Cuisinart 5.5 Quart Stand Mixer Review
An excellent stand mixer at an excellent price
Cuisinart Takes on the Popular Kitchen-Aid
I had wanted a stand mixer for years before I got this one. Things like bread, especially high fat ones, like brioche were essentially out of reach for me because I didn’t have one. Sure, you can make these things by hand, but self torture isn’t really my thing. The thing that held me back from getting a stand mixer all these years has always been the price. Everyone knows about the ubiquitous Kitchen-Aid stand mixers. Just as many people know that those mixers are kind of priced outrageously for anyone who doesn’t make bread and cakes multiple times a week. After doing a little research, I came across this model, which undercut the Kitchen Aid by a decent margin, plus I had a discount. I pulled the trigger on it and I haven’t regretted it. I’ve been able to make so many more things with ease now that I have it and can’t even imagine all the possibilities.
Purchase info:
I got my mixer from Bloomingdales back in October 2021 for $199.96 excluding shipping. At the time of writing, you can find it for $179 on Amazon.
Build Quality:
This stand mixer is very well built. I’ve seen and examined other stand mixers in store and can attest that the Cuisinart is built just as well as other home grade stand mixers, if not better. It feels sturdy and is made mostly of metal. The bowl is a good size, too. For any single cake or bread recipe, you’ll have plenty of space in the 5.5 quart bowl. Where the Cuisinart logo is stamped into few plastic parts of the mixer, is actually a cover that reveals an accessory drive, which can come in handy if you plan on grinding meat or making fresh pasta. Overall, the product feels sturdy should last quite a long time as long as the electronics stay in working order.
Functionality & Performance:
One thing I really like about this mixer is the sticker on the speed selector that tells you what each speed range is ideal for. This really comes in handy when a recipe says something like “mix on medium high” instead of a speed number. Like most mixers of this type, it comes with paddle, whisk, and dough hook attachments, all of which work well for the most part. Every now ant then they have trouble getting the very bottom and sides of the bowl, but most stand mixers will have this problem. It’s not too big of a deal to scrape down the sides every now and then, as well as folding everything at the end of mixing to ensure nothing is left unmixed. In all the recipes I’ve made using this, from cookies and cake to breads like brioche, the mixer never stalled out or even gave much of a hint that it’s struggling. It will get warm after a few minutes of use, but that’s to be expected of all kitchen appliances. It’s not overly loud, either. When making large quantities of icings, frosting, and whipped cream, the whisk and paddle attachments are pretty impressive. It is definitely a noticeable upgrade over the typical hand mixer in that department. A nice touch is the bowl cover, which helps keep flour and powdered sugar from making a big mess in your kitchen. While some still finds a way to escape, it is still better than nothing and a welcome addition. It also includes a little opening that helps you add ingredients while mixing. As far as function goes, the Cuisinart delivers on all fronts. Cleaning is also a non issue, as everything is easy to reach and open considering it’s just a bowl and a few attachments.
Is it necessary?
If you’re a big baker and want to delve deeper into that world, a stand mixer is a no brainer. It just makes life so much easier in the kitchen and allows you to make things you might not be comfortable making without it. At the price of this mixer, It’s be hard to recommend anything else. If you almost never bake, skip it all together.
Do I recommend it?
Yes! Isn’t it obvious?
Overall Rating: 9/10
The only thing that’s holding it back is it’s reach of the bottom and sides of the bowl. The price and excellent performance make this a top tier option for anyone looking for a stand mixer.
