Thread Number: 75790  /  Tag: Small Appliances
Kenmore Elite Ovation Mixer
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Post# 996220   6/4/2018 at 22:17 (2,124 days old) by fan-of-fans (Florida)        

I just saw this new model in my email. I guess they still make the Elite tilt head and bowl lift models too. This one looks really cool though, and I like the snap on lid for the glass bowl.



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Post# 996256 , Reply# 1   6/5/2018 at 07:08 (2,123 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

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Interesting design. The semi-closed bowl with a hole in the top of the unit for adding ingredients is certainly new. It has a pretty wide bowl so it will be fun to see how it does keeping the entire bowl evenly mixed.

I checked to see if Amy from Amy Learns to Cook had mentioned it and she did, last week. She's a cooking gadget collector and does reviews and instructional vids on YT. She is just a regular gal, loves food and cooking and has some pretty funny escapades in the kitchen unboxing and trying out her new gadgets.






She sounds excited about the new Kenmore and is already working out the pricing and cost of this new machine to add to her collection. Check out some of her vids, especially the tour of her storage room -- it's astounding.


Post# 996527 , Reply# 2   6/7/2018 at 21:36 (2,121 days old) by fan-of-fans (Florida)        

I did see her video on the Sunbeam Mixmaster Heritage Series before but I'll have to check out her other ones too.

Post# 996544 , Reply# 3   6/8/2018 at 05:22 (2,120 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

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Her video of the Bosch Universal Plus is hilarious at some moments.








Post# 996562 , Reply# 4   6/8/2018 at 09:59 (2,120 days old) by nmassman44 (Brooksville Florida)        

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That is really a neat mixer. My KitchenAid Mixer that is almost 30 years old is still going strong...but if I had to replace it, I might consider this one. Its not in the stores yet and its on preorder. I just wonder how many will use that hole on top without that funnel...just another hole to clean after....

Post# 996683 , Reply# 5   6/9/2018 at 19:34 (2,119 days old) by earthling177 (Boston, MA)        

I've watched many of her videos and find them entertaining, and have at times learned something interesting or new.

But her videos on the Bosch and Ankarsrum (former Electrolux Assistent) leave a lot to be desired. I think she is so used to mixers like the KA that she is unable to use the other systems effectively. Or has not read the user guides or attempted to find YouTube videos.

I know that if you are used to a system it is potentially hard/difficult to get used to another, but not impossible. But when I see her struggling with the Bosch and the Assistent, I have less confidence in the rest of her videos -- I have both machines, and, while it took me a couple of times using them to learn the differences and how to use them effectively, it wasn't that difficult and now I find them *much* more useful than my KA. To the point that I have several attachments to both the Bosch and the Assistent, but have never bought any for my KA, despite the fact that I have the KA for many more years than the other mixers.

At some point during the videos, I felt like I should/could write to them and give them a few hints, but it seems to me like they already decided to hate both machines and that reading the user guides and/or finding other videos would not be useful, so I figured, their loss. Or maybe KA or some other brand paid them to poo-poo the only two other serious competitors they had, given that most other mixers are either just like the KA (but more expensive) or like the Sunbeam (but less sturdy).

Here's one video that seems to contradict what Amy said about the Bosch, for example, and, while I have not run all those tests, it seems to me that they are plausible and match my experience using the machine. (Please notice how they change from the cookie paddles to the dough hook at some point to complete the cookie challenge.)

Cheers,
   -- Paulo.








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Post# 996686 , Reply# 6   6/9/2018 at 19:49 (2,119 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )        

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Hi Paulo.. I sort of agree.. although her husband Eric preferred the Bosch over the KA. She does give it a lot of credit and the preferred choice for big loads of dough admitting the KA can't keep up. She also neglects to say that the Bosch is much easier to handle, anyone can lift it up and put it away. Not so with conventional stand mixers. And it's also much easier to add ingredients to the Bosch and Ankos. You can see in some of the videos it's almost a struggle to add ingredients to many of those mixers.

Post# 996689 , Reply# 7   6/9/2018 at 20:32 (2,119 days old) by earthling177 (Boston, MA)        

Well, if I remember right, there were two other videos, one of the Assistent and one of the Universal Plus -- she compares them to a KA, and it's just weird.

My experience whipping egg whites or cream, or making cakes or cookies, for example, differ from her demonstrations. It was much easier and faster with the two Euro-style machines than with my KA.

Granted, I have a tilt-head KA Accolade, 400W, "9 cups flour power" (I think it's a 5 quart bowl, can't remember), really, *really* noisy KA when compared to other models. I never needed the dough extender for the Bosch for example, even for small quantities.

I can't really explain it, I just had a "what the hell are they doing?" feeling with the other videos (this last one is not too bad). And the comments, everyone seemed to be left with the impression that the machines were not as good as they are, and, in one video, Eric basically dismisses the commenters as "fan boys" when they say their experience with the mixers differ from the demonstrations. Which led me to avoid commenting at all, if we're just gonna be "fan boys" as opposed to people who have a good experience and could lend them a hand and some tips.

Anyway, I don't even try to use my KA for more than 2 loaves (about 6 cups of flour), I tend to use the Bosch for 4-6 loaves and the Assistent for 4-8, depending on the recipe and what flour I'm using etc. Most of the time, I use the food processor to knead dough, it's only when I'm making a lot of bread that I use the mixers, but that is usually a few times a year, when I'm either freezing bread for later, making lots of bread for a party and/or I'm giving away bread to the neighbors.

I guess, if I had to take a stab at it, is that I'm peeved by the attitude "if you are just making a home size batch, buy a KA, and if you make a lot of multiple batches, buy the Euro-machines"... first off, if I make only one loaf of bread in my home (2 people), there will be *no* bread for tomorrow, because one loaf basically disappears, I need at least 2. Imagine if we were a couple with teenage kids, for example. The other thing is, most families in Europe are not much different or bigger than American families, and those 2 mixers might not be the most common mixers, but they are not unheard of either -- my feeling is that only recently, as frozen foods and microwavable foods became more common in Europe that people started buying "smaller" mixers that resemble the KA. But I may be wrong about that too, I dunno.

And I mean, making only one or two loaves of bread is weird, it's about the same amount of time and work to make more and freeze them, instead of having to bake every 2 days.

At the same time, in my home, we're not likely to make multi-batches of cakes or cookies, for example. We only make lots and lots of cookies some years for holidays, but not every year, and otherwise, it's a regular one batch of cookies or cake (if it's just "let's have something for dessert this weekend") or a double batch for parties. We are trying to limit the amount of sweets around the home because of diabetes. So far, so good, and we didn't have any difficulties making a "small"/single batch of anything with the Bosch or Assistent, quite the contrary, we prefer them to the KA.


Post# 996694 , Reply# 8   6/9/2018 at 21:46 (2,119 days old) by countryguy (Astorville, ON, Canada)        

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I have had the KA tilt head and bowl lift models, the Cuisinart and got rid of them all in favour of the Bosch Universal Plus. It is much quicker and thorough for mixing. I never made bread before I got the Bosch.

Gary


Post# 996705 , Reply# 9   6/10/2018 at 00:56 (2,119 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

The new Kenmore mixer looks interesting---BUT?? should you buy it at this time?$499 is a lot of money to spend on something whose infranstructure may not be around next year.How will you get parts and attachments and service?These are questions I need answers to,In the meantime my Viking Kenwood is fine for me.Her tests with that Bosch mixer are kinda making me wince.I am not familiar with the Bosch mixer-but when I hear a motor lugging like that----BACK OFF!!!!You may burn up the motor.And the container is REALLY too full.The 14Lb batch of dough should have been processed in TWO batches.Would be easier for you and the machine.

Post# 996713 , Reply# 10   6/10/2018 at 06:50 (2,118 days old) by nmassman44 (Brooksville Florida)        

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I did watch the Bosch mixer video and. I must say that does look interesting to say the least. I have always wondered how those worked. I did not realize how versatile they are and all the attachments that can be had and used on this machine.
I too wonder about Sears now since they have been closing stores here in Mass. it’s a matter of time before they are all gone.


Post# 996752 , Reply# 11   6/10/2018 at 15:32 (2,118 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )        

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I've made some seriously big batches of dough in my Bosch,,, handles it beautifully. I'd never worry that it would be over taxed. Another point with the Bosch is that it kneads so thoroughly in comparison that you can skip the 2nd rise. And it will whisk one egg white into stiff peaks ... I don't think any other regular mixer can do that.

Post# 996815 , Reply# 12   6/11/2018 at 00:23 (2,118 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

I did look up the Bosch mixer-there is a thermal breaker in the motor that would shut the machine down if the motor gets too hot.The design of the mixer is kinda clever-the motor has a drive on the top so it can be used with a blender.The low speed drive in the center of the base is for the mixer.Also looked up the similar Electrolux machine.Its more expensive.Those open top bowel base mounted "beaters" would take getting used to.From the videos of them working-would be competent machines.Like any other mixer-just don't overload them.Besides the motor-you have the motor control board-the board can be overheated,too from abnormal loads.and don't forget the mixer transmission-we don't want to wear or strip the gears!The "Lux machine has a belt.Don't know if that one has a blender.Does a have a hardware store of other attachments from pasta makers to meat grinders.You lay the "Lux" base on its side to use those.

Post# 1002626 , Reply# 13   8/5/2018 at 18:30 (2,062 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

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Well, FWIW, Amy dubs it a complete and total failure.





Post# 1002658 , Reply# 14   8/5/2018 at 22:34 (2,062 days old) by washingpowder (NYC)        

WOW that's bad.

Maybe Whirlpool didn't do much good to KitchenAid, and it's all smoke and mirrors for most of their countertop appliances; their mixers are still state-of-the-art though.

Serious cook here, bake my own bread and danishes kinda flow. Would never go any other brand than KitchenAid speaking of mixers. Don't get me wrong, buying their processor was a huge mistake and I regret not getting a Cuisinart or, even better, Breville. But that bowl-lift machine is used and abused on an everyday basis and never fails, period.
I somewhat wonder why do people actually try other brands; I never liked the results. According to America's Test Kitchen, neither did they.


Post# 1002674 , Reply# 15   8/6/2018 at 00:33 (2,062 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

In watching this test--don't think I will race out to Sears and get this machine.Stay with KA or Kenwood based machines instead.The Ovation failure is fitting with Sears future fate!Bet you will see a LOT of these machines in thrift places or garage sale tables.If you want one-just wait for that.The side mounted attachment drive looks VERY awkward.Think I will PASS on this machine.

Post# 1002677 , Reply# 16   8/6/2018 at 01:25 (2,062 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)        

I love her videos, but at the same time i smoke non stop and bite all the nails i have, almost panicking wondering if at any moment she'll stop breathing and faint and somebody will run from behind the camera and put an o² mask on her because of her breathing.



Post# 1002680 , Reply# 17   8/6/2018 at 02:37 (2,061 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

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Well, if you keep smoking there is a big chance you end up breathing like her. COPD is around the corner for every smoker.

Post# 1002681 , Reply# 18   8/6/2018 at 03:35 (2,061 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)        

Yep, I know... You're absolutely right.

BTW, before any misunderstanding happens. I didn't mean to be rude with her.


Post# 1002686 , Reply# 19   8/6/2018 at 07:27 (2,061 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

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Rex, I thought the same thing about that attachment mounting, what a pain that would be with the speed control on the opposite side. I had to LOL when she started the water and yeast-honey mixture and the hook barely touched the surface of the liquid. None of the mixing attachments seemed to mate with that oversized bowl well at all.

I didn't have high hopes for this Sears machine from the first glance. I too, would hold everything up to a KithcneAid. Despite their (few) flaws, they still lead the pack.



Post# 1002742 , Reply# 20   8/6/2018 at 15:33 (2,061 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

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KitchenAids are great, but Amy is not to fond of the mini version.








Post# 1002747 , Reply# 21   8/6/2018 at 16:33 (2,061 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)        

The Kitchenaid Mini is not exactly the best thing ever...

Actually I think the KA mini is cute, but silly.


Post# 1002750 , Reply# 22   8/6/2018 at 16:44 (2,061 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )        

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I wouldn't trade my Bosch Universal for anything, well maybe a new Universal Plus but then it really doesn't do anything different than the old model. Watch this video making cookie dough with 20 cups of flour , 3 lbs of butter , doesn't miss a beat. I don't think , could be wrong, that any KA could compete with that. I've bought all my attachments from Carol at Healthy Kitchens great webstore.

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Post# 1002772 , Reply# 23   8/6/2018 at 22:12 (2,061 days old) by countryguy (Astorville, ON, Canada)        

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I'm with you Pete. I bought my Universal Plus at the same place. I have had the Kitchen Aid tilt head and bowl lift models as well as the Cuisinart and the Bosch runs circles around all 3 of them.

Gary


Post# 1002773 , Reply# 24   8/6/2018 at 22:25 (2,061 days old) by IowaBear (Cedar Rapids, IA)        

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I like Carol's instruction.  Funny.  Good on screen personality.

 

At 7:15 as she's holding the lid on..."As my DIL would say this is insaaane. Why not? - If you can do it, do it!"

 

Almost makes me want to try my hand at a batch.  I've never made cookies other than the kind you buy in a refrigerated roll and slice.  And those aren't too great.


Post# 1002789 , Reply# 25   8/7/2018 at 01:44 (2,061 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

GAN I am with you on the attachments not matching with the bowel.That Ovation mixer must have been designed by a committee.The whisk didn't whip well,and the speed seemed too slow for proper whipping of the egg whites and cream.
The Bosch machine is indeed a very competent mixer.Would like to get one someday when I have more time to cook.The Bosch looks "flimsy" but holds up like a real TOUGH trooper!


Post# 1019169 , Reply# 26   12/27/2018 at 04:57 (1,918 days old) by man114 (Buffalo)        
It’s actually not bad

I bought one of these a month or so ago because I had $140 in points to use within a week’s time and was out of ideas. I liked the low clearance, figured it was an early Christmas gift for my wife.

It really isn’t as bad as the video makes it out to be, you probably have to lower the whisk with the screwdriver adjustment, a lot depends on how it lines up after after transit. I don’t think this would present an issue unless you were making extremely tiny batches of stuff.

I don’t see why bread dough would present any issues either. I’m actually kind of perplexed how she achieved such bad results especially with cookie dough, which it seems to do an excellent job of.

It cleans up far easier than our Kitchenaid.


Post# 1019207 , Reply# 27   12/27/2018 at 12:37 (1,918 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        

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I have the other Kenmore mixer and it's nearly identical to the KitchenAid. Uses the same attachments too. The Kenmore version also has an LED light on the bowl. I love it!

Post# 1019234 , Reply# 28   12/27/2018 at 16:38 (1,918 days old) by fan-of-fans (Florida)        

The Sears store here I think has a few KitchenAids and the older style Kenmore Elite tilt head style. I never saw the bowl lift Kenmore Elite here.

But for the Ovation they just have a card on the shelf with it. They don't have them on display or stock any here.


Post# 1019261 , Reply# 29   12/28/2018 at 00:53 (1,918 days old) by man114 (Buffalo)        

The Ovation seemed to be a hot holiday item. Our store had a lot of them and sold them all, they just got them back in. Amazon is sold out now it appears too.

Post# 1045521 , Reply# 30   9/20/2019 at 21:10 (1,651 days old) by fan-of-fans (Florida)        

Saw these in Sears today. First time I saw them and they didn't seem to show up until the store closing sale. The Kenmores and KitchenAids are 40% off here as part of the closing.

Post# 1059691 , Reply# 31   2/5/2020 at 20:51 (1,513 days old) by Gfm8959 (Long Island, NY)        
Amy learns to cook Bosch challenge

Wow you can really hear her COPD kick in towards the end after the dough is removed from the machine.


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