Stand Mixer Gift?

Question

Do you think a Kitchenaid stand mixer is a good housewarming gift for a young couple with two young children who are now "sustenance" cooks but I see the potential for them to evolve into more adventurous culinarians? If so, what type, the one where the head tilts back or goes straight up and down? Does 5 or 6 quart capacity make a big difference? Thanks!

Answer

I would say it depends on several things. Do they like baking? That is the KA forte. Do they have room in their kitchen? What other kitchen appliances do they already have and use? When our children were young we used our food processor and toaster oven a lot. Those Breville Smart Ovens are amazingly versatile and handy.

Answer

I have owned the 4.5 quart tilt head for about 25 years and it has never been too small!!

I would recommend the 4.5 quart Classic Plus. The prices look to be about $275.00, not too bad.

The Classic Plus Mixer has almost the same specifications as the Classic, but at 275 watts of horsepower, it has slightly more power. This extra boost in power means it can handle kneading dough – although it still should be used occasionally for bread use.

Answer

While it would be a very generous gift and no doubt be appreciated, there are probably better ideas. Do they already bake? Have they expressed frustration with a handheld mixer? MAYBE if you *know* one or both already are adventurous or were raised in families that had and used a stand mixer. 

What about a Breville Smart Oven?

Answer

If they have counter space and ‘appear’ to be breaking out of their shell (culinary wise), it might be a wonderful gift.

Here’s some of the early possibilities:

Pizza
Cookies
Brownies
Cinnamon Rolls
Bread
Simple cakes

I have a guess that these folks are related. True ?

Answer

I think that's a fabulous gift! Unless they're already very serious bakers, I'd get a tilt-head KA. It takes up a bit less real estate, and can be stashed in a cabinet if counter space is scarce.

My aunt and uncle gave us one as a wedding gift 20+ years ago, and it's still going strong. If we ever have more storage, I may trade it out for a version with a bigger motor (I'm primarily a bread maker), but there's no rush.

Answer

ONLY if they bake more than 10x per year. I never bake and have never had the need for one. 

IMO, there are far more useful appliances for a home to have than a $200-300 standing mixer. 

If they have a registry, get them what they want off of it. Don't buy them what you *think* they should have.

Answer

Yes, good idea, and tilt head.

Answer

I think it's hard to figure out what's best for a gift if you don't know their preferences. I had been an adventurous home cook for decades (cassoulet with home-confited duck and pork, homemade sausage, complicated vegetarian dishes and from all areas of the globe, complex mole blends and spice blends and curries of all kinds, fermented vegetables) before I ever got a stand mixer (husband brought it home from his ageing mother's house).

As others have said, standing mixers are heavy and take up a lot of space. Ours stays in the basement most of the time. 

I bake often, but mostly bread and savories. I use a good food processor much more often, and then a stick blender. A hand mixer bought at a yard sale in 1977 was good enough because I didn't do much sweet baking. Until I asked for a new hand mixer around 2010. If they aren't going to bake often, I don't see a stand mixer as a gateway to more adventurous cooking, unless that's a tradition they want to develop with their young children. That's just me, however.

Answer

I'd get them a gift certificate to somewhere that sells it (and other things) and include a nice note saying you wanted to get them this Kitchenaid because ___ but you didn't want to make an assumption about counter space or use. You could even include a pic and/or the model number. 

That way, they can still get it - and it will be your gift. But if doesn't actually fit their vision or their space, your intention will still be appreciated. 

And if I were them, I would then write you a nice thank you note with "we got the Breville instead and think of you every time we use it, which is every day" or some such.

Answer

Why so much negativity around a Kitchenaid as a gift? 

I don't understand it. I think the KA is a perfect gift. 

Because it's the one item that people will hold out the longest for in buying for themselves, precisely because they "won't use it that much", or because it seems "overpriced for what it is". 

But my experience is that at some point many people will ultimately get one, same for me. So I'd rather have it early in my cooking career so I won't have to spend money on inbetween solutions like a cheaper hand mixer. And in the meantime it can stand there in the kitchen as a culinary landmark, inviting lots of ooohs and aaahs from guests! :)

Answer

I think it would be a wonderful gift.

Answer

First, let me thank everyone for their two cents, lots of good points. I guess the reason I want to get a KA stand mixer because I like the idea that it will outlive me by many years. Every time they look at it they'll think of crazy"Uncle Jerry". I've also considered a food processor, Breville toaster oven but those things break. My 25 y/o KA mixer is still going strong. And maybe it has something to do with status. When I walk into a kitchen and see a KA mixer I think to myself that this family has an interest in good food. They are doing a big remodel before they move in so I have time to ponder my decision.

Answer

A KA mixer is a great gift, especially if they have 2 young children. Even if it is only used now and then, the kids will have some nice memories of cooking/baking with Mom and Dad.

I got mine as a birthday gift about 30 years ago, the larger one with the bowl lift. Fast forward to today, the KA gets used multiple times a week with the various attachments. The favourite is the pasta roller/cutter and a Messerschmidt grain flaker. The graters get used occasionally, and the grinder, sausage tubes and vegetable strainer have been replaced with a heavy duty unit that can handle the hundreds of kilos of tomatoes and meat that get put through it for sauce and sausages. For small amounts, they're perfect.

If you're getting the tilt head mixer, it comes in about every colour you can imagine: a nice bonus if they also want it to be an anchor piece in their kitchen decor.

Answer

If I had been gifted a stand mixer when Mrs. ricepad and I were a young couple, I think we would have probably looked at and thought, "Gee, that sure was thoughtful..." in a 'what the hell are we gonna do with this?' way. As it happens, about 15 years ago, I started coveting a stand mixer, and even tried to track down my grandmother's ancient KA (I learned it had long been given away). I finally received one as a gift 7-8 years ago, and I love it. I don't use it more than about 10-12 times a year, but it's much MUCH better than the underpowered mixer it replaced.

Times change, people change.

[FTR, mine is a bowl-lift model, purchased at Costco. One of the reasons it was purchased at Costco was the ease of returning it if I really didn't like it.]

Answer

You could give a gift card to BB&B in an amount that would allow them to purchase the KA; or they might just get what they need/want. Just make sure the accompanying welcome card is a warm welcome.

Answer

I use my Kitchen Aid stand mixer pretty much daily, often multiple times per day. 

If your friends aren’t avid bakers, I wouldn’t recommend getting them one. They are indispensable for bakers, but useless to non-bakers. 

If you get one, I highly recommend that you get the six quart bowl lift model. I used to have the five quart model. It worked for cakes and cookies, but struggled with bread, especially if the dough contained whole wheat flour. I hope to trade up to the seven quart model.

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