KitchenAid KP26M1XNP Nickel Pearl 6-quart Stand Mixer

I needed to replace my previous stand mixer, which wasn't a KitchenAid, but I'd had it for years. I wanted one with a powerful motor because I often double recipes and my other one sometimes slowed down with extra cookie dough. This one does the job, but there are two things I don't like and haven't been able to get used to. First, as others have stated, the beater at its lowest setting leaves batter at the bottom, so I need to scrape the bowl too often. Second and more importantly to me, I really don't like not being able to tilt back the top. I find it difficult to scrape the batter without removing the beater by tilting it back, and when I add flour mid-recipe, it splatters even at a slow speed. With the tilt back style, it was easier to add flour and stir it in gently before turning the motor on. I knew that this mixer didn't tilt back when I bought it, but the option wasn't available with this model, and I'd hoped it would be okay. I'm disappointed.

• How did the color on site compare with the actual product? Excellent
• Please tell us about the quality of the product. It's a powerful mixer, but I don't enjoy using it.
• How accurate was the on site description of the product? Accurate

I actually purchased the smaller mixer when they were on sale after Christmas. I brought it home and before I took it out of the box I did some more online browsing and read up on the 6 qut. model with the bigger motor. I returned the 5 qurt. unopened and ordered this one. I am so glad I went with the bigger model. Yes, it takes up space, but for the average foodie, it's the equivalent of having an Oscar award in the kitchen! I make a lot of bread, and the big bowl, heavy base, and dough hook are wonderful. I think my only negative comment would be that since the beaters aren't supposed to come in contact with the bottom of the bowl, I do more scraping of batters than I expected. It takes a little more time, and on some batters, I've felt like the lumps don't get beaten out. I'm still experimenting with that.

This thing makes baking fun and easy. This model does everything well. Lots of power and versatility. Worth every penny. I have wanted one for years and have looked at every model and sale for years. This was the ONE!

I have wanted one of these mixers for years. Now that I have it, my kitchen time has been cut down significantly. It is extreamly durable, not very loud, and mixes evenly. I made flat bread and was able to do everything I needed to in the mixer and bowl. The bowl and mixing pieces clean up fast and easy. This is money well invested.