Ankarsrum/Assistent (researching mixers 2)

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Swedish Ankarsrum (formerly known as Electrolux “Assistent”) has been around for many years.

The Ankarsrum is often top rated in reviews for its kneading abilities combined with a quiet motor.

Ankarsrum-Assistent-AKM-6220

It comes with a huge bowl and uses a rare system, with the bowl itself as the rotating part, making it easy to see what’s going on, adding new ingredients.

Design

In its latest edition the “retro” design is a the center. You wouldn’t be surprised to find such a machine in the kitchen below The Hatch.

The machine is available in several color (combinations), aiming at being welcomed as a central everyday part of the kitchen.

assistent-colours

No doubt the design and story behind the Ankarsrum is refreshing among all the many KitchenAid products – sending international waves of attention from Sweden.

Features and accessories

An impressive arsenal of accessories is available for the machine, such as blender, juicer, grain mill and meat grinder. anska

.. which often means turning the machine on its side.

ankarsrum-meat-grinder

In this respect it is not merely a mixer, but  should in theory eliminate the need for a handful of other machines in the kitchen.

Is this it?

The Ankarsrum might make up for a rational and interesting choice. Kneading capabilities are at the center (for the machine as well as for me). The great review combined with some good old skepticism in respect to the rotating bowl make makes you curious: Will it really manage as well as a good, traditional stand mixer – like professionals use in bakeries?

Another relevant question is if you really need the broad variety of extra equipment, or should rather stick to a focused mixer. You might already have a great food processor such as a Magimix (but then again: Will it last another 10 years?). And could the Ankarsrum  be the machine which encourage to make that lovely homemade pasta a little more often?

And last but not least: Is there something out there even more powerful?

Researching mixers (1)

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So, I started my journey into the land of home baking: Learning sourdough, experimenting with hot stone plate, feedback from core audience at home, fail and success. I’m on my way and, experimenting, learning, doing well.

So far I managed with a simple hand mixer and some serious manual work. Now it is time to take it to a new level – and to look for a suitable stand mixer. Food processor too weak and unfocused. Need something strong which can actually get the hard kneading job done.

Many discussion on the web is about Kitchen Aid vs Kenwood – so here we start the journey. Each platform has its own loyal user base – it’s kind of the Vi vs Emacs discussions.

The wedding present

Kitchen Aids stand mixers are very popular. They stand out as a mainstream design icon, and might be the one with the best WAF/quality factor. This the the pretty mainstream student in the class; and a popular wedding present or something you buy spontaneously as they are often found a great discounts.

Kitchen Aid is available in any color you can think of, leopard pattern included.

KITCHENAID HOLIDAY STAND MIXER

There’s also a Pro Line (which comes in black, too!) delivering more power. 

Reviews are very mixed. I have heard several disappointed remarks about KitchenAid being more about looks than raw power.

The classic Swiss Army Knife

Kenwood seem to be less great looking buy strong and capable all purpose machine. Especially the “Titanium Major” with its 1500 watt motor and its impressive arsenal of accessories for every thinkable purpose.

kenwood-kmc-010-titanium-chef-promo-pack-silver-460l-food-processor

Mainstream – and a little boring?

From a strictly rational point of view I’m sure both KitchenAid and Kenwood offer products that will make a difference compared to a lazy kneading effort. It might deliver power and encourage play and fun in the kitchen, and that all great.

But for a person who was a Mac-user when the rest of the city ran Windows, and switched to Linux when Mac started to get hot Kenwood as well as KitchenAid might be a little too mainstream and a little too boring.