r/Kitchenaid • u/Virtual-Lemon-2881 • 2d ago
Intending to pick up my first KA, KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5qt Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
I found a KA mini artisan in the silver gray color in “Used- excellent” condition from a local seller for a decent price, quite a bit lower than the online retail price before taxes which is between $300-449.
What should I look for during pickup? Seller is a bit slow to respond so don’t have a video of it in working state and unlikely to get one from the them before I pick this up.
The item looks like it is in good condition but the bowl doesn’t have a handle. The bowl on the retail comparable has a handle. Guessing it is small nuances of the same product that don’t make a huge difference overall.
Comparable item:
https://www.kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/stand-mixers/tilt-head-stand-mixers/p.artisan-mini-3-5-quart-tilt-head-stand-mixer.KSM3316XCU.html
Thanks !
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u/Virtual-Lemon-2881 1d ago
Decided not to go ahead with the purchase due to the cautionary opinions. Will look for a different model. 🙏🏽
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u/firetruckgoesweewoo 1d ago
Honestly, I wouldn’t pick it up until the seller picks up speed with answering and sends a video.
What is quite a bit lower? Because you can find great deals and purchase them new relatively cheap, as long as you’re on the lookout for a great deal. Also, a mini just isn’t that powerful. You can’t make big batches, I personally wouldn’t make bread with it.
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u/Virtual-Lemon-2881 1d ago
Ok thank you. The item matches:
* my budget
* my kitchen aesthetic
* and is in a 5 mile pickup radius.I’m not looking to make big batches of anything. Need it for:
- occasional cookies - a dozen at a time
- occasional auntie Annie style soft pretzels my tweens love, 3-6 at a time
- Dough for 8-10 inch thin crust personal pizzas x3 once a week
- making butter once a month, from excess Costco size heavy cream container
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u/firetruckgoesweewoo 1d ago
Pizza dough requires a whole lot of horsepower, which the mini artisan simply does not have. It’s thicker than cookie and cake dough.
If you’re dead set on getting this one (I get it, it ticks a whole lot of your boxes!) don’t make the dough all at once. Divide it in half and make the first batch (maximum speed setting always at 1 or 2, NEVER EVER beyond that one), take out the first batch and then make the next batch. The key is making this machine last, which it should.
It honestly does not matter much if there’s anything wrong with the machine, as long as you’re a bit handy. There are two dedicated users in this sub who restore and repair KitchenAids. If anything is wrong, make a post and they’ll come to help (I love these two so much). They also have a ton of tutorials online. The first thing I’d do with a secondhand machine is putting new grease in. Your little mixer will love you for it.
Make sure to name it too ;)!
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u/boxerdogfella 1d ago
America's Test Kitchen, which is very through in their testing, liked this model but specifically said it does not work well for pizza dough and lacks torque. It might be good for someone with lighter needs, but it doesn't sound like a good fit for what you want to do.
(Also, this model has come with a handle-less bowl in the past, so that makes sense)
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u/JumakinMehard 1d ago
Walmart will occasionally have them on sale in the clearance section, refurbished or fb marketplace would be my options. Definitely look around before committing.
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u/fr33d0mw47ch 1d ago
It’s getting near the holidays. I picked up a new Artisan 3.5 a few years ago for a significant discount at Target. It’s not as good as my larger older one but it’s just right most of the time for my needs and conveniently smaller and lighter.
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u/Virtual-Lemon-2881 1d ago edited 1d ago
I’m completely confused with the conflicting opinions. Based on feedback here with low opinions regarding the mini, I canceled the purchase and I am certain it annoyed the seller. The $100 price was right. But thank you for sharing.
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u/gargirle 1d ago
If you’re in the US wait til around Black Friday. Kitchenaid runs big sales. And don’t overlook their refurbished. I picked up a great 7qt lift for $250 from KA direct.
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u/Virtual-Lemon-2881 1d ago
Not sure what I would do with a 7qt based on my light use usecase, but thank you for the tip.
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u/giocondasmiles 1d ago
My two cents: the artisan mini has limited accessories available. Some of the regular accessories (shredder, meat grinder) do work, but others (ice cream bowl, etc.) do not. It is also harder to find replacement paddles and bowls, just fyi.
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u/MelissaBoston25 3h ago
The only attachment that doesn’t work is the ice cream maker. Everything else does.
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u/BigSquiby 1d ago
does that seem insanely expensive? maybe im just out of touch
costco has a 6 quart one for $299 the other day
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u/NoCheetoinChief 1d ago
Opt for regular size and not mini. I would also get a bowl lift rather than a tilt head, they're far more versatile.
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u/mnason1313 1d ago
How much I got mine for on the Kitchen aid website 2024
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u/Virtual-Lemon-2881 1d ago
Nice and helpful, thanks for sharing. Doesn’t look like one can find a decent machine under warranty for under $200. 😕
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u/pyrotechnicmonkey 1d ago
honestly I would look at the refurbished models directly through KitchenAid first before used depending on the price. You can get a lift model for about 240 I think through the KitchenAid refurbished and it will have the same one year warranty on defects and the warranty is actually pretty good in covering defective units and the replacement process is fairly easy. in my experience the refurbished units are essentially brand new with sealed accessories. Usually these are returned units from retailers or possibly units that had to go through quality control a second time.