Why Kitchenaid Still Rocks

**Phog Allen** · 10-24-2009, 09:18 AM

Good morning chaps. I thought I would pass along a little tidbit I learned about Kitchenaid blenders this morning. Now this may be nothing new to those who use their blenders a lot but it was to me. A number of years ago the wife and I bought a "refurbished" Kitchenaid five speed blender. Most of the refurbished KA stuff was actually used for Kitchenaid sponsored food/cooking demonstration shows or people used them for their Christmas party and then returned them. Pretty poor form by the returners but a good deal for those of us who had this explained by a knowledgeable clerk at our local outlet store. Anyroad, we used this thing occasionally for about ten years. Zero problems. Then this morning, it happened. I was making some of that delicious hot chocolate from Mexico. It comes in a hockey puck looking affair and sports a little old granny looking lady on the package. Abueletta, I think may be the brand. I have learned the hard way to put the disc of hard chocolate mix in the blender and pulverise it before adding the milk. It doesn't froth as much this way. So I did but noticed the blender bogged down a bit. When I finished I was shocked to find the black rubber coupler(Kitchenaid told me later what this is what it is correctly called) laying in pieces! Dang it. A hundred bucks gone I thought. I called up the KA 800 number, told them what happened and asked if I was out a blender. The lady started laughing and said, no. They are designed to fail rather than smoke the motor. She gave me the number of a semi local repair facility. A quick phone call revealed they were the princely sum of $4.85 apiece. I ordered two and total including shipping was about $17. And I never had to leave the house. How about that? A company that doesn't essentially tell you to chuck the old one and buy new. Thank you Kitchenaid.

Regards, Todd

**Rughi** · 10-24-2009, 09:39 AM

Go Hobart!

**mmack66** · 10-24-2009, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by Rughi

Go Hobart!

Too bad that Hobart sold KA.

**BobS** · 10-25-2009, 08:34 AM

We have had a KA mixer for more than 20 years and it gets some serious work with bread and cookies.

Earlier this year, if was finally making so much noise that I decided I had to take it in. They cleaned it up, repacked the gears, adjusted the hinge and sent me on my way for about $70. It is just like new and still getting a heavy workout.

**Bertilak** · 10-25-2009, 09:20 AM

We have (well, had) a Kitchenaid mixer since the 1970's. (I know it's that old because its color is "Harvest Gold" and that's also when our first two kids were born.) It went through a family of two parents and three kids until all the kids left home. So it is at least 30 years old.

A couple of years ago SWMBO decided she wanted the new "Professional 600" model in a nice professional looking finish so I got it for Christmas or her birthday or somesuch.

The old one sat unused in our garage for two years (hot Texas summers!) until my son got engaged. It is now working as good as new in the house he and his fiancee just set up.

The cable show "How It's Made" had a segment on Kitchenaid mixers. They are well made.

**SiBurning** · 10-25-2009, 09:26 AM

The old Hobart ones have metal gears. The newer ones are "designed to fail" plastic. You can easily get parts for most of them, even 40 years later. There are some things that are practially impossible to do without a stand mixer, and the KitchenAids just rock. I bought an old 4.5 quart Hobart one and was suprised to find out I can still get parts and atachments. Not that I've had to.

**Bertilak** · 10-25-2009, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by SiBurning

The old Hobart ones have metal gears. The newer ones are "designed to fail" plastic.

The Professional 600 model we have advertises "All steel gears and all metal construction". It also says it has "soft start", which I am guessing is to prevent sudden impact loads on the motor and gears.

**SiBurning** · 10-25-2009, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by Robert Paulsen

The Professional 600 model we have advertises "All steel gears and all metal construction". It also says it has "soft start", which I am guessing is to prevent sudden impact loads on the motor and gears.

Oops! I do remember hearing something about the pro models still being made the old fashioned way. Those aren't the "pro" series of the home line. I think it's the 6 quart and larger models. There are some good prices on those these days. When I was looking, they were over $500us.

**RexHavoc** · 10-25-2009, 10:32 AM

SWBMO has been desiring one of the Kitchenaid stand mixers forever, but we couldn't justify the cost of a new one, lo and behold I found and 30 year one at a garage sale for $15. I was the conquering hero for a little while ( a very little while)

**Bertilak** · 10-25-2009, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by Robert Paulsen

The Professional 600 model we have advertises "All steel gears and all metal construction". It also says it has "soft start", which I am guessing is to prevent sudden impact loads on the motor and gears.

Just read another KA advertisement -- "soft start" is to prevent splash back when starting to mix splashable stuff.

**mmack66** · 10-25-2009, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Robert Paulsen

The Professional 600 model we have advertises "All steel gears and all metal construction". It also says it has "soft start", which I am guessing is to prevent sudden impact loads on the motor and gears.

+1. The KA I bought at Costco has metal gears and such.

**Monkeydad** · 10-26-2009, 01:21 PM

Great story.

I've always wanted a KA mixer, but haven't had the extra $200+ to afford one (there are always more important things to pay for, especially with a child).

I used one in cooking classes in school and loved it. Someday I'll have one!

**Dennis** · 10-26-2009, 01:31 PM

Love my KA stuff. Shortly after I bought my stand mixer, the motor burned out. I was using the pasta press front attachment and a recipe specified by the press. This was a 5 qt professional model with the liftable bowl instead of swingback head. KA apologized and mailed me a new mixer before me even returning the original. Great company, and from my home state.

**dpm802** · 10-26-2009, 01:42 PM

A magazine that does Reports on Consumer goods did an audit of food processors ... and wouldn't you know that KA scored 3 out of the top 4 spots.

I've been wanting to buy their model 700 processor ... its a 7cup model with a 3cup inner bowl ... but it uses the same motor and accessories as their larger models, so it has all the strength and cutting power of the KA BigBoys, but at a scaled down size and price.

**Phog Allen** · 10-26-2009, 03:46 PM

I know chaps. Isn't rather nice that for once in this day and age that something is still built to last? At least a little while. In addition to the blender we have the 5 quart "professional" stand mixer with bowl lift rather than a rotating bowl. Bought it at the same outlet that sold us the blender. Same story. "Refurbished" and the sales girl laughed. She told us it came from a home show somewhere and had been used to mix a few batches of this and that batter and was promptly returned to the factory to be cleaned up and resold. We payed $289 for it about ten years ago. Retail even then was nearly $395. Hasn't given us a lick of trouble.

Regards, Todd

**Abdiel** · 10-26-2009, 05:28 PM

Kitchen aids are awesome machines. I have the smaller model and want to get one of the larger ones when I can afford it.

My current Kitchen Aid has been dropped, dinged, fallen out of a van onto the pavement, even fallen down a flight of stairs. Barely a dent or ding beyond the finish and the plastic guards breaking off the speed and lock levers.

**David R** · 10-26-2009, 06:28 PM

You pay a little extra for KA products but it is well worth it in the long run.

**Greybeard** · 10-26-2009, 06:47 PM

KitchenAid does not make bad products. A few are average performers for the price. Several are outstanding regardless of price. None are bad or below par.

- Peter

**Monkeydad** · 10-27-2009, 08:43 AM

Does anyone have experience with their refrigerators and large kitchen appliances?

With this kind of reputation, I'd be willing to buy everything from them when I remodel the kitchen someday.

**Dennis** · 10-27-2009, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by buster

Does anyone have experience with their refrigerators and large kitchen appliances?

With this kind of reputation, I'd be willing to buy everything from them when I remodel the kitchen someday.

Kitchen Aid appliances are made by Whirlpool. I have a KA electric wall oven and gas range top from my remodel. I am quite happy with both.