I grew up with the standard tilt-head model, we now have the bowl-lift. I still use a tilt-head at my mom's house (she got a new one about 5 years ago, so it's a relatively current model).

The bowl-lift has a more powerful motor, and is much sturdier. The tilt-head rattles around a bit when I'm mixing something stiff, like kneading bread dough. It handles it fine, I just need to keep a hand on it to keep the head from popping up or the whole mixer from moving around on the counter. Sometimes it sounds like the motor is straining a little on a really stiff dough, but it always powers through. The bowl-lift holds itself in place and the motor handles everything I've thrown in there with ease.

The flip side of that, of course, is the the bowl-lift is much heavier. Every time I haul it out of the cupboard for a simple batch of whipped cream I kind of wish for the smaller model. Something to keep in mind if you'll be moving it around a lot. My kids have a hard time maneuvering the bowl-lift mixer out of the pantry.

I don't do a lot of meat grinding, but I think the tilt head would be fine. Might just go a little slower than the bowl-lift model. Dough is fine in either, although obviously the bigger version will handle bigger batches.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have the 6qt, bowl lift, professional model.

It only uses the one metal bowl that locks into place. If you want a variety of bowls, the 5qt tilt head has more options.

Don't get me wrong, I love my powerhouse. But if you like esthetics, the tilt head machines are the way to go.

Examples:
https://www.kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/stand-mixers/bowls.html?plp=%3Arelevance%3Acategory%3ACountertopAppliancesStandMixersBowls&plpView=list

I would avoid the mini stand mixer unless you have space issues.

I have the same one. Got it on sale years ago when it was still about $300. It's a workhorse and does everything.

I have the meat grinder attachment and it works great. I've made sausages and ground up meats when stores don't have what I want or when I need something different. I don't know how well the smaller ones work for the meat grinder because I haven't used them, but this one works well with the grinder attachment.

The one I have:
https://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KP26M1XMH-Professional-Bowl-Lift-Stand/dp/B07H9J7RC2/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3MGK3Z8FJHDR3&keywords=kitchenaid+professional+6+quart&qid=1668787752&sprefix=kitchen+aid+professional+6+quart%2Caps%2C134&sr=8-4&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.08f69ac3-fd3d-4b88-bca2-8997e41410bb

I would love that one but it's over my budget. I am going to check for sales though.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have the 6qt, bowl lift, professional model.

It only uses the one metal bowl that locks into place. If you want a variety of bowls, the 5qt tilt head has more options.

Don't get me wrong, I love my powerhouse. But if you like esthetics, the tilt head machines are the way to go.

Examples:
https://www.kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/stand-mixers/bowls.html?plp=%3Arelevance%3Acategory%3ACountertopAppliancesStandMixersBowls&plpView=list

I would avoid the mini stand mixer unless you have space issues.

I have the same one. Got it on sale years ago when it was still about $300. It's a workhorse and does everything.

I have the meat grinder attachment and it works great. I've made sausages and ground up meats when stores don't have what I want or when I need something different. I don't know how well the smaller ones work for the meat grinder because I haven't used them, but this one works well with the grinder attachment.

The one I have:
https://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KP26M1XMH-Professional-Bowl-Lift-Stand/dp/B07H9J7RC2/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3MGK3Z8FJHDR3&keywords=kitchenaid+professional+6+quart&qid=1668787752&sprefix=kitchen+aid+professional+6+quart%2Caps%2C134&sr=8-4&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.08f69ac3-fd3d-4b88-bca2-8997e41410bb

Typo. I paid about $200 on sale for it like 15 years ago.

Anonymous wrote:I have the 6qt, bowl lift, professional model.

It only uses the one metal bowl that locks into place. If you want a variety of bowls, the 5qt tilt head has more options.

Don't get me wrong, I love my powerhouse. But if you like esthetics, the tilt head machines are the way to go.

Examples:
https://www.kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/stand-mixers/bowls.html?plp=%3Arelevance%3Acategory%3ACountertopAppliancesStandMixersBowls&plpView=list

I would avoid the mini stand mixer unless you have space issues.

I have the same one. Got it on sale years ago when it was still about $300. It's a workhorse and does everything.

I have the meat grinder attachment and it works great. I've made sausages and ground up meats when stores don't have what I want or when I need something different. I don't know how well the smaller ones work for the meat grinder because I haven't used them, but this one works well with the grinder attachment.

The one I have:
https://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KP26M1XMH-Professional-Bowl-Lift-Stand/dp/B07H9J7RC2/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3MGK3Z8FJHDR3&keywords=kitchenaid+professional+6+quart&qid=1668787752&sprefix=kitchen+aid+professional+6+quart%2Caps%2C134&sr=8-4&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.08f69ac3-fd3d-4b88-bca2-8997e41410bb

Anonymous wrote:You definitely, definitely, definitely want the professional version. Especially if you’ll be making any type of dough. I ran through three normal motors before I got wise and traded up to the professional. Now mine is 10 years old and going strong.

Thanks! so one of these:

https://www.costco.com/kitchenaid-professional-series-6-quart-bowl-lift-stand-mixer-with-flex-edge.product.100485356.html

Anonymous wrote:Highly recommend the 6qt lift bowl. The tilt heads are smaller and less powerful generally.

Agree with this, taking into consideration OP's specific needs. This is from the Kitchenaid site:

Bowl-lift stand mixers are heavier with wider bases and a bowl that connects at 3 lock-points to provide the extra stability you need when mixing large and heavy recipes.

You definitely, definitely, definitely want the professional version. Especially if you’ll be making any type of dough. I ran through three normal motors before I got wise and traded up to the professional. Now mine is 10 years old and going strong.

Highly recommend the 6qt lift bowl. The tilt heads are smaller and less powerful generally.

Anonymous wrote:My husband really likes the one you can buy at Costco, he did a lot of research before deciding on it. He's had it for two years, but I think they still sell the same one.

Thanks! I didn't know I could find one on Costco.

Anonymous wrote:I have the 6qt, bowl lift, professional model.

It only uses the one metal bowl that locks into place. If you want a variety of bowls, the 5qt tilt head has more options.

Don't get me wrong, I love my powerhouse. But if you like esthetics, the tilt head machines are the way to go.

Examples:
https://www.kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/stand-mixers/bowls.html?plp=%3Arelevance%3Acategory%3ACountertopAppliancesStandMixersBowls&plpView=list

I would avoid the mini stand mixer unless you have space issues.

I'm going to be keeping it in a cupboard so aesthetics isn't an issue. I just want the most affordable version that can handle grinding meat and making large batches of dough so I can freeze the kibbeh and meat/cheese pies.

Anonymous wrote:Keep an eye on the bowl size. I think they range from 3.5Qt to 5 or 6QT. You probably don't want to accidentally buy the "mini" version, but that may also work for you. I think the Artisan 5QT is the standard. We have that one, and are happy with it.

Thanks for the tip!

My husband really likes the one you can buy at Costco, he did a lot of research before deciding on it. He's had it for two years, but I think they still sell the same one.

I have the 6qt, bowl lift, professional model.

It only uses the one metal bowl that locks into place. If you want a variety of bowls, the 5qt tilt head has more options.

Don't get me wrong, I love my powerhouse. But if you like esthetics, the tilt head machines are the way to go.

Examples:
https://www.kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/stand-mixers/bowls.html?plp=%3Arelevance%3Acategory%3ACountertopAppliancesStandMixersBowls&plpView=list

I would avoid the mini stand mixer unless you have space issues.

Keep an eye on the bowl size. I think they range from 3.5Qt to 5 or 6QT. You probably don't want to accidentally buy the "mini" version, but that may also work for you. I think the Artisan 5QT is the standard. We have that one, and are happy with it.

I want to finally go ahead and get myself a KitchenAid on black Friday but am so confused by the range of models available (and shocked at the inflated prices). I want to get one so I can ground meat for kibbeh and make dough for meat pies (I'm Arab). I know I can purchase a meat grinder attachment but would appreciate any advice on which model to get--especially since this is a splurge for me so I want to make sure I don't go for a model I won't necessarily need.