Kenwood Chef or KitchenAid?? That is the question

[Jeanied]

OK PB - IMHO you need a bit more information - like how often and what do you use your appliance for? To clarify - my Kitchen Aid is a great (but expensive) appliance to have there on the side - I haven't used it for a month or so but it is great. Some folks may have their favourites that they have used daily or weekly for a long time - so using it and storing it will be a consideration. Hope this is helpful!

[Pumpkin Becki]

OK PB - IMHO you need a bit more information - like how often and what do you use your appliance for? To clarify - my Kitchen Aid is a great (but expensive) appliance to have there on the side - I haven't used it for a month or so but it is great. Some folks may have their favourites that they have used daily or weekly for a long time - so using it and storing it will be a consideration. Hope this is helpful!

I think you're right, I really need to understand what I'd use it for and how often. I do get easily seduced by glamorous kitchen gadgets I'm afraid.

I really appreciate everyones advice and input, so please continue, and I'll catch up with it all on Monday. Thanks gang

[SarzWix]

Sarz, you are a true Kenwood Chef fan aren't you chuck....

Errr.. Yeah I guess I am

Jeanie's right though, it does depend what you want out of it. If you want it to mix cakes/whip cream/do bread dough and to look 'glam' on the worktop, the KitchenAid will likely do the job. IMO their downfall is that you can't add all the extras to it later.

[valmarg]

Jeanie's right though, it does depend what you want out of it. If you want it to mix cakes/whip cream/do bread dough and to look 'glam' on the worktop, the KitchenAid will likely do the job. IMO their downfall is that you can't add all the extras to it later.

Erm, I think you'll find you can. They have loads of add-on attachments.

We have a Kitchen Aid which came with a free set of pasta roller/cutters.

They also do Rotary Slicer/Shredder, Food grinder (mincer), Sausage stuffer, Strainer (equivalent of a tomato squisher) Juicer for citrus fruits, Grain Mill - grind your own flour, can opener, Pasta Maker to extrude pasta dough into various shapes. There is also a Water Jacket, designed to hang below the bowl. Fill it with ice to whip cream or special frostings, or with hot water to whip potatoes, turnips and other vegetables, or those desserts that need warm water, ie zabaglione.

valmarg

[Jeanied]

Gosh, darn it Valmarg -you are so right! Now it has gone and got all complicated for me - temptations and decisions!

[miffy]

My mum has had her kenwood for over thirty years and it is now a design classic and i think it is a nice looking, substantial piece of no frills kit. It does exactly what it says on the tin, no messing!!!
Having said that though i am a sucker for kitchen aid products and do have one of their blenders which is fab for mixing up soup, smoothies and frappes, it is so tough it can blend ice cubes! I also have a fab pink dual lit toaster which is really heath robinson looking but is the best toaster i have ever owned.
I think it all comes down to personal taste. I would love to own a mixer and because of my fondness for my mum and her cake baking skills i would love to buy a retro kenwood.

[phil the shed]

gosh what a nightmare scenario....here's mine
1 at work i have a kitchen aid and is as good as the others suggest
2 at home you guessed we have a kenwood albeit in herited but the bean slicer pea podder is a great time saver
which do i recommend...... you gotta measure cost against availability and areas of use
good luck choosing
phil

[roitelet]

Kenwood every time for me. Mine is over 30 years old and in its time has done 5 years service in a Coffee shop when I was head cook and bottle washer. Never gone wrong, wonderful machine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wollyanna]

I have to agree a Kenwood every time. Mine is over 20 years old and it was passed on by a friend who had used it for a good while. never touch wood had any problems. Suddenly realised its Friday the 13th so pehaps I'm tempting fate.

[valmarg]

I have a Kitchen Aid which I find extremely reliable and useful, so I can't comment on any other make of food mixer. It is extremely sturdy, does everything I ask it to, and I can buy any of the add-on attachments (should I need/want them) locally,

Having read through the posts again the Kenwood afficianados are extolling the virtues of machines at least 20 years old. These machines would have been made in the UK. I understand that manufacture has now been sourced to the ?middle ?far east. Whether they will be as reliable remains to be seen.

valmarg