As a loyal user of the KitchenAid 6-quart Professional series mixer for the past 17 years, I can confidently say that this appliance has been worth every penny, helping me through my early years of learning to cook to being confident in my kitchen.
With a powerful motor and a spacious 6-quart bowl, it has proven to be an indispensable part of my kitchen. Over the years, it has helped me efficiently mix, whip, beat, and knead ingredients for various recipes, making the entire process a breeze.
From the moment I got this mixer, I was impressed by its robust construction and ease of use. It’s heavy! The bowl-lift design has been a game changer in terms of stability and convenience, especially when working with larger batches of dough. Additionally, I have found the wide range of available attachments to be extremely helpful, allowing for impressive versatility with just a single machine.
What truly stands out to me, however, is the durability of the KitchenAid 6-quart Professional series mixer. After 17 years, the appliance still functions as efficiently as when I first got it. This level of reliability, combined with its numerous features and power, has made it an invaluable addition to my kitchen and overall cooking experience.
Getting to know the Kitchen Aid 6-Quart Professional Series
Let’s dive into the planetary mixing action, design, and capacity of the mixer.
Planetary mixing action
One of my favorite features of the KitchenAid Professional 600 Series is the planetary mixing action. This means that the mixing attachments not only rotate around their axis but also move around the entire bowl, ensuring thorough and even mixing. This design reduces the need to scrape down the sides of the bowl as often.
Design
The overall design of the KitchenAid 6-Qt. stand mixer is both stylish and functional. The bowl-lift design has been a game-changer for me, as it provides stability and support, especially when working with heavier mixtures. The mixer has a 10-speed control, offering a wide range of mixing options, from gently folding ingredients to vigorous beating and whipping.
Additionally, this model (KP26M1XCE) comes with a burnished spiral dough hook, a burnished flat beater, and a stainless steel wire whisk, providing versatility for various tasks in the kitchen.
What is a bowl-lift design? When you are using a mixer, you need the ability to move your bowl in and out of the appliance. A bowl-lift design means that the bowl moves up and down instead of where the top mixing part tilts back.
Capacity
As someone who loves to bake and cook, the 6-quart capacity of this mixer has been perfect for handling both small and large batches. I’ve been able to make up to 8 loaves of bread, 13 dozen cookies, or 8 pounds of mashed potatoes all at once, an impressive feat for a home kitchen stand mixer.
(It makes me want to upgrade to the 7-quart but I just can’t justify it when this one continues to work so well!)
Performance over 17 years
Customizable Speeds
During these 17 years, I’ve enjoyed using my KitchenAid 6-quart professional series for various recipes. The mixer comes with 10 speed options, catering to my requirements for whipping cream, mixing batter, and kneading dough. Whether I needed a slow stir or rapid whipping, I could calibrate the mixer speed to suit the recipe. Overall, the customizable speeds contributed significantly to my exceptional baking experience.
Motor strength
One of the things that impressed me the most about my KitchenAid mixer is its powerful 575-watt motor. Despite heavy usage over the years, the mixer never failed me, efficiently handling dense bread dough or large cookie batches. The motor’s strength enabled the mixer to maintain its performance quality and didn’t wane after prolonged use.
The dough hook function minimized the effort required when working with bread dough or other dense mixtures. Thanks to the durable design, I could rely on the KitchenAid mixer for consistent results in my baking endeavors.
My KitchenAid 6-quart professional mixer also came with a 1-year warranty, which gave me peace of mind early on. Although when I first got it, my husband and I were in our mid-20’s, didn’t have kids, and I wasn’t a huge cook. I am much harder on my mixer now that I am cooking for our entire family and well, I actually know how to cook!
Baking and dough handling
Attachments for dough
For bread dough, the dough hook works wonders. This attachment easily kneads heavy doughs without straining the 575-watt motor. I’ve made countless loaves of bread using the dough hook, and it’s always been a breeze!
Another attachment I found incredibly useful is the burnished flat beater. It’s great for medium-consistency doughs, like those for cookies or pie crusts. I love how effortlessly it mixes and whips, giving the perfect texture every time.
Pasta making experiences
Apart from baking, I’ve also ventured into the world of pasta making using my KitchenAid mixer. With the available pasta attachments, I’ve been able to make my own spaghetti, fettuccine, and even ravioli! The mixer’s 10 variable speeds really come in handy for getting the right consistency in my pasta dough.
The pasta attachment is easy to use and clean. They connect to the mixer’s power hub, and let me effortlessly roll out and cut my homemade pasta. There’s something incredibly satisfying about creating your own pasta from scratch, and my KitchenAid mixer has definitely played a huge part in making that possible.
Comparing models
Vs. KitchenAid 7-Quart Pro Line
After using the KitchenAid 6-quart Professional Series for 17 years, I am impressed by its performance and durability. However, I recently had the chance to try the KitchenAid 7-Quart Pro Line stand mixer at a friends house, and I must say, there are some noticeable differences. The 7-Quart Pro Line comes with a larger bowl capacity which can be a plus for those who like to cook and bake in larger batches. The motor in the 7-Quart Pro Line is also more powerful, making it easier to work with heavier dough or mixtures.
In terms of design, both models share the iconic KitchenAid look, but the 7-Quart Pro Line has a slightly more sophisticated touch with its sleeker lines and metallic finishes. One significant difference I noticed is that the Pro Line comes with a 5-year warranty, whereas my 6-quart model only has a 1-year warranty.
Vs. Older versions
Comparing the KitchenAid 6-quart Professional Series to older versions like the Professional 5 model, I can definitely see the improvements. My 6-quart model has a commercial-quality 575-watt motor that powers all 10-speed settings, making it one of the most powerful home mixers available on the market today. The Professional 5, on the other hand, has a less powerful motor which might struggle with heavier mixtures.
Another advantage my 6-quart mixer has over the older versions is the bowl-lift design. This design ensures that the bowl is stable during the mixing process and allows for easy removal once the task is complete. It is a significant improvement over the tilt-head mechanism found in older models, which could be less stable and harder to handle.
Long-term durability and reliability
I have been using my Kitchen Aid 6-quart professional series stand mixer for 17 years now, and I must say, its long-term durability and reliability have exceeded my expectations. This mixer, with its commercial-quality 575-watt motor, continues to flawlessly handle the test of time.
Over the years, I’ve put my mixer to good use, whether it be for whipping, kneading, or mixing various ingredients. Thanks to its 10 speed settings, I’ve had the flexibility to adjust the mixing speed to suit different recipes. I haven’t experienced any drops in performance, and the machine still operates like it did when I first bought it.
One aspect that has contributed to the long-life of my mixer is its sturdy build quality. The metal construction not only feels solid, but it’s also stable during operation. I remember accidentally dropping the mixer once, and to my surprise, it didn’t suffer any significant damage. Apart from a few cosmetic scuffs, it still works as brilliantly as ever.
I have given it as a gift three times to family for wedding/milestone gifts and love the color choices, letting me customize it to the person.
Weighing pros and cons
The KitchenAid 6-quart professional series has its pros and cons:
- Pros:
- Powerful motor
- 6-quart stainless steel bowl
- Bowl-lift design
- Easy to clean
- Numerous attachments
- Cons:
- Heavy
- Loud on highest setting
- Requires sufficient counter space
In the end, your decision to purchase this mixer should depend on your personal preferences and the specific needs of your kitchen.
Frequently asked questions
How has the KitchenAid 6-quart mixer held up after 17 years?
I must say, my KitchenAid 6-quart mixer has held up exceptionally well after 17 years of use. The powerful motor and sturdy construction have allowed it to handle a variety of baking tasks with ease. There is barely any noticeable wear and tear, and it still performs as well as the day I bought it.
Are there any common problems with the Pro 600 series?
In my experience, the Pro 600 series has been quite reliable, with only a few minor issues over the 17 years. Occasionally, I needed to adjust the beater height or tighten a loose screw. Other users might have experienced some issues with the gears, but these cases seem to be rare.
How does the 6-quart model compare to other mixers?
The 6-quart model outperforms many other mixers on the market in terms of its power and capacity. Its larger bowl can handle dough for up to 13 dozen cookies or mix batter for 8 loaves of bread in a single batch. While it may be overkill for some, I’ve found the extra capacity to be crucial for big projects and large family gatherings.
Is the bowl-lift feature more efficient than tilt-head models?
I find the bowl-lift feature to be more efficient and stable than tilt-head models. The bowl-lift design supports the bowl with sturdy arms, minimizing any risk of spillage. It also provides a clearer view of the ingredients while mixing, which makes it easier to monitor the mixing progress. Many professional bakers prefer the bowl-lift design for these reasons.
What is the price range for this mixer?
The price range for the KitchenAid 6-quart mixer varies depending on the retailer and any sales or promotions. Generally, these mixers can be found for around $400-$600. Though it can be pricey, I believe its durability and performance have justified the investment over the years.
Do you recommend the Flex Edge beater attachment?
I highly recommend the Flex Edge beater attachment for the Pro 600 series mixer. This attachment is designed to scrape the bowl’s sides, ensuring a thorough mix of ingredients while reducing the need to stop and scrape the bowl manually. It has been a game-changer for me in terms of convenience and efficiency.
