I am contemplating getting a stand mixer for baking purposes, and I’ve always known KitchenAid as the default choice here. I would instead want something European-made, but I am unfamiliar with the landscape.
Do any of you have any experience with European models, such as the Ankarsum or Bosch OptiMUM (what kind of name is that??), or any other?
I have a good food processor and blender from before, so I don’t need it to be able to handle all kinds of things that stand mixers are not meant for, but if there’s some extensibility beyond just kneading that I wouldn’t otherwise be able to achieve with those devices, that would be a plus.
Bosch or ankarsrum both run circles around the tinny kitchenaid crap.
If British is European enough, Kenwood are pretty well known for making good stand mixers
Ah, I thought they were US-based. Great tip, I will look into their models.
Just checked: Kenwood (British) is owned by De’Longhi (Italian), so it’s definitely European.
But is it made in China?
Looks like they are made in China, yes:
I realize I wrote “European-made”, but is it realistic to find this type of equipment actually manufactured inside Europe?
Gorenje comes to mind. Afaik they still build everything in Europe. Also, moulinex. But idk who owns them now and where it is made.
I see Bosch also flaunts a “Made in EU” marker, so apparently there would be several options. Good to know, and I will check out whether that is true for Kenwood as well.
Kenwood also belongs to De’Longhi, see my other reply on Braun.
Isn’t Gorenje technically Turkish and made in Asia?
It’s Slovenian. It always was.
Ours is Braun, but apparently that’s owned by US company too today. I don’t know about Bosch other than their power tools are a bit hit-or-miss today. Wilfa has pretty good reputation, but I don’t have personal experience and as far as I know they have pretty limited availability outside scandinavia + Finland.
Braun, but apparently that’s owned by US company too today
In 1967, the Braun AG was sold to Gillette which later became part of P&G. However, the Braun household devices (i.e. no razors or toothbrushes) were sold to De’Longhi, an Italian brand. Yet, some devices are produced in China.
Oh, I was not aware that Wilfa made stand mixers. I used to have a coffee grinder from them many years back, and it is still serving it purpose with the person I passed it on to. I will check out those, they look really nice as well.
Bosch OptiMUM (what kind of name is that??)
It’s a compound name: MUM (motorisisierte Universal-Maschine, motorised universal machine) and Optimum (the best).
Hehe ok, it kind of sounds like a “Mothers stay in the kitchen”-type thing. As in, “you will be the optimal mum if you get the OptiMUM”
Have you considered buying a used one? Then you don’t need to worry about origin or environmental costs
I have considered it, but previous bad experiences buying expensive equipment used as well as well as a hesitance on my part buying food-related items used (although this is likely just irrational, as the equipment can be thoroughly cleaned) keeps me from doing so. It is also hopefully supposed to be one of these BIFL-type purchases so that it is not discarded after just some years.
That’s true, if you did go for it find a bowl-lift model as opposed to the more common ones where the head tilts up. Much more durable and generally more powerful. (Great for doughs especially firmer ones like bagel dough)
One relative is still using an Ankarsrum Assistent with an ugly yellowed base. The machine has been helping make bread semiregularily for the extended family since at least the 70’s. Some plastic parts have become discoloured, but the machine keeps on going.
I have a Bosch MUM, it has been going strong for 20 years for bread, cakes, cookies, minced meat, smoothies etc. My only complaint is that the meat grinder has aluminium parts, would love to wash it in the dishwasher instead of by hand.
Thanks for sharing your experience. It’s at least a good indication that they used to be well-made. I always find it difficult to tell if new products are still going to be able to last as long, and I guess it is not very easy to find that out either.
The meat grinder part is not a problem for me, so if that’s your only concern, then that sounds very good to me :)
They’re pricy, but Ankarsrum is delightfully compact, has a bunch of attachments you can get, and is Swedish. They appear to be very well made, though I have not ever interacted with one personally.
I have one of these. They are great. They do require some initial getting used to them tho. But i love mine!
There is SMEG and all their kit is beautiful. Do we know if it is still made in Italy?
4 Italian factories, 2 Chinese according to Wikipedia
I have a Bosch Optimum. The power button broke pretty quickly. They fixed it, but I’m not sure now long it’s going to last.
Have a look at Braun, they used to last for decades.
Braun is US owned these days. From trying to find out, it got confusing rather quickly as it isn’t a company anymore, but just a brand name. It seems to have been split depending on product type (electric razors, electric toothbrushes, coffee makers, …). I have to be honest I kinda gave up trying to find out specifics at that point and just avoid them now instead.
When did you get your Optimum? I’m afraid the key word is “used to last”.
I have my (late) grandmother’s 35 years old Bosch MUM, which still works decently well. It struggles a little bit with larger quantities (>1 kg of flour) of firm doughs these days but does everything else well. My mum recently upgraded her MUM to an optiMUM and couldn’t be happier.
My mum recently upgraded her MUM to an optiMUM
Language is a strange thing.
I’d be ecstatic to buy something that would serve me for 35 years.
I’m really considering purchasing the wilfa stand mixer. Comes with 10 yrs guarantee on the motor and 5 yrs guarantee on everything else. I have a few of their other products that I’ve also been really happy with
It does look very nice… It seems to be “designed and developed” in Norway, but I’ve not found anything about manufacturing. Likely China then?
Good question. Just checked the two appliances I own made by them, and it only says their Norwegian addresses. I checked three other appliances, that all had “made in China” printed on them. So this could mean wilfa is manufactured in Norway, or just that they didn’t put “made in China” on their products 🤷
