The plunge has been taken!

I've ordered a new mixer.

I've reached the limit of what I can reasonably expect from my Kitchen Aid Accolade 400. It has served me well, and I've certainly learned a lot using it to mix and knead breads. But I want to mix larger batches of dough. I want to try formulas that demand longer kneading times, higher kneading speeds or both. And I don't need to prove that the Kitchen Aid isn't up to a job by destroying it.

Over lunch (Salami sandwich on my own sour rye, of course), I had a good talk with Deanne at Pleasant Hill Grain. Several on this site have been very pleased with their Electrolux DLX mixers from that vendor. When I visited their web site, I found they also sell the Bosch"Universal Plus" mixer. The Bosch and the DLX are more similar than different in capabilities, with each having a slight edge in one feature or another.

Without going through a blow-by-blow description of my decision making, I'll just say I have ordered the Bosch Universal Plus mixer. Honestly, the biggest draw of the DLX was that I know there are bakers here who know that machine and whom I could count on for tips and to answer questions as I get to know it.

Well, I guess we will have an opportunity to compare notes. That's something.

I expect to get the Bosch mixer next week. I couldn't possibly be lucky enough to get it before the weekend!

David

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I'm very excited for you! You're going to see a huge difference in capability and aren't those folks at Pleasant Hill Grain great! I was lucky enough to drive out there to see the place in person. It is a BEAUTIFUL farm, they are so professional, the place was immaculate just like you opened a story book page and everyone was super friendly. A great place to do business. Please let us know as soon as your mixer arrives!

Hi zolablue, My first call to Pleasant Hill Grain got cut off. Probably my cell phone's problem. I called right back and got "Deanne." She had personally used the older and the current models of the DLX and the current model of the Bosch for bread making. She shared her personal experience and could cite her company's experience of sales volumes, support questions, equipment problems and manufacturor support and repairs. She was a good and a patient listener and honest about where her experience did not apply to my intended use of a mixer. (She had no experience with slack doughs.) Her only outright boo-boo was her initial assumption that, since I am a guy, I must be buying a mixer for my wife, and that my wife wouldn't be very mechanically inclined. Maybe guys don't cook in Nebraska. I wouldn't know. I was left with an overall very favorable impression regarding Pleasant Hill Grain's knowledge of their merchandise and the value they place on customer satisfaction. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. I'm eagerly waiting for the mixer to arrive. I'm sure I'll have lots to say about my initial impressions and learning experiences.David David

Congratulations! I may love my 5 quart Kenwood, but there are times I'd like to be able to handle more dough at once. Everyone I know who has a Bosch loves it.

Hi KipperCat, Well, I can't say I have anything against my KitchenAid, except for what I've already stated as my rationale for buying a larger-capacity mixer. It's reassuring to have the positive user satisfaction confirmed. Do you know any one who is active on TFL, besides Cookie in Texas, who uses a Bosch Universal or Univ. Plus?
David

David, Although I am not too active (been ill lately) I do have a Bosch clone called a Dimension 2000. I've had it for almost 6 years now and it has held up although the company is now out of business, it is almost identical to the Bosch Universal. Mine has held up very well although lots of people who bought them haven't had good luck with them. When I heard the company went out of business I purchased an Electrolux DLX just in case my Dimension went belly up, at the time I was making all the bread for the place I worked at, usually about 25 flat loaves a day so I couldn't be without a mixer. I also have an old Hobart but it doesn't have the capacity of these other mixers. Between the DLX and the Bosch clone I can tell you that the clone brings the dough together much faster and needs a shorter kneading time, the DLX seems to produce a much smoother dough but it takes longer, although I have to say I do run it at lower speeds than the other machine. I am happy with both of them and if/when the Bosch clone does go belly up I will replace it with the new Bosch Universal Plus, just because I like the variety having both gives me. Mattie

Hi Mattie, Thanks for your information. It sounds like your experience mirrors that of the salesperson to whom I spoke. It's my impression that the Bosch has been redesigned in some ways since you got your clone. It's nice to hear you have been basically happy with both the clone and the DLX.
David

My new Bosch Universal Plaus mixer arrived via FedEx this afternoon! I'm pretty excited. It's unpacked but not yet washed up. I already have a Pain au Levain with sunflower, seseme and flax seeds in the frig waiting to bake tomorrow. I haven't decided whether I will just have to make another bread to break in the Bosch tomorrow, or it can wait until next week. Hmmm ... How about something simple - a yeasted walnut, cinnamon and raisin bread from BBA? It's simple because it's a bread my wife makes (and loves). I'll supervise. ;-)
David

David,

Patience is NOT my strong suit. When each of my mixers arrived I had them unpacked and mixing within minutes......reading the manuals as they were going. I say unpack that baby and mix something up, enjoy it, just remember it will bring your dough together quickly so adjust your kneading time accordingly. Nice Christmas gift for yourself and family. Mattie

This OLD Okie bought a Bosch Universal (used) off Ebay. One of the Texas ladies in my sourdough group insisted I get one.

I now love her forever. It makes prepping dough effortless. Most of my breads are large batches and it handles the dough with no problem.

Clean up is a cinch. The plastic bowl cleans easily and the dough hook rinses right off.

It is fun to watch the dough mix, then the motor takes on a different sound and you start to watch the dough gather on the dough hook and clean the sides of the bowl.

I normally bake about 10 loaves of bread on a weekend, but two weeks ago, with the help of the Bosch, I did 24 loaves and a double batch of dinner rolls.

One hint, put your liquid ingredients in first, then add your dry ingredients. Even with the splash ring, doing otherwise might give you some flour to clean up.

Hi Oldcampcook, Wow! 24 loaves. I'm impressed.I don't have any plans near that ambitious. In fact, I haven't used the Bosch yet, but the weekend is coming up, and I have all kinds of family visiting over the next 3 weeks. I expect to be making 2-4 loaves most days. Most all will be sourdough's of one flavor or another. Some will have an instant yeast spike. I won't challenge the capabilities of the mixer, for sure. I hope to get the hang of it, though. I appreciate the tips. Keep 'em coming.
David