones currently on the market.
  - Spastche 3y ago
    this was my conclusion after doing a bunch of research. hopefully I'll be able to repair it easily if it does break
- blarg1 3y ago
  did you limit the speed to 2? I had to have someone tell me that because I didn't read the manual.
ruph123 3y ago
When I moved to the US I was so surprised to learn that the KitchenAid stand mixer only has 325W! As a German who makes thick bread doughs and is used to ~2200W~ 1200W Kenwood machines I was shocked. How does anyone ever use this for anything? *I understand that the lower Voltage means less power but a) there would be much more room for higher powered devices with 1000W+ and b) there are very few stand mixers who support the double voltage outlets which some kitchens offer and those are industrial understandably. Very underwhelming. I miss the Kenwoods sold in Europe.
- _aavaa_ 3y ago
  Do you remember the model number for that 2.2kW stand mixer...
  - starkparker 3y ago
    You can get a 1700W Kenwood Titanium Chef XL in the US. The KitchenAid does not share a target market with it. They're essentially the respective kitchen power tool brand equivalents of Ryobi and Festool. The KitchenAid looks better, is designed for simplicity and approachability, covers the typical uses of a home kitchen, and sacrifices high-end power for flexibility as a multi-tool. The Kenwood is larger, heavier, and more difficult to clean and maintain. Its size gives it a larger capacity that most households won't use. It costs 2-4x more than the KitchenAid and AFAICT comes in only the stainless steel finish. Most of the power available to the Kenwood is useless to home cooking and baking.
    - ruph123 3y ago
      The Kenwood machines are not more difficult to use. It literally has one knob and a pulsing setting. You flip the machine back to remove the bowl. Easy to clean. It is exactly the same handling. The Kenwood is build very sturdyly, build like a tank and gives has the additional power. It looks more ugly but is the better product. It is just that brand awareness of the KitchenAid trumps all. Also the machine you mentioned is not sold in the US anymore. Afaik the only machine is the 800W Chef Titanium (which is what I have).
snakeyjake 3y ago
Adjusted for inflation a KitchenAid "K" stand mixer (the one everyone thinks about when they think about the "good old kitchenaid"), when bought new in the 1930s and 1940s, cost $1,000. Today you can buy an Ankarsrum Original Kitchen Machine for $750 and have $250 to buy its high-quality attachments. Hand-assembled in Sweden, all metal including the bits on the inside hidden from view. Many modern appliances are still built like old ones. They are also priced like old ones.
- vijayr02 3y ago
  Thanks for this name, I'd never heard of it. Do you have other recommendations for buy once but buy well home appliances? I mean washing machines / dishwashers / dryers / fridges etc
fileoffset 3y ago
Even KitchenAid mixers are no longer as good as KitchenAid Mixers. They use plastic gears now and are generally overpriced junk. When buying a mixer, look for Metal Gearing. Avoid plastic gearing and belt drives. For an example of a good quality metal geared mixer that is well constructed, check out Breville.

11 points by arbesman 3y ago

https://archive.is/K51TH https://archive.is/K51TH

> "Modern appliances are rarely built to last. They could learn something from the KitchenAid stand mixer...My dad bought the white-enameled machine 35 years ago" There were good appliances 35years ago (except maybe GE). Our garage fridge is 20yo. We found a Maytag washer dryer set from 88 (but still using the 90s Whirlpool washer). We bought a new (entry model) KA mixer about 15 years ago. It had too many issues and went away. We eventually found one from about 35 years old and it's been great. Son #3 replaced something on it recently(& cheaply, & easily), a bearing I think.

plopz 3y ago

Not sure if it affects the older ones, but I've burned out the motor on a few KitchenAid mixers when using the dough hook.

JohnFen 3y ago
Newer KitchenAid stand mixers are very much inferior to the old ones. The sad thing is that they are still better than most of the other ones currently on the market.
- Spastche 3y ago
  this was my conclusion after doing a bunch of research. hopefully I'll be able to repair it easily if it does break
blarg1 3y ago
did you limit the speed to 2? I had to have someone tell me that because I didn't read the manual.

ruph123 3y ago

When I moved to the US I was so surprised to learn that the KitchenAid stand mixer only has 325W! As a German who makes thick bread doughs and is used to ~2200W~ 1200W Kenwood machines I was shocked. How does anyone ever use this for anything? *I understand that the lower Voltage means less power but a) there would be much more room for higher powered devices with 1000W+ and b) there are very few stand mixers who support the double voltage outlets which some kitchens offer and those are industrial understandably. Very underwhelming. I miss the Kenwoods sold in Europe.

_aavaa_ 3y ago
Do you remember the model number for that 2.2kW stand mixer...
- starkparker 3y ago
  You can get a 1700W Kenwood Titanium Chef XL in the US. The KitchenAid does not share a target market with it. They're essentially the respective kitchen power tool brand equivalents of Ryobi and Festool. The KitchenAid looks better, is designed for simplicity and approachability, covers the typical uses of a home kitchen, and sacrifices high-end power for flexibility as a multi-tool. The Kenwood is larger, heavier, and more difficult to clean and maintain. Its size gives it a larger capacity that most households won't use. It costs 2-4x more than the KitchenAid and AFAICT comes in only the stainless steel finish. Most of the power available to the Kenwood is useless to home cooking and baking.
  - ruph123 3y ago
    The Kenwood machines are not more difficult to use. It literally has one knob and a pulsing setting. You flip the machine back to remove the bowl. Easy to clean. It is exactly the same handling. The Kenwood is build very sturdyly, build like a tank and gives has the additional power. It looks more ugly but is the better product. It is just that brand awareness of the KitchenAid trumps all. Also the machine you mentioned is not sold in the US anymore. Afaik the only machine is the 800W Chef Titanium (which is what I have).

snakeyjake 3y ago

Adjusted for inflation a KitchenAid "K" stand mixer (the one everyone thinks about when they think about the "good old kitchenaid"), when bought new in the 1930s and 1940s, cost $1,000. Today you can buy an Ankarsrum Original Kitchen Machine for $750 and have $250 to buy its high-quality attachments. Hand-assembled in Sweden, all metal including the bits on the inside hidden from view. Many modern appliances are still built like old ones. They are also priced like old ones.

vijayr02 3y ago
Thanks for this name, I'd never heard of it. Do you have other recommendations for buy once but buy well home appliances? I mean washing machines / dishwashers / dryers / fridges etc

fileoffset 3y ago

Even KitchenAid mixers are no longer as good as KitchenAid Mixers. They use plastic gears now and are generally overpriced junk. When buying a mixer, look for Metal Gearing. Avoid plastic gearing and belt drives. For an example of a good quality metal geared mixer that is well constructed, check out Breville.