I am looking at a new mixer, and my budget is around $500-600 (which rules out the hobart). Based on previous threads in TFL I think I'm down to Bosch vs KA. Thing is, I see reviews on the web that the Bosch is better but requires a minimum amount of dough. I always use right around 1 lb flour and not more (plus say anywhere from 65-75% hydration). Will the Bosch knead this much dough, or does it need more?
Thanks!
I suggest you seriously consider an Ankarsrum. For the very best prices See this LINK.
Dan
Thanks, Dan. I eliminated this one because it was a seven quart and I bake only small batches. Do you think it can knead 1 lb flour at a time just fine? It does look like a great mixer..
For sure. The videos shows a 635 gram (1.5 lb) total weight dough being mixed. That dough had 15 oz of flour.
Have you considered baking 2 loaves, then slicing and freezing the second loaf? I do that all the time. It works so well that even if I plan to eat bread the followng day, I often freeze everything right away. Then microwave the frozen slices the next day. To me, it is as good as fresh. I’ve eaten bread 2 months old and older from the freezer and thought it was great.
I will say that you should be fine with either the KitchenAid or the Bosch, since you only knead small amounts of dough. I’ve owned 2 KA and have no experience with the Bosch. But from what I read Bosch is a very good machine.
There is a good chance that most avid bakers that own Bosch and KitchenAids would swap for an Ankarsrum in a heart beat. Please don’t be hating, Bosch and KA guys :-D Lots of people own and love Bosch and KitchenAid...
Dan
disclaimer - I have absolutely nothing to do with the sale of Ankarsrum. I just believe in them that much...
Thanks.
Yeah, I do freeze half the bread I bake. We go through roughly a pound of bread a week (yeah, I know. Lame) and at a time I'm baking 1.5-2 lbs of bread. Thing is, I want to bake at-least once a week:)
I have a KA Artisan mixer that I use for "small" batches, mostly in the range of 500-600 grams of flour. It is consistently rated as the best kitchen stand mixer in most reviews. I love mine. There is a company in Springfield, MO that has the best price. To get the cheapest price ($229 currently) you'll have to get one in silver metallic paint. Pay a few $ more and pick any other color. These are new machines and shipping is free. I bought one as a gift for a friend and they are very good people to work with.
https://www.everythingkitchens.com/kitchenaid-ksm150.html
And that includes shipping...
And I noticed at the top of the page you linked, they are giving $10 off that price! Great Tip!
Considering the small batches that is a sweet deal.
Dan
It's the best price that I've found. And when you call the number to order, you'll talk to a very nice live person.
The Bosch will definitely do it. It struggles with low hydration doughs, but otherwise it's a beast.
For kneading bread dough, I consider the bowl lift models to be superior to the tilting head models, as the bowl lift models usually come with a spiral dough hook. Kitchenaid now offers a 5 quart version, which is fairly economical and should handle the loads you anticipate quite well.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/kitchenaid-kv25g0xsl-professional-500-series-stand-mixer-silver/4659801.p?skuId=4659801
Thanks. Bosch has this green dye video:
https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-MUM6N10UC-Universal-Stand-6-5-Quarts/dp/B0016KU16G/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1540591505&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=bo…
The video makes bosch look so much better at mixing compared to KA. Anything to it or is it a gimmick? Thanks!
venkitac, I will throw in my 2 cents. I own a KA lift bowl mixer, and while it is a good general purpose mixer, IMO, it can't hold a candle to the Bosch or the Ankarsrum for kneading dough, and so it mostly sits up in the attic. While it is a bit more expensive, I agree with Dan, the Ank is a great machine - well engineered, well built, Stainless bowl, and just all around impressive. I make loafs of 450 grams of flour all the time in the Ank, and it is no problem, and I have even made pizza dough of half that size without an issue. I have never found a dough that the Ank can't handle.
I also owned a Bosch Universal ( which is very similar to what you are looking at ) and still own a Bosch Compact. The Universal did have troubles with some high hydration low volume dough - the dough would wrap around the column, and the dough hook wouldn't catch it. This is a comparison of three Bosch mixers using 200 grams of whole wheat at 65% hydration https://www.pizzamaking.com/forum/index.php?topic=25855.msg260516#msg260516 as the text says, by the end, the Universal would not knead the dough, it just wrapped around the column.
Based on the size of loaves you are making, you might consider the Bosch Compact. It's price point is great, and though it looks like a toy, it actually is very well designed, and should have no trouble with want you want, and does general mixing as well. I have recommended it regularly, and have never heard a complaint.
Sorry, I meant to say that I did not look at the video, but it would not surprise me if the Bosch Universal kneaded dough quicker than some other machine - but it is my belief, that is not at all important. The Ank may take 10 minutes v. the Bosch's 8 minutes, but as long as the machine is doing the work, I don't care. Plus, some suggest the Ank makes a better loaf because it is more gentle on the dough.