"Why is this thing so much more expensive then the other brands?"
Good tools always seem to cost more up front. However when you realize that one Kitchen Aid mixer will outlast three, maybe four of the cheaper models, it ends up being cheaper in the long run. :)
Then there's the matter of quality. The cheaper models were never meant for the kind of usage that a professional chef routinely requires.
How about starting out with the professional model with the three basic beaters(beater, whip, and dough hook). Attachments can be purchased later on. Color? Either ask or play it safe with stainless steel.
Hope this helps - from a cook with 30+ years experience. :)
Thanks, Mrs Ranger.
Liking the Red, though. Some of you folks have me thinking I should buy the thing for myself and learn to use it!
I agree with you Mrs. Ranger. And the mixer comes with the three basic attachments.
My daughter gave me one of these a couple years ago and I do not know how I managed all those years without my Kitchenaid. I also got an attachment from Ebay that rolls oats which I like very much and it works very well.
The other thing I bought for myself was a very good kitchen scale (actually I bought a cheap one first and found out why a good one was necessary). Now I weigh my ingredients right in the bowl and instead of having a sink-ful of dishes to wash after I've done my mixing, there's just one dish, the actual mixing bowl.