KitchenAid 300 watt mixer question

[Jackie_Treehorn]

Hey all.

This week, Target has 20% off KitchenAid appliances and cookware. They have KitchenAid Ultra Power Stand Mixer on sale right now for $199.99. It is only a 300 watt mixer.

I currently mix my dough in my food processor with pretty good results. My wife and I are interested in stepping up to a nice mixer for pizza and other things, but I don't know if the 300 watt mixer is powerful enough for our pizza dough. I usually mix up about 21 oz. of dough a week which I separate into 7 oz. balls.

Is the 300 watt mixer 1) a good buy and 2) powerful enough for mixing sticky pizza dough?

Here is a link to the same mixer (I think) at amazon: http://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-2-Quart-Ultra-Power-Empire/dp/B000UVRC64/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316368131&sr=8-1

Thanks!!!

[Essen1]

Jackie,

I personally prefer this one:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&biw=1056&bih=632&q=cuisinart+sm-55&gs_upl=928l5615l0l7368l13l12l0l2l2l0l555l2054l0.6.3.5-1l10l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=15831616793104515010&sa=X&ei=DzR2TvK5A9HXiAL7iLS0Ag&ved=0CG8Q8wIwAA

I have owned a KA mixer before and the Cuisinart is far superior. I'd spend the extra 50 bucks.

[Mad_Ernie]

Jackie:

First off, it depends on what dough(s) you plan on making with your equipment.  I own a Kitchenaid mixer with a 325-watt motor and it has performed well for my wife and me (10 years and counting).  I use it mainly for making New York style doughs.  My American/cracker style and deep dish doughs are all made with my food processor.

Yes, the price at Target sounds good.  Whether or not a 300-watt motor is sufficient or not, I don't know.  After having used my KA machine numerous times, my only regret is we do not have the larger, 6-quart model with the flour shield and the better spiral dough hook.
http://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KP26M1XNP-Professional-6-Quart-Nickel/dp/B0002Y5X9W/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I32QKHO96ZTUT3&colid=3IQ1C5U2OIY02

Bottom-line: you get what you pay for.  The KA 300-watt may do it for you, but you would be better served by getting a heavier-duty machine, like the Cuisinart that Essen1 mentioned, especially if you plan on making pizza dough on a fairly regular basis (like every 7-14 days).  Better yet, check out the Electrolux DLX or Bosch dough mixer (which can be used for other things besides making bread or pizza dough).  

http://www.standmixersreview.org/bosch-universal-mixers/

http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f30/electrolux-dlx-mixer-review-3421.html

http://www.amazon.com/Electrolux-Deluxe-Mixer-Standard-Voltage/dp/B001G55QUM/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1316453708&sr=1-1

The prices are a little to a lot higher than buying a Kitchenaid model, but some folks swear by them and will never buy a KA or Cuisinart again.  Again, it's a "get what you pay for" kind of thing, and how much do you need for the price for the kind of dough-making you plan on doing.

-ME

P.S. I like your name