Let’s talk mixers, shall we? I have been using my KitchenAid Ultra Power 4.5 Quart Stand Mixer for the past 14 years, after receiving it as a Christmas gift from my husband (quite possibly his best Christmas gift choice ever!). In those past 14 years my kitchen has been gutted and remolded, all of the cabinets, flooring and appliances have been replaced (some twice!). The AC on our home was replaced. Our cars, computers and electronics were all replaced, multiple times. But my trusty KitchenAid Stand Mixer has stood through it all, mixing up countless cakes, muffins, cookies and my always popular holiday mashed potatoes. It’s been a loyal and hardworking friend who has never let me down. That’s true quality if you ask me.
When KitchenAid asked if I would like to try out their newest mixer, a 7 Quart Bowl-Lift Residential Stand Mixer, I didn’t have to give it a second thought.
As much as I adore my 4.5 Quart Mixer, there are recipes that are just too much for it. I make large batches of muffins and breads to freeze, and often they are a bit more than the 4.5 Quart bowl can handle. When it comes to those larger recipes, the KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl-Lift Residential Stand Mixer is a dream. The capacity is truly amazing. It can handle 8 1/2 pounds of mashed potatoes, 8 1/2 loaves of bread and up to 14 dozen cookies. And while it is larger than my 4.5 Quart, it still fits in the same space on my counter top, tucking under my cabinet. I was a bit worried it would be too tall, but it fits perfectly.
Since KitchenAid Mixers are so popular and found in so many kitchens, I thought it would be helpful to show the 7 Quart in comparison to my 4.5 Quart to give you a good idea of it’s size and differences. Let’s start with a quick video to give you a good look…
The 7 Quart Mixer is KitchenAid’s most powerful and quietest mixer available. With a 1.3 HP high efficiency motor, it is designed to run longer with less heat build up. It easily handles recipes that require longer mixing, kneading and whipping times.
KitchenAid Mixers have a reputation for being extremely well built and long lasting, and the 7 Quart Bowl-Lift Residential Stand Mixer is designed for a long life of high performance and is backed by a two year hassle free replacement warranty.
The capacity really is amazing to me. Here is a double batch of cake for some cake pops I made…
I could have easily put two to three more batches in there. I also found that the flat beater did an amazing job of mixing every bit of the bowl.
I stopped to scrape down the sides a few times as I always do, and each time found that everything was completely mixed, there were no dry ingredients in the bottom or on the sides. Having only used the tilt head style mixer, I wasn’t sure what the lift bowl would be like, but I find it very easy to use. I think I prefer it, as I no longer have to worry about the mixer bumping into the cabinet when I’m lifting it (something I’ve done a time or two).
The mixer includes a stainless steel 11-wire Elliptical Whip, coated metal Flat Beater and Power Knead Dough Hook. All of these accessories are dishwasher safe.
The Elliptical Whip is a different design from the one I am used to, and it’s pretty darn cool.
The Attachment Power Hub is designed to fit all current KitchenAid attachments and future larger capacity commercial style attachments. Here is a comparison of the two bowls. The new polished stainless steel bowl does have a more comfortable handle than my older one does.
The 7 Quart Mixer comes in four colors, Candy Apple Red, Black Storm, White and Medallion Silver, which is what I have. The silver is gorgeous (photos don’t really do it justice). The premium 2-Coat paint is stunning.
Check out the Candy Apple Red, really a stunner…
This truly is an amazing mixer. I can’t say enough for the 7 Quart capacity, I love knowing that all of my recipes will easily fit in the bowl, with ample power to mix them. If you are considering upgrading your mixer, or getting your first KitchenAid, definitely consider the KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl-Lift Residential Stand Mixer. You could even print out photos of it and leave them all over the house (and in the laptop bag, and on the windshield, and in the medicine cabinet), as “subtle” hints for the upcoming holiday season, reminding your favorite gift giver of all of the delicious recipes that would be whipped up in this! Happy Mixing!
Renee says
Hi,
What is the flour power rating of the Pro Line mixer? Does it have a soft start, motor overload protection and electronic speed sensor?
Would appreciate your response.
Thank you.
Christi says
Hi Renee, I think KitchenAid themselves might be better equipped to answer this. They are very responsive on their Twitter.
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Pamela says
Thanks, Carl. Happy New Year and happy mixing!
Carl says
Hi Pamela,
You can get one at http://www.webstaurantstore.com for 53.99. You can also use the bowl from 6 Qt. mixer as long as you also use the attachment (paddle, whisk, etc.) from the 6 Qt. with it.
Hope this helps.
Carl says
This is a long post, but hope I can offer some clarification. When I burned out my first KA 6 Qt. “Professional” mixer, I bought another one while the first one was being repaired in an “Authorized Repair Center.” (Only because it happened during the holiday baking season and found one on sale.) My father was a chef and I had the benefit of working with him in a professional kitchen for 3 summers as a teen (a long time ago). I recall that the Hobart mixer there could beat a mule to death and the KA mixers for the home were then made by the same company. Enough background. My original 6 Qt mixer is at the KA factory in Ohio as I write this. It needs a new motor, new gears, new planetary head, and a few other things, so started my research on the 7 Qt. commercial model (because all those other attachments will not work with another product). First, there are 2 versions of the 6 Qt “Professional” model – one with a 525 watt motor and an upgraded one with a 575 watt motor. Also learned that KA makes two lines of mixers – one for retail stores (Wiliams-Sonoma; Macy’s; etc.) that sell to homeowners and one for commercial use. For it to be of commercial quality, it must have the NSF rating and the tell-tale orange cord. While both units have the same motor, there is a difference in the other internal components and the ventilation to help keep it cool when used over extended periods of time. The commercial unit is designed for daily use and heavier loads. I have never made bagels, but do make pizza dough, mashed potatoes, and other heavy battered cakes which I have had to do by hand because the 6 Qt. could not handle them. With Christmas only 2 weeks away, I am not taking any chances and just ordered the 7 Qt “Commercial” unit from MyChefStore for the same price as the “Residential” model from Williams-Sonoma (601 including tax and shipping.) And no, I am NOT affiliated with that site in any way. I did get a very good feel after speaking with one of their reps (Heidi) and I questioned the warranty disclaimer in their “terms and conditions” about how all their products are only warrantied in commercial settings “Unless specifically identified ‘FOR RESIDENTIAL USE.” She assured me this only applied to large items, such as ranges, and not smaller appliances. She advised that the warranty comes from KA and not them and that I could check about the specifics of the warranty with KA – which I did – and was assured (in black and white on their site) that this unit has a full two-year warranty for either a residential or commercial environment.
Rainy G says
I grew up using gramma’s Kitchen Aid, so it was never a question–it was essential. When my husband and I moved into our first appartment, that was one of our first purchases. 13 years later, and hundreds of batches of divinity (gramma’s favorite!), after 2 or three years of “I’m not sure it can handle another Christmas’ worth of candy making,” and finally a burnt smell and one last batch of divinity, my husband picked out this model as a replacent. I’m in love! I didn’t think they could get any better…
Pamela says
When Kitchenaid rolled out the 7 qt model I couldn’t wait to have it. I had the 6 qt but I like everything BIG so I hinted for Christmas and my children bought it for me. I cook and bake for my very large family all the time. Anyway, my question is…”do you know where to buy an extra bowl for this monster mixer?” I can’t find it on the Kitchenaid website nor on the Williams-Sonoma website. Thank you.
David says
Disappointed in your reveiw. Seemed more like a gush than a reveiw of Kitchenaids top of the line home model mixer. I own the 5Qt Pro and 6 Qt previous big boy and I can say that 6 Qt model is a clear disappointment in the bread department. I don’t believe this model can handle anything close to 8 loaves in a single batch! I wanted you to do more than just quote Kitchenaid adverts to justify receiving this model. Does it overheat on stiff doughs? The last model had plastic internal gears that would strip out until Kitchenaid changed the design. This model seems like a response to users who really push their baking to extremes. Mostly bread bakers as how much cake batter does one need to make unless you are a professional wedding cake decorator? Bagel dough is the real test of a mixer’s torque and power capacity but be careful as any mixer can stall out when trying to knead a dough that stiff. My arms do too!
Christi says
David, sorry that you are disappointed in the review, however it also sounds like we use our stand mixers for different applications. I use mine 3-5 times per week for cookies, cakes, muffins, quick breads, frosting, frosting & more frosting… things like that. As you can probably tell from my blog, I do not make many traditional breads and have never attempted bagels (though they sound great)! For my purposes it works wonderfully, though may not be the top choice for everyone’s usage. For my readers who bake items similar to mine, including my recipes, I do think it is a wonderful choice.
Eileen says
Just purchased the red one at William Sonoma, Love it, but just had one question and/or concern. I am pretty sure the wisk is stainless steel, but was bummed out when I saw the coating on the cookie dough paddle & the dough hook. Was trying to stay off from teflon or aluminum. Wonder why they could not make these stainless steel or at least ceramic. Does not look like traditional teflon. Maybe paranoid, but trying to stay from baking with any of these unhealthy surfaces. I cannot even figure out from the manual what it is made from? any idea?
Christi says
Eileen, I’m not certain, but I know there customer service is great, so I would suggest contacting them directly. Also, the folks at William Sonoma might be able to tell you. 🙂
horacio says
Well,I found the answer I was looking for and I will like to share it with you.
The commercial and residencial models are basically the same,the commercial model come with the attachments made out of stainless steel while the residencial are coated.