Saturday, April 12, 2008

The Ultimate Question

Since my cousin was here I have been thinking a lot about the ultimate question...I would like to state for the record that I love my cousin, and my Aunt Diane(who I do believe is the ultimate authority on baking) BUT I am not sure that I am completely sold...so...which is the better mixer, the KitchenAid or the Bosch?


I kind of feel as though people feel about their mixer the same way they feel about their computer. Some people love Mac's and would never consider going the other way, and some people love PC's, I will leave my opinion about that out of this post so as to focus on the question at hand.


So, which mixer is better? On the food network EVERYONE uses a KitchenAid, now this isn't to say that KitchenAid doesn't have some kind of contract with the Food Network and they pay a whole lot of money to be featured in EVERY SINGLE show. But think about it, on Food network Challenge, the competitors bring tools from home and all of those people are using a KitchenAid....


AND, the sheer number of KitchenAid's sold vs. Bosch, I mean, there is something to be said for mass marketing and KitchenAid's are sold eveywhere, but really, if it was a hugely inferior product could it be just that popular. The mixer has to have some kind of substance.


So, I need opionions from the people. What do you love about your mixer? Why did you choose the mixer that you did?


17 comments:

Alysha Sladek said...

hahah i like this post! i have a kitchenaid. i like the look better, and i find it easier to use. but it's like soooo many other things... mac/pc, canon/nikon... you just have to find what YOU like best 'cause BOTH are good in their own way!

Eli, Ashley, & Jax Stephens said...

I love my KitchenAid. I registered for it and got it for my wedding, but that is mostly because I hear that they have always lasted FOREVER. I have a good friend who I used to live with and she had a kitchenaid. I used to borrow it and fell in love with it, so... yeah. That would be my opinion. Plus, it looks so much better when you leave it out on the counter than some of the other mixers.

Diane said...

Being a Bosch owner, I must post quickly as the KitchenAid people are quickly adding up. Lisa, it is totally a personal opinion - YOU SHOULD TRY them both. Here is the difference. Bosch has 700 watts compared to 450/500 watts for KitchenAid. Bosch is superior for serious bread making because of the wattage, BUT KitchenAid, (due in part to more home cooks, and Food Network) is more available and they continue to make neat and nifty attachments. The Bosch has many attachments but not as readily available as KitchenAid. You have to go through Bosch dealers etc. Also, because of more machines on the market and in stores by KitchenAid it is more affordable. (sometimes you will find great sales) Bosch makes a counter built-in thing that is really cool.
You could burn out a KitchenAid if you tried to make 6 loaves of bread at once and open a small bakery. (It seemed like I did run a small bakery when all the kids were home)
Comment on post #2. NO Appliance looks good on the counter.
I would probably buy a KitchenAid but always the biggest capacity, largest motor. They do come in different sizes. (and don't bother buying the pink one, I promise you will get tired of that) It is easy to get carried away with stupid moments like whisking hard butter and bending blades, etc. (I've done that before)
In cooking circles Bosch is respected like a Mercedes Benz, kind of an upper class mixer. But since status is usually not gained in the kitchen WHO CARES? I don't seek status but hey, it's a good party opener - "I made the rolls in by Bosch" HAHAHA. Love you.

Stacey Salmon said...

My mom has a Bosch and I love it. Although I have always wanted one of those Kitchen Aids. I have no idea which is better, but I do know that Bosch is an excellent product.
SS

Ciara said...

I have NEVER used a bosch, so my comment is biased. I LOVE my kitchen aid. I have had it for a few years and if I had more counterspace in this current apartment then I would leave it on the counter and use it a ton more than I actually do. Wait, if I COOKED & BAKED more than I do now, then I would definitely use it more. LOL...I am working on that part.

Jeni said...

wow this is tough... I have a kitchen aid and I love it. BUT the reasons I love it? It is red, It is easy and fast and does the job very nicely.
Why I love the botsch? My mom has one and so this is what I grew up on and LOVE. I feel like it mixes everything better, not leaving anything at the bottom like the KA sometimes does. I think there is more room and it is easier to add ingredients to it. and DOI there is a blender too!
So I think I like the botsch better. But alas I have a kitchenaid.

Jeni said...

So this post has been on my mind ever since I commented. Lis, I have to say BOSCH is the best. I love it and now I want one of those too. If you are trying to figure out which one to get, BOSCH!

BrittanyB said...

having neither mixer( I know i'm lame) mine isn't really an opinion as much as observation. One huge reason kitchen aides might be more popular is aesthetics. They look cool on your counter and come in a million colors, whereas a bosch has to be put away in a cupboard. As far as superior product I have no idea, but thinking about the emphasis our society puts on looks and style and trend, that's my reasoning for KA's huge popularity.

Meagan Cooper said...

oh, a question i have debated many times myself. My mother in law has a bosch and LOVES it. She makes bread dough in it, cookies, she can grate cheese, chop onion, and the blender attachment is super powerful. She whips up icy smoothies like crazy. I will one day buy a bosch for sure.

Tara Fears said...

OK well, I'm glad my visit consisting of MUCH conversing (never mind that we didn't take even ONE picture while we were there, did you realize that like I did AFTER I got home?) and really made you think about the Kitchen Aid/Bosch comparrison...question #1) Have you looked it up on CR? I KNOW you would...what have YOU discovered?
Next thing, I LOVE Diane's comments mainly because, yes,I have a bosch but am SO looking forward to upgrading to the bigger, better, and newer model..which, is 800 watts!
But I have to say, I'm sure they are the top two on the market so you probably can't go too wrong with either...but if you've ever got intentions of being a mean bread producing woman, consider the Bosch! Great Post Lis!

Haley said...

I would go with kitchenaid. While it may not be as powerful, it looks better and kitchenaid has a great return policy (I know, you're thinking, if its so great, why would you have to return it?). I have the pasta roller attachment for mine--which by the way, is so fun, like those play-doh machines from childhood. Anyway, I was using the little brush to clean it and decided it would be good to turn it on and brush it as the wheels turned. This is not a good idea, as it sucked the brush in and broke the gears inside. So I called kitchenaid and they sent me a brand new one and a pre-paid postage box to return the broken one in...no questions asked. We also had the same experience with a separate kitchenaid tool that Rob broke (again, our fault, not the tool's) and once again, they sent us a brand new one and the box to return the other. I have never had to deal with Bosch customer service so I can't compare that.

Ryan + Jess said...

If you are a bread maker or like to make LARGE batches of goods (cookies, breads) definitely go with the Bosch as the motor is so much more powerful. My SIL has a kitchenaid and says it really struggles to make a 4 or 5 loaf batch of bread. My Bosch basically makes the bread for me it is SO EASY!!!

If you aren't a serious baker, go with the Kitchenaid.

Jeff, Megan, Benjamin, JR and Spencer said...

Personally, I feel that the Sunbeam is the best. But that may be only because I like to rock the boat. So consider the third and obviously better choice. Sunbeam!

megan&steve said...

I got my bosch for a shower gift from my mom, who also uses one. I love the blender and the cookie paddles. Good luck, its a tough choice!

John Salmon said...

You're gone! What? You need an idea?

Canned Salmon said...

I have no idea as I have not compared the two but if it is was on reputation alone Bosch has my vote. I have several Bosch tools all of which are my best tools, well designed, powerful, precision and easy to use. We got a new dishwasher last year and I regret not getting the Bosch - the quietest and best dishwasher hands down. Oh and I did check CR and they say the KitchenAid is best in the food processor area but then again they also hooked us up with a vacuum that had less suction then I have through a plastic straw.

Em said...

I went with a kitchen aid because that is what I used at SAIT!! that said, those were commercial and mine isn't. so I would definately get the 6 qt or if there is a biggger now, and the biggest wattage which I think is 450, when I baught mine is was only 350. it has done everything I want it to but, I cant make my dough in it so I usually do that by hand, and since my family is so small it hasn't been a problem. my mother in law has a bosch and I hear they just last forever.