So I am looking for a proper stand mixer that has enough power for all those jobs and won't break down in a year. But I don't want to spend 500+ francs for a KitchenAid. On the other hand, I'm wary of all those cheap models (such as those at Lidl, Aldi, Conforama, etc.).
Recently, Saldo magazine had a test of affordable stand mixers. The full review is behind a paywall, but Galaxus put up a summary:
All of your personal experiences are welcome.
That said, one of the main reasons that I wanted it was because Kitchen Aid also has that attachment mount on the front, and I was able to hook up a meat grinder (I was making a lot of homemade sausage in Japan, because no good ones to be found where I was), and there's also a food processor attachment that I've my eyes on. So the Kitchen Aid 'can' be several machines in one, which, especially if you don't already have a meat grinder and food processor, might be worth your while.
In short, I'm happy with mine, but I get your leeriness about laying out the cash for one... they are ridiculously expensive, especially here.
I personally believe it is better to save up and buy a good quality lifetime product rather than one you may have to throw out after a few years & replace. I inherited my Kitchen Aid stand mixer from my mother and it works as good as new to this day and is a staple in my kitchen. (I even use it for juicing and meat grinding).
Perhaps you can even locate a used one on one of the auction sites?
Deindeal has indeed a KitchenAid offer .
Starting 709.-
I'll keep an eye out on Black Friday.
However, how often does one need a workhorse today?
The first Kitchenaid was bought expecting to regularly bake for a large family, it was a godsend for holiday baking, giving dinner parties, etc - the kind of life I baked for before moving here.
However, it was a tad annoying when mixing smaller amounts, leaving dough unmixed at the bottom so that I had to stop and scrape by hand. At least I though the problem was with smaller amounts in a large mixer.
When we moved here I bought a smaller Kitchenaid, knowing I would bake less. I bought the same brand simply because I already had the full range of attachments. I was disappointed to find the same problem with the beaters not getting to the bottom of the bowl.
My biggest problem with the Kitchenaid is the space it takes in my tiny kitchen. I don't have room to keep it on a counter, but if I store it in the cellar chances are it will never see the light of day again. Every mixer will be a problem in a small kitchen, but because the Kitchenaid is so heavy I find that I often just can't rustle up the energy to drag it upstairs.
So I bake a lot of scones that only need hand mixing.
---
Whatever you decide, do not pay full Swiss list price! There are always sales going on, you should be able to get 40-50% off. (That will still be expensive, though.)
The fact it will probably outlast most others should give you enough motivation from a greenhouse perspective.
Unfortunately here, it's mainly electric for ranges (see other thread), and my long lasting Caphalon would get that weird warp, so we've left many of my thirty year old pans in Japan.
Likewise, Japan stopped making quality cooking appliances years ago, and relies mainly on disposable (or not more than two or three years of use) appliances. II have several of my parents or grandparents appliances (eg Oster Blender, cast iron food mills) that are well over forty years old.
If you can get the Kitchen Aid for a decent price - the suggestion above is great - I'd recommend it.
I hope you can find exactly what you are looking for OP from the many suggestions here. Another tip - I used a hand mixer for years and was quite happy with it ...
https://www.techmania.ch/de/product/...xoCSbIQAvD_BwE
Unfortunately, they deliver that item to Germany only. If any of you living near the border are interested, it can be worth it going over to pick it up.