Better than Kitchenaid
I make bread weekly using a mixer and recently my Kitchenaid motor gave out after overheating. Though I prefer the looks of the Kitchenaid mixers (something more industrial about them), Cuisinart has addressed several of the key problems found in Kitchenaid mixers: not enough power, overly wide bowl shape, absene of timer/minimal speed control. The stronger motor is crucial if you're mixing bread doughs for minutes at a time. The taller, more narrow bowl shape prevents spilling. The timer function is tremendously useful. And the wider range of speeds (especially slow speeds) and gentle acceleration up to any speed, again, prevent spills and allow for more control.
Other features I like: the spill guard fits neatly and is ONE piece (again, unlike my old Kitchenaid); the lock feature clicks the top arm into place so you never run the risk of lifting from the top and having the bottom swing out; the smooth surfaces make for easy clean-up; the attachments all wash easily...
Unexpected Pleasure and Performance
I have owned a few KitchenAid 5 Qt mixers, and even a Hobart Professional 5 Qt (45 lbs, 3 speed manual transmission). I was disappointed to hear (but never experienced) the problems users encountered when KitchenAid changed their gearbox from metal to plastic (yes, their gearbox, not their gears). Therefore, the assurance that currently appears on their product box that their mixers have "all metal gears" does not address the problem of the gearbox COVER material. Whether K'Aid has addressed this issue has never really been clarified by them adequately for my taste, and so my temptation to purchase the 6 qt. KitchenAid was dampened.
I purchased the Cuisinart 7 Quart because I wanted the extra capacity - simply that. I find that its power is adequate for all tasks, and no matter what the speed setting, it "knows" to ramp up to that speed slowly (so as not to produce a cloud of flour or other ingredients with the potential to scatter), something only possible with the...
A huge disappointment
I have had the 7 quart Cuisinart stand mixer for about five months now and initially had high hopes for it based on the marketing claims. However, the mixer has turned out to be a huge disappointment and a costly purchasing mistake. My main reasons for choosing to purchase this mixer were the 16 cup flour rating and the claims about the motor power. Both of these claims by the manufacturer are complete nonsense. For making doughs, the 7 quart Cuisinart mixer has a maximum capability of about 10 cups of flour, period. There are three reasons for this.
1) With any more than 10 cups of flour the dough quickly climbs up the hook and into the rotating planetary parts of the mixer. It makes a terrible mess and prevents the dough from being kneaded properly without repeatedly stopping the mixer and working the mess back down into the bowl. This happens every time no matter what I try and despite the presence of the guard on the dough hook and paddle.
2) The mixer...
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