Chau, what are your thoughts after having the mixer for over six months? Are you still using it regularly? Would you buy it again? Cheers!

Hans - I can't speak for Chau but from a few months of my experience I can honestly say that I wish I bought my IM-5S SOONER. The dough comes out amazing every single time. I use it 1-2 times a week for bread, focaccia, pizzas and some other dough dishes. It works so effortless and builds the gluten really well. The only problem I had with it was I over kneaded the dough once and it was fighting me back stretching the skins lol Other than that I couldn't praise it enough. My previous mixers were KA 5 Artisan and KA 6 Pro. Even dough (pun intended) they are nowhere close in price, the Famag (and Sunmix I'm sure) is exponentially better for the dough applications.

Last comment I have is I'm extremely happy that I went with the tilted head Famag model. I know most sunmix users say it's no big deal to wash the bowl etc., but I can see that I would be very annoyed if I couldn't remove the bowl to wash it. Maybe I just haven't tried it enough times but I'm glad I have the removable head. If I was to go back in time I would still opt in for the same exact model.

High hydration feature is questionable as I never used the standard one... can't speak for that...


Hope that helps...

Hans - I can't speak for Chau but from a few months of my experience I can honestly say that I wish I bought my IM-5S SOONER. The dough comes out amazing every single time. I use it 1-2 times a week for bread, focaccia, pizzas and some other dough dishes. It works so effortless and builds the gluten really well. The only problem I had with it was I over kneaded the dough once and it was fighting me back stretching the skins lol Other than that I couldn't praise it enough. My previous mixers were KA 5 Artisan and KA 6 Pro. Even dough (pun intended) they are nowhere close in price, the Famag (and Sunmix I'm sure) is exponentially better for the dough applications.

Last comment I have is I'm extremely happy that I went with the tilted head Famag model. I know most sunmix users say it's no big deal to wash the bowl etc., but I can see that I would be very annoyed if I couldn't remove the bowl to wash it. Maybe I just haven't tried it enough times but I'm glad I have the removable head. If I was to go back in time I would still opt in for the same exact model.

High hydration feature is questionable as I never used the standard one... can't speak for that...


Hope that helps...

That does help. Thanks so much for your post!

I'll jump in for the defence of the Sunmix!

I really don't think it's a problem to clean it, a minute with some water, a scotchbrite and a few towels.  Even rich dough like brioche isn't a big problem, though slightly more tenacious especially if you let it dry.

The other observation is that I've never had a problem with it turning, maybe it's true that fixed head mixers are more reliable than the ones with a tilting head.  Less mechanical parts and all that.

I'll jump in for the defence of the Sunmix!

I really don't think it's a problem to clean it, a minute with some water, a scotchbrite and a few towels.  Even rich dough like brioche isn't a big problem, though slightly more tenacious especially if you let it dry.

The other observation is that I've never had a problem with it turning, maybe it's true that fixed head mixers are more reliable than the ones with a tilting head.  Less mechanical parts and all that.

I wasn't saying sunmix is worse so I hope it didn't come out that way sunmix is amazing!!! I like to wash with dishwashing liquid so I'm sure without rinsing it I would end up with soapy dressing on my pizzas at some point haha it's just me though

Nah, no problems!

I just wanted to speak out for Sunmix as I've often heard this argument.  Just to point out that personally I don't think it's a real issue at all.  But YMMV and all that!

Nah, no problems!

I just wanted to speak out for Sunmix as I've often heard this argument.  Just to point out that personally I don't think it's a real issue at all.  But YMMV and all that!

Cleaning the Sunmix is super easy and takes 5 minutes.

Chau, what are your thoughts after having the mixer for over six months? Are you still using it regularly? Would you buy it again? Cheers!

Sorry I missed this Hans.  I did a few tests between the Famag and my KA dough and the dough quality and difference is undeniable.  The dough is silkier, gluten development is better and stronger, and the crumb is somehow more tender.  Gluten development is more efficient and gentle.  The dough looks smoother and holds air better.  The dough balls are lighter in color (more oxidized) and proof up around 25-30% larger in volume. I think for a NP purist or a dedicated bread maker a spiral mixer is hands down a better machine and makes better products.   It is built stronger and can handle bigger batches of low hydration doughs.

The downsides.   Cost...you can buy a used KA for $100 and it will make great pizza and breads.  No mixer will make up the difference of knowledge and technique.  Will it make your pizzas that mich better? Likely not, maybe...depends.  Is the spiral mixer worth $1600+?  I can't answer that.  Too subjective.   Because it makes a softer dough, as far as pizza goes it's better for NP than say crunchier or crispier pizzas imo.  For my NY and pan pizzas, bc I like them on the crispier side, it does take away a bit from the textural crispness. It's noticeable but not a huge deal.  If you like classic, foldable, slightly chewy NY pizza, then it's perfect for that.  I used the Famag 3-4 times a week since I got it until recently.   I've taken a break from pizza and spending lots more time snowboarding for the winter.   In that time I maybe used my KA 2x for those few comparison tests.   For me, the Famag is a joy to learn and use.   I would say for the hard-core pizza members and bread makers, if you have the extra cash and space for it, jump on it.  For the others who can't or dont get one, you don't need it.  I used a classic KA mixer I bought off of CL for $60 for almost 10yrs and was able to make very good pizza and breads with it.  You don't even need a mixer.   I'm pretty sure Craig still uses his KA or makes dough by hand.  You can make great dough by hand if you have the patience and a bit of time. 
Was it worth it?  For me I would say yes.   I don't mind spending the extra dough for the sake of furthering my learning.  Life is short, do what you love and want.  Hope that helps.

Chau

Thanks for the write-up Chau.
Now you've got me hoping my Viking mixer dies so I have an excuse to buy one. 

Thanks Chau, between Scott R, iLya, and others, I ordered the IM-5S tilt version. Like you, I don't need one at all but I think it will be a fun addition. It should arrive in early May.

I also appreciate the so-far-summary, which falls in line with what I’ve gathered from others.

For people as dedicated to pizza and doughs as many are in here, and you can afford it, it seems like a reasonable investment. If one purchases a quality machine, it can last a lifetime, if they still make stuff that sturdy.

For an NP lover as myself, I probably see myself buying one some time down the line when I got the space for both my oven and a mixer.

for a long time I used a Kitchen aid and got my process down to make great pizza. treated myself 3 months ago to a sunmix 5  and I'm loving it. the first pizza made with it was great and great the first time. mixing times have gotten shorter as its much more efficient at mixing and kneading as others have said. my bread making has reached new heights as the KA could never mix/knead as well as the sunmix (30 years of drumming has ruined my hands for hand kneading). like mentioned above, I regret not getting one sooner. but truth be told, I never even knew of spiral mixers till I found this forum! So thanks!

they are a lot of money, but I feel like they are a multiple lifetime investment. my son comes over once a week for pizza and has loved playing with the new toy. our next goal is fresh pasta with it (my grandmother would kill me. pasta is a hand needed thing Im sure she would tell me). But if I got the right tool, Im gonna use it! only you can decide if its worth the money to you. but life is short and if you got the money, treat yourself. just be careful cause you will wind up using it a lot to justify the money and eat a lot more pizza than normal, at least I have and my waist is hating me for it!

john

FWIW, I use my Sunmix for egg pasta (durum/grano duro) too.

I only make about 500g at a time.  It does take most of the work out of the process, but I always have to finish with some hand kneading.

• How to Use a Famag Dough Mixer

[/quote]

This video from The Perfect Loaf suggests the use of only two speeds i.e. #1 and #5.

What speeds do you use for your pizza? 

? Different speeds for different pizza styles?

Have you solved the issue?

No.  I never got around to contacting Pleasant Hill and I haven't used the mixer yet this year.  I need to make some pizza. I will email them now while I'm thinking of it.

After Chau held a gun to my head, and Ilya beat me up a little more, I caved and bought the IM-5S.  I have only used it twice so far, but agree that the dough feels different coming out of the Famag.  But the joke is on them, because I am going to make them spend some money
 
  One thing I missed was the timer on the Ank, so I ordered a wifi outlet for about $9 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083C5WR49/?tag=pmak-20  I am not a huge fan of home automation in general, and it is not the easiest to set up, but once done, the smart outlet just plugs into the outlet, you can switch on the smart outlet with an app on your phone, and then turn on the mixer, then go to countdown on the app and set a timer and it turns off the mixer when the time is done.   One potential hiccup is you have to have 2.4 g router to get it set up.   I have not run it with a full load, but the specs say it will handle up to a 1/2 hp motor, and the IM-5s is 2/5, so it should be fine.   If you have Alexa, the command is Alexa , set a sleep timer for (  whatever you named the smart plug ) for ___ minutes.

Love this!    I wish I could walk away from my mixer.  My wife is always complaining.. "why do you have to stand there and just stare at the dough"

After Chau held a gun to my head, and Ilya beat me up a little more, I caved and bought the IM-5S.  I have only used it twice so far, but agree that the dough feels different coming out of the Famag.  But the joke is on them, because I am going to make them spend some money
 
  One thing I missed was the timer on the Ank, so I ordered a wifi outlet for about $9 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083C5WR49/?tag=pmak-20  I am not a huge fan of home automation in general, and it is not the easiest to set up, but once done, the smart outlet just plugs into the outlet, you can switch on the smart outlet with an app on your phone, and then turn on the mixer, then go to countdown on the app and set a timer and it turns off the mixer when the time is done.   One potential hiccup is you have to have 2.4 g router to get it set up.   I have not run it with a full load, but the specs say it will handle up to a 1/2 hp motor, and the IM-5s is 2/5, so it should be fine.   If you have Alexa, the command is Alexa , set a sleep timer for (  whatever you named the smart plug ) for ___ minutes.

Haha enjoy buddy! I have a few smart outlets laying around the house but wouldn’t like to use one. I’m usually in the kitchen when the dough is being kneeded and like to watch it/check its temperature with the IR gun.

I made an 85% hydration focaccia yesterday and couldn’t believe how well the gluten was developed.

I would’ve bought it all over again if I was considering it.

Has anyone had issues with the famag  not working? I bought a brand new Famag IM 10s. Sometimes I press the arrow to turn on, and it just makes this clicking noise. The outlet isn’t the issue. Everything is locked in place. Any suggestions? Sounds almost like a short inside the machine, this clicking noise.

I recently got the last fixed head Famag IM-5S that wasn't on backorder and when I plugged it in nothing.  Took the top off and the metal bar that registers when the grate is up or down wasn't fully bending all the way and sometimes would just barely engage and it would click when it went off.  I put a bit more bend in the bar, maybe a lil too much, and now it works..  I'm pretty comfortable with working on machines like this but if you're not you might want to contact them.  Downside is if you have to send it back who knows when a new one will be in stock.  I will probably reach out to them about getting a replacement or something in the future but for a quick fix it worked in my situation.

Glad I found this thread; wealth of knowledge in here 

I just wrapped a tie around the micro switch so it is always closed,  I didn't see a need for the safety device in my house.

I know this is an older thread, but, I bit the bullet and purchase a Famag IM-5s about a month ago. It was a great purchase and I would do it again. I thought I really loved my dough from the kitchen aid. That was until I started making it with the Famag. I've also  baked a ton of bread with it. Super Investment!