Saturday, May 3, 2008

Mixing it up with KitchenAid

Check it out!  It's the KichenAid Professional 600 Series Stand Mixer. It's super cool. It ultra mega. And now, it's mine!  After trying to make ice cream by hand (here), then borrowing a friend's mixer with ice cream attachment (here) and growing rather attached - to the mixer, not the ice cream (OK we got attached to the ice cream too), we finally decided it was time we got a mixer of our own. First, we checked out KitchenAid's website to see which one we wanted. It was a tough call. The least expensive one (the Classic) ran about $200, but as we looked at them, the Professional 600 series was pretty much calling to us. We liked the design better (bowl lift vs. tilt-head), and it had a larger capacity, more power, and the attachments were higher quality.  The Professional 600 was the one we had borrowed so we knew already we liked it. No surprises.

Next, we checked out our credit card rewards program to see if we could get free gift certificates for one of the stores in town. We could. Our choices were JC Penny, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Linens and Things.  So we went on-line to check pricing and availability at each of the stores. Not only did Linens and Things have the best price - check this out - but they are currently running a Mother's Day promotion so that if you buy a KitchenAid Professional 600 Series mixer between now and May 31 - get this - you get a free ice cream maker attachment. SOLD!

So we ordered $400 in gift certificates (keep in mind we're getting these for free through the points program on our credit card).  They arrived in the mail on Thursday (it only took a week). In the meantime, a friend of mine gave me one of her Linens and Things coupons for 20% off my order. Yes!  So as you can see in the photo, not only did we buy the mixer we wanted, we also got a really nice adjustable colander for free and still have money left on the card (I have my eye on a home canning set). Now, all we have to do is send off for our free ice cream maker attachment.  Sweet!

Free, free, free! Did I mention I like free? Now I just have to deal with these weird feeling of excitement over a mixer. This is kinda new for me.....

3 comments:

Theresa said...

That is one seriously nice mixer! Congratulations! And free yet, what a deal.

Jenn said...

Great going with the deal on the KA - I got one and it was some kind of fluke deal on Amazon. Boyfriend bought me a fireengine red mixer for xmas, but then we saw one on Amazon for like $200 less - and some other mail in rebate, so he ended up paying like $200 for a pro. I have "eggshell" in a matte finish. I found someone selling a pasta roller & cutter set on Craigslist - used once - and scored for like $50.

I highly recommend the pasta roller and cutter attachments. One of my buddies is in love with the ravioli maker, but they are rather smallish ravioli and I prefer the hand stamps (you can stuff'em dangerously full!)

hmd said...

jennconspiracy - Thanks! Looking back its one of the best purchases I've ever made. I use the KA for EVERYTHING including making butter last week. This thing rocks!

Thanks for the recommendation on the pasta roller. I've been thinking about making homemade pasta and that ravioli sounds wonderful! I'll have to see if I can find something on our own local Craigslist. So how does it work. You make the dough as usual and just run through the KitchenAid to shape?