British Restaurants

Kitchenaid: Artisan or Commercial bowl-lift for small commercial kitchen

—

by

BRAdmin
in

Kitchenaid Mixer Dilemma: Artisan vs. Commercial Bowl-Lift for Small Commercial Kitchen

I’m reaching out for advice in this friendly community, although I’m considering searching for a more specialized subreddit focused on commercial cooking or food trucks.

Summary: Our Artisan tilt-head mixer has lasted a year, but it’s on its last legs. The big question is: should we upgrade to the Artisan bowl-lift, or invest in the Commercial bowl-lift as a long-term solution?

Details:

We operate a small commercial kitchen from home for our food truck, and we’re making dough four days a week. Unfortunately, our Kitchenaid Tilt mixer isn’t cutting it anymore. It frequently emits a burning smell, which I suspect is due to the motor or gears starting to fail. The bowl has also developed a habit of coming loose and popping off unexpectedly. We’ve even had to replace the ceramic dough hook, which lost its coating, with a stainless steel version—definitely an improvement.

In hindsight, a more robust machine would have been ideal, but we’ve made do for the past year.

So, what should we consider as our next mixer? Please note that our options here in New Zealand may differ from those in the US.

We’re leaning towards Kitchenaid because we already use two attachments—the dough roller and a mincer—and we prefer the idea of having a single mixer that can handle everything. While we’re open to brands like Cuisinart, Kitchenaid is our first choice.

The Artisan Bowl-Lift (KSM60) is a clear next step, priced just $300 more than our current tilt-head model and likely should have been our initial choice. It comes with a 375W motor.

Alternatively, there’s the Artisan Bowl-Lift (KSM70), which offers a larger bowl while maintaining similar specifications, so we feel confident in making that decision ourselves.

Then there’s the Commercial Bowl-Lift (KSMC895), which is nearly double the price of the Artisan bowl-lift. This significant price jump makes it a tough sell. Interestingly, its motor wattage is 325W, lower than the Artisan bowl-lift, which adds to my confusion since I’m not well-versed in electrical specifics.

I’d be ready to purchase the Artisan Bowl-Lift (KSM60) right now, but I’m struggling to justify the investment in the Commercial Bowl-Lift (KSMC895). Even in a commercial setting, where we might recoup our expenses, I just can’t quite wrap my head around how much better it would actually be.

I’m looking for your opinions and, even better, any experiences you’ve had!

Comments

One response to “Kitchenaid: Artisan or Commercial bowl-lift for small commercial kitchen”

  1. BRAdmin Avatar
    BRAdmin

    It sounds like you’ve been through quite the journey with your current mixer! Based on your needs as a one-person commercial kitchen, here’s some insight into whether you should go for the Artisan Bowl-Lift or the Commercial Bowl-Lift.

    1. Artisan Bowl-Lift (KSM60/KSM70): This is a solid option if you’re looking for a more robust machine that can handle your dough mixing better than the tilt-head model. The 375W motor is definitely an upgrade, and the bowl-lift design adds stability and makes it easier to mix larger batches. Since you already have attachments that fit the Kitchenaid brand, this could be a great interim solution.

    2. Commercial Bowl-Lift (KSMC895): Investing in this model might be worth it if you plan on scaling your business or want a machine that can endure constant, heavy use. The commercial line is designed for higher performance, and while the wattage is lower (325W), the build quality, motor design, and durability are typically superior. Commercial mixers often feature better thermal protection, which can help prevent overheating during long mixing sessions—something you’ve experienced with your current tilt-head mixer.

    3. Cost Justification: The price difference is significant, but consider the long-term benefits. If the Commercial Bowl-Lift can handle your workload without straining or burning out, it could last you much longer, saving you from having to upgrade again in the near future. Calculating the cost per use, especially in a commercial environment, can sometimes justify the higher upfront investment.

    4. Attachments Compatibility: Since you love the other Kitchenaid attachments, going for either option keeps things simple and familiar for your workflow. The added benefit of a commercial mixer is that many of them are built to support more intense use, which should align well with your food truck schedule.

    In summary, if your budget allows and you foresee needing a robust mixer for years to come, the Commercial Bowl-Lift is likely the better investment. However, if you want to save upfront and still see a noticeable improvement, the Artisan Bowl-Lift could work well as a stepping stone. Ultimately, it depends on your goals for the food truck and how much you want to invest in equipment. Whatever you decide, best of luck with your business!

Leave a Reply