More is more sometimes, at least in the world of small appliances. KitchenAid has introduced a new member of the stand mixer family, known as the Artisan mixer. It has a tilting head, like the KSM90, but it has a larger 5 qt. capacity bowl. It also gives you more oomph, as in 325 watts of cookie dough busting power. What's not to love? If you've been considering a stand mixer, this may be the perfect "starter model" for you.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: So far I am satisfied with KitchenAid
Comment: Okay. I am giving this review 4 stars because of the entire experience I've had since Christmas with this mixer.
I received this as a gift and I was happy to start using it promptly. The mixer itself is a sturdy item, weighing a considerable amount. I felt like it was a fairly high quality item. The mixer made cookies with no squabbles, and also made a cake with no issues.
After I made the cookies I decided to play around with the mixer to make sure it worked on all settings and all... then I realized that at times my mixer wouldn't work on the "stir" setting, and sometimes it would mix at the same level as "2". Other times when on "stir" it would work in bursts, making a horrible grinding noise not unlike when I first learned to drive a stick shift.
We called KitchenAid and the customer service person was very professional, very friendly, and sent us out a replacement that they said would take 2-3 weeks. THREE days later the new mixer was delivered.
The new mixer has a different "stir" speed that is consistent, is slower than speed "2", works well on all levels, and I am very satisfied with the mixer.
So overall, so far so good. I will update from time to time, as it's part of my New Year's resolution to use this mixer often :-)
Customer Rating: Summary: Excellent product, worth the purchase price
Comment: I purchased this about a year ago on sale. (The white was on sale for $199 and I couldn't pass it up even though I worried I wouldn't use it much). Turns out it's been a huge help in the kitchen. Especially great for yeast breads, as I can mix the bread and let it rise in the bowl. Really low clean up. The bread hook that is included kneads bread well. Also great for cookies and other baked goods.
The mixer is heavy and stays well put on the counter, it does not take up as much counter space as I had thought. It came with a cook book which doesn't get used much, but just about any baked good recipe can be made with this mixer once you've got the routine down. I purchased an additional recipe book, but really did not use as I mainly recipezaar recipes these days.
Well worth it, you won't regret the purchase, but you may want to watch prices for a little while and time your purchase.
Customer Rating: Summary: Worth the money
Comment: I purchased the mixer at the end of October 2008. I thoroughly enjoyed it until Christmas Eve. The head would no longer lock into place. It was bouncing up and down. I called Kitchen Aid customer service on 12/26 and received a replacement today on 1/2/2009. I love their customer service and the product. The replacement mixer has a new warranty on it and they paid for the return shipping on the old one. Fantastic!
Customer Rating: Summary: Great, just don't use it for bread!
Comment: The machine did a fine job this holiday season (2008) with cookies and cakes. In fact, I think it is the best machine for making these baking products. Many recipes call for placing ingredients in a mixer with the flat beater, which probably means a KitchenAid mixer.
But don't even try using it for bread. This is my 4th mixer (Ultra Power through Professional 6), and I have burned out the motors on each one making breads. It cannot withstand the power needed to make and knead bread doughs, whether white or multi-grain, nor can it take making multiple recipes in one baking session. For that, I recommend the Electrolux Assistent.
I also have the pasta rolloer attachment, which works very well. It is easy to install, and the mixer motor is the third hand that would otherwise be needed with a manual pasta roller.
Customer Rating: Summary: Huge disappointment
Comment: I purchased this mixer over a year ago and have only used it a hand full of times for cakes, cookies, or whipping cream.
Today i finally tried making bread dough, the machine on medium speed shook and jumped all over the counter, i turned it off and upon looking into the bowl i notice dark fragment and dark specs all over the top of the paddle and bowl, including my dough. I called Kitchen Aid and was assured that they had no clue as to would be wrong and because the warranty was finished i needed to take the machine 3 hours to the nearest repair store. The fragments and dust are metal and dried grease. This is ridiculous and because of the shaking that the machine did the bowl is now stuck into the mixer and will not twist off.....
What a waste of money.
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