Get an older one.. mine is 40+ years old and going strong.

I have the artisan, and scored it for $35 on a work list serve. It was 12 years old then, and I’ve had it for 6 or 7 - still going strong with no maintenance! It’s just me and my husband, and my teenage son is with us sometimes. I absolutely love it, and it’s going to hurt when I have to replace it.

I assume I have whatever the regular size is. I like it.

One more question from OP. The traditional 4.5 QT model is on sale everywhere for $240 vs the artisan 5 QT model is on sale for $350.

I do occasionally bake bread (but not often enough to move up to the professional models). Is it worth the $100+ upgrade just for a slightly stronger motor ans slightly bigger bowl? I don’t care about having more color choices.

Thanks to all, from OP! I will check Dillards.

I have the standard and it is great. Yes, they go on sale at the department stores and big box stores. Definitely buy on sale!

Motor on ours finally rattled loose. We replaced it (school raffle) with bigger one and it’s too big for the food volume we usually use. And it’s huge and heavy. Stay basic sized.

Anonymous wrote:I've had 3 artisans in a span of 20 years. They're not as well made as they used to be, unfortunately.

I just got rid of my Pro600. Lasted 16 years and was still going. Just needed some tender care, so I passed it along on our Buy Nothing group.

OP—go to the Kitchen Aid website. That’s where I just bought a Pro 500 on sale.

I've had 3 artisans in a span of 20 years. They're not as well made as they used to be, unfortunately.

PP: Besides the Pro 600, I have 14 qt cuisinart. They are centrally located on the counter and used all the time. Two essentials if you do a lot of cooking.

Have a Pro600 and use it all the time. If you want to do bread the bigger size and motor over the artisan may prove useful. Have all the attachments and use those frequently (slicer, pasta roller, etc.)

It’s not necessary and another big thing to store and clean. Pass.

Jump on this, OP: Dillard's currently has it on sale for $269.99 instead of $399.99. Merry Christmas!

I cook like you do and have a standard artisan mixer. My in laws have the professional model and it doesn't seem that much better for anything we use it for and wouldn't fit as well under my counter. Mine's 20 years old so I don't know about sales.

I’ve never owned a stand mixer but I bake enough that I finally want to bite the bullet and buy myself one.

What size do you recommend for the average home cook for a family of 4? I bake standard cookies and cakes once a month or so, and would like to start making bread.

Also, are they ever on sale- what is the best price you’ve seen? I was thinking it will be a christmas guft to myself, but I’m not in a rush so would wait for a sale.