Compare Stand Mixers: Cuisinart SM-50 Precision Master vs. KitchenAid Professional 600 Series vs. Ankarsrum Original AKM 6230
 Ankarsrum Original (Photo: Ankarsrum)
If you like to make your own bread a stand mixer would be quite helpful to facilitate the work involved in preparing the dough. But of course, stand mixers are not used just used to make bread. They are kitchen appliances used for mixing, beating, folding, and whipping all kinds of food ingredients.
They generally have a large bowl (approximately 4 to 8 quarts) that is locked in place on a stand while the mixer operates. Typical home models are equipped with a wire whip for whipping creams and egg whites, a flat paddle for mixing batters, and a hook for kneading dough. There are many companies that make stand mixers. This review will compare three very popular stand mixers: the Cuisinart SM-50 Precision Master, the KitchenAid Professional 600 Series, and the Ankarsrum Original AKM 6230 (used to be known as Electrolux/Verona). These stand mixers are among the best available and have received mostly excellent reviews from Amazon customers (at the time this article was written each had received an average rating of no less than 4 stars - the maximum being 5 stars).
Please read carefully the final recommendations provided at the end of this review before you decide which stand mixer to buy.
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Comparing the Cuisinart, KitchenAid and Ankarsrum Stand Mixers
Stand Mixers Comparison Table
(*): With the Ankarsrum stand mixers, the automatic shut-off feature works in conjunction with the Timer. With the Cuisinart and KitchenAid stand mixer, there is no Timer, and the auto shut-off happens only when there is overload or overheating.
(**): Included Accessories:
Detailed descriptions of the three stand mixers and final recommendations follow below.
(**): Included Accessories:
- Cuisinart: Chef's whisk, dough hook, and flat mixing paddle.
- KitchenAid: Burnished flat beater, spiral dough hook, pouring shield and stainless steel wire whip.
- Ankarsrum: Dough roller, dough knife, dough scraper, dough hook, dust cover lid, a 3.5 liter BPA/BPS Free Tritan plastic mixing bowl, multi-wire balloon and single-wire cookie whisks.
Detailed descriptions of the three stand mixers and final recommendations follow below.
Cuisinart 5.5-Quart SM-50 Precision Master Stand Mixer
Cuisinart SM-50 (Photo credits: Cuisinart)
Delivering power, precision and performance, the Cuisinart SM-50 stand mixer measures (7.87"W x 14.13"D x 14.17"H) and is equipped with a 500-watt motor. It is made of die-cast metal construction, and gives you a choice of 12 speeds that allow for nuance and excellence in performing a variety of preparation tasks.
The unit has a tilt-back head that allows easy access to its 5.5-quart mixing bowl, while the included splash guard prevents messy countertops.
It comes with a chef's whisk, dough hook, and flat mixing paddle.
The mixing bowl and all accessories are dishwasher safe, and the stand mixer is available in 7 colors: ruby red, white linen, sky blue, onyx black, periwinkle blue, robin's egg, and silver lining.
Finally, the unit is equipped with one power outlet for optional attachments. If needed, you can purchase a variety of attachments for the unit, such as a pasta maker, meat grinder and desert & ice cream maker.
An instruction/recipe book is included with the purchase, and there is a limited warranty of 3 years.
The unit has a tilt-back head that allows easy access to its 5.5-quart mixing bowl, while the included splash guard prevents messy countertops.
It comes with a chef's whisk, dough hook, and flat mixing paddle.
The mixing bowl and all accessories are dishwasher safe, and the stand mixer is available in 7 colors: ruby red, white linen, sky blue, onyx black, periwinkle blue, robin's egg, and silver lining.
Finally, the unit is equipped with one power outlet for optional attachments. If needed, you can purchase a variety of attachments for the unit, such as a pasta maker, meat grinder and desert & ice cream maker.
An instruction/recipe book is included with the purchase, and there is a limited warranty of 3 years.
KitchenAid Professional 600 Series Stand Mixer
KitchenAid 600 Series (Photo credits: KitchenAid)
The KitchenAid 600 Series stand mixer measures (7.25"W x 9.0"D x 17.0"H) and has a 6-quart stainless-steel mixing bowl. It features a 575-watt motor, and it can effectively mix up to 14 cups of flour. The spiral hook replicates hand kneading with a forceful rolling and punching action.
The mixer's 10-speed slide control ranges from a very slow stir to a very fast whip, while its soft start mixing function minimizes ingredient splatter after start-up. The multipurpose attachment hub, equipped with a hinged cover, flips open to allow for easy installation of optional attachments such as meat grinder, slicer/shredder, etc.
An electronic speed sensor helps maintain a constant mixing speed, even when adding ingredients. The mixer automatically shuts off if overload is detected. There is no timer functionality. It comes with one year warranty on parts and motor.
Accessories include a professional wire whip, a spiral dough hook, a flat beater, and a pouring shield.
The mixer's 10-speed slide control ranges from a very slow stir to a very fast whip, while its soft start mixing function minimizes ingredient splatter after start-up. The multipurpose attachment hub, equipped with a hinged cover, flips open to allow for easy installation of optional attachments such as meat grinder, slicer/shredder, etc.
An electronic speed sensor helps maintain a constant mixing speed, even when adding ingredients. The mixer automatically shuts off if overload is detected. There is no timer functionality. It comes with one year warranty on parts and motor.
Accessories include a professional wire whip, a spiral dough hook, a flat beater, and a pouring shield.
Ankarsrum Original AKM 6230 Stand Mixer
Also known as the Verona and Electrolux Magic Mill Assitent
Ankarsrum Original (Photo credits: Ankarsrum)
Of the three stand mixers compared here, the Ankarsrum 6230 has the largest mixing bowl. It can hold up to 8 quarts. It measures (14.25"W x 19"D x 14.25"H) and weighs 19 lbs. It comes with an attractive control panel that is very easy to read, and offers mixing speeds from 45 to 130 RPM. The control panel has all metal, chrome plated zinc, speed control and timer knobs. It is angled for comfortable use, and the large timer and speed controls are attractive and easy to read.
The speed control knob allows for a seamless transition from 45 to 130 RPM, and the electronic speed sensor automatically adjusts motor torque to the load. Thanks to the 12 minute timer, the unit will do its work while you do other tasks, stopping automatically when you want it to.
The powerful 600 watt motor runs smoothly and quietly.
Depending on the loaf size you prefer, this machine can make enough dough for anywhere between 7 to 10 loaves of bread as it can hold up to 21 cups of flour. It efficiently emulates the kneading by hands. While the scraper folds steadily the dough, the roller delivers a powerful kneading action. The resulting dough is smooth, supple and pliable.
It includes the 8-quart stainless steel bowl, a dough roller, dough knife, dough scraper, dough hook, dust cover lid, a 3.5 liter plastic beater/mixing bowl, multi-wire balloon and single-wire cookie whisks. These mixing attachments are gentle enough for gluten free batters and perfect for higher hydration dough.
Note that a variety of optional attachments transforms the Ankarsrum Original into a complete kitchen center, eliminating the need for a separate food processor, meat grinder, or slicer.
When you compare stand mixers, the Ankarsrum original stands out as an exceptionally strong dough mixer with excellent reliability. The entire motor enclosure is made of metal, while the bowl is made of stainless. It is heavy duty and will not move on your kitchen's counter while it's running. Finally, it also comes with a 7-year manufacturer's warranty on the motor assembly and 1-year on attachments.
The only negative is really the somewhat steep price. But as they say: you get what you pay for!
The speed control knob allows for a seamless transition from 45 to 130 RPM, and the electronic speed sensor automatically adjusts motor torque to the load. Thanks to the 12 minute timer, the unit will do its work while you do other tasks, stopping automatically when you want it to.
The powerful 600 watt motor runs smoothly and quietly.
Depending on the loaf size you prefer, this machine can make enough dough for anywhere between 7 to 10 loaves of bread as it can hold up to 21 cups of flour. It efficiently emulates the kneading by hands. While the scraper folds steadily the dough, the roller delivers a powerful kneading action. The resulting dough is smooth, supple and pliable.
It includes the 8-quart stainless steel bowl, a dough roller, dough knife, dough scraper, dough hook, dust cover lid, a 3.5 liter plastic beater/mixing bowl, multi-wire balloon and single-wire cookie whisks. These mixing attachments are gentle enough for gluten free batters and perfect for higher hydration dough.
- The sturdy dough hook is designed for dryer, heavier doughs and kneads by stretching, pulling, and folding the dough around the hook as the bowl turns.
- The 3.5 liter beater/mixing bowl is made from BPA/BPS FREE Tritan plastic, a durable plastic that is safe to use with boiling sugar syrup and will not leave a fatty residue after whipping cream.
- The multi-wire balloon whisks are perfect for cream, egg whites, meringue, marshmallows and any other light batter you wish to whip and aerate.
Note that a variety of optional attachments transforms the Ankarsrum Original into a complete kitchen center, eliminating the need for a separate food processor, meat grinder, or slicer.
When you compare stand mixers, the Ankarsrum original stands out as an exceptionally strong dough mixer with excellent reliability. The entire motor enclosure is made of metal, while the bowl is made of stainless. It is heavy duty and will not move on your kitchen's counter while it's running. Finally, it also comes with a 7-year manufacturer's warranty on the motor assembly and 1-year on attachments.
The only negative is really the somewhat steep price. But as they say: you get what you pay for!
So which Stand Mixer to buy?
As the above product descriptions show, all three stand mixers considered here stand out as good products, and they will do well the job they are designed for. However, you should keep in mind the following points before you get the right one for yourself:
1If you are planning to use your mixer for making large batches of bread, you should definitely get the Ankarsrum. Not only does it have the largest bowl of all, but its motor and gears are able to handle much better large repetitive loads of dough.
2Note that the Ankarsrum is equipped with a timer and shuts off when the set time has elapsed. The KitchenAid and Cuisinart stand mixers shut off when they are turned off or when there is overload or overheating.
3Though the Cuisinart and KitchenAid stand mixers provide you each with a good number of speed choices (12 and 10 respectively), the Ankarsrum stand mixer allows you to select any speed from 40RPM to 140RPM.
4Finally, warranty differences should also be considered when you compare stand mixers. The best warranty comes with the Ankarsrum (7 year manufacturer's warranty on the motor assembly), followed by the Cuisinart (5 years for the motor and 3 years for other parts) and followed by the KitchenAid (one year for everything).
In conclusion, we can safely claim that the Ankarsrum is the sturdiest of all stand mixers and can handle the largest repetitive batches of dough. It is definitively the best bread mixer on the market!
The above compared Stand Mixers are available below on Amazon
Please click the Amazon US link image below for the product of your choice to see exact price information or to purchase.
Please Note: For non-US customers, when you click the links below, you will be provided with the Amazon links for your country (such as Canada or UK), if the product is available in your country.
When you click the images below, you will also be offered additional colors to choose from whenever avaiable.
Please Note: For non-US customers, when you click the links below, you will be provided with the Amazon links for your country (such as Canada or UK), if the product is available in your country.
When you click the images below, you will also be offered additional colors to choose from whenever avaiable.
Cuisinart SM-50 |
KitchenAid Professional |
Ankarsrum Original |
Note: KItchenAid also makes the ARTISAN KSM150P stand mixer which is extremely popular but smaller and less powerful than the KitchenAid Professional 600 Series stand mixer described above. It has a 5-Qt. stainless steel bowl with comfortable handle that offers enough capacity to mix dough for 9 dozen cookies or 4 loaves of bread in a single batch. The 10-speed and 325 Watt unit comes with a coated flat beater, coated dough hook, 6-wire whip and 1-piece pouring shield. The flat beater and dough hook are dishwasher-safe. It has a tilt-head design which allows clear access to the bowl and attached beater, so you can easily add ingredients for your recipe. It is offered in various colors and many optional accessories/attachments are available.
For more information on the KitchenAid Artisan, please click below:
For more information on the KitchenAid Artisan, please click below:
KitchenAid KSM150P
ARTISAN
Some Useful Attachments for the Cuisinart SM-50 Stand Mixer
If you get the Cuisinart SM-50BC Stand Mixer, you can also obtain separately the following optional attachments:
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Some Useful Attachments for the KitchenAid Stand Mixer
If you get the KitchenAid Professional Series Stand Mixer, you can also obtain separately the slicer/shredder attachment, the food grinder attachment and the food processor attachment by clicking below:
Optional Attachments Bundle for the Ankarsrum Original Stand Mixer
If you get the Ankarsrum Original you can also purchase separately the following attachment bundle that includes a citrus juicer attachment, a blender attachment, a meat grinder attachment with four meat cutting discs and three sausage horns, a nut grater attachment, a strainer attachment, a cookie attachment, plastic pasta discs, a splash guard, a feeding tray, and a plunger:
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