This stand mixer has been a top seller for more than a hundred years, and I finally see the appeal.

The Artisan Stand Mixer is undoubtedly the most legendary and beloved KitchenAid model ever. Its prominent place in kitchens and households nationwide speaks volumes about its exceptional quality and reputation. However, if you need further proof, I decided to put it to the test right in our kitchen.

There isn’t a stand mixer more deserving of the title ‘best stand mixer’ than the KitchenAid Artisan. The brand has built off its iconic retro body for over a century. Over the years it has stayed roughly the same, although the brand has added more colour options, more power, and a bigger bowl over the years. There are some other touches take this into extra special territory too, but those are the fundamentals that tip this into top-tier territory

I recently acquired one of these sought-after models and was initially concerned that it might be overrated due to all the buzz online. However, it has proven to be an essential item in my kitchen. It's a timeless piece, a true necessity, and perhaps my latest favorite companion. Can you tell that I’m completely convinced?

Specifications

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Unpacking

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KitchenAid excels in aesthetics. Its iconic, vintage design is easily identifiable, and the charm of the Artisan lies in its wide array of colour choices. Whether you prefer vibrant and eye-catching or elegant and understated, each shade has been carefully evaluated by specialists to ensure it conveys a luxurious yet individualized feel.

It's fortunate that they excel in this aspect, as the packaging isn't my favorite feature of the stand mixer. While it effectively protects the product, KitchenAid relies heavily on polystyrene to ensure it arrives in pristine condition. This results in a trash bin filled with non-recyclable waste, which is not only a hassle but also an environmental concern. Although it's a small issue that won't significantly impact your experience with the KitchenAid—aside from perhaps a sigh for the planet (and your waste disposal)—it's a sustainability aspect that I prefer to monitor.

Who would it be appropriate for?

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The KitchenAid Artisan is an ideal centerpiece for aspiring bakers. It boasts user-friendly features, durability, and impressive power. However, this quality comes at a significant cost, so it's essential to ensure you're truly committed to your baking journey. If you're merely exploring a passing interest, purchasing a KitchenAid might be a costly whim. But if you're dedicated to baking for years to come, this timeless investment is definitely worthwhile.

For the majority of households, a 4.8-litre capacity is more than sufficient. It allows you to bake two sponge cakes, prepare a family-sized loaf of bread, and whip up almost a litre of cream. However, professional bakers dealing with drier, tougher doughs may prefer a bowl-lift mixer, which offers greater weight and stability at the base. While these mixers are large and typically not needed for everyday home baking, they may be a worthwhile investment if you have grander baking aspirations.

What is the experience like when using it?

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The Artisan features an incredibly straightforward design. To unlock the head, simply push a lever, then tilt the head back and secure your accessory. Rotate the bowl until it's locked in position, and use the same lever to lower the lid back into place. It offers ten speed settings that can be adjusted in increments of two, starting from 0 to 1, and then progressing to 2, 4, 6, and so forth.

Like all KitchenAid models, this one employs planetary action, meaning the mixing head rotates while traversing the bowl, maximizing contact with the ingredients. Based on the outcomes I experienced, I genuinely believe this is a valuable feature rather than just a marketing gimmick.

Test 1: dessert

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The initial task I assigned to the Artisan was to bake a chocolate cake. For this purpose, I opted for the traditional k-beater. Crafted from sturdy stainless steel, it has a substantial weight to it. I appreciate this heft, as it imparts both a solid and high-quality sensation. I often joke that I could potentially mix concrete with it, although I sincerely hope my cake batters never turn out like concrete!

To begin, I combined my butter and sugar until creamy. The Artisan mixer effortlessly blended everything together, resulting in a light and airy mixture in just a few minutes. Next, I incorporated my flour, cocoa powder, eggs, and vanilla. I dialed the speed down to low to prevent any flour from flying up into the air. Although I appreciate the handy splash guard that KitchenAid offers, I prefer to experiment with stand mixers without it for an added challenge.

All of my ingredients blended together perfectly. The batter had a smooth and silky texture, and even the creamed butter and sugar that settled at the bottom were fully incorporated into the mixture, which is quite uncommon with stand mixers nowadays.

I decided to put the KitchenAid to the test with something a bit denser, so I whipped up a batch of cookie dough. Just like with the cake, I started by creaming together the butter and sugar. After that, I mixed in the flour, eggs, and vanilla to form a thicker dough. The k-beater handled it effortlessly, combining everything into a smooth ball and even cleaning up the sticky bits from the sides.

As I mixed in the chocolate chips, the Artisan did an excellent job of blending them evenly throughout the dough. The k-beater produced fantastic results!

Test 2: loaf

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