I am thinking of buying a reconditioned Kitchen Aid 250 Watt, 4.5 Qt Stand Mixer. It is all I can really afford right now. I am only cooking for 2, and I basically want it for bread. Is it wise to jump on this opportunity (I can get it for about $100 less than market), or should I be patient and save up for a bigger/stronger model?

-- Tara Barrett (iheartnj@earthlink.net), May 29, 2001

Answers

My kids gave me a new a couple of years ago and I really like it, but haven't used it for bread. I would guess it would be strong enough.

-- Barbara Fischer (bfischer42@hotmail.com), May 29, 2001.

Throw me on the street but leave me my computer and my Kitchen Aid!! Making bread is a snap with the dough hook! I love mine and the great thing is ALL the attachments and add-on's fit every model from the first one to the brand new models. You won't believe the differance in this machine versus any other type you have seen and used! You won't be dissapointed. Even if you find you don't use it like you expected and decide to sell it, they never lose thier value...just check out the prices of what they are selling for on Ebay!

-- Karen (db0421@yahoo.com), May 30, 2001.

I have a 350w model and it sometimes strains under the weight of kneading 2-loaf recipes. (100% whole wheat). What I ended up doing was dividing the dough ball in half and kneading each one separately. That worked great. I also learned to keep my dough wetter than I would with hand kneading as that made the dough more pliable (and the bread lighter. If I were to use a 250, I think I'd only knead one loaf's worth of bread at a time - it takes only 5-8 minutes more that way. Good luck

-- Bev Carney (sinkcar@prodigy.net), May 30, 2001.

the only problem i have found with my kitchenaid, is it is very expensive to repair. unfortunately, low speed, which is what you use to make bread, is what usually gives out. now, that my children are grown, and just my husband and i are here to cook for, i use my food processor. i have found it makes one large or two small loaves really quickly and easily. very, little mess, and you can make any type of bread. also, food processors are very inexpensive. (you can also make wonderful turnover pastry) hope, this helps.

-- sherrie (sdunkling@aol.com), May 30, 2001.