I have been asked for information on what kind of mixer I use, so this post is dedicated to that topic...This picture shows a KitchenAid 600 Professional 6 Qt Stand Mixer, which is what I own and love! If bought new, it's expensive (for me) for a kitchen "gadget" but I have been very impressed by its quality, durability, and strength. My mother has a different kind of machine for bread mixing, which I have used before, and this is definitely my preference! Almost all its parts are made of metal and are super easy to clean, unlike some other mixers out there (including my mom's). After all, there is nothing worse than spending the time to make bread (or something else) and then having to spend as much time cleaning the machine afterward!
This lovely machine is what I use to mix and knead bread and is large enough I can make 4 loaves of bread at a time. I also use it for making cookie dough, muffins, other kinds of bread, and just about everything I need a mixer for. I have to keep it in an easy-access spot on my kitchen counter because I use it so frequently. Before I got this mixer I used a bread maker I found at a thrift store to mix and knead one loaf at a time (and when the dough was ready I would take it out and put it in a regular loaf pan and cook it in my oven). I had to make bread more often that way, but it worked just fine for a few years.
I need to point out that even if you don't have any kind of mixer, you can still make homemade bread. I have at least one cousin who makes it regularly, mixing everything by hand--4 loaves at a time. She's amazing! I don't have that kind of patience and don't find mixing dough the least therapeutic (unlike some of my siblings), so I have a hard time working up the motivation to make it that way (though if I had to, I would), so this is the perfect solution for me.
So there is my recommendation for a high-quality, long-lasting, powerful mixer that has served me excellently since the moment I got it.
5 comments:
that's almost exactly the kitchenaide I had (mine was bought about 8 years ago, so it might have been a prior model...but it looks the same). I hated how much space it took up on the counter, and changing in the mixers took more time than just whipping by hand most of the time. I sold it to a friend. The ONLY time I miss it is whipping cream--it was nice to turn it on and let it go. Otherwise, yeah, I prefer working by hand. I use wire whips and wooden spoons for more than half of my mixing, I only get out the electric mixer sometimes as it is.
Like I've said before, I'm a domestic goddess, just from the 1850s rather than the 1950s. LOL!!
Oh, and mixing a big batch of bread by hand isn't that hard. If you're going to put in the time you might as well make a big batch, right? And after hefting around kids all day, well, mixing bread is no big deal. LOL!!
Hmmm... Mine must be a much improved model because changing mixers takes only seconds. The machine itself does take up a lot of room, but I deal with it because I love the convenience. To each her own, I guess... :)
I have registered for one since we are having receptions, and I'm hopeing to be able to purchase it. For some people, Jenni, mixing bread dough by hand is no big deal. I did it growing up and it was fine. However, I have really weak wrists and my job demands a lot of wrist action as it is. It is virtually impossible for me to mix bread dough (one loaf or five) without severe pain. So for me, this machine would be very convenient. (lucky for you that you can mix dough and carry kids around). I can't wait to buy one so that I actually START making bread :) Thanks for letting me know this machine is worth the investment :)
Brandi, I hope you get it (and everything else you need)! I can really relate with your wrists. I, too, have to be constantly conscious of my wrists and take precautions daily--while exercising, lifting kids and other things, typing, etc.
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