Saturday, April 16, 2011

KitchenAid

I busted my 23 year-old Kenwood Major mixer months ago when I absent-mindedly used the K-beater to knead a large quantity of dough. My Kenwood mixer is the second hardest-working work horse in my kitchen--the first being Vero, my wonderful helper for 16 years-- and I love it (to death, as it turns out). The mixer is so durable (23 years!) that the three (yes, three) times it fell off my kitchen counter, it continued running while lying sideways. What was equally amazing was that the plastic parts only got slightly dented, not cracked. In 23 years, it only required 2 repairs, once when the belt burnt and the other when it didn't run.  My only complaint is that the mixer moves when it works hard; I needed to stand near it to stop it from falling. I'm told that KitchenAid mixers are all-metal and too heavy to move. They (KitchenAid mixers) are also less noisy.

I will get my mixer repaired when I find the technician who can do it but I seriously need another mixer pronto.A friend insists that her friend who has both KitchenAid and Kenwood mixers prefers the Kenwood while another lady who has a KitchenAid, a Kenwood and a Spar mixer from Taiwan swears by the Spar mixer. I checked out the Spar mixer and it was as big as an oven and quite ugly. I think if I bake commercially that would be a good one to buy. I am thoroughly confused.  But I am victim to the KitchenAid ad onslaught--every celebrity chef is using a KitchenAid mixer--so I think I'll go with a KitchenAid.

But which model should I buy? The Artisan is too small for my baking. It looks like the equivalent of the Kenwood Chef. I had upgraded from a (borrowed) Chef to the Major and the latter does a much faster and better job because it's much more powerful. That's why I always advice new bakers to get the Major rather than upgrade later. I am also told that the professional series of KitchenAid mixers do not have a tilt-back head. Rather, the bowl is a lift-up type which is, I'm told, not as convenient. Or is it?

KitchenAid mixers are ridiculously expensive outside of the US. The Artisan mixer is only around USD270 in the US but in Malaysia it is around RM2400 (USD800). I can get one from the US but the voltage is different--is that a problem or is it easy to convert?

Any advice? 1) Which model and price? 2) Where to get KitchenAid in KL or Singapore 3) Adapting the voltage if I get one direct from the States.

52 comments:

Janine said...

The Artisan's just nice for my uses, so I can't really comment - but in Sg, there's offers most of the time, and the smaller Artisan goes for SGD780 thereabouts - so you can compare the prices in SG/Msia.

If you can get it from USA for cheap, just go for it! The voltage thing can be easily changed - you can do it yourself or ask an electrician to help you change the head of the plug and tweak the wiring if needed. Or just use an adaptor, which works equally well :)

Cassie K said...

Terri, mom bought one from US and no way she can use it in m'sia due to the voltage...she ended up selling it on ebay to a USA customer, the postage costs her as much as the mixer itself. She then bought one from Robinson. Food for thought.

sibylla said...

I just saw one on Ebay for 370 pounds sterling, which includes free (overseas) delivery. It is a 220 volt one which is for the non-US market and should work in M'sia.

I don't have any connection with the seller btw. Just writing from the perspective of someone who has bought lots of kitchen and garden stuff off Ebay, and each time I was happy with the transaction. No harm having a look?

Food so delicious! said...

I prefer the Kenwood better.. Of course when I say Kenwood, I meant those made in yesteryears.. the modern new ones that you get in the shop is hopeless! They are made in China and they are not durable at all. When I took my old junk Kenwood mixer to Kenwood sales & service for repair, the technician told me to hang on to it! Wahahaha...

I find Artisan too small and rather expensive. We only have 1 size here. So, it is not good for me.

So, what I do now is buy over my aunts' kenwood mixers.. since they are all retired from cake making, they have generously donate their Made in England kenwood mixers to me and I am treating them like treasures!

Zurin said...

The kitchen aid is beautiful but like you I have friends who say that the Kenwood is more powerful. Id be confused if I have to get a new mixer too! Kitchen aid is used by so many chefs I wld love to own one.

oops Ijust read food delicious comments. And I beleive if made in China forget it! Smae like the Nikon camera. I went for canon cos nikon was made in Thailand :(

Sigh what a delimna you have. Hope fully my kenwood will last long. Its been 18 years now. Sorry I wasnt of much help. But I enjoyed the post :)

Belle said...

I'm in KL and I got my Kitchen Aid at RM850 (after conversion) from USA. What a bargain and I love it! Just get a transformer, change the adapter to our 3-pin adapter and you are good to go.

LianneK said...

Hey Teri, we received our Kitchenaid as a christmas gift last year and loved it to bits. Imagine the colour choices you can have to match your kitchen beside all the extra bits you can add on when you get the artisan range .. but I do agree that the tilted head needs getting use too but once you overcome that, its a breeze to use. There´s a shop in Desa Sri Hartamas that sells the Artisan range for around 2.4K I think. Worth checking out if you know anyone living nearby ...

LianneK said...

Just realised that you also got a quote around 2.4K for the kitchenAid. Thot it was 2.7K initially ...:-P

Jazzee said...

Am using KitchenAid, model 5K5SS, a heavy duty "bowl-lift" model. Totally love it to bits. Bought it for RM2400 from Hotores Food Equipment. (http://superpages.com.my/food/bakers-equipment-and-supplies/hoteres-food-equipment-sdn-bhd-48181.html). Voltage already changed for this region. This is a 5 quart model, but there's also the 6 quart model if you need a slightly bigger bowl.

Bento Pet said...

I love my Kenwood Major! My mum has a Chef which is still working. When we were little, she used to generate tons of cookies for sale.

Friends who own the Kitchen Aid says it's not so NOISY! My eldest girl didn't like using it at her Wilton classes when they made some cupcakes because it was a nuisance trying to get the bowl out sideways, she said!

I think if you have been using the Major Kenwood it would be a challenge to use something smaller!
Happy choosing!

the lunch guy said...

professionally speaking, if you can get one that is compatible with your voltage:

KitchenAid, KitchenAid, KitchenAid, KitchenAid, KitchenAid, KitchenAid ...

RUNNING BROOK said...

Hi Terri. I just bought a Kitchen Aid Artisan (onyx black) for RM1750via a contact who brought it in directly from USA. I then bought a transformer from Jalan Pasar, KL for RM170. If you are interested to know more, I can connect you to the person who brought it in for me. write me at sharon.cheahmy@gmail.com. (I got my Native Indian American name from a camp.)

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terri@adailyobsession said...

janine: think there'll be heavy tax on the machine if i get it in sg or usa.:(

cassie: oh dear. i do think using an adaptor would not work for a forgetful person like me. hmm.

sibylla: i haven't bought anything from ebay lol. have to check tt out:)

food: you are blessed by your aunts! so so lucky:)

zurin: oh now i know why most ppl here use canon besides the extra features n cheaper price. but i'm a diehard nikon person:)i find canon very plasticky.

belle: i'm quite confused. some say adapting the voltage is no problem, some say not. *sigh*

lianne: don't you find the artisan bowl too small?

bento pet: i know, kenwood mixer is great! but i feel like i'm going against the tide with it. then again, with a nikon in asia, it's the same feeling whereas in western countries, nikon users are 9.9/10.

lunch guy: ok.ok.ok.ok.ok!

running brook: thnx, will write soon:)

Bee Bee said...

Hi ! I'm not sure whether you have bought your mixer yet but I can't help it. I hope you'll find this useful. I so happen to know the sole distributer that distributes kitchen aid through out malaysia. It's company name is West Metric Sdn Bhd. This is their facebook page : http://www.facebook.com/kitchenaidmalaysia
They are quite productive in terms of replying enquires. So I think if you're still looking for it, you could write to them and they'll tell you where to buy it from and what are their dealers latest promotions. I hope you'll ejoy using kitchen aid as much as I do.

terri@adailyobsession said...

bee: oh, thanks! i've had my kenwood repaired n it's running like new but who knows, i might get the kitchenaid. great info, i'll keep tt contact. thnx again:)

Unknown said...

I just saw one on Ebay for 370 pounds sterling, which includes free (overseas) delivery. It is a 220 volt one which is for the non-US market and should work in M'sia. kitchenaid artisan blender..
Thanks for sharing with us.

Tua Bui Du said...

Try Assistent Original N28 from Sweden. Very powerful machine. 220-240V, 800Watt.

Anonymous said...

Purchasing a kitchen aid in Malaysia is way too expensive, unless if one directly order it from the state. Just recently i encountered the same problem here, not knowing which mixer to get for my Chinese New Year baking. Not wanting to risk getting a kitchen aid overseas, i decided to search for a local online store and i came across this eStore website who is selling a Kenwood kMix (KMX51)at an extremely low price; RM 1888. As far as i am aware the market selling price is at RM2499 to RM2899. I then contact the seller and i'm vary pleased and convinced by the response i receive. they explained that kitchen aid runs with only 300Watt or so, and KMX51 is a 500Watt direct drive engine, very solid, steady and silent. I made my payment, safely delivered to me and after many rounds of baking i'll have to say i'm very satisfy with the performance of KMX51. The product is fully furnishes stainless steel, with volume control speed, and it is indeed very silent and sturdy.

if anyone are interested of getting one, i highly recommend you to get it from them: http://1234estore.com/category.php?id_category=49

Don said...

Anyone still looking for a KitchenAid mixer? Just saw a website in Singapore carrying a few models and offer good pricing. See this, www.kitchenstorysg.com

azmiman said...

Hi
I'm selling KitchenAid Mixer (color: Raspberry Ice, 300W, 10-speed control, 4.8L bowl) at RM2300. I'm based in Klang Valley. If you are interested, do give me a call at 012-2990666. Genuine buyers only please.

ps. I'll throw in FREE KitchenAid Mixer Cookbook with purchase of KitchenAid Mixer

Thanks and happy baking folks!

Anonymous said...

Yes I heard about that machine one of our friends in SINGAPorea chef bought one few months ago and says got a large bowl can do 5kg dough and very quiet and efficient told me about $1300 but chefs can buy it At below 900$ which is quite good considering kitchen aid in USA sells about us$300 but in MALAYSIA over 2000 ringgit but in Singapore $800 / Assistent original in USA sells us$850 so.... I may have to get to Singapore n ask chef friend to buy one for me

Anonymous said...

Hi I happened to come across your blog and I'd like to tell you that I received Kenwood Classic Major KM630 mixer as a gift and I'm selling it at $500 nett. Bought from Courts at $699 on 13 Nov. Brand new untouched in box. Kindly contact me at 82886225 if you're interested. Thanks.

misty said...

Hi I'm based in the US and can help buy the mixer if anyone is interested. Pricing will depend on type of mixer, tax and postage which combined will still be cheaper than retail price in Malaysia! Email me if interested undercover kitty at Gmail dot com, cheers!

Angie Fern Ng said...

Beware of the import duties when you ship your appliances into Malaysia. I've been hit by the rate of 30% tax based on cif price ( cost of goods + shipment cost) for a stainlesssteel grinder.

Unknown said...

Spar mixers are readily available here in the Philippines.

you may check this shop

http://hendrickenterprises.sulit.com.ph/index.php/page/id/48266/Bakery+Mixers

Anonymous said...

Hi Terri, my name is Fong. I love your blog as it gives lots of inspiration to my baking and cooking. Im a Sabahan who is living in Sydney.

Terri, may i ask your opinion about which mixer to get as im juggling between Kenwood and KA. Im looking at KPM50 (I love everything commercial ;p) but the warranty period is way shorter as compared to Artisan. I definitely love the design of KA but just wondering if it worth the money.

THanks in advance!

ariff27 said...

Assalamualaikum and a very good afternoon. I am planning to sell kitchen aid here in malaysia. I have shipping contact in united states and would like a feedback from the reader here. Which model and what colour.the price would be definitely cheaper from the retail price here. Please drop me an email at ariffhusni@gmail.com. Thanks admin and for your time to read this...

F . A . I . R . U . S said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
F . A . I . R . U . S said...

You can find Kitchenaid Mixer Range at Kitchen Shop Empire Gallery Subang Jaya..

Classic - RM1999
Artisan - RM2899
Artisan Limited Edition - RM3099-RM3699 Heavy Duty - RM3099
Profesional - RM4599O

Or just drop by Kitchen Shop Empire page at Facebook.

Anonymous said...

Late to post but maybe it will help someone else... I converted my 110v kitchenaid to 220v by just replacing a few items (this also took care of the 60hz to 50hz issue).

I'm posting this to as many sites as possible as it was a gamble I took and paid off... I'd like more people to know how to save some money by doing a conversion.

All you need are three items: the 220/240 V armature (spinning part of the motor), the 220/240V field (stationary part of the motor) and a new phase control board (for the 60Hz to 50Hz).

However, this will only work with [U]certain mixers[/U] listed in the links provided. I used goodmans to source the parts and the manual to change everything out! You can change the plug as well but I just used a standard us to uk plug adapter. As well, EU regs require an RFI filter... I figured I would just not include that part.. works fine despite not necessarily being compliant : )
http://www.kitchenaidparts.eu/documents/pdf/service-manual/classic-svc-manual-new-email-version.pdf

http://www.goodmans.net/d/75/kitchenaid-stand-mixer-electrical-parts.htm

-James

Cw said...

😪 why haven't I seen your post earlier. Just bought mine for rm3100! But EBay selling rm1790 plus shipment n tax!

tcf127 said...

I would like to be contacted if you know anyone able to do/guide/advice how to change these part. My email tcf127 at gmail dot com. Appreciate that.

Syana said...

I am not sure if I am too late in the discussion here. Kitchenaid Artisan is on sale at Tangs Singapore for Sgd699 (roughly RM2030 as I am writing this) and you get a FREE Meyer breadmaker with the purchase. If I am not mistaken most US personal shopper will quote you RM1800 (this is the 110v) . I'd say worth a while to cross the Malaysia-Singapore and get yourself one. You can check this out on Tangs Singapore website. Not sure when the offer is going to end.

صيانة كريازي said...

تواصل الان مع خدمة عملاء كريازى باقل الاسعار واعلى نسبة خصم على صيانة كافة الاجهزة الكهربائية من خلال تواصلك مع صيانة كريازى الخط الساخن
وتعرف على افضل الخدمات

Anonymous said...

Hello, I am Michelle here. I am selling a KitchenAid stand mixer which i bought from the US. Brand new, 5 Qt, Artisan Design with glass bowl, candy apple red for RM 2000. If any one of you is interested, pls let me know here.

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Thanks admin for sharing this information.
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Dash said...

Hi what kind of tranformer u bought? Pls share the trnasformer pic, i want to buy but i dont know.. Tq

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