First impressions and review of the Famag IM-5S Spiral mixer

[HansB]

That's the Famag IM-5S ? or a larger version?

I have the 5S.

[foreplease]

I have the 5S.

You can really see in that photo how much larger it is than the KA. Nice setup!

[lennyk]

tilting head is the way to go unless you go very large as it will have more space in bowl to put your arm to clean it.

I used my 8s to make panettone for the first time properly this weekend and dough was very well developed
in fact I think I can even bump the hydration up a few %, compared to when I use kitchenaid.

[shawkyns]

I would second the cart idea.  I would not want to lug this up and down stairs, nor have to deal with the dough in a separate room.  PHG sells a haussler? rolling cart that is the perfect size.  In my small-ish kitchen, we keep it on the cart and shoved into a corner near the dining nook.  it is really not that big in relation to a room or hall, long, but narrow.

[HansB]

I have this one, half the price of the Haussler.  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A9DQVXW/?tag=pmak-20

[scott r]

Good point on the weight, it can be deceiving for its size.   At 51, there is no way my back would be happy picking this up out of a low cabinet, or from the floor.   Mine stays on my countertop, and the 5s is just short enough that I can lift the lid while it is under my upper kitchen cabinets if I pull it forward a few inches from the back wall.  The IM8 I originally borrowed from a friend before I bought mine was too tall to fit there.   

[Samson]

Scott,

I actually measured my kitchen space again and think I may be able to pull off exactly what you are describing but I'm not sure if I will have the clearance to lift up the lid. My cabinets come out 12 inches horizontally from the back wall, and are 17 inches above the counter top. I read the specs and I think the 5S is like 15.25 inches in height or something close to that so it should fit but probably not lift up. Are your measurements similar? I wasn't sure I'd be able to pull it out so easily but it sounds like it's not a problem for you. May have to break out my high school geometry to see how far I need to move it from the wall to get the clearance I need.

I'm not able to do the cart idea because we don't have space in adjacent rooms so it's probably either this or the basement.

Thanks!

[HansB]

These photos may help you?

[Samson]

This is awesome thank you so much. I think I really will need to do that geometry calc now... 

[scott r]

I will measure my cabinet hight and countertop depth when im home tonight.  I am unable to lift the head all the way up, but it works fine only lifting it slightly.  Im still able to get the bowl on and off without issue. 

[barryvabeach]

Scott, you can always cut a sheet of 3/4 plywood the length of the Famag, and rest the Famag - that is what I did, so that when I need to move it out a few inches to get more room to tilt  the head, i move the board forward.  Most of the weight is at the rear, moving it forward 6 inches has no risk of falling, then I push it back.   Note that for me, it is that mine sits with the back up against a wall, and as I tilt the head fully up, it hits the rear wall, unless I bring it forward a bit.  Even though it is pretty heavy, I move the board and the whole assembly is easy to move.

[scott r]

Great idea I hadn't thought of Barry, thank you!   

I have 17.5 inches from countertop to bottom of cabinets.   My cabinets are 12 inches deep.  with 23 inch deep countertops (or more) you will have no problem getting the bowl on and off.  Of course with this idea from Barry you can go lower/more shallow and it will work.

[Samson]

Thanks. That must be a standard size mine has the same measurements.

I'm definitely going to go for the purchase now, may just wait till black friday and see if I get lucky with any type of discount. Thanks!