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?
Rosemary says
The Mommy fairy bought me the metallic red Kitchen Aid with the glass bowl that Williams Sonoma had a few years back. Just yummy.
Joy says
My mom bought me the turquoise Martha Stewart kitchenaid mixer a few years ago as a you-don’t-have-to-get-engaged-to-get-this-mixer present. (THANK YOU MOM!) I am the last of my friends to get married, but the first of them to get this mixer! I honestly don’t know who’s more envious! 😉
aleta says
I agree with Gary wholeheartedly. I bought a fabulous vintage mixer (don’t recall the details) several years ago, and whenever I ran it, it dumped rust and oil into the bowl. If that’s not failure, I don’t know what is. I kept the bowl, though!
I also worry a bit about the wiring, since unlike a lamp, it’s not exactly an easy assembly to modernize. This is a perfect alternative, thanks for sharing!
Ann-Marie Meyers says
Ewwww! Yeah. I would, and do rewire lamps, especially since I go to European import auctions, but I wouldn’t attempt a kitchen appliance.
Maybe after I do my tole chandelier I might be a bit braver, but probably not.
Marta says
I’ve had my White KitchenAid mixer since 1989. To quote Consumer Reports at the time, “If you need a stand mixer, you need a KitchenAid.” Mine was a birthday present from my husband, prompted by his thinking the large bowl of buttercream icing I’d made in small batches with a KitchenAid hand mixer and put in the fridge in preparation for a class I was taking was a good midnight snack. I was 9 (yes, 9) months pregnant. He told me what he’d done at 8am and my class was at 10am. So, after HE had the pleasure of making batch after batch of of buttercream icing with a handmixer, he decided I really needed an upgrade. Mine is a 4.5qt mixer, which I don’t recommend since that extra 1/2 quart capacity of the 5qt mixers makes things MUCH easier. That being said, my mixer is still going strong, and 2 of my 3 kids are ready to pounce on it should I ever upgrade. The 3rd and oldest child now has her own 6qt KitchenAid. I bought it for her birthday, at Goodwill, for $40 with the Kohl’s $365 price tag still on it. As far as upgrading mine, I covet and crave the lovely colors, but can’t justify the expense unless mine finally dies. Which, we all know, won’t happen as long as it’s cared for properly.
Jen says
I’ve had the Pistachio for almost four years, and seeing it in my kitchen every day still makes me incredibly happy! (Using it makes me happy too). Love it!
Michael says
I purchased my KitchenAid mixer (pewter metallic) *and* started my subscription to Martha Stewart Living in December 1994– changed my life! lol
Ann-Marie Meyers says
I have a red one, and I would give anything to be able to change the color. That’s the only thing I don’t love, love, LOVE about it.
I don’t have the one in the picture, though. I went with the next level down, only because I wanted a lift stand instead of the tilt mixer. At the time (2007), the shields on the lift stand ones worked much better. The tilt stand shields were known to still let flower and fine dough through. I would hope they they have fixed that by now.
I am not going to trade my red one in, though. I am just going to sew a nice quilted mixer cozy for it. Very mid century modest.
Monica says
Ann-Marie,
If you’re a little brave, you might want to try this tutorial to transform your Kitchen Aid to a whole new color: http://youcraftmeup.blogspot.com/2010/06/kitchenaid-makeover.html. It looks pretty neat!
Good luck and happy baking! (I can’t wait to get my own Kitchen Aid one day)
~Monica
arainparade.blogspot.com
Chelsea says
I got one as a Christmas gift last year from my parents after wanting it since I was 17. I have it in red & use it all the time. I now bake things I never would of thought of making myself, like French and cinnamon raisin breads, yum! I highly recommend the icecream attachment as well, it’s super easy to make your own icecream and you don’t have to worry about having another appliance taking up room!
Laura E says
Mine’s lavender. I love having a lavender appliance out all the time!
RosemaryMartin says
Oh, this brought me out of lurkdom. I want a pink one. They have one on Zappos. Why did I look?
pam kueber says
Welcome out of lurkcome, RosemaryMartin. Present! xoxo
RosemaryMartin says
Pam. I have been reading for at least a year if not a year and a half. Love the blog. Thank you, Pam.
pam kueber says
🙂
Ann-Marie Meyers says
Hi, RosemaryMartin,
Welcome to the posters.