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That’s right. I am talking about the holy grail of registry items.
Mr. Taffy and I finally began our registry this weekend. We still have a lot of work to do before we are finished, but I am happy with the selections that we have made so far. (Although I must note: a tipsy groom starting a registry online after midnight = a crazy amount of expensive electronics on the list. Do not let the groom drunk dial your registry! Eeep.)
I am writing this post, in part, to see what all the fuss is about over this mixer, and if you ladies think it is as great as the salesperson at Bed Bath & Beyond says it is. I do not currently own a stand mixer, and am not sure if I consider this a necessity. We don’t have very much counter space in our kitchen (although we are renting and won’t be here forever), and I can’t imagine that it is easy to drag out of a cupboard. I think a good hand mixer would be just fine—I usually do any mixing myself until flour is involved, and I like that I can move a hand mixer around the bowl however I like. But maybe I am not paying enough attention, because this mixer seems to be the most coveted item for brides to be!
When I explain to Mr. Taffy that I don’t think we need the stand mixer, he tells me about all the crazy things it can do (with attachments sold separately). I will admit, I was especially intrigued by the ravioli maker, but I am a little overwhelmed by the whole attachment thing. (Did I mention that the ravioli maker is $170?!)
So ladies, please tell me: Is it all that you expected and more? How often do you use it? What is its best feature? Are the attachments really worth it? And last but not least, which color did you choose? 
It is worth it! I told my FMIL that was the one item I wanted to get, and she surprised me by buying it for me before I could even register!
It really cuts down the time for making cookies dough, cake batter, and is amazing at kneading bread dough. I don’t have any of the attachments yet, but do highly recommend. I also like it for whisking eggs, because making stiff white peaks by hand is exhausting!
FYI- it is crazy heavy, so you definitely want to keep it on the counter, too heavy to keep in a cabinet or closet and take out when needed.
If you like to bake, this is a must. I use a $10 ravioli press when I make ravioli, I would not go for the attachements. However this machine makes baking cookies so easy. However if you aren’t a big baker I wouldn’t bother.
Ok, I’m going to be honest - I thought for sure that the kitchenaid stand mixer had to be the most over-rated kitchen item ever… I was perfectly content with my wooden spoon and or hand mixer.
That is, until I got my stand mixer - I LOOOOVE it. I use it for EVERYTHING. Baking, mixing cream cheese & ingredients for appetizers, mashing potatoes/ mashing bananas etc etc etc.
Mine is white (I wanted the soft yellow, but it was impossible to find in Canada) but it fits perfectly in my blue and white kitchen.
It is by far my favourite kitchen appliance!
the kitchenaid is a wonderful item to have if you bake a lot, but i do not think it’s a necessity. it handles batters and doughs much more quickly and efficiently than a hand mixer, but again i do not think that makes it a necessity. it’s also great for heavier doughs, like brioche and pizza dough–however some people do those in a food processor or just the good old-fashioned way by hand. i really like having one and use it at least once a week, but it is heavy and bulky. think about your needs and whether you would use it–of course it’s nice to have, but if there are other things you would rather people spend their money on for your gift, then you don’t need to put it on your registry.
I agree, if you like to bake it’s very good. If not then it’s not necessary. I also use mine for making dips and spreads, and it is really great for making candy and homemade frosting.
My mother got me this for my shower. Her reasoning was, “When I was a bride I wanted it and didn’t receive it - to me, it wasn’t a huge deal that I had one. But, had I been able to fast forward and see all the baking I would have to do over the years, I would have run out and bought one myself.”
I’m dying to get the one we registered for! I currently use an old (or, “retro”) hand mixer — borrowed from my mother — and it just can’t cut through the ingredients like I need it to. So, I have to stop frequently to unstick the stuck mixer attachments — and this is often challenging and stressful!
I’m psyched about the attachments for the mixer as well, because I don’t see myself having a separate meat grinder or a separate ice cream maker. But an all-in-one sounds mighty nice!
Lastly, why don’t you consider adding some shelving somewhere in your kitchen/dining area? That way the mixer won’t take up precious counter space — and you can put other kitchen electronics (the result of drunk register dialing or not) 
there as well. (This worked very well for me when I needed to store my vaccuum food sealer and crock pot in my TEENY studio apartment.)
Definitely register for it. My mom bought me one as a Christmas present two years ago and I love it! I keep mine in a cabinet because I’m a little weird about clutter on my countertop, and it is heavy, but I manage. I don’t have any of the attachments but most people I know that do, don’t actually use them (esp. the pasta maker). My advice would be register for the mixer but none of the attachments 
This is the one item I want the most, too! I am really excited about the meat grinder as my parents grind meat frequently. I am a little concerned about our counter space - we are renting, too. Since I wanted a little spice with the grey appliances, I got it in red.
I love that mixer. Whenever I bake at my parents’ house, it makes it so much easier. It’s great and very tough. Hand mixers can’t handle some doughs very well at all. Get it!
This was the one kitchen gadget my mother kept out on the counter. I think the reason I consider it to be a necessity is I grew up with it, moved out and had to do without it, and decided I had to have one again. On the other hand, I grew up with an electric can opener, moved out and had to do without, and now think of an electric can opener as a ridiculous first-world unitasker.
But the other comments are right: it’s a big ol’ thing which you indeed may not need if baking isn’t part of your life. People also register for fancy espresso machines, but you don’t need that if you don’t like coffee. Same deal.
I got this as an early wedding present from my FI’s cousin in the beginning of December and have used it 3 or 4 time since then. I don’t bake a lot, but when I do, it makes it super easy. I can put it all in, walk away, and come back with it all mixed and ready to go. I also use it for other stuff that needs a good mixing. It is easy to clean and looks so cute on my counter that I was elated to get it so early!
I have had ours for about a month now, and I use it all the time. I LOVE IT. I also cook a lot. As far as reaching all parts of the bowl, it magically is designed to do that. I would say bakers would get the most use out of it. I am really big on eating as little processed food as I can, so I have started making our bread for the week every Sunday using the mixer (because it is so dang easy with that appliance.) One thing, it is really heavy so you are NOT going to want to be moving it in and out of cupboards.
My fiance and I stood in line for an hour and a half at a black Friday sale to get one. We were in line so long and I was so excited about it, that 4 other women went and got one too. I got the classic in white. It reminds me of my childhood!
I think I’m definitely in the minority since I own one and I think I’ve used it once in 2 years or so. Though I will add the disclaimer that I almost never bake and I don’t have space on the counter for it, so it lives on top of the fridge, so lugging it down is quite the production.
I also have a hand mixer that’s still in the box. It’s not that I don’t cook either, I just have gotten so used to doing things by hand I just don’t even think to use anything else.
I love the kitchen aid stand mixer. I use it for everything! I mix cookies, bread dough, pizza dough, cakes, whipped cream, it makes everything so easy! I do a lot of cooking and baking and I love that I can do other things while it is mixing away.
I understand how you would be weary about the hype, but this is a quality kitchen appliance. My mother has used her kitchen aid stand mixer for many many years.
I have one, and rarely use it. I cook a lot. But I don’t bake that often. And I think it is indeed handy, though…if you bake. It’s super heavy (like Snaps said) and has a large footprint. So maybe figure out how much baking, pasta-making you intend to do?
I want one so bad!! I bake so much! And I would love this. In fact I drool over it everytime we pass it at the store! My FI and I are big cookers. It is something we enjoy doing together! So this is a must for us. Even though we dont have much counter space I will make room for it! Plus all you girls giving it such great kudos I am in even more!!
I use my KitchenAid mixer just about every single day. I LOVE IT!!!! Get the mixer! You will not be disappointed! Aside from all the cookie and cake baking I do, the daily things I use it for include mixing up pancake and waffle batter, mashing potatoes and making bread dough. It’s a great investment.
I do think some of the attachments are overrated. I do like vegetable strainer/juicer attachment for making sauces, but really don’t see myself using the slicer, ice cream maker or pasta roller.
Hi Miss Taffy! I opened my registry at BB&B this weekend, too, for my May wedding! Glad to see we’re in the same boat.
I was wondering the same thing about the stand mixer. Thanks for asking this! I don’t bake a lot myself, but if I do add this to the registry, it will be in onyx to match our appliances.
Our BB&B rep recommended we get the stand mixer cover for $20. As someone else who doesn’t have a lot of kitchen space, this is supposed to protect your mixer when it’s being stored.
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Mrs. Taffy, Ann Arbor Age and Occupation: 28, Color and Materials Designer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Automotive Designer Engagement Date: May 9, 2008 Wedding Date: May 2009 Blogging Since: September 14, 2008 Venue: University of Michigan Union About Me: I’m a girl who is crazy about Mr. Taffy, sewing, dancing, almost all types of sweets, and our cute pet canaries. I dislike touching fuzzy fabric of any kind, eating somewhat squishy food, and Michigan winters. Mr. Taffy and I are having a blast planning our Ann Arbor wedding, and cannot wait to share our day with friends and family.
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