Persimmon KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixers KSM150PSPN

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Prior to getting a KitchenAid for my anniversary, I used a cheap Hamilton Beach hand mixer. I'm not sure how much life that thing has left in her and...well, let's face it...there is NOTHING like the convenience of a stand mixer! Upon opening the box, I quickly inspected everything to make sure it was okay. It was! I wiped down the mixer with a dry cloth and then washed the stainless steel bowl and beaters. Seriously, I thought I was going to be intimidated by the mixer because it is so different then a hand mixer, but it is incredibly easy to use. You use the knob on the right side of the blender to release the head, which enables you to lock the bowl into place and get your beater attached with ease. Then you simply re-lock the head, plug in and mix away!

So far I have made several batches of sugar cookies and royal icing with my mixer. Personally, I like to add the first ingredients (eggs, sugar, butter) before I put the mixer head back down. Once that gets to mixing, I put the plastic "splash" guard up and slowly pour in my dry ingredients. One thing I have found though is that even with the splash guard on the bowl, you will still get dry ingredients "poofed" up onto your mixer if you turn the speed up too high. I think it works best to mix it on a lower speed until most of the flour, confectioners sugar etc are mixed, then turn it up higher. This should reduce the amount of ingredients that splash all over.

Overall, I love this machine! Some people said they had to adjust the screw a bit to get everything mixed on the bottom of the bowl, but I did not have that problem. After using the Artisan Mixer and the Professional Series (with the arms that hold the bowl), I definitely like this one MUCH better! With the Professional KitchenAid, the bowl would pivot some on the "thumbs" that hold the bowl in place on the arms of the machine. That movement made a loud noise in addition to the motor. Also, on the Professional series there are no (to my knowledge) height adjustments to the bowl other than all the way down or all the way up.

Again, I cannot recommend this mixer enough! There are tons of great attachments to get or if you are like me, you will be thrilled with just the stuff it comes with! The KitchenAid Artisan mixer is so easy to use and just as easy to clean up! Also, KitchenAid frequently does mail in rebates where you get money back or additional products for your mixer. So worth it!

P.S. - I just wanted to add that I feel like this mixer takes so much struggle and stress off my shoulders when I cook/bake. I like to use recipes from the Internet and now I can throw ingredients in the mixer and walk away to re-read my recipe. Also...and this is HUGE for me as I have such a small kitchen, no dishwasher and almost no counter space...I can do clean up along the way while I am working because I have time to wash some dishes or pick up while food is mixing.