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Breville BEM800XL Scraper Mixer Pro 5-Quart Die-Cast Stand Mixer
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Brand | Breville |
Color | Silver |
Special Feature | Adjustable Speed Control |
Capacity | 5 Liters |
Controls Type | Knob |
Item Weight | 7.6 Kilograms |
Model Name | BEM800XL |
Is Dishwasher Safe | No |
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About this item
- Planetary Mixing Action
- Load Sensing Technology with Motor Protection
- 12 Speed Electronic Control
- 10 Minute timer with Auto-Off
- Lift Assist Mixer Head
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From the manufacturer
Kitchen appliances designed to inspire people to produce perfect food and beverage results in their own homes with ease. From espresso machines to food processors, the innovation in each appliance delights. Breville makes the process a pleasure and the end result perfect, every time.
The Scraper Mixer Pro by Breville, BEM800BSS
No sticky bowls or spattered batter here. With a flexible edge and 360 degree coverage, the double sided Scraper Beater expertly scrapes the bowl and ensures thorough mixing. A pouring shield protects from splatter.
Some Special Features of the Scraper Mixer Pro:
- 12 Speed Electronic Control
- Versatile Attachments
- Die-cast Metal Stand
Product DNA
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Mixing SystemThe Scraper Mixer Pro replicates the same planetary mixing action with a counter-clockwise mixing head and anti-clockwise sweeping action of wide attachments to ensure 360 degrees coverage of the entire bowl. |
Double Sided Scraper BeaterThe flexible edge on this revolutionary beater wipes the sides and bottom of the bowl with every turn making clean up a snap. |
12 Speed Electronic ControlUse the mixing speed control dial to select the correct technique to suit your recipe. |
Product DNA
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Versatile AttachmentsThe Scraper Mixer Pro includes a Scraper beater, Standard flat beater, Dough hook, Whisk, Splash Guard & Spatula attachments to help you create anything from bread and pasta dough to icing and whipped cream. |
Die-cast Metal StandThe heavy duty die-cast metal stand keeps the mixer secure and stable during operation. |
Pairs Well With the Smart Oven Prothe Smart Oven Pro by Breville has Element iQ controlling the heating elements to move the heat when and where it's needed to suit whatever you are baking. |
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Product information
Brand | Breville |
---|---|
Color | Silver |
Special Feature | Adjustable Speed Control |
Capacity | 5 Liters |
Controls Type | Knob |
Item Weight | 7.6 Kilograms |
Model Name | BEM800XL |
Is Dishwasher Safe | No |
Product Dimensions | 7.9 x 15.8 x 13.8 inches |
Item Weight | 16.72 pounds |
Manufacturer | BREVILLE |
ASIN | B003QI9HPW |
Item model number | BEM800XL |
Customer Reviews |
4.3 out of 5 stars |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | June 8, 2010 |
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Product Description
The Breville Scraper Mixer Pro's come with the following attachments: pouring shield, scraper beater, flat beater, dough hook, and wire whip
Why the Breville Scraper Mixer Pro stand mixer?
Light and fluffy baked goods begin with sticky ingredients. How do you make perfect baked goods without making a sticky mess? The Breville Scraper Mixer Pro stand mixer helps make your baking stress-free. The designers at Breville are determined to make the baking just as enjoyable as the baked goods: no more scraping sticky bowls, no more splattering ingredients when you add them to the bowl, no more guessing how much more time you need to mix.
Designed by bakers, for bakers
The next step in the evolution of the stand mixer, Breville’s Scraper Mixer Pro stand mixer takes the classic features of the stand mixer to the next level. Features that are standard on other mixtures are upgraded with a level of attention to detail that only Breville can provide.
Do you get tired of stopping to scrape down the batter from the sides of the bowl? Breville’s scraper beater attachment makes it easy to mix without stopping. The flexible edges of the scraper beater continuously folds and scrapes the sides and bottom of the bowl, including the dimple at the bottom, for exceptionally thorough mixing. This essentially eliminates the need for hand scraping with a spatula, cutting mixing time in half. And, with the Scraper Mixer Pro’s unique planetary mixing action, you can be sure that the batter will be mixed evenly—no pockets of ingredients left behind. The counter-clockwise motion of the mixer head combined with the clockwise sweep of the extra wide attachments provides 360 degree coverage of the bowl.
The Scraper Mixer has twelve different speeds, controlled by an easy-turn dial. An LED light strip shows the speed for easy reference. Another LED display shows a timer that can be programmed to count up or count down, so you can set it to a recipe’s specifications or time how long your favorite recipe takes, taking the guesswork out of the equation.
Click on image to view larger The Scraper Mixer Pro's planetary mixing covers the entire bowl, leaving no pockets of unmixed ingredients behindBeauty and function
Like all Breville products, the Scraper Mixer Pro was designed with both function and aesthetics in mind. The 5 quart stainless steel bowl can easily accommodate most recipes, even for large portions during the holidays. The tilt-release head locks into place for the safe addition of ingredients, so you don’t have to worry about the mixer head falling down when you’ve tilted it back, while the pouring shield prevents splattering when adding ingredients while the mixer is on. The handle on the front of the mixer and the handholds on the bottom make it easier to transport and lift, and the power cord conveniently stores inside the base of the mixer. From its main features down to every single detail, the Breville stand mixer was built for baking.
Product Features
- Lift assist handles on the mixer head and base allow for easy handling and maneuvering
- ‘Tilt-release’ button releases the mixer head into the open ‘tilt-back’ position for easy removal and addition of ingredients, attachments, and mixing bowl
- LED speed indicator LEDs illuminate to display the selected speed/mixing task
- 12 speed control dial ‘pause’ function temporarily stops the mixer and pauses the timer
- Internal cord storage located in the rear of the mixer. Cord pushes into the mixer base for convenient and tidy storage
- LCD screen with timer so you can set the timer to count-down according to a specified receipt time before automatically switching off
- Attachment shaft attaches the scraper beater, flat beater, wire whip and dough hook
- 2-piece pouring shield minimizes spattering when mixing and adding ingredients
- 5 quart stainless steel bowl
- Bowl locking recess securely locks the bowl in place for safety and stability when the mixer is in operation
Compare with similar items
This Item Breville BEM800XL Scraper Mixer Pro 5-Quart Die-Cast Stand Mixer | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | |
Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | ||
Price | Currently unavailable. | -15% $169.99$169.99 List: $199.99 | $249.95$249.95 | -28% $899.95$899.95 List: $1,249.00 |
Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it May 21 - 23 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 |
Customer Ratings | ||||
Easy to clean | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.3 |
Easy to use | 4.7 | 4.4 | 5.0 | 4.6 |
Value for money | 4.5 | 5.0 | — | 4.7 |
Giftable | — | 4.7 | — | 5.0 |
Suction power | — | 4.4 | — | 5.0 |
Sold By | — | COOKLEE-MIC US | JADA Lifestyles | Wolf Gourmet |
number of speeds | 12 | 10 | 12 | — |
voltage | 120 volts | 120 volts | 120 volts | 220 volts |
wattage | 550 watts | 660 watts | 500 watts | 500 watts |
material | Stainless Steel | ABS Plastic, Stainless Steel | Metal | Stainless Steel |
dishwasher safe | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
weight | 7.6 kilograms | 12.3 pounds | 15 pounds | 16.44 kilograms |
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the power and quality of the food mixer. For example, they mention it has great power, is more powerful than their 15 year old KitchenAid, and has good wattage for heavy doughs and breads. They are also happy with the timer, and ease of use. That said, opinions are mixed on the weight, noise, and value.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the quality of the food mixer. They say it's well made, sturdy, and stable. Customers are also happy with the quality accessories and the well designed case. They mention that the motor is stronger and more powerful. Overall, customers are satisfied with the product's quality and performance.
"...front of the Breville, they are easy to read and are labeled to indicate the type of mixing (kneed, cream, whip) which is helpful...." Read more
"...is long and narrow, with a pointed tip that makes it very good for getting the last of things out of jars as well as for scraping down the mixing..." Read more
"...So far, I am in love with this mixer. It is beautiful, fits nicely under my cabinetry, and is easy to pick up and move...." Read more
"...It's done a great job on making lump -free mashed potatoes, perfect buttercream frosting, assorted batters and it will whip up a carton of whipping..." Read more
Customers find the food mixer easy to use. They mention it makes everything simple, easy to add ingredients, and easy to get to the contents of the bowl. They also appreciate the splash guard and easy pour spout. Customers are impressed that it handles difficult stuff with vigor.
"...It makes creaming butter effortless and when working with small batches of batter or dough it easily mixes everything without the need to stop and..." Read more
"...The lock that keeps the head up is easy to use and has not failed...." Read more
"...no previous stand mixer experience to speak of, the Breville is entirely easy and intuitive to use...." Read more
"...The doughts were all well kneaded and beautiful. cuisinart mixer also has a timer and the function of auto shut off which is very useful...." Read more
Customers like the power of the food mixer. They mention that it has great power, even though it doesn't sound like it. They say that it is more powerful than their 15 year old KitchenAid, has additional power compared to the KitchenAide mixers in the same price range, and has good wattage for heavy doughs and breads. They also appreciate the smooth action and the pause setting.
"...It is well powered for all my tasks and quieter than I expected...." Read more
"...the Breville Mixer and they mention that the motor is stronger and more powerful as well as being made in the United States so it's quality..." Read more
"...Since the KA does not cut power to the motor when the head is tilted up, the beaters just keep spinning. The only real concern I have with..." Read more
"...Breville has been great!The Breville has so much power I rarely go past 4 on the dial for what I do...." Read more
Customers like the timer on the food mixer. They say it's a great feature, they like the digital timer, and the count up/down feature. They also mention that the LED time display is very handy.
"...(the dial-up speed control is very cool), and having a timer that counts up and down is something that I didn't know I needed..." Read more
"...cuisinart mixer also has a timer and the function of auto shut off which is very useful...." Read more
"...I like the digital timer and adjustments are on the side with a lighted indicator. Bread, batter, no problem...." Read more
"...First of all, it is very pretty and I definitely have enjoyed having that timer and seeing the digital readout...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the weight of the food mixer. Some mention it's not so heavy and has handy handles to lift. The weight seems more balanced on the Breville. However, some say that it wobbles at high speeds and vibrates a bit.
"...Additionally, the weight seems more balanced on the Breville and there is a number of hand holds under the mixer as well. I was worried that..." Read more
"...When I made a simple oatmeal cookie dough (not stiff) the mixer head jumped and wobbled and the entire mixer itself was jumping along the counter at..." Read more
"...It is solid and heavy, but has wobbled at high speeds. I haven't used the highest speed, I haven't needed to and I think it would frighten me...." Read more
"...It is not perfect, but does a very decent job. The dough, never comes off from the hook, is kneaded as it is supposed to be...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the noise produced by the food mixer. Some mention it's relatively quiet compared to their Kitchenaid, and doesn't make any odd smells, vibrations, or excessive noise. However, others say that after the second attempt, the mixer became very noisy and feared it was failing. They mention that the motor isn't quiet, and the machine began making wild grinding noises and flashing codes.
"...It is well powered for all my tasks and quieter than I expected...." Read more
"...It didn't smoke or make noise, it just stopped like it's supposed to. But should it really stop with 4 cups of flour?..." Read more
"...It is louder than any hand mixer that I ever used, but no hand mixer could do what this bench mixer does...." Read more
"...It is so much quieter than the Pro 6 (which always sounded like it was about to grind its gears), very smooth on the uptake..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the value of the food mixer. Some mention it's great and worth the cost, while others say it'll not worth it. Some say the motor is strong and the splash guard is included in the price. However, some customers are disappointed upon first use and find the cover almost useless.
"...Plus it cost a lot less than a Kitchen Aid! Best Quality! Affordable! Enjoy!!!" Read more
"...I have used this machine for few times. It is not perfect, but does a very decent job...." Read more
"...Nice job Amazon! Not only is mixer cheaper than Kitchen Aid it is lighter...." Read more
"...It’s sleek and hefty. The handle in front is a godsend and could easily be THE reason to pick this mixer - plenty of power and quality parts." Read more
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Before purchasing I determined that I wanted a tilting head to my stand mixer and eliminated the KitchenAid 600 Series. I have worked with the 600 series before, and other mixers like it in the restaurant industry, and do not like the bowl locking mechanism and just prefer working with tilt head when scraping the sides of the bowl and scraping/removing the beater blades. If you are looking for a larger machine or a machine that will primarily be used for making bread dough, neither the Breville BEM800XL or the KitchenAid KSM150 Artisan are for you. Spend the money and get a commercial grade stand mixer from a company like Hobart. If like me you are looking for a machine that will tackle cake batters, single and double batches of cookies, quick breads, and the occasional bread dough read on.
For over 30 years I have used KitchenAid (KA) stand mixers. Both my mother's, which I have used extensively, and my sister's have seen years of use, both intermittent and doing heavy work, and are still going strong. One was purchased before Whirlpool bought KA out, the other shortly after. I bring this up because there is a good number of negative reviews about the newer KA mixers. They claim that the newer mixers are not being made to the same level of quality control as they had been when Hobart made them and also that KA/Whirlpool's customer service leaves something to be desired. I have had no first hand knowledge or experience with these problems, but I must admit that it was a factor in purchasing the Breville. I will point out that there is most likely only a small fraction of Breville stand mixers being used compared to the number of KAs, so I do not believe that Breville is the perfect company either.
I have owned the Breville mixer for less than 2 months as of this review. In this time I have made 8 single batches of various cookies, 2 batches of cinnamon rolls, 2 large loaves of bread and 1 batch of cupcakes.
SEE UPDATES AT END.
On to the review and what I hope will be a direct comparison of both the Breville and KA Artisan Series stand mixers.
Price (Tie):
Both mixers retail for around $300. I got the Breville for $285.53 with free shipping and a free 4-quart stainless steel bowl (retail $50). I am not sure what I will use the second bowl for, but free is free. If you shop around, you can get the KA for less than $300 as well.
What is in the box (Advantage Breville):
Both mixers are pretty much have the same accessories (pouring shield, 5-quart bowl, wire whip, dough hook, flat beater). There are two additions to the Breville that I appreciated. The first is the inclusion of a scrapper blade and the second is a thin spatula that is designed and shaped to scrape the Breville's bowl. The spatula allows me to easily clear the sides right down to the bottom of the bowl.
Scrapper blades are available for the KA, but are not included with the Artisan mixer as of this writing, so if you want one, and you should, it will set you back an additional $20-25.
I would also add that there are a number of aftermarket KA scrapper blades that I think would outshine both Breville's and KA's offerings. The SideSwipe scraper blade being one that comes to mind and it is only available for the KAs.
Of minor note, I prefer the shape of the Breville bowl to that of the KA. It is a bit wider at the mouth with less tapered sides at the top and not as tall as the KA bowl. They both claim 5-quarts, I simply prefer the shorter, more squat Breville shape and find it easier to scrape down without lifting the head assembly.
Lastly, the pouring shield on both the Breville and KA mixers are less than perfect. Putting them in place is inconvenient. Not difficult, but not easy. They do help with keeping flour and other dry ingredients from spraying out of the bowl when they are first added, but careful attention to the mixer speed can have the same effect. Most irritating is the fact that the head can not be tilted back when the pouring shield is installed on either mixer, so it must be removed to lift the head and scrape the bowl.
Motor (N/A):
I include this as its own comparison because there is a great deal of confusion as to what the wattage ratings of the motors mean. The Breville claims 550-watts and the KA Artisan 325-watts. These numbers are all but meaningless. I teach physics and work on all types of electronics and small appliances and find the wattage ratings for home stand mixers misleading and I am guessing inaccurate for reasons I will not go into here.
If you want to see a perfect example of this, google the Hobart N50 5-quart Stand Mixer. It is a commercial mixer that is all but indestructible (I have used them in commercial kitchens), retails for around $2000 (yes, that is two thousand dollars), and has a 1/6 horsepower motor rated at 350 watts. It will run all day and never overheat or breakdown, something I can not say about any home stand mixer.
Again, wattage means nothing here.
Controls (Breville):
There is nothing similar about the controls on the Breville and KA mixers. I am still getting used to the Breville after years of using the KA, but believe that the Breville controls are safer than the KA and they have a few additional features I personally like.
The Breville has a push-button located on the top back of the motor assembly that must be pressed to raise or lower the tilt head and a handle in the front which aids in this motion. Lowering and raising the motor assembly is a two handed job, as you need to press the button with one hand and lift with the other. Due to the positioning of your hands during this action, there is no real way to pinch your fingers in the hinge assembly (I have never done this on a KA either). I was also impressed/irritated that once the motor assembly is raised about half an inch it cuts power to the motor making the removal of a spinning beater impossible. I say irritated as well because it precludes the unsafe practice of pulling the beater out of the bowl slowly to allow the batter to be flung off. A practice that I occasionally used with the KA.
Mixing speed for the Breville is controlled by a knob placed on the back left of the machine. The knob has a positive feel to it and each subtle click lets you know that you are stepping up in speed. The mixer speed is also displayed using a vertical series of blue LEDs above the speed knob. Although difficult to see when standing in front of the Breville, they are easy to read and are labeled to indicate the type of mixing (kneed, cream, whip) which is helpful. Also printed on the mixer stand is a guide of what beater blade to use with what speed range if you are ever in doubt.
The last control, and the one that I find useful when creaming butter or making cake batter is the countdown/up timer. Whenever the mixer is running the timer counts up to reflect the time the mixer has been running. The timer can also be set to count down from a desired time, which is a nice feature if a recipe calls for mixing a batter for a given number of minutes. On the down side, if you lift the Breville's head assembly while counting down or up, it resets, which makes little sense if you need to lift the head to scrape the sides of the bowl. There is a "pause" position on the control knob, but it to is overridden by lifting the head.
The KA relies on the tried and true sliding switches, one on each side to the motor assembly. The one on the left controls the speed and the one on the right locks the head in place. The speeds are labeled from stir to 10 in increments of 2. Experienced bakers should have no trouble determining the correct speed for a given task, but others my need to get used to what speed works best (here you can simply consult the KA owner's manual). I personally have always felt that the speed control on KA mixers were just okay. They have a positive feel to them, but the total distance the switch moves is shorter than I would like and I often found myself readjusting the speed more than once.
My main complaint about the KA's control setup is that I have, on more than one occasion, pushed the head assembly lock into the unlock position when I wanted to simply turn the mixer off. This can be a real problem when making heavier batters and breads, as it forces the head to kick up as the beater spins. Since the KA does not cut power to the motor when the head is tilted up, the beaters just keep spinning.
The only real concern I have with the Breville is the more complex series of electronics (timer, speed display, dial) vs the very simple, and unbreakable KA switch. Only time will tell if this will be a problem. (SEE UPDATE AT END)
Aesthetics (Not Considered):
Lets be honest, the Breville comes in one color, stainless steel, and that really isn't a color (Update: the Breville now comes in 3 colors: stainless, black & red). On Amazon, the Artisan is offered in 46 different colors. I still appreciate the industrial look of the KA but like the Breville as well for different reasons. At no point did I even consider the aesthetics of the two machines when making my decision. If I had gone with the KA, I would have gotten white. I keep my mixer on my countertop most of the time and hope to have it for decades so the thought of having a tangerine, persimmon, or pistachio mixer simply puts me off.
If you are worried about this, the advantage goes to KA, but if color is the deciding factor, perhaps you should stick with a hand mixer.
Accessories (Not Considered):
Here the KA shines in both accessories to aid in the kitchen (ice cream maker, meat grinder, pasta roller, glass bowl, etc) and products made by other companies (beater blades). I originally considered this to be a major plus for the KA, but after reading a review somewhere I was enlightened to the fact that I could purchase a dedicated machine to do any of the tasks that the KA could perform for the same price or less. I also believe that a dedicated ice cream maker, meat grinder, or pasta maker would perform better than the KA attachments. I also realized that in all my years using KA mixers in homes, not once did anyone have any of these attachments. So, despite the fact that the Breville does not support such a wide range of attachments, it really is not an issue I found worth considering. If I find myself in need of any of the items that could have been attached to the KA I believe I would be better off researching and spending my money on the best stand alone appliance I could get.
I also have images of a drawer full of mixed accessories, all for the KA, that simply becomes more trouble than it is worth and sucks up space in my kitchen that could be used for takeout menus, old keys, and various items that I have long forgotten about.
Weight and Convenience (Breville):
Breville BEM 800XL - 16.0 lbs.
KitchenAid Artisan KSM150PS - 23.0 lbs.
Yes, that is a 7.0 lb. difference between the two machines. When I first opened and removed the Breville I was surprised at how light it was. Having spent years pulling my mother's KA out from a low cabinet and lifting it to the counter I was pleasantly surprised with the ease with which I can move the Breville around. Additionally, the weight seems more balanced on the Breville and there is a number of hand holds under the mixer as well.
I was worried that the Breville mixer might creep, or move around while mixing, but I have not had any issues. To be fair, I never had any issues with the KA moving either, even when kneading heavy doughs.
The only other item of note here would be the cord storage on the Breville. The cord must be manually pushed into the base of the mixer, a task that is not easy or quick, and I gave up on it after attempting it once and simply wrap the cord around the base as I have on all KAs I have used.
I score this one for the Breville, especially if you are planning on keeping it under counter when not in use.
Performance (Tie):
Having used both the Breville and KA for most mixing tasks, I can say they stack up fairly evenly. Both fly through basic doughs and can handle double batches of cookies with relative ease. Of note is the fact that the head of the Breville does move from side to side (about 1/4" furthest from the pivot) when using the scraper beater and mixing bread dough. I am not sure if this will greatly weaken the pivot joint between the head and stand, only time will tell. The KA's I have used have the same movement, it is just not as pronounced.
When making bread, I have found that neither the Breville or KA do an adequate of kneading dough. I generally mix in the majority of the flour I need to achieve the consistency I am looking for and then finish by hand kneading. Again, if you want a dedicated machine for high gluten doughs or simply make a lot of bread, look for a different machine.
Conclusion:
Some part of me lives in dread that the Breville will not live up to my longterm expectations. Of course, had I purchased the KitchenAid instead I know I would be feeling the same way. Overall I am sure I would have been happy with either machine. Both have their potential flaws and pluses.
For everyday use, I believe the Breville to be an outstanding stand mixer with a host of features that equal or exceed the KA.
My last bit of advice is to simply ignore the negative reviews for both the Breville and KA mixers for the most part. Both companies sell tens of thousands of mixers each year if not more and the vast majority continue to perform flawlessly over time. Which ever mixer you buy will serve you well and will hopefully last to be handed down to future bakers in your life.
I will update this review in 6 months to see if anything changes.
UPDATE: I have been using the Breville for 8 months now and have no complaints. Having read through my review again I still feel the same way about both the Breville and the KA and do not regret my decision to purchase the Breville. I will state again, regardless of which which mixer you purchase, make sure you have a scraper blade. I bake at least once a week if not more and am still amazed at the functionality of the Breville scraper blade. It makes creaming butter effortless and when working with small batches of batter or dough it easily mixes everything without the need to stop and scrap the bowl.
The only complaint I will add is that the whisk blade sits about 1/8 inch (3mm) off the bottom of the bowl. When trying to whip small amounts of butter (one stick) or cream (1/2 cup) I have to raise the bowl up by detaching it from the base. The same problem exists with the KA, so it is not unavoidable. The truth is, other then when making breads or whipped cream, I always use the scraper blade for the reasons mentioned above.
UPDATE (May 2015): My mixer is still going strong and has seen weekly use most months. I have not regretted this purchase and find the Breville a joy to work with.
UPDATE (August 2017) I can't believe that I purchased this 3 1/2 years ago. I continue to use the mixer at least 2 times a week on average while making cookies, whipping egg whites, cake batters, etc... Most of the time I use the included scrapper blade and it is a godsend. The scrapper blade has held up extraordinarily well and I can't imagine not using it. The included spatula has seen better days and is still in use but I do not know for how much longer. It is cracked in a few places along the edge of the blade. I continue to have no complaints about the mixer and would still purchase it again. I will add that the electronic selection dial that sets the speed sometimes fluctuates between two adjacent settings from time to time. This has been happening intermittently for the past 8 months or so. The issue does not seem to be getting better or worse nor does it effect my ability to use the mixer. I do find it funny though as this was the only potential issue I brought up in my original review. I will update this review if there is any further developments.
Right out of the box, it smelled like a well-lubricated, hard-working machine. The finish is smooth and the tooling faultless. The bowl locks into the base easily and the mixing blades lock onto the head easily. Neither one has come apart when I did not want them to do so. The lock that keeps the head up is easy to use and has not failed. The handle on the front of the head makes it easy to lower the head in a controlled fashion. I have found the pouring shield to be more of a nuisance than a help, as well as being two more parts to clean up afterward, but the use of it is optional. I have been using the mixer just fine without that. Even on Cream speed, wet material does not get flung out of the mixer. If I start it suddenly on that speed with a lot of dry materials I do get some powder being thrown up, but it does not fall out onto the counter-top. Probably one shouldn't start out at that speed anyway, with so much dry material in the bowl.
I have used every attachment now, and all worked very well. The dough hook has no problems with my 2-loaf batches and the head does not jump out of the bowl or stall if the hook hits a hard lump of brown suger. The flat mixer blade that is supposed to be self-scraping doesn't do a complete job of it, but it does mix well enough. The normal flat mixer blade is, well, normal. The whisk worked well for mixing solids together. I have not yet used it to whip egg whites or anything of that sort. All of the blades did mix all the way to the bottom of the bowl.
The stainless steel bowl and blades clean up easily. The self-scraping flat blade needs a little more attention to make sure the scrapers are clean all the way around. The stainless steel parts practically wipe clean.
The retracting cord isn't much of a feature in my estimation, but I simply curl the cord inside the bowl between uses. I do very much like the finger-grip for removing the plug from the socket. People think women are careless because they tend to pull plugs out by the cord, but we learn at a young age that grabbing a plug with a wet hand can earn us a zap of electricity. This finger-grip avoids that, for both plugging and unplugging the mixer.
I adore the silicone spatula that came with the mixer. I wish I could buy more of them, but the parts list does not seem to include those. This spatula is long and narrow, with a pointed tip that makes it very good for getting the last of things out of jars as well as for scraping down the mixing bowl, and it is all one piece. This latter is the attribute that is missing from all of the spatulas that I have found online so far. Two-piece spatulas tend to get gunk inside the hole where the handle enters the blade. That will never happen with a one-piece spatula.
The timer stops the mixer at 10 minutes, regardless of speed or load. The first time that it happened I was worried that I might have overheated the unit, but there was no error code and the mixer resumed mixing when I restarted it. The behavior has appeared to be consistent, so I guess it is a safety feature. It can actually be used to advantage if one wants to let the dough rest in between two ten-minute periods of kneading. You can set it to knead and go on about your business until it is time for the second kneading. If a rest is not desired, you can restart it immediately.
I can't complain about the noise level. It's a powerful mixer. I would not expect it to hum quietly like a water cooler. It is louder than any hand mixer that I ever used, but no hand mixer could do what this bench mixer does. The noise level is not painful in any way.
Update 11 DEC 2013:
This mixer stalled two days ago, while I was mixing my usual bread recipe. After I was done working with the dough, by hand, I tried the mixer again with no load on it. It is now making a grinding noise. Rather than attempt to deal with their customer service, I ordered an Ankarsrum (Electrolux) mixer to replace it. This new unit is costing me twice as much as the Breville unit cost me. I hope it is worth that much. I already know the electrical cord isn't as nice.
So far, I am in love with this mixer. It is beautiful, fits nicely under my cabinetry, and is easy to pick up and move. Bonus: the cord retracts into the body of the mixer. The Breville comes with all the accessories I wanted, including a scraper beater and a splash guard which makes it easy to add ingredients as you mix. It is well powered for all my tasks and quieter than I expected. I really appreciated the LED speed indicator and the little clock which lets me know exactly how long, for example, a bread dough has been kneading. It's very easy to set up, and even easier to clean up.
Best of all, for someone like me who has no previous stand mixer experience to speak of, the Breville is entirely easy and intuitive to use. Once I familiarized myself with its parts and operation, I discovered that everything makes sense and that there are plenty of little labels on the mixer to guide its operation. This is important to me because I am learning to cook all over again. I want to focus on cooking, not on operating equipment. I doubt that I'll ever have to look at the user's manual again.
In summary, you will only be able to pry this mixer out of my cold, dead hands, since I won't part with it before then. In fact, I expect it will equally serve another generation after me.
Top reviews from other countries
It is light enough to pick up. It does not bounce or dance on the counter when mixing at any speed. It mixes evenly and the scraper beater does an excellent job as I do not have to scrape the stainless steel bowl during mixing. It manages to mix all the ingredients and not leave floury bits at the bottom. The Wire Whip is excellent for whipping eggs and egg whites etc. I shall be using the Dough Hook for pizza, Focaccia etc in the near future.
I love the LED speed Indicator and LCD screen with timer as well as the easy to use speed control dial.
The mixer comes with a 2 piece pouring shield which I used in the beginning when I first used the mixer, but I do not use it now, as I carefully and slowly mix the ingredient at a slow speed for 3 seconds and then get up to the speed needed. That way I do not cause splashing. The Stainless steel bowl is attractive and easy to clean.
The fact that this product has metal gears is a bonus as I wanted a strong and sturdy mixer.
550 Watts on this Stand Mixer is powerful enough to get any job done and last for years.
This mixer has more than met my expectations and I am extremely happy with the Breville- Scraper Mixer Pro!!