Christmas came a little early for me. The KitchenAid Pro Line 7qt. mixer is one kitchen electric I've had my eye on for quite some time and just last week, right before Christmas, I treated myself to one. The timing was right, the price was right and the rest is history.
I have to say that if you're having any doubts or are wondering what the 7qt. mixer is like, I'm going to tell you my opinions regarding this mixer versus the 6qt. model with the glass bowl that is everywhere.
My trusted 5qt. Proline gray mixer (upper right) that I've had for ages is always in my kitchen ready to assist me in my culinary endeavors. I love that mixer and will never get rid of it. However, it was time I upgraded to something larger and more powerful. What you must understand is that I've already owned a large 6qt. Professional mixer (white), but I was never enamored with it. Although I loved the capacity of the 6qt. bowl, I did not like the fact that the motor was loud. Hence, it was hardly ever used.
Fast forward to the autumn of 2014. I was doing my first demo at Williams Sonoma and decided to try out the large 7qt. mixer using my trusted sugar cookie recipe. What can I say? It was love at first use!
Sitting here in my kitchen, this brand new Proline 7qt. mixer is ready to help me mix giant batches of doughs. Not only do I love the capacity and the power of the new mixer, I also love the silver medallion color.
The bowl of the 7qt. mixer is wider & deeper than its predecessors. Believe it or not, the mixer is actually lighter in weight than my 5qt. mixer and its motor is quieter than all of the 6qt. models.
OK, here's my honest opinion regarding the 7qt. version vs. the 6qt. glass bowl model.
KitchenAid 7qt. Proline Mixer |
7qt. mixer (left) & 5qt. mixer (right) |
My trusted 5qt. Proline gray mixer (upper right) that I've had for ages is always in my kitchen ready to assist me in my culinary endeavors. I love that mixer and will never get rid of it. However, it was time I upgraded to something larger and more powerful. What you must understand is that I've already owned a large 6qt. Professional mixer (white), but I was never enamored with it. Although I loved the capacity of the 6qt. bowl, I did not like the fact that the motor was loud. Hence, it was hardly ever used.
Fast forward to the autumn of 2014. I was doing my first demo at Williams Sonoma and decided to try out the large 7qt. mixer using my trusted sugar cookie recipe. What can I say? It was love at first use!
The bowl of the 7qt. mixer is wider & deeper than its predecessors. Believe it or not, the mixer is actually lighter in weight than my 5qt. mixer and its motor is quieter than all of the 6qt. models.
OK, here's my honest opinion regarding the 7qt. version vs. the 6qt. glass bowl model.
- They're both powerful enough to make double batches of cookie doughs and breads.
- The motor is quieter than any of the other models.
- The 6qt. glass bowl & the 7qt. bowl ARE NOT interchangeable. I thought they might be, but they have different dimensions altogether.
This is the 6qt. glass bowl with all of the attachments. It looks sleek and beautiful. However, that metal ring that goes all around the bowl which has the clip attachments for the arms of the mixer, has a rubber gasket. That rubber gasket is not water-proof. If anything gets caught in between the bowl and gasket, you're going to have a difficult time removing it. Think water, butter, sugar, etc. Another thing to consider is the weight of the glass bowl. It is thick tempered glass and weighs quite a bit. Add a heavy batter to this and you're going to have to employ a bit of elbow grease to remove it from the stand! Don't even think that pouring is going to be easy.
The 7qt. stainless steel bowl has no seams for water or food particles to get lodged. For me, the differences between the 6qt. glass bowl model and the 7qt. stainless steel bowl model are more than just aesthetics and capacity.
If your kitchen is a busy one, then a stainless steel bowl model that can be placed in the dishwasher without worries after you've finished baking is much easier and less hectic.
These are ingredients for Swedish Limpa. It's a delicious rye bread that has raisins and lots of orange zest. It was the first thing I made in my new 7qt. mixer.
My KitchenAid 7qt. Mixer mixed this heavy batter with ease! Not only did it knead the dough quickly and quietly, the motor worked through it without straining once.
Am I happy with my new 7qt. mixer? Absolutely!
Now, run out and buy one if you've been wanting this particular model. You won't be disappointed.
Thank You KitchenAid!
Great review! My 6 quart is so noisy even my 18 year old commented this year that it seems technology has advanced enough to make those mixers quiet. I guess the issue is solved in the 7 quart. I am going to look for a sale and upgrade. Thanks David and happy new year!
ReplyDeleteGreat Happyvalleymom!
ReplyDeleteI think Williams-Sonoma is giving $50 cash back on 7qt. mixers if you buy by 12/31.
Let me know when you get it!
David, I also love my 7 quart mixer. I bought the optional silicone paddle blade mixer attachment. It is a big time saver since it scrapes the bowl edges. Great review! Andy in Birmingham AL. PS I finally got the MBM giant pumpkin cookie cutter.
ReplyDeleteAndy,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you finally found that wonderful pumpkin cookie cutter. Excellent!
Hey, you have the 7qt. too! Make lots of good stuff with it. :)
David: scouring sales now for an upgrade. You still happy with the pro line 7qt? Thanks for any advice!
ReplyDeleteHappyvalleymom, I am VERY happy with my Proline 7qt. mixer. I use it every week and it has not failed me. I think you'll be happy with it too! :)
DeleteHappy shopping!
Thanks for the super-fast Sunday night reply!! Glad to know you are still happy with it!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, any time! :)
DeleteDavid: I Just ordered from Williams Sonoma! they priced matched a smoking deal on chefs catalog so the 7 qt pro line was $440!! plus there is a $50 rebate right now so under $400 for this great machine! thanks for pointing me in the right direction. glad I held out for a deal!
ReplyDeleteWow, you got an awesome deal! Even with my professional discount at Williams-Sonoma, you still paid less for the mixer! LOVE IT!!!
DeleteLet me know when you get it and how you like it.
Christmas is coming early to your house. :)
yes, Merry Christmas to me and all who get the treats I whip out!
ReplyDeleteAnd really, Merry Christmas to you David!!
:)
DeleteHi there, Are you still happy with your 7 quart mixer in 2021? Any troubles, or things you don't like about it? BTW, I have the same 5 quart ProLine Imperial Grey mixer as you. I got mine in 1989, but every now and then I think of doing an upgrade to the 1.3 horsepower model. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi Brian! Yes, I’m still very happy with my 7qt mixer because I can make double batches of stuff that would be impossible with the 5qt.
DeleteI’m even thinking of upgrading to the 8qt. Kitchenaid at some point.
Having said that, keep the 5qt for smaller jobs, single batches, mixing buttercreams, etc. I have two 5qt Kitchenaids and one 5qt. Hobart commercial mixer. I use them all the time.
Hi David. Wow, you have a lot of mixers. Have you ever had the older 5 quart ProLine serviced? I think mine should be re-greased, but it still runs OK. Does your Pro Line 7 quart mixer "click" when mixing heavy batters? I've read complaints about them clicking for bread dough, cookie dough, etc. I was also thinking of the 8 quart Commercial mixer. I'm guessing you know it's the same machine as the 7 quart Pro Line, except for the stainless steel bowl tools that come with the Commercial mixer. If you're ever wondering about mixer reviews, there is an excellent channel on Youtube, "Amy Learns to Cook". Amy has over 40 mixers. Have a good day!
DeleteThe 7qt. does click with heavy batters. I don't know what that is or why it does it, but all of these years later I haven't had a problem with it stalling on me. At some point I am going to swap it out and get the 8qt. commercial one. Until then I will use it on a weekly basis.
DeleteAs to having the older ProLine 5qt. serviced: I have not. I don't know if it's in need of it, because I haven't had any issues with my mixers.