Mixer: KitchenAid vs Bosch Universal vs Ankarsrum/Electrolux magic mill

I own both, KitchenAid has become an
a perfect example of built in obsolescence. AVOID KITCHEN AID, unless you like your mixer breaking every few years. Old ones were amazing but you'd have to find pre2000.

Anyone with the Anksarum have a problem with the plastic bowl breaking under heavy load (chocolate chip cookies). I know they say you can use the stainless steel bowl for stiff batter, but it is a lot more work!

Everyone I want to apologize for not answering sooner about the mix. Been some illness in the family and now we are in the process of moving. Yes, I want to sell the mixer, it is orange and I have only used it two times. I found out I am allergic to American wheat so needless to say, I can no longer eat bread (breaks my heart). Give me an idea what you think it is worth. Sorry for the delay.

Kitchen Aid used to be good, now they don't last longer than a few years.

I hated every Kitchenaid mixer I owned..even the heavy duty, supposed commercial mixer, which weighed 10 tons burned out. I loved my Cuisinart mixer, but now being much older with arthritic thumbs, their bowl only has two small handles which no longer work for me. But for anyone younger the Cuisinart mixer was so much more user friendly, and I truly object to all the Kitchenaid colors becoming the most important feature of their not so great mixer.

Ankarsrum also has scratch-and-dent and refurbished machines available at reduced cost (between $500-575) with full warranty. Availability varies over time. Search for “open box” on their website.
Machines are also available occasionally on www.thefreshloaf.com

I realize this is 'way after the fact but I'd like to weigh in for the benefit of those coming to this board for the first time.
A year or so ago, I was finally able to not only afford an Ankarsrum (after many years of wanting one), but to gift them to family and a friend (I think six mixers, besides mine). We ALL love it. The Ankarsrum's concept seems very counter-intuitive to anyone who has used pretty much any other stand mixer but once you master it, it's a genius machine. The instructions that ship with the machine are from hunger but fortunately, there are excellent demo videos online. The ones you want are from The Bread Beckers, AnkarsrumUSA, and Lynn Junk (the Canadian distributor). Put the time into watching them a few times and you'll be a pro before you ever click the power dial.

The Bosch Universal Plus is also a fine machine but, if you think about it, the price differential between it and the Ankarsrum isn't all that much. The basic machine is $399; however, if you want to make cakes and cookies, the necessary Baker's Pack brings the cost up to $455, unless you catch a sale that throws them in for free (usually Mothers Day and Black Friday). If you want to extend the warranty from three years to five, that's another $50 and you're still coming in two years below the Ankarsrum's 7-year warranty. If you want a stainless bowl (standard with the Ankarsrum), that's another $100 - $145 (depending on if it's purchased with the base or as an add-on), plus the Baker's Pack is going to cost you $62 because you can't get bundle it--or any other accessory--with the stainless bowl. Ankarsrums usually go on sale for $50 less in December, so you're looking at $610 (or more) with a shorter warranty vs. $650 for, if truth be told, a much better machine that will last for decades, takes up less space with similar capacity, and comes in a choice of sexy colors.

Don't get me wrong--the BUP is an excellent machine and is a beloved choice among members (quite a few of whom also own Ankarsrums) of the online mixer owners group on which I'm a monitor. Some people, including our members, prefer the Bosch but if you're leaning towards an Ankarsrum and can wait for the December sale, don't let price be a consideration because, all things considered, the difference is negligible.

Either machine is excellent and will out-perform and out-last a Kitchen-Aid.

I have a Viking and it is so powerful that it walked off the counter and the lock doesn't work at high speeds. Also, the cover over the attachment area won't stay on so often when I lift the top, it falls off. I'm now considering a Kitchenaid again, I just can't decide on a model.

I have a Viking and it is so powerful that it walked off the counter and the lock doesn't work at high speeds. Also, the cover over the attachment area won't stay on so often when I lift the top, it falls off. I'm now considering a Kitchenaid again, I just can't decide on a model.

This is a long due answer, in case anyone interested. After mulling over about this so much, I took the plunge and get Ankarsrum. So far, the cake (https://food52.com/recipes/37307-1-2-3-4-cake-with-raspberry-buttercream), shortbread cookies (http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/12/gorgonzola-and-pistachio-shortbread.html), and whipped cream (http://allrecipes.com/recipe/140837/sturdy-whipped-cream-frosting/) I tried has come out beautifully. I used roller and scraper for cake batter, plastic bowl+wire whip beater for whipped cream, and bowl+cookie beater for the cookies. I didn't have problem creaming sugar and butter with roller+scraper when making the cake. I think the shortbread can also use the roller too, I just didn't realize it earlier.

If there is any problem, I'll post an update later on. But so far, I love the machine and plan to keep it for a long term. Thank you everyone for your inputs!

I have a KitchenAid Artisan mixer that I bought about three years ago. As I don't do a lot of baking and have never made bread with it, it has served me well. I think the biggest question is how much baking/bread making you plan to do, and how much your parents are willing to spend. I'd also make sure that your machine can be serviced in your country and that replacement parts are easily accessible without costing a fortune. Good luck.

My old (35 years or so) Kitchenaid is so apparently indestructible that I've never had occasion to look into others. I learned to make bread on it, but seldom do anymore- other than a couple of doughs too sticky to handle, I find it easier and more satisfying to do by hand. Most of this discussion has focused on bread; one thing that hasn't been mentioned much is accessories, for which Kitchenaid has a vast array, from pasta makers to sausage stuffers. I personally find the meat grinder indispensable. A lot of the more modern ones- the ice cream maker, food processor attachment etc. I haven't tried, but I think they should be considered when looking into machines.

I hate my ankarsrum mixer, I blew up my kitchen aid that I bought at Costco. They are not the same Kitchen aid that you pay full price. I bout the Ankarsrum because I bake a lot of bread, but I find it very difficult to make bread dough. I inherited my mothers Kitchen Aid, which is a workhorse but not big enough for my bread dough, plus it is from the Hobart era so it is very well made. I am thinking of buying a Kitchen Aid Pro6500 and I am wondering if any one has experience using this model. My Anakarsrum is like brand new if someone would like to make me an offer. It is orange. Happy baking.

lleello, what city do you live near?
www.ankarsrumoriginalusa.com has a list of dealers across the US; however, some of the links are old or info is out of date. But this is how I found a dealer for accessories near my home.
Second idea: I am active on a baking forum ("The Fresh Loaf", like Food 52 but focused on bread) and am wondering if anyone on that forum who has an Ankarsrum lives near you and can give info on where they bought it. Some of the members own commercial bakeries and they may be willing to give a demo.
And as I said, if you find yourself near Philadelphia, I would be happy to show you my machine...I bake every weekend!
Good luck on your quest!

I just realized you can probably watch some YouTube videos to see the different machines in action, since that's how I learned how to use the Ankarsrum (because it was used it didn't have an instruction book). I watched videos from Pleasant Hill Grain Company.
The videos might give you an idea of which machine seems easiest to use for what you like to do. The other option might be to find a retail vendor for these mixers and have them give you a demonstration. Pleasant Hill (in Nebraska) carries the Bosch and Ankarsrum and some other models. Williams-Sonoma and Sur la Table carry the Kitchen Aid and will do a demo (a department store will not).

I understand what you mean about eBay. If I buy something there, I always have a problem, but my husband never does...so I had him buy it for me. Somehow he has the magic! He got me a nice souvenir if Sweden...

I would go with the Ankarsrum, in a heartbeat. If $800 seems too steep for an item that will last generations, consider a gently used one for about half the cost. It's not difficult to use but the approach is different from any other mixer--there are some great YouTube videos which demonstrate how, and once you've got it, You'll see how the design is really intuitive.

I had a 5 qt Kitchen Aid, 20+ years old, that did a great job. Gave it to my niece when I received the 6 qt Artisan as a gift. Sent that one back while under warantee because it was missing the top speed. The replacement they sent is so noisy (95 dB!) I need ear protection. Does a good job with egg whites and whipping cream, as well as batter and cookie dough, but struggles with heavier bread doughs, and when I get up to 4 lbs dough, forget it.

And then I went to visit Sweden, and my hosts had an Ankarsrum. And I was sold. Quiet, sturdy, easy to use, easy to clean. Built-in timer and shuts itself off! Even though it claims to have a 6 qt bowl like the Kitchen Aid, it can handle twice as much dough without a problem. I got it for about $450 on eBay. And when I bake, which is weekly, I reach for the Ankarsrum first.
Gosh, if you lived in my neighborhood (Philly), I'd invite you over to compare for yourself!

Get a Costco membership.
Costco....has it own version of the kitchenaid that's exclusive to the Costco that does't use the plastic gears.

I think it may decide on what you would use it for. Bosch is great for making bread as I use it every week using normal bread recipes, but clean up is a pain, and the dough rises up the center spindle. You can now buy a very cheap piece of plastic that stops this. It's also great for meringues. But for cakes I'd look elsewhere, it didn't do a good job of creaming butter/sugar and then eggs. The problem with center spindle machines, is you have to scrape the sides and the center spindle, although I see Bosch now has an attachment for the sides to help this. The kitchen Aid pro lines, with metal gears might be the best compromise for cakes and bread for the price.

I have gone through 2 6-qt. KitchenAid Professionals in the last five years, wouldn't buy another, now use a Breville 5-qt. for lighter doughs and the Electrolux Assistent for the bread dough that I make about every other day. The Assistent definitely has a learning curve, but it makes unbeatable bread. I was astonished at the difference the Assistent made in the quality of my finished bread. But that learning curve… Took a while, much frustration.

I've had my Kitchen Aid for years and, while its probably not built for the abuse I put it through, its stuck through with me all this time. If I were to buy a stand mixer today, I would probably buy a Viking. Although its not one you were considering, I've heard from home bakers to industry chefs alike that its unsurpassable in function and durability.

I've used all of them. I have 3 Kitchenaids I've had for 20, 15, and 5 years, respectively. All are still going strong. I also have a Magic Mill. I've had it for almost 20 years, and it's a perfect bridge in size between my Kitchenaids and my 20 quart Hobart. I used to teach classes for a cooking equipment store whose owner had drunk deeply of the koolaid of Bosch. I was constantly encouraged to use it, especially in bread baking classes. I've never used any kind of machine that I hated so strongly from the start. NO one in the store could stand the thing. It's difficult to use for any recipe other than those which come with the machine, more difficult to clean, and plastic throughout.