KitchenAid Pro 600 6 quart bowl lift stand mixer

Although my review is of the KitchenAid Professional 600 Series 6-Quart Stand Mixer, the one I purchased was KitchenAid KP26M1PSL Professional 600 Series 6-Quart Stand Mixer, Silver. There is a difference & I'll get to that in a little bit, but it's important to note that the one I purchased is the Amazon Exclusive version. Amazon clumps all of the reviews together the same since they are the same "model".Just so you know, I'm not going to go into details about the motor being plastic vs metal like the other reviewers did because they have covered this topic to death. In contrast, I am going to cover the differences between this mixer vs the original Pro 600 lineup as well as a few important items to note.Back in December 2011, for the Gold Box Deal of the Day, Amazon.com had for sale a KitchenAid Profesional 600 Series mixer. Knowing my fiance registered for one of the 5-quart artisan mixers, I knew I had to jump in on the Gold Box deal because the price was cheaper than that of the Artisan series. But being the skeptical and research-centric person that I normally am, I had to make sure that what they were selling was actually a good product. I even used my friend's wife for information, who is a general manager at the local Williams-Sonoma.The line of KitchenAid Professional 600 Series mixers that are on Amazon and other stores like Bed Bath & Beyond and Williams-Sonoma (KitchenAid KP26M1XNP Professional 600 Series 6-Quart Stand Mixer, Nickel Pearl) begin with the model number KP26M1X and are available in a wide array of colors. However, the Amazon Gold Box version was only available in 2 colors. Digging deeper, I found that these two mixers began with the model number KP26M1 and were "Amazon Exclusive" models... meaning that these were Pro 600 mixers in colors not available any where else. They are Cinnamon Gloss KitchenAid KP26M1PGC Professional 600 Series 6-Quart Stand Mixer, Cinnamon Gloss and Silver KitchenAid KP26M1PSL Professional 600 Series 6-Quart Stand Mixer, Silver.From a purchasing standpoint, the Gold Box deal was something I had to make a decision on because my fiance originally wanted a white one of the Artisan series, which is what she registered for for our wedding. White wasn't an available color for the Gold Box Deal so I was conflicted. The reason being is because the KitchenAid Profesional 600 series retails for $499.99. The Artisan 5-quart series retails for $399.99. Typically you'll find both of the mentioned models for about $100 off at most stores but the Gold Box Deal of the Day was $259.99 (down from the normal Amazon price of $279.99). So the Gold Box Deal made it $40 cheaper than the downgraded Artisan 5-quart price. But more importantly, there was a $50 mail-in rebate that was included as well to make the final price $209.99. So if you were to ask anyone to choose a KitchenAid Pro 600 series for $209.99 or a KitchenAid Artisan for $299.99, I'm willing to bet that most people would choose the Pro 600. So after doing some research and being assured by Amazon that their Gold Box KP26M1PGC was physically identical to the KP26M1X, I pulled the trigger and purchased it.Since this was a Christmas present for my fiance, I didn't get to review this product until we actually used it. The box that it came in was just a plain brown cardboard box with black text indicating it was a KitchenAid. You don't get the snazzy colorful glossy box that you would find in retail stores for the mixer of the same type.Other similarities/differences between the Amazon KP26M1PSL vs the KP26M1X mixer are the following:SIMILAR:- Same 10 Speed 575W Motor- Same 6-quart polished stainless steel wide-mouth bowl w/ contoured steel handle.- Same 67-point planetary mixing action- Same wire whip- Same flat beater- Same burnished powerknead spiral dough hookDIFFERENCES:- Color choices, obviously- KitchenAid KN256PS 1-Piece Pouring Shield w/ Wide Chute is **NOT** included. The chute is a MSRP $29.99 part that I thought came with my mixer. It does not. I had to buy the KitchenAid 1-Piece Pouring Shield with Wide Chute. This is the **ONLY** part missing that separates this from the KP26M1X mixer (color aside). Luckily Amazon had it for $12, so technically this mixer cost me $222 total, so I still ended up saving a tons of money even having to buy the attachment separately.As for the rebate, there was a big concern on whether it would be honored by KitchenAid, as the rebate form did not have the model number KP26M1P (Amazon Exclusive) listed anywhere on the rebate form. While it's too late for any new consumers to participate in this rebate, those of you that did buy this mixer need to send your form in. The $50 was honored according to other Amazon purchasers.Finally, the review of the actual mixer. Never having owned or used a KitchenAid, I've only used various hand mixers and a cheap Oster stand mixer that my fiance got as a present a few years back. This mixer blows them out of the water. It's very sturdy and seems very powerful. I haven't tried making any dough (which some say is the breaking point for this mixer), but it's been able to handle everything else I've thrown at it. One of the reviews mentioned that it was "too loud" in comparison to the Artisan. Well I've never owned the Artisan mixer... so I couldn't tell you if it's louder or quieter. Regardless, I think this mixer is really quiet. Compared to my Hamilton Beach & Oster hand mixers as well as the Oster stand mixer my fiance has, this thing is quieter than even those. As for mixing, cookies, cakes, beating ingredients together, this mixer is the cream of the crop. Obviously since KitchenAid is, by opinion, the leader of consumer stand mixers in the kitchen.For those of you debating on it, I would recommend this particular Amazon Exclusive mixer to anyone. I still don't know how Amazon is selling this one for this cheap because you'd spend over $100 more for the same Pro 600 anywhere else. Although you probably won't get it as cheap as I did, you're still getting a kickbutt mixer. Do yourself a favor and get this KP26M1PSL!!!

I used this mixer (KP26M1PGC) about twice a week for 10 months, and loved it, until it walked off the counter after being left alone with a 90% hydration pizza dough for 5 minutes. It went over with a 4-cup pyrex measuring cup, which broke and threw water everywhere. It yanked the ground pin off its power plug and crashed to the floor on its poor head.After cleanup, I plugged it in and ran it for a few seconds, to see how it fared. I couldn't be sure; it may have been a little louder, a little grindier, but maybe that was paranoia. The center post turned a little when I moved it by hand, but then I don't know how much give it had before. I didn't feel comfortable giving it a good burn-in test with a damaged plug.KitchenAid said I shouldn't have left it on its lonesome for so long. Especially with a heavy dough, said the customer service rep, until I explained that 90% hydration is a very loose dough (almost like a batter). Technically, they could've gotten out of a warranty replacement, but she said they'd send me a replacement as a good will gesture. They're sending me the same color. All we have to do is put mine in the same pre-paid box the new one's coming in, and call FedEx to come pick it up. So needless to say, I'm very impressed with their warranty / customer service.They didn't have a KP26M1PGC in stock, so they're sending the KP26M1XGC, which she said is equivalent. I haven't yet been able to determine what the difference is. They certainly seem functionally equivalent. I know there was an issue with the plastic vs. metal motor housing, and wonder if it's a factor.I feel I've given short-shrift to the mixer itself. Did I mention I absolutely loved it for 10 months? I made cake, cookies, pizza and bread. Mostly pizza. I've wanted one for 35 years, and it does not disappoint.[Update] The replacement arrived in 2 days. The two mixers seemed completely equivalent. They looked the same, both have a metal motor housing, and they weighed the same. They sounded the same and the shaft moved by about the same amount, so I think the one that fell took it very well. All we had to do was box up the other one and call FedEx to pick it up, and KitchenAid paid for shipping. The new one came with a rubber handle on the elevation lever, which is a welcome addition, and it came with a the clear plastic ingredient spout, which I never use. I couldn't be happier.

This thing is a real workhorse in the kitchen. There are some great accessories available like the grater and pasta roller. It's not hard to find a way to use it for almost and dish.

I already had a nearly new Artisan series 5 qt mixer when Amazon reduced the price of the Pro one too much to pass up. The main issue I had with the Artisan was that since the motor/head of the mixer was hinged, it moved around A LOT when I was trying to mix stiffer doughs or fillings. I was always worried it would force itself out of alignment or break something inside in the process but this big boy had almost no problem with the same mixtures. It's slightly louder but that's to be expected for a bigger, more powerful motor of course.I love the color, I love the huge size, I love the power (almost as much as I love what I make with it)!As stated in other reviews, though, I did not like the "raw" metal paddle and dough hook. The aluminum (despite being burnished) oxidizes and changes color in a disturbing way (unlike the enameled Artisan attachments) and I would HIGHLY recommend purchasing a coated or rubber-bladed paddle and toss the factory one in the back of a drawer to use in desperation only... Stay away from cooking with aluminum!Other than the attachments I have nothing negative to say about this mixer, it's awesome! Get one!Edit: 9 years later and this thing is still a sturdy beast! It has tackled every recipe we've thrown at it and we haven't had any issues or problems with it. Fantastic value!