It’s easy to get lost in the world of kitchen appliances. New models are released every year, each with a new spin or selling point on the latest designs and features. The Artisan KitchenAid, however, is different from all the rest — it’s a machine that does exactly what it claims to do if you know how to use it and shop for what you need.
So if you’re in lust with an Artisan but don’t know much about these kitchen gadgets, this post will teach you everything you need to know before committing your life savings to one of these green machines.
The Artisan KitchenAid is a mixer that is built to stand, sit and perform at full capacity for years to come. It comes in five different colors, three engine sizes and several different models (we’ll get into those later). The machine is incredibly versatile, boasting upwards of twenty different attachments with the options to use the tilt head or flat beater for mixing. The motor is incredibly powerful compared to its predecessors, giving the user more range and control than any other mixer model before it. If you take care of the mixer and use it properly by reading the manual (which we’ll get into later), you can rest assured that your Artisan will last you a lifetime.
But what makes this mixer different from the rest? It’s all about the technology — a heavily improved direct-drive motor and a new tilt-back power hub. With these two developments, KitchenAid overcame the flaws of older models and created a superior product that is engineered to perform better than others.
So, if you’re in the market for a mixer, why not save some time and money by investing in an Artisan right off the bat? Not only do they perform better than other mixers on the market, but they dominate in terms of longevity and ease of use. Simply put: if you care for your mixer properly, it will last you for years to come without even giving a second thought to its deteriorating performance.
Is The Kitchen Aid Pro Worth It?
Let’s take a second to address the Pro model. The Pro model is the epitome of engineering and style in the kitchen, but unlike its Artisan counterpart, it’s incredibly expensive. If you’re looking to spend over $500 on a mixer alone, you might as well consider buying an actual food processor or blender (which we’ll talk about later). Unless you plan on running an artisanal bakery in your spare time, this may not be the best choice for your average home cook or baker.
But at the end of the day, it all comes down to your own personal preferences. Do you like glass bowls? Does the tilt-back power hub look more appealing than the classic power hub?
If all you need is a basic machine for mixing and beating, we’d recommend going with the Artisan KitchenAid. Not only is it cheaper, but it’s also built to stand up to your daily baking needs — plus, you get way more accessories and improvements over older models. If, however, you’re in need of a wider range of features or an engine that can perform more than just beating and mixing, we highly recommend investing in one of these top notch mixers.
What Is The Difference Between The Kitchenaid Artisan And Pro?
Although the Artisan and Pro models share much in common, the primary difference between them lies within the engine. Both machines have a 3.5 quart bowl that can be tilted to a 45-degree angle for easy access and minimal spills — but where the Pro pulls ahead is within its variable speed control.
The Artisan has a single speed for all engines, which means that you have to constantly adjust your hand accordingly in order to run it at regular speeds. The Pro model, on the other hand, features three separate speeds — slow, medium and fast — that allow you to do just that: control your mixing speed on a dime.
Should I Get The KitchenAid Artisan 5qt Or KitchenAid Professional 600?
Choosing between these two models may be a little more difficult than you expect. These mixers, although they share many similarities, are built with two different audiences in mind.
The Artisan KitchenAid is designed for the average home cook — someone who likes to bake from time to time, but rarely does anything outside of the standard mixing and beating. The Professional 600 is geared more towards professionals and people who need extra abilities within their mixer.
Let’s start with the Artisan.
The Artisan is a mix of the classic Chef’s mixer and the Pro 600. It’s got all of the power of the Pro 600, but it has a tilt-back hub that allows for easy access to the bowl — just like older models. It also has nearly twenty different attachments that are sold separately from each other.
This means that you’re not only investing in a machine, but you’re also investing in accessories for years to come — at about $15-$20 per piece. If you’re looking for something more than just a mixer, this is your best bet. The Artisan comes in three color combinations and five different sizes: 5 qt., 6 qt., 7 qt., 7.5 qt. and 9 qt. It also comes with a flat beater, dough hook, wire whip and pouring shield — but these differ depending on the size of your mixer.
The Professional 600 is the luxury car of mixers — it’s loaded with features that allow you to get more array out of your machine than ever before. But unlike the Artisan, this baby is incredibly expensive — nearly twice as much as an Artisan 5qt mixer by itself!
This mixer has a power hub that rotates up to 170 degrees for easy access to the bowl, making it easier for you to scrape down both sides at once. As far as the different attachments, this mixer has a scoring blade, dough hook and pouring shield, no flat beater (check out our KitchenAid 9 Qt. Transparent Flat Beater with Cool Touch Handle review to see why we think this is such a bummer) and one mixing speed.
This thing is also incredibly quiet — even during the highest speed setting — making it great if you have pets or small children in the kitchen. And don’t worry about having to use any extra counter space — just plug in your Artisan Pro 600 mixer and get to mixing!
Is It Worth Buying A KitchenAid PRO or Artisan KitchenAid?
Well, we guess this depends. Are you looking for function? Or are you looking for a mixer that can stand up to years of use and abuse?
If your only purpose is to make doughnuts (or whatever else you like in your baking) then the Artisan 5qt may be the better choice. It’s more affordable and easier to clean, as well as having a more durable power hub mechanism and bowl that can tilt back at a 45-degree angle.
But if you’re looking for something that can do more than just make dough, the Pro 600 is a better choice for you. It’s actually more powerful and has a wider range of speeds and features than the Artisan. The only reason to get an Artisan instead would be if all you need is a basic mixer, that stands up to years of daily use.
We’d also recommend checking out our KitchenAid 5 qt Stainless Steel Mixer review, as well as our recommendations for the best mixers under $500 — including the KitchenAid KFP9500 model, which shares many similarities with the Pro 600.
What Are The Top Reasons To Get A Kitchenaid Mixer?
Well, we’ve got a few ideas.
1. Durability — The Kitchenaid 5qt Mixer is built to stand up to years of daily baking and food preparation — including being dropped on the floor, dropped in the sink, tossed around in the dishwasher and even used as a batter bowl for prepping ingredients.
2. Warranty — If you’re not happy with your new power hub, be sure to check out the manufacturer’s warranty to make sure it covers any repairs needed.
3. Power Hub — The Husqvarna 5 qt Mixer has a built-in power hub of sorts, but it doesn’t rotate up to 160 degrees or tilt back at a 45-degree angle.
4. Accessories — It’s important to remember that these models are both sold separately from each other (although they do look pretty similar). You won’t find fancy accessories like dough hooks and dough paddles available for either model separately, which makes shopping for these machines a little challenging at first.
5. Versatility — The Artisan 5 qt Mixer has a flat beater, dough hook and wire whip, but the Artisan Pro 600 model doesn’t come with a flat beater. You’ll have to buy that one separately. This makes the Artisan a better choice if you’re just looking for something simple and affordable that can help you bake your favorite recipes with ease.
6. Add-Ons — Kitchenaid offers a wide range of alternate attachments, including food grinders, pasta rollers and even ice cream makers!
Should I Buy A Stand Mixer?
The stand mixer market is full of both pros and cons — but it’s true that they do have great functionality within their power hubs. In fact, they’re probably the easiest to use of all kitchen appliances.
Before you settle in on a Kitchenaid mixer, though, it’s important to compare the differences between a KA and a stand mixer. A stand mixer is typically smaller than an Artisan — but it has a smaller power hub that doesn’t rotate as far and doesn’t tilt back at as much of an angle.
This is great if you don’t need to do anything more than mix up some cookies or cake batter — but if you’re looking for something with a little more versatility then we’d recommend checking out the Artisan 5qt Mixer.
Final Thoughts:
At first blush, it’s easy to think that there isn’t a ton of differences between the Artisan 5 qt. Stand Mixer and Artisan Pro 600 — but if you take a closer look at the individual components then you’ll quickly see that they’re both incredibly well-built, durable and versatile machines.
But if we were to choose one over the other, we’d go with the Artisan 5 Qt. Stand Mixer every time — especially if necessity is the mother of invention.
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