6  More factors to consider  before you buy a kitchen stand mixer

In the previous article 5 things to consider when you a buy a kitchen stand mixer we discussed space, mixer size and weight, capacity, number of functions, and durability and quality. Weighing all these factors when you are making the decision to spend your money can make the difference between being an unhappy consumer and a very satisfied one.  6 more factors to consider are power, warranty, price, customer service, esthetics, and ease of use.

Power is something that is hard to judge in the stand mixer comparisons. Most companies will proudly tell you how many watts of power your mixer has or will use to run at full power. They range from 250 watts for the very small models to over 1000 watts for the larger capacity models. The real test is how much work can the motor do without bogging down or burning out. Unfortunately, you usually can’t go to the store and dump a triple batch of dough into a machine and test it. The best way to get a feel for this is to check out the product reviews and the forums where people are talking about the model you are considering. 

Warranty duration is a good indicator of how reliable the manufacturer thinks the machine is. If they warranty it for 1 to 3 years that gives you plenty of time to test the product to its breaking point and have it replaced if it is defective or doesn’t live up to the specs. If you buy a refurbished or rebuilt model don’t let the 90 day warranty scare you off. Because it is rebuilt and the manufacturer is making less money they choose to minimize the risk that they will have to replace the unit.  But, the unit will be built to "like new" specificiations and if you put it to good use in the first 30-60 days it gives you time to find and report defects.   Never buy an expensive appliance that doesn't have a warranty of at least 60-90 days.

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Price is often the deal killer for a lot of people. Only you know what you can afford. There are some great models you can buy for as little as $150 to $200 if you shop around. These are models that if sold for full retail cost $400-$600. This is a great time to consider a refurbished mixer if your budget is low. Refurbished mixers are just like buying a new model for as much as half the money. You save 50% and get the same great mixer.

Customer service is an area that a large number of consumers are starting to really pay attention to. And it’s a good thing. What good is it to have a product with a life time warranty if you can’t get through to a customer service representative to get the return authorized? No one wants to be trapped in the eternal “push number 3” loop of a bad customer service experience. Being able to call the company and say “it broke” and have them replace it with courtesy, promptly and with no hassles is a bonus I am willing to pay more for when I buy a kitchen appliance.

Esthetics is an area that people can talk about for hours. Your kitchen is one area you probably spend a fair amount of time in. You want it to be pleasing to your senses and a place where you feel comfortable cooking. The last thing you want is a kitchen stand mixer that looks like it belongs in a factory on an assembly line ran by robots. You want it to match your décor. If you have a thing for blue – you want your mixer to be blue or have a neutral color that won’t clash with blue. I might buy the kitchen stand mixer in psychedelic orange because its $200 cheaper. But, my wife will probably exile it and me to the garage if I bring it home and seriously try to convince her it belongs in the kitchen. So, if you are considering a model as a gift for someone be sure you know what will please them esthetically speaking.

I saved ease of use for last because it should probably be the first thing you think about when you are testing and looking at various models of kitchen stand mixers to buy. Features such as slow start, splatter shield, how easy the bowl is to place on the mixer and dishwasher safe are all things that should be on your mind when you push the “buy it now” button.