Hi everyone, When I mentioned to someone that I wish I could afford a new Anksruram mixer, so I can make 8 loaves of challah in a single batch (5 lbs of flour), she offered me her mom's old Magic Mill DLX 2000 that is almost 30 years old. It includes the dough hook and other basic attachments (but not the plastic bowl or double beater.) It still works. Before I a pay for shipping and use up so much counter space in my small kitchen, some questions: Is it worth having a machine this old? Will it handle that amount of dough easily? It is 450 watts as opposed to the new 600W ones, but I have heard that's not a big deal. How hard would it be to get replacement parts if something wears out? I'm grateful for any advice you have.
I can't comment on how wise it is to buy an old machine, but the reviews I found raved about its breadmaking abilities. They are c.2009.
http://www.breadmachinedigest.com/reviews/stand-mixer-reviews/electrolux-magic-mill-dlx-mixer.phphttps://www.amazon.com/Electrolux-DLX-2000-Ass…
I guess my question is whether the machine is built well enough to last well over 30 years. For example, I've been using my 35 year old Cuisinart food processor continually and I've only had to replace a couple of accessories. The motor is going strong. I was hoping the same would be true for this machine.
Unless abused they last decades. You still occasionally see machines so old they have the original wooden roller. Re: 450 vs 600 W - that, for the most part, is a meaningless number they use to make a mixer look more powerful.
I just bought one that was from 2001. I love it; it makes the best dough. So much better than my KA, which I now use for batters and such.
"She offered me her mom's old." It's absolutely worth the cost of shipping; it doesn't take much more space than a KA.
KA=kitchenaid mixer
Chana, as others have said, it is extremely well engineered and designed, and I would think it would last a long time. I have not taken apart the older square front model,ebay.com/ but the rounded front model has very few moving parts that would need to be replaced. Worst case is the speed control board, not sure if that could be replaced, other than that, there is just a drive belt that is very heavy duty. Did you get the roller? If so, you are good to go. The plastic bowl and beaters are helpful for general mixing, like cake, but can be bought separately from several places, like Pleasant Hill Grain. I would say it is definitely worth the shipping costs. BTW, the change from 450 watts to 600 was most likely just for marketing, from what I read, it increased the rpms at highest speed, but the recommendation was not to use the higher speed for dough, so for those making bread it is a non issue. Some say there is a learning curve - I didn't think it was much of a curve, to me, the Bosch Universal, the KA, and the Famag all have differences, and it takes very little time, IMO , to get used to the Ank. I only used the dough hook once, and that may have a learning curve. The roller action is more gentle than the KA and BUP, but does a great job, it does not walk all over the counter and having a timer that shuts off the machine is a great feature.
You guys are THE BEST! Thank you for your guidance.
I certainly would take the risk. I've bought several DLX 2000 (actually Type N24) and have only had one problem. The lights on the dial may have failed, but they really aren't necessary for operations ( the most recent iteration has done away with the lighted dial entirely). The N23 and N24 Types were made between 1995 and 2005. You really don't need the plastic bowl and whisks unless you whip a lot of egg whites. The roller will actually handle everything else. Yes, you can whip cream with the roller. Besides, if you decide you need the bowl and whisks, you can buy them later. Take a chance. Jim
BTW, I think the change to the 600w motor (N25 and later) was because the motor supplier changed the motor manufacture, not because Ankarsrum intended to up grade the machine. I've used both, and both work fine. The 450w motor just has a more limited speed range. Faster at the bottom end, and slower at the top.
Funny I should happen on this thread, but I have a related question. I found an N21 being sold as an "antique" in a junk store, It works and has all basic paddles, scrapers, hooks. It's only 75 bucks. From what I have found on the internet, they were made between 1987 and 1991, which makes it around 35 years old, but the seller (whom I know to be a trustworthy person) ensures me that it works fine and some old lady was using it right up to the day that she moved into a retirement home. Now, $75 is not a big deal even if I were to waste it, but I didn't get it right away and now the store is 350 miles away (this is where my mom lives) and while I could justify the trip by visiting my mom, I have just come back from there and wasn't intending to revisit for another couple of months. Is it worth the trip?
Could you phone the store and ask that it be put aside until your next trip? You could even send a deposit.
Yeah, I imagine I could. But is it worth the bother? I don't need another conversation piece in my kitchen. Even if it works as well as new, do you feel an appliance this old will actually do a good job kneading my doughs? I have read a lot of good things about these Assistents (as opposed to planetary stand mixers, which I have, but I have some issues with it), but generally people write about the newer models.
The current model is 95% the same mixer. They made it look pretty, added more plastic and changed the way hook and scraper are mounted but the core abilities are identical.
Thanks, that's reassuring.
A 700 mi. round trip is pretty expensive.
Is an N21 worthwhile? I think it probably is. I don't think planetary mixers are particularly good at kneading bread. That's why most bakeries use spiral mixers. How much are you going to use it?
If you decide you want it, I suggest you have the seller ship it to you. I think shipping would be a lot less expensive than the trip to pick it up. Jim
Thanks, Jim! I bake at least three times a week. Or - mix dough three or more times a week. I will often make a double or triple batch and retard some loaves for baking in a few days. I currently use a planetary mixer and the one problem I have with it is that even though it has a pretty big bowl (I think 7 or 8 quarts) mixing a dough with more than about 750 g of flour in it, it climbes up the hook and onto the mixer itself and I have to stand there and scrape it down. Mixing three loaves each of 500 g of flour plus all the rest is an ordeal. So I am really looking forward to test something different.
I guess I'll talk to the guy and have him hold the N21 for me, then, until I drive down there next time. . Shipping cost wouldn't be a problem, but he specifically said he wasn't gonna bother with shipping anything. So there we have it.
A.
Imagine packing a big, heavy mixer & parts without the original packaging. Can't really blame the guy.
Now...let's hope he hasn't sold it. :)
It looks like you'd use it enough to make a purchase wise. Sounds like you have a plan. Good luck. Jim