Cuisinart Stand Mixer Review. 500 Watts of Mixing Magic.

I recently bought the Cuisinart Stand Mixer, 12-speed, 5.5 quarts, and I’m excited to share my thoughts on it. I needed something with more power than my current stand mixer, which is a KitchenAid Classic Plus. The next size in a KitchenAid is the Artisan series. But it was not in my budget. So I researched other stand mixers and found the Cuisinart stand mixer that looked like a great choice. It’s powerful and can hold a lot, which is perfect for all the baking I do. Plus, it was affordable and didn’t break the bank.

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Cuisinart Stand Mixer, Overview

• Model: SM-50
• Motor Power: 500 Watts
• Bowl Capacity: 5.5-quart mixing bowl
• Speed Settings: 12 speeds
• Design: Tilt-back head for easy access to the bowl
• Attachments Included: Chef’s whisk, dough hook, flat mixing paddle
• Special Features:
  • Splash guard included
  • All accessories are dishwasher-safe
  • Compatible with various attachments like pasta roller, meat grinder, etc. (sold separately)

Let’s compare it to the KitchenAid Artisan series.

KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer

• Model: KSM150PS
• Motor Power: 325 Watts
• Bowl Capacity: 5 Quart Stainless Bowl with Handle
• Speed Settings: 10 speeds
• Design: Tilt-head design for easy access to the bowl
• Colors Available: More than 20 colors
• Attachments Included: Flat beater, wire whip, dough hook
• Special Features:
  • Pouring Shield included
  • Compatible with a wide range of attachments (sold separately)
  • Same dimensions as the Classic series (14 1/10” x 8 7/10” x 13 9/10”)
  • One-year limited warranty

Key Differences:

1. Motor Power: The Cuisinart mixer has a more powerful motor (500 Watts) compared to the KitchenAid Artisan (325 Watts).
2. Speed Settings: Cuisinart offers 12 speed settings, while KitchenAid has 10.
3. Bowl Capacity: Cuisinart’s bowl is slightly larger (5.5 quarts) than KitchenAid’s (5 quarts).
4. Color Options: KitchenAid offers a wider range of colors.
5. Attachments: Both come with essential attachments, but KitchenAid has a broader range of optional attachments.

Summary

• The KitchenAid Artisan Series is more expensive,
• The Cuisinart mixer offers a slightly larger bowl and more powerful motor at a lower price.
• The KitchenAid mixer, while more expensive, offers a wider range of colors and broad compatibility with various attachments.

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KitchenAid Stand Mixer- Artisan series

My Experiences and Thoughts

Design and Build Quality

The mixer’s design is both elegant and sturdy. Its stainless steel bowl not only adds a sleek look but also assures durability. I love the handle on the bowl. Makes it so much easier to remove from the base.

My older stand mixer didn’t have a handle, and after some vigorous mixing, the bowl was very difficult to remove from the base. Sometimes near impossible. I had to hold a towel against the bowl and use a few taps from a hammer to get it loose. Did I say that I love the bowl with the handle?

The size is just a tad bigger than my older stand mixer. But then I was wanting With the tilt head, you want to make sure that you do not put it underneath a cabinet. You will need plenty of room to lift the head. The dimensions are 11.2″D x 16.5″ W x 15.9″H. It is pretty bulky and heavy.

This stand mixer comes in many colors, and the price is dependent on your color choice. I chose red because, to be honest, it was a little cheaper. But that is ok. My can opener is red, too.

Setup and Initial Impression

There was no setup required besides removing it from the box and setting it on the counter. You might need some help with this. I did mention it is heavy.

I have to say that I fell in love at first site. That beautiful, shiny red color fits right in with my kitchen.

Performance and Features

The Cuisinart Stand mixer has 12 speeds controlled by a turn knob. The knob makes it easy to get to the right speed. I like this feature as my other stand mixer had a slide knob, and I frequently had a hard time getting the right speed. Many times, it would skip a speed.

It comes with a chef’s whisk, dough hook, flat mixing paddle, splash guard with pour spout, an instruction manual, and recipe book. The included splash guard and pour spout take getting used to applying. I kept trying to put it on upside down 🙂 It doesn’t fit tightly, so be aware of that. But it is great for adding ingredients. No flour flying everywhere.

The bowl’s capacity is 5.5 quarts, making it easy to do double batches of cookie dough. I did notice that you have to scrape down the sides more frequently.

The dough hook kneaded my dough great when making bread, as well as the whisk when I was whipping egg whites for Divinity.

The one thing that I did find annoying was the front plate that covered the optional attachment area would occasionally fall off. It is not a tight fit.

Cleaning the unit and attachments were very easy to clean. They are top-shelf dishwasher safe, with the exception of the chef’s whisk, which needs to be handwashed.

As far as noise goes, it is noisy, but I have to say not as noisy as my other stand mixer. I also noticed that the Cuisinart did less “jumping” around on my counter.

But don’t take just my word. Here is a review summary of what others have said.

Cuisinart Stand Mixer, Review Summary

Quality: The Cuisinart Stand Mixer is praised for its solid build and quality materials, including a durable stainless steel bowl. It’s well-designed and fits nicely in most kitchen spaces.

Performance: Users appreciate the 12-speed settings for their precision and versatility. The mixer performs well across various tasks like kneading dough, whipping cream, and mixing batter. Attachments such as the Chef’s Whisk, Mixing Paddle, and Dough Hook are found to be useful and effective.

Ease of Use and Cleaning: The mixer scores high on user-friendliness. The splash guard with a pour spout is a notable feature that minimizes mess. Cleaning the mixer and its components is generally easy and straightforward.

Efficiency and Noise Level: The mixer is efficient in terms of time and results. While the noise level is acceptable, some users noted it could be improved.

Durability: Many users report the mixer as durable, with no significant wear and tear over time, suggesting a long-lasting product.

Value for Money: Most users feel that the mixer offers good value for its price, especially when compared to other brands.

Overall Experience: The majority of users are satisfied with their purchase, citing its performance, durability, and ease of use as major positives. Some users experienced issues with adjusting the attachment height, but this does not seem to be a widespread problem.

Overall, the Cuisinart Stand Mixer, Model SM-50, is highly recommended for its quality, performance, and value, making it a suitable choice for both casual cooks and baking enthusiasts.

Pros:

• Versatile 12-speed settings.
• Durable stainless steel bowl.
• User-friendly design with easy cleaning.
• Efficient performance in various tasks.

Cons:

• The size might be slightly large for smaller kitchens.
• The noise level, while acceptable, could be improved.

Value for Money:

Considering its features, performance, and durability, I believe the Cuisinart SM-50 offers good value for its price. It stands out compared to other mixers I’ve considered or used in the past.

As an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Cuisinart Stand Mixer, model SM-50, is a fantastic kitchen appliance. It’s a great fit for baking enthusiasts, large families, or anyone who enjoys cooking and baking regularly. Its combination of performance, durability, and ease of use makes it a worthwhile investment for those looking to enhance their culinary experiences.

Would I recommend this stand mixer? The answer is a resounding yes. It does everything I hoped it would. And the price is great. Honestly, you can’t go wrong, especially if your budget is tight.

Please leave me a comment below with your thoughts.

And As Always

Keep On Baking!

Taianne

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