Talking recently about vintage Sunbeam mixers, reader Gary suggested using caution with well-used estate sale mixers, warning:
Often use and age have diminished or worn away the laminents on the motor’s rotor assembly. Oil also often migrates to contact parts too. The result is a burning or oily smell when the item is powered up.
At the same time Gary offered up a beautiful alternative for a stand mixer made today in a rainbow of retro colors:
Yup, the Kitchen Artisan Series Mixers (affiliate link) are nice looking hunks o’ steel.
Lots of retro colors — surely one to match your retro kitchen style. The very firs image shown is Cobalt — a doppelganger for my 2012 Color of the Year, Bitossi Rimini Blu. Such a regal color. But oh my, all these colors — and there are more, you can see them all on Amazon — are gorgeous. Valentine’s Day, anyone?
clampers says
I can account for that burning oil smell in my 1962 Osterizer.
Don’t have a Kitchenaid but I really like that deep blue color!
Josh says
Oh, the things I would do for a buttercup one…
James says
Do tell…
Eartha Kitsch says
Gotta say – I love mine. I have the pistachio one. After I got it, I made cookies at least twice a week just to use it.
Kate says
I love baking and I had been lusting over these for a few years…we had one on our wedding registry and were able to buy it 20% off after the wedding (Macys). I got the red one and let me tell you I LOVE THAT MIXER. Best one I ever had and it makes baking so easy! Plus I love the retro look!
Joe says
I bought our Kitchenaid mixer in 1998. It’s in Empire Green. It’s a strong, dependable workhorse. Actually, when you realize that this is basically the same design they’ve been using since the 1930’s, you have something that is authentic retro.
Back in the early 1930’s my dad and his dad went out and spent big $ on a Fitzgerald Magic Maid mixer (with all the attachments) for my grandmom. She fought against the idea of something electric being able to equal or exceed her culinary abilities (I understand she had a well-deserved reputation in the several-town area as being the best cook/baker); well, it didn’t take too long for her to fall in love with her “kitchen maid” and she spent the rest of her life acquiring every electric cooking gadget made! Fortunately for me, that mixer still survives and it was passed down to me (it still works perfectly).
Perhaps there should be a discussion article about vintage major and small kitchen appliances. There is a REAL difference in quality and dependability!
Jeanne says
I’ve had mine since the 1990s and it’s a love relationship between us! Unfortunately at the time there wasn’t a big color selection, so I have a white one with a red band on it. But it is awesome and very retro looking.
Jenny says
I have plain ‘ol white, but I love my mixer and use it all the time. We live near a KitchenAid store that accepts trade-in’s and I have been known to drool over the gorgeous colors, especially the orange (tangerine). But really, I guess I’m okay with plain ‘ol white, especially since it resides in a cupboard and not on the countertop.
Joe, you got an excellent deal for $214! Macy’s can be pricey but sometimes, when you hit the sales just right, they can be the cheapest place around. I love a good bargain.
Joe says
funny enough, we actually got one of these over the weekend in Aqua Sky. It matches our backsplash perfectly. here’s a link to my Twitter picture:
http://lockerz.com/s/179459414
The nice little old lady at Macy’s HOOKED US UP. Not only was it on sale, she gave us an extra 20% off because we had registered there for our wedding 3 years prior AND she gave us 2 day shipping for free. It came out to like $214 I think.
Michael says
Good choice, Joe— looks terrific!
tulsatammy says
Aqua Sky is the one I planning to purchase, since I am a big fan of turquoise.
gsciencechick says
Aqua Sky is more green than blue/turquoise. You may want to look at Ice, which is more of a sky blue.
chris says
Santa Claus brought me one of these last year in jadeite green. I thought it was too much money, but I have to say, I love it! It is a work horse in the kitchen!
Jordanna says
WANT! Should I take Pistachio being listed twice as a sign?