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.
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.
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.