KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 qt. Tilt-Head Stand Mixer - Ink Blue

I absolutely LOVE the color of this 5qt. tilt head stand mixer! The dark grey is almost exactly the same color as my kitchen cabinets. The mixer body has a textured feel to it and is matte instead of glossy. It came with everything you see in the review picture (whisk, dough hook, paddle attachment), including a shield (I almost squealed when I saw that). The first thing I made with my new Kitchenaid 5qt Stand Mixer was Banana Nut Bread. While I do love everything about this mixer, I do wish it had a spring where the whisk/dough hook/paddle attachment go so it could hold tension against them to get everything up from the bottom of the mixer. I had to scrape the bottom of the bowl (with a silicone spatula) and mix in the stuff from the bottom by hand. I also noticed ... MoreI absolutely LOVE the color of this 5qt. tilt head stand mixer! The dark grey is almost exactly the same color as my kitchen cabinets. The mixer body has a textured feel to it and is matte instead of glossy. It came with everything you see in the review picture (whisk, dough hook, paddle attachment), including a shield (I almost squealed when I saw that). The first thing I made with my new Kitchenaid 5qt Stand Mixer was Banana Nut Bread. While I do love everything about this mixer, I do wish it had a spring where the whisk/dough hook/paddle attachment go so it could hold tension against them to get everything up from the bottom of the mixer. I had to scrape the bottom of the bowl (with a silicone spatula) and mix in the stuff from the bottom by hand. I also noticed a small patch of rust in the bottom of my stainless steel mixer bowl after washing it the first time. I was able to get it off, but I can still see where it had been. I do have another bowl that I can use, but I was really disappointed that my new bowl had rust in the bottom of it (see attached pictures). The mixer itself is spectacular. It’s a lot more quieter than I was expecting, even when mixing bread dough. The mixer doesn’t “walk” across the counter when in use and is very steady while mixing. The mixer electric cord is long enough that I don’t need the mixer right near an outlet to use it. Everything (mixer and attachments) comes clean without scrubbing. Note: I hand washed the attachments and used a warm soapy cloth on the mixer.

4.5 STARS. As always, I prefer to give credit where credit is due rather than short change a product, but just keep in mind there are a few drawbacks to this mixer. But first the pros, this sucker is STURDY! Most of us have seen these mixers everywhere for what seems to be decades, but it was probably just me that didn't realize all kitchenmaid stand mixers aren't created equal. While they may look alike, different models have different capacities, speeds and effectiveness in various applications. I really wanted to wait to write this review until I had really explored this machine because it's such a big investment (in my opinion at least!). Now that I have, the sturdiness of this product has definitely proven to be true. We have a rather small kitchen and so it ... More4.5 STARS. As always, I prefer to give credit where credit is due rather than short change a product, but just keep in mind there are a few drawbacks to this mixer. But first the pros, this sucker is STURDY! Most of us have seen these mixers everywhere for what seems to be decades, but it was probably just me that didn't realize all kitchenmaid stand mixers aren't created equal. While they may look alike, different models have different capacities, speeds and effectiveness in various applications. I really wanted to wait to write this review until I had really explored this machine because it's such a big investment (in my opinion at least!). Now that I have, the sturdiness of this product has definitely proven to be true. We have a rather small kitchen and so it gets moved around quite a bit, this hasn't resulted in any sort of loosening or wiggling which is important when you have that dough hook running at top speed (some of the cheaper mixers act like poorly balanced washing machines). The sturdiness, however, can be a double edged sword due to the heft. If you have trouble lifting things or perhaps a bit of arthritis be sure to store this on a mobile kitchen cart or simply give it a permanent countertop space to avoid having to lift it from a bottom (or worse-top) cabinet which can be a task. Next is function, I cannot tell you how nice it is to be able to toss something into this mixer and walk away to get the other ingredients without having to babysit a bowl! Especially when I'm working with something dense like honey or doughs. The attachments have all been easy to put on/take off and are sized well enough to store away easily. There is room for improvement though, the rubber spatula sided mixer attachment is sold separately which is what can scrape down the sides of your bowl without you having to angle a separate spatula into the mixer, I would have been open to forgoing some of the other attachments in order to have this one right off the bat, but they are cheaper and easy to find at TJ Maxx, Marshalls, etc.. Also, the swing back mechanism for the top of the mixer via the hinge at the neck has no protection against it flipping up and down hard. Think about the drawer add-ons you can install so they don't slam, that would be great for the head of this mixer, just to protect the hinge. Color-wise, the blue color of this mixer is absolutely dreamy! It's beautiful and a bit novel without being overly kitschy and is still easy to match to other kitchen products out there. Overall, I really do love this piece of equipment and think it is a great investment for anyone who likes to cook or bake. This model and size is great for families and even sturdy enough to teach the little ones on. Half star loss for the lack of slow-down mechanism for the head and the lack of spatula on the mixer attachment leaving you to clean up the walls of the bowl pretty frequently, but apart from that this machine is fantastic. PROS: Built To Last, BEAUTIFUL color, Easy On/Off Attachments, Does Not Slow Down When Dealing With Thick/Difficult Foods (i.e. Honey, Doughs, etc.), Great Size, Good Investment Piece (I bought this two years ago and the price hasn't fallen). CONS: No Cushion For Mixer Head When Lifting up/Down To Prevent Hard Slam, Spatula Mixer Attachment Not Included Requiring You to Scrape Down The Bowl Pretty Often, Expensive (but again, it's not bad for an investment piece-I can't see this thing breaking any time soon or ever maybe) TIPS: TJ Maxx and Marshalls have attachment for these mixers on sale regularly for 60% off the selling price so if you have one nearby go and check for that spatula attachment or even a pasta maker or meat grinder I've seen them all there!, If you are working with dough (or especially if a young one is learning) watch out for it coiling up your dough hook and into the gears-it can happen quickly if you're not careful. Last, I've found that a metal blemish extractor (bought and dedicated for mixer cleaning) is the best tool to get into the attachment holder and metal pieces in the head of the mixer in case they get dirty (or gunked up with aforementioned dough... ). It is sturdier than a toothpick which runs the risk of breaking and getting caught in the gears.

From Miser to Madly in Love

I haven't had a new mixer in over 20 years. My last mixer was an old Sunbeam model and last year we honestly had to spin the bowl by hand to make it work. I always thought that today's mixer market was outrageously overpriced and that I would NEVER spend that amount on a mixer. Ever. However, with Thanksgiving coming and my old Sunbeam giving up the ghost, I had to have a new mixer. I researched for 4 days, every brand and every price, but I kept coming back to the Kitchen Aid website. Finally, after all my research and reading thousands of reviews from all the brands, I finally decided to make my investment into the most expensive mixer I would ever purchase, but before I could commit to the sale, my wonderful and handsome partner decided to make the move for me ... MoreI haven't had a new mixer in over 20 years. My last mixer was an old Sunbeam model and last year we honestly had to spin the bowl by hand to make it work. I always thought that today's mixer market was outrageously overpriced and that I would NEVER spend that amount on a mixer. Ever. However, with Thanksgiving coming and my old Sunbeam giving up the ghost, I had to have a new mixer. I researched for 4 days, every brand and every price, but I kept coming back to the Kitchen Aid website. Finally, after all my research and reading thousands of reviews from all the brands, I finally decided to make my investment into the most expensive mixer I would ever purchase, but before I could commit to the sale, my wonderful and handsome partner decided to make the move for me and he purchased me a 4.5 quart tilt head Artisan Kitchen Aid mixer! I reacted as if he had bought me a brand new car lol, I was beside myself with joy! This year, EVERYTHING I made for Thanksgiving with that mixer, dishes I've made for years, turned out beautifully and everyone kept asking me what did I do to change my recipes to such wonderful eats! I love this mixer and wish I had gotten one a lot sooner. Swallow hard if you have to, but believe me you won't regret one dime that you spend on this product and on this brand!!

Great new mixer!

I absolutely love this mixer I have been using a KitchenAid mixer for over half my life. I'm 66 years old I got my first KitchenAid 35 years ago. I'm also a baker retired my sister and I owned our own Bakery;Which we didn't open until 1996, 7 years after I got my first KitchenAid. The mixer I used at home was the bowl lift stand KitchenAid mixer which by the way got a new home with a nice young lady who just got her first apartment and was excited about getting her first KitchenAid for her new apartment. So as you can see it still works beautifully after 35 years, and as a baker I can tell you it got quite a workout. As after my sister and I gave up the bakery I continued to bake from home. I decided to go with the artisan because it was a smaller footprint ... MoreI absolutely love this mixer I have been using a KitchenAid mixer for over half my life. I'm 66 years old I got my first KitchenAid 35 years ago. I'm also a baker retired my sister and I owned our own Bakery;Which we didn't open until 1996, 7 years after I got my first KitchenAid. The mixer I used at home was the bowl lift stand KitchenAid mixer which by the way got a new home with a nice young lady who just got her first apartment and was excited about getting her first KitchenAid for her new apartment. So as you can see it still works beautifully after 35 years, and as a baker I can tell you it got quite a workout. As after my sister and I gave up the bakery I continued to bake from home. I decided to go with the artisan because it was a smaller footprint although the Bowl size was the same as my lift Bowl at 5 quarts. I liked the new attachments that came with it I absolutely love the pastry paddle I used it for the first time to make mashed potatoes during Holy Week. The Potatoes came out great with just enough little lumps that you knew they were homemade LOL and so much easier than using a potato masher by hand and and not getting over whippy like they do when you use regular Beaters on a mixer. I bought artisan in the silver color and I love that it also came with the new flex beater Though I have not had a chance to use it yet. Overall the KitchenAid artisan is a great mixer and at 66 I expect to have this one for the rest of my life and pass it on Down the Line.

Kitchen Aid means Kitchen Art!

I have been baking more often in the last few years because of being at home more, but had resisted investing in a stand mixer because of both price and size. I didn't think I baked enough to warrant having a mixer on my counter all the time, or spending hundreds of dollars. I was happy with the nice hand mixer I had....until I realized how some doughs and batters needed a bit longer or slower mix than the little beater heads were capable of. Plus, my arm or hand would get tired of holding the mixer and the bowl, or it would get awkward in trying to maneuver both. At 65 years old, I finally decided I would entertain the idea of a stand mixer and started to do the research. I knew Kitchen Aid would be the way to go because of its great reputation stand mixers, and I ... MoreI have been baking more often in the last few years because of being at home more, but had resisted investing in a stand mixer because of both price and size. I didn't think I baked enough to warrant having a mixer on my counter all the time, or spending hundreds of dollars. I was happy with the nice hand mixer I had....until I realized how some doughs and batters needed a bit longer or slower mix than the little beater heads were capable of. Plus, my arm or hand would get tired of holding the mixer and the bowl, or it would get awkward in trying to maneuver both. At 65 years old, I finally decided I would entertain the idea of a stand mixer and started to do the research. I knew Kitchen Aid would be the way to go because of its great reputation stand mixers, and I wasn't interested in the cheaper brands and off-brands. I liked the tilt-head design over the bowl-lift because it seems to give more access to the bowl and beater for scraping or adding ingredients, plus the slightly smaller footprint and height was better for my needs. The Empire Red color is absolutely gorgeous and is a perfect match with my red quartz countertops, so it's perfect to stay out on the counter - the beautiful design and contours make like an art piece! As to the functionality, having never used a stand mixer before, I found it very easy to learn and use, and it mixes very effectively. I love how I can put in the ingredients, turn on the beater and step away to to do something else in the kitchen - no more standing there with my arm getting tired or wrestling with holding the bowl steady. This is wonderful.The only thing about this set that could be better is the coated flat beater and the aluminum whisk that comes with it. The coating on my beater came chipped and although KA replaced it promptly, I noticed something I didn't like - when I slid the beater onto the mounting, there would always be a little puff of aluminum powder coming off the raw aluminum inside the hole. The mounting post would scrape the inside of the beater hole and you'd see the little puff of powder. I didn't like that at all, didn't want any aluminum in the air or in my food, no matter how small. My other issue was with the aluminum whisk - you can't put it in the dishwasher because of the oxidation and it would turn it dark - so you're supposed to hand wash it. It is very difficult to wash batter and dough off a whisk and even when it arrived brand new, it was covered with a sticky grime that was really unappetizing. Even hand washing that wasn't easy because it was hard to reach all parts of all the wires and wanting to make sure I got all that grime off. So, because of these two issues, I had to invest more money to buy the stainless steel whisk and stainless steel flat beater which are both dishwasher safe and no worries about coatings coming off or the wires oxidizing. It's too bad the original whisk and beater are useless to me, I hated to waste them, but I didn't want to use them and just donated them. I think KA should just provide an upgrade option when purchasing this mixer so you can choose to upgrade the beaters you want, at a nominal fee, so they don't have to waste sending out the lower end ones that many people seem to be complaining about in the reviews.Overall, I am extremely happy with my new stand mixer, and just seeing it on the counter makes me want to make something just to use it!

Not as expected, disappointing

Although it feels very sturdy and is attractive (nice to have so many colour options) I can’t help but be disappointed at this mixer’s inability to handle bread and pizza doughs. For example, a small batch (3.5 to 4 cups flour ) of bread dough. The motor heats up to a concerning temperature, the entire mixer shakes and wobbles, it “stalls” - the dough hook can barely turn the dough around. After 3 attempts I gave up for fear of burning out the motor. Considering the price, I am disappointed at this lack of power. I am also disappointed at the complete lack of proper instructions, nothing was included in the box, no guidance whatsoever as to what the mixer can handle or not. I would appreciate a recipe book with tested recipes. This would also help me to gauge what ... MoreAlthough it feels very sturdy and is attractive (nice to have so many colour options) I can’t help but be disappointed at this mixer’s inability to handle bread and pizza doughs. For example, a small batch (3.5 to 4 cups flour ) of bread dough. The motor heats up to a concerning temperature, the entire mixer shakes and wobbles, it “stalls” - the dough hook can barely turn the dough around. After 3 attempts I gave up for fear of burning out the motor. Considering the price, I am disappointed at this lack of power. I am also disappointed at the complete lack of proper instructions, nothing was included in the box, no guidance whatsoever as to what the mixer can handle or not. I would appreciate a recipe book with tested recipes. This would also help me to gauge what volume of ingredients the mixer is guaranteed to handle. Standardized recipes that are tested would help me a lot. Even Kitchenaid’s own website offers no clear guidelines. I am still not sure if the way my mixer is operating is normal.Secondly, the attachments don’t touch the bottom of the bowl and sit inches off the bottom of the bowl. This means that ingredients ant the bottom are not adequately mixed and I still need to start the mixing by hand, which kind of detracts from the actual convenience. I’m having to constantly stop and start my mixer in order to mix ingredients, which is defeating the actual point of buying a stand mixer.Overall, I am finding very few uses for this large and very expensive countertop appliance that I can’t use my small hand mixer for, which cost WAY less. Wouldn’t recommend to any friends or family. It seems like this mixer is best for things like whipping cream and making frosting or cake batter, maybe a cheesecake , which happens only 4-6 times a year in our house.

Poor Collaboration

I loved the color and I wish that alone was enough to make me keep this product. I really hoped it was a good quality product like what you’d expect from KitchenAid. It was little things that really bothered me that made me thing that the collaboration between magnolia and KitchenAid was a mistake. The little thin aluminum piece that is on all mixers that shows the speed and the lock/unlock directions was falling off, it almost felt as if it wasn’t glued on correctly or sort of loose. I chalked it up to being a one off so I went and exchanged it for the same item but had the same issue. I attempted one final time but still had the same issue. Again it wasn’t a big deal but the amount of money spent on this thing I expect a sturdy well put together piece of ... MoreI loved the color and I wish that alone was enough to make me keep this product. I really hoped it was a good quality product like what you’d expect from KitchenAid. It was little things that really bothered me that made me thing that the collaboration between magnolia and KitchenAid was a mistake. The little thin aluminum piece that is on all mixers that shows the speed and the lock/unlock directions was falling off, it almost felt as if it wasn’t glued on correctly or sort of loose. I chalked it up to being a one off so I went and exchanged it for the same item but had the same issue. I attempted one final time but still had the same issue. Again it wasn’t a big deal but the amount of money spent on this thing I expect a sturdy well put together piece of equipment. After I returned the 3rd mixer I decided to read the reviews and noticed people have had the same issue and that the motor makes weird noises or it goes out after having it a year. I never turned it on, I didn’t get that far…but honestly I’d save the money and hassle and just purchase a straight KitchenAid without any collaborations from other companies that’s what I ended up doing and have no complaints with a completely different model of KitchenAid mixer.

Tilting Head of Mixer Damages Paint

After waiting over 50 years to own a Kitchen Aid mixer, I couldn’t wait to open up the box and get started using it. My purchase for Mother’s Day delivery was delayed nearly a month due to the violet color being on back order. Imagine my dismay to find a scratch marring the beautiful violet finish exposing a line of silver on the back of the mixer. Amazon was wonderful and immediately ordered a replacement for me. While the damage was cosmetic, I had saved too long for this purchase to be damaged. The replacement mixer was scrutinized carefully upon removal from the box by both myself and a friend. After demonstrating the tilt head function, 2 silver scratches appeared marring the beautiful surface. It appears to be a defect in placement when the head is tilted. Now ... MoreAfter waiting over 50 years to own a Kitchen Aid mixer, I couldn’t wait to open up the box and get started using it. My purchase for Mother’s Day delivery was delayed nearly a month due to the violet color being on back order. Imagine my dismay to find a scratch marring the beautiful violet finish exposing a line of silver on the back of the mixer. Amazon was wonderful and immediately ordered a replacement for me. While the damage was cosmetic, I had saved too long for this purchase to be damaged. The replacement mixer was scrutinized carefully upon removal from the box by both myself and a friend. After demonstrating the tilt head function, 2 silver scratches appeared marring the beautiful surface. It appears to be a defect in placement when the head is tilted. Now I am stuck with a brand new mixer that looks old from damage caused by lack of quality control in head placement to ‘neck’ of mixer. These scratches are worse than the one in my original purchase. The silver band where the speed changer is located is flat in some places and separated so you can push it up and down in others. This entire area should be flat and fully attached to the mixer. Another quality control issue. The cost of a Kitchen Aid mixer makes this a well thought out and planned for expenditure. It is not a frivolous purchase. To have it not look brand new 5 minutes after removal from its box is more than a disappointment. Although I love the function of this mixer, I cannot honestly recommend a friend purchase a beautifully colored mixer only to end up with damaged goods before the mixer is even used. Unable to load picture and video of damage.

Wonderful Christmas gift for myself!!

When I needed a new KitchenAid stand mixer, I knew the name and quality. I purchased my first KitchenAid almost 40 years ago while my children were little and spent years baking for my family, and lost count of the birthdays, anniversaries, school celebrations, holiday treats, and meals, and even (ta-da!!) weddings. I travelled from Nebraska to Virginia with my mixer and supplies for our oldest daughter’s wedding—what a test!! Then moved on to grandchildren’s events. Our youngest daughter’s wedding was another “great event”. As I learned the basics to using my mixer and added attachments to make things even easier.The day came when both daughters borrowed my mixer and I was relegated to my hand mixer. Our son bought his own KitchenAid stand mixer, and my mixer was ... MoreWhen I needed a new KitchenAid stand mixer, I knew the name and quality. I purchased my first KitchenAid almost 40 years ago while my children were little and spent years baking for my family, and lost count of the birthdays, anniversaries, school celebrations, holiday treats, and meals, and even (ta-da!!) weddings. I travelled from Nebraska to Virginia with my mixer and supplies for our oldest daughter’s wedding—what a test!! Then moved on to grandchildren’s events. Our youngest daughter’s wedding was another “great event”. As I learned the basics to using my mixer and added attachments to make things even easier.The day came when both daughters borrowed my mixer and I was relegated to my hand mixer. Our son bought his own KitchenAid stand mixer, and my mixer was passed on with love to our oldest granddaughter and my daughters got their own mixers—and carried on the cake decorating and meal-time fun. I missed my mixer.After hinting and outright begging for another KitchenAid stand mixer, my husband told me that he thought I liked my KitchenAid hand mixer or I would have asked for mine back. I like to share. Share the love.I finally found my perfect friend again in a new blue KitchenAid stand mixer, a little bigger, more powerful and just perfect for my kitchen. Fits right in.I loved my family dearly, clearly I taught them all the value of KitchenAid.Merry Christmas to me!

[Rewarded Review] Great buy

The KitchenAid mixer is a game-changer in any kitchen. With its sleek design and powerful performance, it is undoubtedly a must-have appliance for any cooking enthusiast. Whether you are a professional chef or a passionate home cook, this mixer will elevate your culinary skills to new heights.One of the standout features of the KitchenAid mixer is its versatility. With a wide range of attachments available, from pasta rollers to meat grinders, this appliance can do much more than just mixing. It allows you to explore various cooking techniques and experiment with different recipes effortlessly.The mixer's robust motor ensures consistent and thorough mixing every time. It effortlessly tackles even the toughest dough, leaving you with perfectly blended ... MoreThe KitchenAid mixer is a game-changer in any kitchen. With its sleek design and powerful performance, it is undoubtedly a must-have appliance for any cooking enthusiast. Whether you are a professional chef or a passionate home cook, this mixer will elevate your culinary skills to new heights.One of the standout features of the KitchenAid mixer is its versatility. With a wide range of attachments available, from pasta rollers to meat grinders, this appliance can do much more than just mixing. It allows you to explore various cooking techniques and experiment with different recipes effortlessly.The mixer's robust motor ensures consistent and thorough mixing every time. It effortlessly tackles even the toughest dough, leaving you with perfectly blended ingredients. The multiple speed options give you complete control over the mixing process, allowing you to achieve the desired texture and consistency.In addition to its exceptional performance, the KitchenAid mixer is built to last. Its durable construction and high-quality materials ensure that it withstands years of heavy use without any compromise in functionality. This longevity makes it a worthwhile investment that will continue to serve you well for many years to come.Furthermore, the KitchenAid mixer's stylish design adds a touch of elegance to any kitchen countertop. Available in a range of vibrant colors, it not only performs flawlessly but also makes a statement as a fashionable accessory in your culinary space.Overall, the KitchenAid mixer is a top-notch appliance that delivers outstanding performance, durability, and style. It is a true kitchen companion that enhances your cooking experience and empowers you to create culinary masterpieces.