Need FReeper advice: KitchenAid Mixmaster What attachments do you NEED?

[Pukin Dog]

Okay, here it is:

Girlfriend is a budding pastry chef, who made a subtle hint yesterday about wanting a Mixmaster. I'm thinking "thats no big deal, what the hell?" So, I go up to Amazon, and theres all these colors, and all these freakin attachments, and DAMN that thing is expensive!! I thought I was going to get away cheap on this deal, ya know?

So, you owners of these things, what is so great about them anyway, and what attachments should I buy with the thing, and what freaking COLOR and, and, and, by the time I'm ready to buy, should I just give her the cash?

Why is this thing so much more expensive then the other brands? Does food taste better with this thing? Is this some female status symbol or something? I could buy a lot of man stuff with that money, so ladies, tell me what's so great about this sucker, before I get her a gift certificate instead!

[ShadowDancer]

If you want a Pampered Chef one, I'll freepmail you my website. Just go under 'Our Products' and then 'Stoneware'. There are different ones to choose from, the two that I would recommend as the indispensable ones are the Large Round Stone and the Large Bar Pan. She can bake anything she wants on either. The advantage of the round stone is making pizzas on it. The advantage of the bar pan is there is a lip all the way around the stone so there is no run off if she wants to do things like ribs, meatballs, etc. I have both and use both but personally I get much more use out of the bar pan. I use the round stone a lot for my shows because a lot of the recipes people choose are geared toward that piece.

[Pukin Dog]

pukin,I just have to comment here that if my husband gave me a mixer or any kitchen appliance for Christmas, he would regret it.

Then its perfect! woo-hoo!

[Pukin Dog]

Please do, thanks. I see a nice practical joke here, where I give her the stone and make her think that its the only thing I got her! Then, I can spring the mixer and stuff on her, just as she is thinking what a jerk I am. Oh, this is going to be good!

[cajungirl]

oh man,I want one of those.

I have had the same handmixer for forty years, a wedding gift. It has served me well and doesn't clutter up the counter. What with the super juicer, the geo forman, the coffee grinder, the huge coffee espresso/cappuchino macine, the knife block,,,there is little room.

But that is a cool machine!

[ShadowDancer]

Hahahaha. If you do that you have to come back to this thread after and tell me what she did. The look on her face as she's struggling to be polite would be priceless.

[Sally'sConcerns]

Almost everything you always wanted to know about Alton Brown.

http://www.altonbrown.com/

Upper left hand corner shows his machine with the flames on it:

http://www.altonbrown.com/adventure/bookpages/gear10.html#

[LongElegantLegs]

I totally agree about the pampered chef baking stones...I'm going to have to buy a new one, since Mr. Legs put mine on a hot burner last week. It made a really spectacular sound as it shattered. :-(
That rock actually inspired a really fabulous veggie pizza recipe...

[Fierce Allegiance]

Large Round Stone and the Large Bar Pan.

Yep, perfect choices. Go for it, Puke.

[Fierce Allegiance]

It's not pizza without clams!

[LongElegantLegs]

You better make sure to sit behind something...If she chucks it at your head, it might hurt.

[LongElegantLegs]

Clams on pizza? You sick bastard.

[cajungirl]

It takes a real man to give his girlfriend his stones!!

[ShadowDancer]

I caught my husband about to use a fork in one of my Executive cookware pieces last week. I about brained him with it. LOL. And I could be making decent money if I didn't turn around and spend what I make on more products. I keep telling my husband that they're 'business investments'. Hahahaha

[ShadowDancer]

Is it a pizza that is served warm or cold? I do one called a Cool Veggie Pizza where the base is baked on the stone but then the toppings are all chilled and fresh.

[Pukin Dog]

I must agree, clams on pizza is a criminal offense.

[MHT]

I've bought more than one of these and there is a critical design problem that other mixers may have corrected. The beater is too short to hit the ingredients in the deeper part of the bowl as well as lower sides. The "point" of the bowl versus beater is disproportionate and an obvious contrast to the more effective older mixers of the 50's with a shallower, rounder (or squarer) bowl. It may be Viking, but somebody does make a bowl with greater beater access. The KA requires that you stop alot to integrate unmixed material, and even in doing so, some will be missed (which you don't know until you're pouring it into the pan). This is a particular pain if you are also using the plastic shield shown in your picture.

They do a great job of marketing these. The colors are wonderful. The motor is awesome and could probably run a go-kart. But the bowl design truly stinks.

[LongElegantLegs]

It's served nice and hot; Basil pesto on a whole wheat crust, topped with Feta cheese, sun-dried tomatos, artichoke hearts, pine nuts and spinach. Mmmmm, it's the best.
I had just got my stone and was feeling all mother-earthy when I put it together the first time... :-D

[ShadowDancer]

God that sounds great. I hadn't decided on what to make for dinner yet tonight but I think I know now. Kids won't like it but that's why God made Fruitty Pebbles.

[bonfire]

My brother just bought a different brand for his g/f. He did alot of research and found one comparable for less and had better reviews. I'll ask him which one.

[LongElegantLegs]

I caught my husband about to use a fork in one of my Executive cookware pieces last week.

Some people should just NOT be allowed near decent cookware. My husband uses a FORK to make scrambled eggs...You can imagine what all my frying pans look like. And I have some really nice silicone spatulas, but no...That's not the way his mommy made them.