Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

My mother-in-law gave me this mixer for Christmas 2010. I was originally planning on getting the KitchenAid KSM150PSOB Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer, Onyx Black because of its higher motor capacity. But I got this as a gift so I'm not complaining! I have used it for making cakes, muffins, brownies, bread and pizza dough... you name it. This mixer has performed so wonderfully! I turn it off every now and then, though, and push the dough down with a spatula just so the motor could rest for a few seconds. It's like a vacuum cleaner that when left on for several minutes straight, the motor would wear out quick. I have also made scones and even pie crust with the paddle attachment and boy was it fast! I'd turn my back a few seconds to clean up the counter and when I come back to look the dough's all done! This mixer brought back my old love for baking. I used to bake all the time in high school but when I went to college I had no time for it and when I started working I even had less time. But this mixer makes everything so much easier and faster, and clean up is a breeze! All that's needed to be washed is a bowl and beater attachment. The depth of the bowl also prevents the surrounding area from getting dirty so there's nothing much to clean up really. This is my most valuable kitchen gadget and I'm taking good care of it. I hope it will last me several years, if not forever. I plan on getting the ice cream maker attachment next! Love love Kitchenaid! I hope they don't ever outsource. UPDATE: 02/2012: I have started making bread once a week on a regular basis and my stand mixer performs beautifully each time. I have made buttermilk white loaf, ciabatta, sourdough, baguette, pizza dough, cinnamon rolls and even burger buns. I use the beater attachment for mixing the wet and dry ingredients and then switch to the dough hook for kneading. Bread-making is so much easier now. I also bought the lids (Model# KBC90N, from Sears): KitchenAid KBC90N Mixer Bowl Covers for Pivot Head Stand Mixer Bowls, Set of 2 and extra bowl: KitchenAid K45SBWH Bowl for Pivot Head Stand Mixer