KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Qt. Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield - Imperial Black

Absolutely! The KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is a fantastic addition to any kitchen. The KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is an absolute game-changer in the kitchen. From its sleek design to its powerful performance, this mixer is a dream come true for both amateur and professional bakers alike. First and foremost, the 5-quart capacity is perfect for all your baking needs. Whether you're making a small batch of cookies or kneading dough for a large loaf of bread, this mixer can handle it all. The tilt-head design makes it incredibly easy to access the bowl and add ingredients without any hassle. The performance of this stand mixer is truly outstanding. The powerful motor ensures that you can mix even the toughest of ... MoreAbsolutely! The KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is a fantastic addition to any kitchen. The KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is an absolute game-changer in the kitchen. From its sleek design to its powerful performance, this mixer is a dream come true for both amateur and professional bakers alike. First and foremost, the 5-quart capacity is perfect for all your baking needs. Whether you're making a small batch of cookies or kneading dough for a large loaf of bread, this mixer can handle it all. The tilt-head design makes it incredibly easy to access the bowl and add ingredients without any hassle. The performance of this stand mixer is truly outstanding. The powerful motor ensures that you can mix even the toughest of doughs effortlessly. It maintains a consistent speed, allowing for thorough and even mixing every time. The 10-speed settings provide versatility to tackle a wide range of recipes, from delicate meringues to dense bread doughs. One of the standout features of this mixer is its durability. The all-metal construction ensures that it can withstand heavy use and last for years to come. It feels sturdy and well-built, giving you confidence in its reliability. The Artisan Series also offers a wide range of attachments, allowing you to unleash your creativity in the kitchen. From pasta rollers to ice cream makers, KitchenAid provides a variety of options to expand the functionality of your stand mixer. Lastly, the aesthetic appeal of the KitchenAid Artisan Series is undeniable. It comes in a range of vibrant colors, adding a pop of personality to your kitchen countertop. It's not just a powerful kitchen tool, but also a stylish statement piece. Overall, the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is a must-have for any passionate baker. Its performance, durability, and versatility make it worth every penny. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting your baking journey, this mixer will undoubtedly elevate your culinary creations.

4.5 STARS. As always, I prefer to give credit where credit is due rather than short change a product, but just keep in mind there are a few drawbacks to this mixer. But first the pros, this sucker is STURDY! Most of us have seen these mixers everywhere for what seems to be decades, but it was probably just me that didn't realize all kitchenmaid stand mixers aren't created equal. While they may look alike, different models have different capacities, speeds and effectiveness in various applications. I really wanted to wait to write this review until I had really explored this machine because it's such a big investment (in my opinion at least!). Now that I have, the sturdiness of this product has definitely proven to be true. We have a rather small kitchen and so it ... More4.5 STARS. As always, I prefer to give credit where credit is due rather than short change a product, but just keep in mind there are a few drawbacks to this mixer. But first the pros, this sucker is STURDY! Most of us have seen these mixers everywhere for what seems to be decades, but it was probably just me that didn't realize all kitchenmaid stand mixers aren't created equal. While they may look alike, different models have different capacities, speeds and effectiveness in various applications. I really wanted to wait to write this review until I had really explored this machine because it's such a big investment (in my opinion at least!). Now that I have, the sturdiness of this product has definitely proven to be true. We have a rather small kitchen and so it gets moved around quite a bit, this hasn't resulted in any sort of loosening or wiggling which is important when you have that dough hook running at top speed (some of the cheaper mixers act like poorly balanced washing machines). The sturdiness, however, can be a double edged sword due to the heft. If you have trouble lifting things or perhaps a bit of arthritis be sure to store this on a mobile kitchen cart or simply give it a permanent countertop space to avoid having to lift it from a bottom (or worse-top) cabinet which can be a task. Next is function, I cannot tell you how nice it is to be able to toss something into this mixer and walk away to get the other ingredients without having to babysit a bowl! Especially when I'm working with something dense like honey or doughs. The attachments have all been easy to put on/take off and are sized well enough to store away easily. There is room for improvement though, the rubber spatula sided mixer attachment is sold separately which is what can scrape down the sides of your bowl without you having to angle a separate spatula into the mixer, I would have been open to forgoing some of the other attachments in order to have this one right off the bat, but they are cheaper and easy to find at TJ Maxx, Marshalls, etc.. Also, the swing back mechanism for the top of the mixer via the hinge at the neck has no protection against it flipping up and down hard. Think about the drawer add-ons you can install so they don't slam, that would be great for the head of this mixer, just to protect the hinge. Color-wise, the blue color of this mixer is absolutely dreamy! It's beautiful and a bit novel without being overly kitschy and is still easy to match to other kitchen products out there. Overall, I really do love this piece of equipment and think it is a great investment for anyone who likes to cook or bake. This model and size is great for families and even sturdy enough to teach the little ones on. Half star loss for the lack of slow-down mechanism for the head and the lack of spatula on the mixer attachment leaving you to clean up the walls of the bowl pretty frequently, but apart from that this machine is fantastic. PROS: Built To Last, BEAUTIFUL color, Easy On/Off Attachments, Does Not Slow Down When Dealing With Thick/Difficult Foods (i.e. Honey, Doughs, etc.), Great Size, Good Investment Piece (I bought this two years ago and the price hasn't fallen). CONS: No Cushion For Mixer Head When Lifting up/Down To Prevent Hard Slam, Spatula Mixer Attachment Not Included Requiring You to Scrape Down The Bowl Pretty Often, Expensive (but again, it's not bad for an investment piece-I can't see this thing breaking any time soon or ever maybe) TIPS: TJ Maxx and Marshalls have attachment for these mixers on sale regularly for 60% off the selling price so if you have one nearby go and check for that spatula attachment or even a pasta maker or meat grinder I've seen them all there!, If you are working with dough (or especially if a young one is learning) watch out for it coiling up your dough hook and into the gears-it can happen quickly if you're not careful. Last, I've found that a metal blemish extractor (bought and dedicated for mixer cleaning) is the best tool to get into the attachment holder and metal pieces in the head of the mixer in case they get dirty (or gunked up with aforementioned dough... ). It is sturdier than a toothpick which runs the risk of breaking and getting caught in the gears.

The KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is truly a masterpiece in the kitchen. With its powerful motor, durable construction, and versatile functionality, this mixer has become a must-have appliance for baking enthusiasts and professionals alike. Prepare to be amazed as we delve into the features and performance of this culinary gem. It’s a stunning addition to any kitchen counter. With a sleek and timeless design, it effortlessly blends functionality and elegance. The mixer is crafted with high-quality materials, ensuring its longevity and durability. The tilt-head design allows for easy access to the bowl and attachments, making mixing, whipping, and kneading a breeze. Equipped with a robust 325-watt motor, the Artisan Series can handle the ... MoreThe KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is truly a masterpiece in the kitchen. With its powerful motor, durable construction, and versatile functionality, this mixer has become a must-have appliance for baking enthusiasts and professionals alike. Prepare to be amazed as we delve into the features and performance of this culinary gem. It’s a stunning addition to any kitchen counter. With a sleek and timeless design, it effortlessly blends functionality and elegance. The mixer is crafted with high-quality materials, ensuring its longevity and durability. The tilt-head design allows for easy access to the bowl and attachments, making mixing, whipping, and kneading a breeze. Equipped with a robust 325-watt motor, the Artisan Series can handle the toughest of tasks with ease. From whipping up fluffy meringues to kneading heavy dough, this mixer tackles it all effortlessly. With 10 speed settings, it offers precise control over the mixing process, allowing you to achieve desired results consistently. The planetary mixing action ensures thorough and even mixing every time, leaving no lumps or uneven textures behind. It also comes with an array of versatile attachments, making it a multipurpose kitchen workhorse. The flat beater is ideal for creating cake and cookie batters, while the wire whip is perfect for whipping cream and egg whites. The dough hook, on the other hand, comes in handy for kneading bread dough or mixing pizza crusts. With these attachments, the possibilities are endless, and your culinary creativity knows no bounds. Overall, this mixer is a breeze, thanks to its user-friendly design. The intuitive control panel and clearly labeled speed settings make it simple to select the desired speed for your recipe. The attachment hub allows for easy attachment and detachment, greatly simplifying the process. Cleaning the mixer is effortless - the attachments and stainless steel bowl are dishwasher-safe, and the exterior can be wiped clean with ease.

Hard working. Easy to use. BEAUTIFUL!

This appliance is the 'Power House' of my kitchen whether its making dough for bread, butter cream frosting, shredding chicken or fresh pasta with my Kitchen Aid pasta attachment THIS does it ALL!!The tilt head gives you all the clearance you need to easy place and lift your bowl and locks in place completely and easily every time.The bowls lock into place to keep them sturdy for any speed from slow and smooth to high and hefty.The wisk, dough hook and spatula attachments all easily turn and lock into place and removal is just as simple.The kitchen aid attachments I have so far also attach very easily into the front of the mixer and they work just as Great! So far I have the pasta attachment, flour sifter and scale, spiralizer and the vegetable sheet maker ... MoreThis appliance is the 'Power House' of my kitchen whether its making dough for bread, butter cream frosting, shredding chicken or fresh pasta with my Kitchen Aid pasta attachment THIS does it ALL!!The tilt head gives you all the clearance you need to easy place and lift your bowl and locks in place completely and easily every time.The bowls lock into place to keep them sturdy for any speed from slow and smooth to high and hefty.The wisk, dough hook and spatula attachments all easily turn and lock into place and removal is just as simple.The kitchen aid attachments I have so far also attach very easily into the front of the mixer and they work just as Great! So far I have the pasta attachment, flour sifter and scale, spiralizer and the vegetable sheet maker and they ALL work wonderfully!!Last but not least is the ceramic bowl that I ordered to complete my kitchen look. I didn't even know you could buy the specific BOWL to really give your Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer the final creative touch to complete your kitchen look. The ceramic bowl locks into place just as easily as the metal or glass bowls do for use and really give your mixer the final pop for look in your kitchen.I started using my stand mixer so much that I got tired of moving it from the pantry to the counter top every time so I decided to keep it on the counter top. Adding the ceramic bowl complimented the stand mixer so much and really made my Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer more of a focal point in my kitchen rather than an appliance on my counter top.

I've waited a whopping 31 years for this mixer!

So, picture this: I've waited a whopping 31 years for this glorious moment – the grand unveiling of my very own KitchenAid Stand Mixer, a gift bestowed upon me by the marriage gods. You see, I had this rather peculiar notion that receiving a KitchenAid mixer was a right of passage into the world of grown-up culinary wizardry. I've been ogling these mixers for ages, secretly longing for one, even though I could've bought it myself at any point. It's like I believed that only the mystical powers of matrimony could awaken the true potential of a KitchenAid. Oh, but don't misunderstand me – this mixer is a marvel of engineering, and the treats it produces are heavenly. But let's just say, my newfound relationship with it is giving me a crash course in culinary ... MoreSo, picture this: I've waited a whopping 31 years for this glorious moment – the grand unveiling of my very own KitchenAid Stand Mixer, a gift bestowed upon me by the marriage gods. You see, I had this rather peculiar notion that receiving a KitchenAid mixer was a right of passage into the world of grown-up culinary wizardry. I've been ogling these mixers for ages, secretly longing for one, even though I could've bought it myself at any point. It's like I believed that only the mystical powers of matrimony could awaken the true potential of a KitchenAid. Oh, but don't misunderstand me – this mixer is a marvel of engineering, and the treats it produces are heavenly. But let's just say, my newfound relationship with it is giving me a crash course in culinary dedication that I never quite anticipated.As I anxiously await the arrival of the mystical ice cream and pasta-making attachments, I can't help but chuckle at my own folly. Who knew that wanting to bake like a pro would turn my kitchen into a sweet symphony of batter and dough?In conclusion, the KitchenAid Stand Mixer has added a whole new dimension to my kitchen adventures – and to my fiancé's cravings. While I may have entered into a slightly sugar-induced panic, I'm secretly thrilled to embark on this baking journey. Just call me the Reluctant Baker Extraordinaire, armed with a mixer that's both a dream come true and a source of weekly dessert demands. Here's to banana bread, brownies, and the hope of someday mastering ice cream and pasta too!

Kitchen Aid means Kitchen Art!

I have been baking more often in the last few years because of being at home more, but had resisted investing in a stand mixer because of both price and size. I didn't think I baked enough to warrant having a mixer on my counter all the time, or spending hundreds of dollars. I was happy with the nice hand mixer I had....until I realized how some doughs and batters needed a bit longer or slower mix than the little beater heads were capable of. Plus, my arm or hand would get tired of holding the mixer and the bowl, or it would get awkward in trying to maneuver both. At 65 years old, I finally decided I would entertain the idea of a stand mixer and started to do the research. I knew Kitchen Aid would be the way to go because of its great reputation stand mixers, and I ... MoreI have been baking more often in the last few years because of being at home more, but had resisted investing in a stand mixer because of both price and size. I didn't think I baked enough to warrant having a mixer on my counter all the time, or spending hundreds of dollars. I was happy with the nice hand mixer I had....until I realized how some doughs and batters needed a bit longer or slower mix than the little beater heads were capable of. Plus, my arm or hand would get tired of holding the mixer and the bowl, or it would get awkward in trying to maneuver both. At 65 years old, I finally decided I would entertain the idea of a stand mixer and started to do the research. I knew Kitchen Aid would be the way to go because of its great reputation stand mixers, and I wasn't interested in the cheaper brands and off-brands. I liked the tilt-head design over the bowl-lift because it seems to give more access to the bowl and beater for scraping or adding ingredients, plus the slightly smaller footprint and height was better for my needs. The Empire Red color is absolutely gorgeous and is a perfect match with my red quartz countertops, so it's perfect to stay out on the counter - the beautiful design and contours make like an art piece! As to the functionality, having never used a stand mixer before, I found it very easy to learn and use, and it mixes very effectively. I love how I can put in the ingredients, turn on the beater and step away to to do something else in the kitchen - no more standing there with my arm getting tired or wrestling with holding the bowl steady. This is wonderful.The only thing about this set that could be better is the coated flat beater and the aluminum whisk that comes with it. The coating on my beater came chipped and although KA replaced it promptly, I noticed something I didn't like - when I slid the beater onto the mounting, there would always be a little puff of aluminum powder coming off the raw aluminum inside the hole. The mounting post would scrape the inside of the beater hole and you'd see the little puff of powder. I didn't like that at all, didn't want any aluminum in the air or in my food, no matter how small. My other issue was with the aluminum whisk - you can't put it in the dishwasher because of the oxidation and it would turn it dark - so you're supposed to hand wash it. It is very difficult to wash batter and dough off a whisk and even when it arrived brand new, it was covered with a sticky grime that was really unappetizing. Even hand washing that wasn't easy because it was hard to reach all parts of all the wires and wanting to make sure I got all that grime off. So, because of these two issues, I had to invest more money to buy the stainless steel whisk and stainless steel flat beater which are both dishwasher safe and no worries about coatings coming off or the wires oxidizing. It's too bad the original whisk and beater are useless to me, I hated to waste them, but I didn't want to use them and just donated them. I think KA should just provide an upgrade option when purchasing this mixer so you can choose to upgrade the beaters you want, at a nominal fee, so they don't have to waste sending out the lower end ones that many people seem to be complaining about in the reviews.Overall, I am extremely happy with my new stand mixer, and just seeing it on the counter makes me want to make something just to use it!

Mostly Awesome

I ordered my Artisan stand mixer in late December, choosing the bundle that includes the Fresh Prep Slicer/Shredder attachment. I’ve used it several times per week since it arrived in January. Some items in the order took longer than others to arrive, so I didn’t have all the “pieces” until the second week of January.I was particularly excited to use the mixer to make bread dough. I enjoy having homemade bread on hand and the thought of not having the floury mess on my counter every couple days was appealing. Since I’ve never used a mixer to make bread dough before, I decided to use one of KitchenAid’s recipes to begin with to get an idea of what order to add ingredients, what speed to use and how long to knead. I’ve made several batches of bread now and can say ... MoreI ordered my Artisan stand mixer in late December, choosing the bundle that includes the Fresh Prep Slicer/Shredder attachment. I’ve used it several times per week since it arrived in January. Some items in the order took longer than others to arrive, so I didn’t have all the “pieces” until the second week of January.I was particularly excited to use the mixer to make bread dough. I enjoy having homemade bread on hand and the thought of not having the floury mess on my counter every couple days was appealing. Since I’ve never used a mixer to make bread dough before, I decided to use one of KitchenAid’s recipes to begin with to get an idea of what order to add ingredients, what speed to use and how long to knead. I’ve made several batches of bread now and can say that the recipe for Basic Bread makes a nice tasting loaf that is good for both sandwiches and toast. It slices well, even for the thin slices my husband prefers for toast. What surprised me, though, was the fact that the mixer seems to struggle to mix the dough once you have all of the flour added and it is in the kneading stage. It keeps going, but the top wants to pop up…the first batch I made it actually DID pop up and down enough times that it wiggled the down lever right out of the locked position! I’ve learned that I need to stand there with my hand resting on the top to keep it from doing that…and this is with one of KitchenAids recipes, which you would think would be developed specifically for their mixer. The dough, once it gets to the kneading stage, also builds up on the dough hook to the point that it climbs over the top of it and creates a ball of dough. The first time I used it for bread dough, I kept stopping the mixer and scraping the dough back down, but then I came across a tip that said to coat the dough hook with olive oil or something similar to help prevent that. It worked pretty well, but toward the end of the kneading stage it started to do it again anyway, so the oil must have gotten incorporated into the dough by then.I’ve also made pie crust, which came out beautifully. No concerns there.With the slicer/shredder attachment, I’ve tried it on numerous cheeses, a number of veggies, and a stick of pepperoni so far. With the cheeses…it works great, particularly on the firmer cheese. Softer cheese, like American and mozzarella using the larger-holed grater, it grated the cheese nicely, but it does build up inside the slicing chamber and creates tubes of softer cheese between the grated blade and the white housing that you find when you take the grating cylinder out. They’re usable and fine, just unexpected. I’ve learned that if you are grating multiple types of cheese for a recipe, do the firmer cheese first and end with the softer cheeses as they leave behind a bit of a mess inside the attachments.The same approach applies to grating veggies…firmer veggies work better than softer veggies. Onions through the grater ended up being onion slurry. Onions through the slicer were OK, but still a bit mangled. Carrots through the grater, by contrast, were much better. After the onions, I didn’t even attempt celery through the grater, but it went through the slicer ok…although there were some interesting celery strings wound around the slicing tool when I got done. Potatoes sliced well…I haven’t tried grating them yet since I haven’t needed grated potatoes for anything so far.Overall opinion on the slicer/shredder is that it works nicely on firmer things, hit and miss on softer things….and nothing I’ve put through it so far in terms of veggies are a nice, consistent slice like I get with my mandoline slicer. If you’re not worried about a consistent “look” to the results, then it does save lots of time…if you’re making a fancy dish for company or an event and want nice, clean, consistent slices….this is not your tool.Overall I’m very pleased with the mixer and happy with my purchase. I haven’t had it long enough to test out every dish I might use a mixer for, but so far so good. I’m concerned about how much it labors doing bread doughs, since that was the primary reason I purchased it, but time will tell.

No longer working only 2 years in

We had no issues with this mixer until last week (about two years after purchase, conveniently shortly after the warranty period ends). It just makes a noise and doesn't spin anymore. Guessing it's a similar issue to other reviews here talking about the plastic gear that seems to break pretty often. Of course the warranty is only good for one year, and to purchase extended warranties, it would have cost half the price of the product itself, which is just absurd. Based on our experience and reading through other reviews here, it seems Kitchenaid is no longer making the quality products they used to. Yet, they are still charging an extremely high price for a product that very likely will not last much longer past their one year warranty. Apparently to get this fixed ... MoreWe had no issues with this mixer until last week (about two years after purchase, conveniently shortly after the warranty period ends). It just makes a noise and doesn't spin anymore. Guessing it's a similar issue to other reviews here talking about the plastic gear that seems to break pretty often. Of course the warranty is only good for one year, and to purchase extended warranties, it would have cost half the price of the product itself, which is just absurd. Based on our experience and reading through other reviews here, it seems Kitchenaid is no longer making the quality products they used to. Yet, they are still charging an extremely high price for a product that very likely will not last much longer past their one year warranty. Apparently to get this fixed by Kitchenaid, we would have to pay about $57 just to ship it to a factory and have them diagnose the problem, on top of another $50-200 to fix the issue, or find a local authorized repair shop which will likely cost the same or more. I'm sure even if I choose to pay to fix it this time around, given this seems to be a common issue, I wouldn't be surprised if I have to do this again in another year or two. We are beyond frustrated with Kitchenaid and likely won't be buying another appliance from them. I would recommend steering clear of this mixer as it's no longer the quality product it used to be. Giving this two stars as the mixer worked very well at first... until it stopped working.

Overrated "features"

I bought this to replace an older Sunbeam mixer with the fixed dual heads and rotating bowl. I was hesitant due to the new style of one mixing beater and the inability to slide the bowl towards the edge or center of the mixer. This new design (and sadly all manufacturers seem to have jumped on this bandwagon) is terrible. 1) although it advertises that it completely mixes the product from the sides of the bowl, this is false. It leaves too much product on the sides that do not get mixed in. In our case it's usually cookie dough, cake batter, or mashed potatoes, etc. And thinking about it logically, it can't because that would mean the metal whisk is making contact with the metal bowl and that wouldn't be good either. 2) Since it doesn't get the product off the ... MoreI bought this to replace an older Sunbeam mixer with the fixed dual heads and rotating bowl. I was hesitant due to the new style of one mixing beater and the inability to slide the bowl towards the edge or center of the mixer. This new design (and sadly all manufacturers seem to have jumped on this bandwagon) is terrible. 1) although it advertises that it completely mixes the product from the sides of the bowl, this is false. It leaves too much product on the sides that do not get mixed in. In our case it's usually cookie dough, cake batter, or mashed potatoes, etc. And thinking about it logically, it can't because that would mean the metal whisk is making contact with the metal bowl and that wouldn't be good either. 2) Since it doesn't get the product off the sides, and you can't slide the bowl to one side while mixing, now you can't slip a spatula in there to scrape the sides so that they get mixed in as well. You have to stop the mixer, raise the head, then scrape the sides, numerous times. 3) the attachment that allows you to add ingredients while mixing isn't as functional as it might appear. It easily slips off the edge of the bowl and causes a brief panic cause it seems like it's about to get sucked into the bowl while mixing.The mixer itself is solid and sturdy. The bowl is plenty big but these two features do not make up for the issues noted above. The product testers, if there were any, definitely missed the mark on this one. And the only reason we're not still using our Sunbeam, it's still kicking, is because we passed it along to a family member.Although I'm selecting Yes to the recommendation question, it's only because KitchenAid is well known for making great appliances, however, the features and selling points advertised with THIS mixer simply do not meet expectations.

Think twice…or buy & test right away!

I purchased the Artisan model (stainless steel color) on 12/19/21 as a present to myself. I had the classic model for 20+ years, it still worked, but i wanted the bigger bowl and there were a lot of glowing reviews on the Artisan. I received the new mixer a day or so before or after Christmas, which was after i had done my Christmas baking, which is when I use it the most. I barely used it during the 2022 year, which isn’t typical of me. Yesterday (12/17/22) was my Christmas cookie dough mixing day. I was at it all day. I mix all the dough on one day and bake all day, the next day. Starting with the very first cookie dough , the mixer’s motor was making a straining sound (as if it was struggling), especially at lower speeds. Cookie dough is inherently soft, the ... MoreI purchased the Artisan model (stainless steel color) on 12/19/21 as a present to myself. I had the classic model for 20+ years, it still worked, but i wanted the bigger bowl and there were a lot of glowing reviews on the Artisan. I received the new mixer a day or so before or after Christmas, which was after i had done my Christmas baking, which is when I use it the most. I barely used it during the 2022 year, which isn’t typical of me. Yesterday (12/17/22) was my Christmas cookie dough mixing day. I was at it all day. I mix all the dough on one day and bake all day, the next day. Starting with the very first cookie dough , the mixer’s motor was making a straining sound (as if it was struggling), especially at lower speeds. Cookie dough is inherently soft, the motor should not be making ANY kind of straining sound when its in the act of creaming butter (first step of basically any cookie recipe). Of course the straining sound got a bit worse when the dough becomes more dense (say to ‘stir’ in oatmeal or chocolate chips towards the end of a recipe). Mind you, this is what I experienced with my very FIRST batch of cookie dough and the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach only got worse with each successive cookie recipe I made after that. The mixer did not break down, but the motor making that straining sound, it doesn’t bode well, it’s only a matter of time. It’s doing that when brand new? What? My 20+ year old Classic Kitchenaide mixer DID NOT do that. I bought this Artisan mixer on the strength of my positive experience with the Classic Kitchenaide. I didn’t test drive the Artisan model right away cuz… why? It’s a Kitchenaide. BIG EXPENSIVE MISTAKE. I am so aggravated that I will retire that thing back into the box and out of my sight because having it on my kitchen counter just is a constant reminder of my mistake. I will reach out to Kitchenaide to see what they will do, but I do not have high hopes and I am not looking forward to the hassle of addressing this. For those of you that read negative reviews first, in order to decide whether or not to purchase, do yourself a big favor and IF you purchase the Artisan model (or any Kitchenaide model, honestly). USE IT RIGHT AWAY. Put it to a test.That way you can return it to Bed Bath & Beyond within their 60 day return policy for small appliances which is a lot easier than what I am going to have to do (call Kitchen Aide).